Press Release

June 17, 1999

17 June 1999: Psion Enterprise Computing today announced that it has formed an alliance with Espial Group to deliver Java development tools and Internet applications solutions for their mobile and handheld devices. Espial will provide users of the Psion devices with rich GUI development tools in the way of Espial's™ Espresso PersonalJava GUI toolkit and Espial Architect visual builder. Also increasing the application solutions available for Psion's products, Espial's Java Internet Application Suite that includes a full-featured web browser, email client and personal information manager is now available.

Psion will initially offer espial's solutions with netBook™, the first of several Java device offerings. "NetBook is a device with a very attractive form factor suitable for a variety of tasks," said Claes Bergstedt, Commercial Director for Psion Enterprise Computing. "Espial's tools now allow our customers to take advantage of netBook's capabilities by allowing them to quickly and easily develop custom Java applications for netBook tailored for their needs." Psion expects to be shipping these tools with netBook evaluations to be available later this year.

"Psion is one of the first product manufacturers to release a Java enabled mobile device and Espial's relationship with Psion has created a very compelling content development solution for netBook" said Jaison Dolvane, President Espial Group Inc. "The netBook is a very powerful device with a very rich set of features and content developer solutions which makes for a very attractive mobile device offering"

Psion's netBook

netBook is the first product in a range of mobile devices aimed at companies seeking enterprise-wide computing solutions. The products will offer easy to use, ‘instant-on' portable computing, combined with Sun Microsystem's industry standard Java platform for enterprise application deployment.

Combining innovative design and new technology, netBook features Psion's first implementation of colour on a full VGA high quality screen offering pen-driven navigation and data input and a keyboard with standard Qwerty layout. In addition to a PC card drive, it also has a slot for either a compact flash card or disk drive for large data storage requirements.

Espial's solutions

Espial's Java development tools include Espial Espresso - the industry's only PersonalJava GUI Toolkit, Espial Architect - a visual Rapid Application Development Tool. In addition, Espial's Internet Application Suite consists of Espial Escape - a full-featured web browser including JavaScript support, Espial Ebox - email client and Espial Assistant - personal information manager. Espial also offers Espial Devicetop™ - an operating environment that provides a multiple application environment, customizable look and feel capabilities, and virtual keyboards together with software upgrade features and lots more.

About Psion

The first company to launch a volume handheld computer, Psion has been a leader in mobile computing for 13 years producing innovative and awards winning products. From field service to finance, healthcare to manufacturing, Psion Enterprise Computing delivers mobile computers that give employees enterprise-wide access to their corporate data.