Press Release

March 13, 2000

OTTAWA, Canada - 13 March 2000: Espial, the leading provider of Internet appliance solutions, today announced the availability of a revolutionary end-to-end platform for smart devices that will enable telco, cable, wireless and Internet service providers to remotely manage content and application services available on portable smart devices. This end-to-end universal service delivery platform includes Espial DeviceTop, a service enabled Internet appliance platform that enables the delivery of services to the next-generation of smart devices and Espial DeviceServer, a robust, reliable and highly scalable server-based infrastructure for enterprises, service providers and network operators enabling them to deliver, manage and upgrade services universally to a wide range of smart devices.

Mobile phone operators are going to have to redesign their business models and start acting more like Internet companies if they want to be successful in the Third Generation (3G) wireless market, according to a report recently released from Deloitte Consulting. The report warns that the transition to 3G will be nothing like the move from analogue to digital GSM, and will require an operator to become primarily a data company and information provider. The company predicts that over 75 percent of 3G telecom revenues will come from providing data services. If companies fail to do so they risk becoming mere PTTs (post, telegraph and telecom companies). Referenced from ZDNet on a Deloitte Consulting report, Oct. 1999.

"As telecommunication service providers and media converge with emerging Internet-enabled smart devices, a new paradigm of personalized information services delivered to connected and portable devices will become the future of telecommunications and the Internet services" states Mal Raddalgoda, senior director of strategic marketing at Espial. "And Espial is delivering the key infrastructure technologies for device manufacturers and service providers, for smart devices and smart device based services."

First generation smart devices have traditionally been looked upon as devices that can do a single function. However, that view has changed as rapidly as the proliferation of these devices onto the market. A successful smart device is now being looked upon as an extensible device platform that allows the consumer to access content, application services and information from anywhere at anytime. It is now a device that can fulfill the consumer's demand for rich application services, increase productivity, improve access to data, foster seamless communication, and ultimately to provide the consumer with the luxury of having technology work for them. Espial provides this platform to enable device manufacturers to bring such an Internet appliance to the end consumer and provides the service delivery infrastructure that will enable service providers and network operators to deliver information and rich application services to these consumer smart devices.

"Services for smart device and smart appliances are the next step in the post-PC era", said Paul Zorfass, senior analyst with IDC/FTI. "The ability for consumers and other mobile workers to access personalized services and information from a variety of connected devices offers significant new opportunities for ISPs, Telcos, Cablecos and wireless service providers. With the introduction of DeviceTop and DeviceServer, Espial has taken a leadership position by offering the first implementation of an end-to-end solution for managed smart device services to the service provider and consumer electronics markets."

Espial DeviceTop

DeviceTop is a universal service delivery platform for the next generation of Internet-enabled TV, automotive, wireless and consumer smart devices. DeviceTop is a Java-based graphical desktop environment for devices that enables you to add, remove or upgrade device applications and services remotely and run multiple applications and applets from within a single embedded Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Devicetop provides several other features like application launching capabilities, inter-application communication mechanisms, an open developer API for 3rd party content and application services, and customizable virtual keyboards together with support for various other input devices. Further DeviceTop, stays true to Espial's product line by offering total branding capabilities, enabling consumer electronics OEMs to customize, brand and differentiate the look and feel of any Internet appliance.

Espial DeviceServer

Espial DeviceServer is a robust, reliable and highly scalable server solution for enterprises, service providers and network operators, providing them with the infrastructure to universally deliver content and rich application services to a wide variety of smart devices ranging from digital TV to web appliances and automotive to wireless devices. Espial DeviceServer provides features to remotely upgrade, manage and control devices, and can communicate with and query individual devices for their profiles and states. Espial DeviceServer provides a network file storage system and comprehensive application and service hosting capabilities, which make it an ideal network hub for devices and thin clients. It further provides extensive security features combined with the management and delivery of secure content and application services. Espial DeviceServer's e-commerce module provides all the features required to track, meter service usage, provide unified billing, and to develop new business models for smart device services.

Pricing and Availability

Espial's Internet appliance platform is currently shipping. Free evaluation copies of Espial DeviceTop will be available shortly for download at the Espial web site at http://www.espial.com. For evaluation copies of Espial DeviceServer, further information or immediate evaluations, please contact your sales representative at sales@espial.com or at +1 972 361 8080. In Europe, please email saleseurope@espial.com or at +44 1793 698047.