Press Release

September 13, 2000

OTTAWA, Canada - 13 September 2000: Espial, the market leader in infrastructure software for the Pervasive Internet, today unveiled their newest commitment to building applications for the rapidly growing smart device market. Espial is dedicating free developer versions of its Java-based software and development tools to the growing number of Java developers on devicetop.com, the first portal for smart device developers. Devicetop.com is an industry partnership that fosters smart device application development through education, community, and contests including a BMW roadster giveaway.

With the availability of its full suite of software and tools, Espial is providing developers with far more than the Escape web browser. Espial's Architect and Espresso provide the developer with feature rich and cross-platform Java development tools, while the Devicetop smart device platform enables them to develop, test, launch and use their smart device Internet applications right from their PC desktops. As Jaison Dolvane, president and co-founder of Espial, explains: "Our vision of the Pervasive Internet is larger than one company and it is absolutely imperative that smart device manufacturers, service providers and service developers work together to define open standards and technologies required for the implementation of a truly pervasive computing infrastructure. The web browser was a key platform that drove the success of the Internet, however as the Internet begins to diverge from being browser- and PC- centric, a richer, more versatile platform is required across various types of devices."

Free downloads available from devicetop.com Espial Architect v.3.0 is a visual development environment for Java that enables users to rapidly develop graphically rich applications for smart devices.

Espial Espresso v.3.2 is a rich suite of GUI components targeted for use in the development of smart device application services and user interfaces

Espial Escape v.4.5 is a small footprint full-featured web browser for smart devices that supports all the latest web standards

Espial Devicetop v.2.0 is a smart device service platform that leverages the Java language into a powerful service platform DeviceTop.com BMW Z3 contest In order to motivate Java developers to learn and create smart device applications, devicetop.com is putting a BMW Z3 Roadster up for grabs. Devicetop.com will be giving the car to the developer who uploads the best Java technology-based smart device application to the devicetop.com portal. The contest finalists will be determined by a vote of the members of the devicetop.com portal. For more information on the contest, rush to www.devicetop.com

Availability

Espial’s development tools, Espial Escape web browser and devicetop service platform is available today for free. Simply click on www.devicetop.com for all the latest downloads. For smart device manufacturers or service providers who would like further information or immediate evaluation copies of Espial’s solutions, please contact sales@espial.com or call +1.972.980.7195. In Europe, please email saleseurope@espial.com or call +44 1793 698047.

The Pervasive Internet

Espial believes that the success of the Pervasive Internet (an Internet available to billions of users who access highly personalized information through a variety of smart devices) depends on the presence of three major critical elements. These three critical elements include the wide availability of smart devices, service provider infrastructure to manage devices, and large developer or service creator communities focused on creating services for smart devices. Espial is committed to working with its partners and customers to put in place these various elements of the pervasive computing infrastructure.

Note to editors: Espial, Espial Escape, Espial Espresso, Espial Devicetop, and Espial DeviceServer are trademarks of Espial Group Inc. Java and all other Java-based trademarks are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

For additional information, please contact:

Angie Lynch Director of Corporate Communications, Espial 613.230.4770 x1110 (Direct) 613.799.9432 (Mobile) alynch@espial.com

Emma Marsh TKO Marketing Consultants Tel: +44 (0) 1444 473 555 Fax: +44 (0) 1444 473 666 Emma@tko.co.uk