BSQUARE Brings Open, Web-based Instant Messaging Capability To Users Of Windows-Powered Pocket PCs and Other Devices.Business Editors, High Tech Writers NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2000 Today BSQUARE Corporation (Nasdaq:BSQR) released a new software application, BSQUARE Messenger(TM) 1.1, to provide instant messaging Exchanging text messages in real time between two or more people logged into a particular instant messaging (IM) service. Instant messaging is more interactive than e-mail because messages are sent immediately, whereas e-mail messages can be queued up in a mail server for seconds or capability for users of Windows-powered devices, including Pocket PCs, set-top boxes, web pads, and other connected or wireless intelligent computing devices. The only Windows CE (Windows Consumer Electronics) Microsoft's version of Windows for handheld devices and embedded systems that use x86, ARM, MIPS and SHx CPUs. Windows CE .NET superseded Windows CE 3.0. instant messaging software compatible with Microsoft's Web-based MSN Messenger Microsoft's instant messaging (IM) service, which provides text messaging and voice calling. Part of the MSN Network, MSN Messenger clients are available for non-XP versions of Windows, Mac, Pocket PC and MSN TV. For Windows XP, the IM client is Windows Messenger. Service, BSQUARE Messenger enables real-time communication between Windows-powered device users and the more than 61 million Hotmail users around the world who have access to MSN Messenger. With BSQUARE Messenger on a Windows-powered Pocket PC, users can sign up for a free MSN (1) (MicroSoft Network) A family of Internet-based services from Microsoft, which includes a search engine, e-mail (Hotmail), instant messaging (Windows Live Messaging) and a general-purpose portal with news, information and shopping (MSN Directory). Hotmail email account email account email n → compte m (e-)mail and instantly communicate with anyone else who has an MSN Hotmail account and access to the Internet. BSQUARE Messenger uses MSN Messenger, the easy-to-use Internet messaging service that provides users with instant and private contact with their friends, family and colleagues to transmit messages. The combined power of BSQUARE Messenger and MSN Messenger Service gives Pocket PC and other Windows-powered device users an alternative to proprietary technology that restricts users to communicating strictly within fee-based systems such as AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. , and ubiquitously connects them with over 10 million other active users of MSN Messenger. "The freedom to communicate instantly keeps people connected," said Denise Slocombe, Business Unit Director for BSQUARE's Mobile and Wireless Group. "Instant messaging is not just for desktop computer users or online service subscribers anymore. BSQUARE Messenger, combined with the power of Pocket PC, provides instant communication possibilities for consumer and business users alike. Users can communicate with anyone via a Hotmail address -- whether they're using another Windows-powered device, a desktop computer, or even a Windows-powered set-top box or industrial automation device. Add a wireless modem A modem and antenna that transmits and receives over the air. Wireless modems support several technologies, including 802.11, Bluetooth, CDPD, DataTAC, Mobitex and Ricochet. There are wireless modems for laptops, handhelds and cellphones. or LAN card See network adapter. , or a wireless cell phone connection, and the true power of wireless instant communication on handheld computers is realized with BSQUARE Messenger." "Instant messaging is a killer application Killer Application Killer application or "killer app" is a buzzword that describes a software application that surpasses all of its competitors. Notes: The term is sometimes used to describe a type of software. for the future of handheld and other intelligent devices," said Gerry Purdy, president of Mobile Insights, a leading information source for the mobile computing Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not necessarily imply mobile computing. Fixed wireless applications use satellites, radio systems and lasers to transmit between permanent objects such as buildings and data communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. markets. "By tying in with the free MSN Messenger system, BSQUARE is enabling anyone, anywhere to communicate instantly with anyone who signs up for a free Hotmail account, whether at desktop computers or on mobile intelligent devices, who have simple access to the Internet. The power of BSQUARE Messenger is that it's available to everyone." According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Mobile Insights, the worldwide market for instant messaging will grow to 175 million users by 2002 due mostly to the availability of instant messaging on handheld computers and mobile phones. "Windows-powered Pocket PCs not only provide users with the best way to stay connected to essential information, they are versatile as well," said Rogers Weed, director of marketing for the Mobile Devices Division, Microsoft Corp. "BSQUARE is at the forefront of creating innovative applications that take advantage of this versatility to offer Windows-powered Pocket PC users ubiquitous instant messaging." Communicate Instantly, Wirelessly, with BSQUARE Messenger BSQUARE Messenger is wireless-ready, and can be used wirelessly through a wireless local area network (LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. ) card, wide area network (WAN) card, or a wireless modem card and any standard mobile phone with an infrared port A transmitter/receiver for infrared signals. See IrDA and IR remote control. . BSQUARE Messenger is also compatible for use with the new Bluetooth wireless technology, and can be used with a Bluetooth connectivity card when available. BSQUARE Messenger turns Pocket PCs and other Windows-powered devices into instant communications tools. BSQUARE Messenger can be used by corporations for intra-company communications via wireless LAN A local area network that transmits over the air typically in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz unlicensed frequency band. It does not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations (access points) are wired to an Ethernet network and transmit a radio frequency over an area , by end-users wishing to stay connected to friends and family, and even by sales associates for communicating back to company headquarters. Availability and Pricing BSQUARE Messenger carries a suggested retail price of $9.95 and will be available in April from the BSQUARE Online store at http://www.bsquare.com or from authorized BSQUARE distributors. For the first 60 days everyone who purchases a copy of BSQUARE Messenger will receive a free copy of bTask 2.0, BSQUARE's essential task-switching utility for PocketPC and other Windows-powered mobile devices. About Pocket PC Windows-powered Pocket PCs, the next-generation PDAs from Microsoft and its partners, offer customers the best way to connect to their most essential information while away from their desk, yet are versatile enough to satisfy the personal needs of today's busy mobile lifestyle. Pocket PCs already include a broad range of native business, personal productivity, and entertainment applications, yet can easily be expanded to adapt to each customer's changing needs through an ever-growing number of industry standard hardware and software expansion options. About BSQUARE BSQUARE Corporation (Nasdaq:BSQR) is a dynamic software company working with Fortune 500 companies to enable the age of intelligent computing devices. Specializing in the Windows family of operating systems Operating systems can be categorized by technology, ownership, licensing, working state, usage, and by many other characteristics. In practice, many of these groupings may overlap. , BSQUARE is a supplier of software products and services for PC Companions, Internet appliances, industrial automation devices, Windows-based terminals, and other mobile and wireless intelligent computing devices. BSQUARE's Pocket PC applications are produced by BSQUARE's Mobile and Wireless Business Unit, a group that addresses the information and communication needs of the mobile device developer and user. BSQUARE's technologies include instant messaging, Internet faxing, printing, remote update of data and applications, data synchronization Keeping data in two or more computers up-to-date so that each repository contains the identical information. Data in handheld devices and laptops often require synchronization with the data in a desktop machine or server. , and XML-based transaction processing Updating the appropriate database records as soon as a transaction (order, payment, etc.) is entered into the computer. It may also imply that confirmations are sent at the same time. Transaction processing systems are the backbone of an organization because they update constantly. over wireless LAN and WAN networks. For further information, visit BSQUARE's web site at http://www.bsquare.com or call 888/820-4500. Note to editors: For evaluation copies or screen shots please contact Michelle Manson at 425/519-5900 or press@bsquare.com. This release contains forward-looking statements relating to our sales that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could affect BSQUARE's actual results include the failure of the market to accept this product, delays in the introduction of the product, adverse changes in BSQUARE's relationship with Microsoft, a decline in the market for Windows CE-based intelligent computing devices or the failure of such market to develop as anticipated, delays or announcements of delays by Microsoft of Windows CE product releases, competition and intellectual property risks. A more detailed description of certain factors that could affect actual results include, but are not limited to, those discussed in BSQUARE's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. , in the section entitled "Risk Factors." Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. BSQUARE undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. |
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