Microsoft to Acquire aha! software
REDMOND, Wash. — April 8, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire aha! software corp. of Mountain View, Calif., a leading developer of electronic-ink note-taking and editing software for mobile computers and communicators. Financial terms of the agreement were not released.
"aha! has come up with a very innovative way to deal with the handwriting recognition problem by manipulating handwriting in its ink form as though it were actual computer text," said Paul Maritz, group vice president of the platforms group at Microsoft. "We see the potential for broad applications of this technology as society becomes increasingly mobile."
"We are very pleased to be joining forces with Microsoft," said Greg Stikeleather, president and CEO of aha! software. "Combining the resources and vision of Microsoft and aha! software will promote the adoption and integration of our technologies into an expanded group of products."
aha! software corp., founded in 1991, develops and markets innovative, top-quality software products that enable users of mobile computers and communicators to capture, edit, and communicate information quickly and conveniently — without requiring handwriting recognition. aha!'s patent-pending SmartInk technology overcomes handwriting-recognition obstacles by enabling people to edit their original ink handwriting in the same manner that they edit text with a word processor.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
NOTE: Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
CONTACT:
Press Only: Katherine Rooks of Waggener Edstrom, 206-637-9097, or krooks@wagged.com ;
or
Greg Stikeleather of aha! software, 415-988-2080, or stikeleather@ahasoft.com