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Symbian connects with leading technology vendors to enable smartphones

Symbian extends its lead in software for next generation mobile phones by launching a strategic alliance with Aether Systems, fusionOne, Pumatech, and Starfish Software to provide connectivity solutions

CeBIT 2001, Hannover, Germany - (21st March 2001) - Symbian today announced the next stage in developing its software platform for next generation mobile phones by partnering with leading industry vendors to provide seamless connectivity solutions for consumer and corporate users of next generation mobile devices.

Members of this partner program provide connectivity solutions for Symbian based devices, fulfilling a key requirement of all mobile users to simply and easily connect and synchronize with corporate intranets, PC's, network servers and other mobile devices. The initial members of the connectivity partner program are Aether Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: AETH), fusionOne, Inc., Pumatech, Inc. (NASDAQ: PUMA), and Starfish Software, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola).

"Symbian's vision is of a world where the mobile phone becomes a smarter device for information access and communications. Key to delivering this vision is seamless access to the Enterprise, Internet and desktop infrastructure," said Mark Edwards, EVP, Sales & Marketing, Symbian. "Our heritage demonstrates how Symbian is able to provide focus and delivery of solutions through partnership. Continuing this focus we're working with leading Connectivity providers who have the products and experience to deliver wide-ranging connectivity solutions for Symbian based devices."

Connectivity Solutions for smartphones and communicators

Under the agreement, Aether Systems, fusionOne, Pumatech and Starfish Software partner with Symbian on the marketing and development of wireless connectivity technologies for Symbian based devices. Products that are being developed to support Symbian based devices include:

  • The fusionOne SyncML client for Symbian allows data entered into any Symbian-powered device to automatically be synchronized through the fusionOne service to a user's collection of devices and applications, including PCs, handheld devices, mobile phones, and web-based applications. This product will be available H2 2001.
  • Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM), the proprietary software platform that powers Aether's wireless hosting service.
  • Pumatech's upcoming Sync-it 2.0 software, which will deliver the ability to perform multi-point, Web-based synchronisation of calendar,
    e-mail, contacts, and tasks between Symbian-compatible devices and home PCs, work PCs, and Internet PIMs, using a network, dial-up, or wireless connection to the Internet. In addition, Pumatech's Intellisync 4.0 software, which provides desktop-based, two-way synchronisation between a variety of PC-based applications and Symbian-compatible devices. This product will be available Q2 2001.
  • Starfish Software's TrueSync Technology, SyncML-based synchronization infrastructure and software solutions for Internet portals, wireless operators, enterprises, device manufacturers and wireless integrators, as well as emerging vertical markets, Telematics and broadband. TrueSync brings an integrated set of market-ready applications, services and rapid development tools spanning device, desktop, server and Web solutions. Symbian support will be offered in Q2 2001.

Supporting quotes from partners

"Aether has built its reputation on providing services that ensure secure, reliable delivery of mobile applications across a wide variety of mobile devices," said Steve Brown, senior vice president, Aether Systems. "This partnership with Symbian will complement our efforts to continue expanding our platform for next generation mobile phones."

"fusionOne's synchronization solution seamlessly mediates data between protocols, platforms and standards to provide instant and automatic synchronization from any device, anywhere," said Rick Onyon, president and CEO of fusionOne. "We're pleased to be working in partnership with Symbian and look forward to delivering the technology that will drive the mass market of smartphones."

"The industry-leading desktop synchronisation and infrastructure synchronisation solutions provided by Pumatech are an ideal companion to the scaleable, robust and industry-leading mobile device operating system offered by Symbian", commented Brad Rowe, president, CEO, and co-founder of Pumatech.

"Starfish's TrueSync synchronization infrastructure and software is a great match for the capabilities of Symbian devices," said Philippe Kahn, chief executive officer of Starfish. "Users of Symbian products deployed within the enterprise or used in combination with Internet services will have delivery of data anytime, anywhere."

Symbian, which supplies a software platform for next-generation mobile phones, is working with leading mobile phone manufacturers to address the emerging demand for smartphones which combine voice communications, wireless Internet access and computing functionality. Ericsson is already shipping a Symbian based smartphone - the Ericsson R380, and Nokia is due to ship the Nokia 9210 Communicator - the first device to be based on Symbian's open software platform v6.0 - in H2, 2001. Other companies developing next generation mobile devices on the Symbian platform include Kenwood, Motorola, Panasonic, Psion, Sanyo, Sony and Siemens.

About Symbian

Symbian owns, develops and licenses a software platform for next generation mobile phones. Owned by Ericsson, Matsushita (Panasonic), Motorola, Nokia and Psion, Symbian's mission is to license the Symbian platform to all mobile phone manufacturers and to create a mass market for next generation mobile phones by working closely with wireless networks, content, messaging and enterprise wide solution providers. Symbian's website can be found at  Symbian

About Aether Systems Inc.

Aether Systems, Inc., is a leading provider of wireless and mobile data products and services allowing real-time communications and transactions across a full range of devices and networks. Using its engineering expertise, the ScoutWare™ family of products including the Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) software platform, and its network operations center and customer-care center, Aether seeks to provide comprehensive, technology-independent wireless and mobile computing solutions. Aether develops and delivers wireless data services across a variety of industries and market segments in the United States and internationally. For more information, please visit Aether Systems Inc.

About fusionOne, Inc.

Privately held and founded in 1998, fusionOne is the pioneer developer and marketer of cutting-edge Internet sync services that make information access simple and seamless across multiple communications and computing devices. fusionOne is backed by funding from Chase Capital, Flatiron Partners, Nokia Ventures (NYSE: NOK), Oppenheimer Funds, 3Com Ventures (NASDAQ: COMS), El Dorado Ventures, and many other leading investment banks. fusionOne's most recent partnerships include Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC), Hewlett Packard Company (NYSE: HWP), InfoSpace, Sabre (NYSE: TSG), seeUthere.com and NBC Internet, Inc. (NASDAQ: NBCI). fusionOne, Inc. is headquartered in San Jose California, with worldwide offices in New York; Virginia; Atlanta; London; Tallinn, Estonia; and Tokyo, Japan.
fusionOne can be found on the Internet at fusionOne or contacted via telephone at (408) 282-1200.

About Pumatech

Pumatech, Inc. (Nasdaq: PUMA), formerly known as Puma Technology, Inc., is the leading provider of software infrastructure for the mobile world. The Company, which has long been the leader in synchronization with its Intellisync™ technology, is in the process of rolling out recently acquired, leading-edge personalization, notification and Web-browsing services integrated with synchronization. Pumatech now offers a comprehensive application suite, the Mobile Application Platform (MAP), for the delivery of highly personalized content to any mobile device. It is the only integrated solution that fully supports all mobile devices and standards, including WAP phones, SMS-enabled phones, Palm OS handhelds, Pocket PCs, Web sites, and desktop applications, such as Outlook. Companies using Pumatech™ products can create powerful mobile solutions that give customers and employees anytime, anywhere access to relevant information. Pumatech's mobile solutions are used by a wide range of leading companies, mobile device manufacturers, telecommunications carriers, software companies, and individuals. Headquartered in San Jose, California.

About Starfish Software

The company leverages its SyncML-enabled TrueSync® technology for next-generation synchronization solutions, for wireless phone and device manufacturers, wireless carriers, leading Internet portals and enterprise. An industry leader and technology innovator, Starfish is one of the founders of the SyncML Initiative, pioneering an open industry specification for synchronization of remote data across multiple networks and devices. Starfish customers and partners include Yahoo!, Excite, Motorola, Sony, and Hewlett-Packard. Founded in 1994, Starfish is a wholly owned independent subsidiary of Motorola (NYSE: MOT) with headquarters in Scotts Valley, CA.

fusionOne and Internet Sync are trademarks of fusionOne , Inc. All other product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

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