IBM Japan Ltd. Selects Microware's OS-9 and DAVID for New Digital Set-top Boxes.

TOKYO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 1998--Microware Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MWAR) today announced that IBM Japan Ltd. has selected Microware's flagship OS-9 Real Time Operating System (RTOS) for its new digital television set-top box (STB). This new product was initially demonstrated at the recent IBM Product Fair in Tokyo, Japan. IBM plans to offer this STB on an OEM basis to the world market as well as the domestic Japanese market. This represents an important new opportunity for Microware's established DAVID RTOS solution for digital television products.

IBM introduced two STB models, one for digital broadcast satellite (DBS) and the other for digital cable systems. Both models use DAVID (Digital Audio/Video Interactive Decoder) technology, which is a specialized version of Microware's OS-9 Real Time Operating System for digital television applications. The STB includes an electronic program guide feature with Java Applet/XML and services linked with various types of content. It can also provide many other kinds of interactive services such as home banking and shopping. Implementation of a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is planned for the future.

The shortest possible development time was the key to the selection of OS-9 for this STB, according to the ESBU Business Unit of IBM Japan Ltd. They are currently developing a PowerPC 603e version supporting PersonalJava to upgrade the current PowerPC 403 version. The STB can easily connect to various types of broadband networks by installation of an appropriate network interface module. Creating a corresponding software configuration is simplified by OS-9's modular architecture. OS support for reusability of existing software was another important consideration that figured highly in IBM's selection of DAVID.

Editors note: A photo of the IBM Set Top Box can be found at Microware's Website: http://www.microware.com/html/ph_archive.html

Microware Systems Corporation

Microware (NASDAQ: MWAR) develops, markets, and supports real-time operating system (RTOS) software covering the spectrum from deeply embedded applications to high end consumer devices. Microware's OS-9 RTOS is the total network operating system for intelligent devices. Ariel, Microware's new full-source, royalty-free RTOS provides customers with an affordable OS solution. For more than 20 years, Microware's modular RTOS has provided the essential building blocks and advanced networking and graphics capabilities for embedded devices. By providing developers with a superior operating system and affordable, effective, and easy-to-use development tools, Microware's proven solutions reduce development time, thus increasing customers time-to-revenue. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Microware was founded in 1977, and has technology and sales offices throughout the United States and in England, France, Germany, and Japan.

Microware OS-9

Thousands of customers and partners around the world are using Microware's OS-9 in embedded designs. OS-9 serves as the fundamental control program that manages critical actions of microprocessors. OS-9 includes an advanced set of system software modules that address the communication and connectivity requirements of embedded applications. OS-9's combination of a proven software base, drop-in microprocessor support, and an effective, easy-to-use, and economical development toolset, provides superior time-to-market advantages for embedded device manufacturers.

Microware, the Microware logo, OS-9 and DAVID are registered trademarks of Microware Systems Corporation. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information on Microware's products, visit www.microware.com; send e-mail to [e-mail]; or call 1-800-475-9000 or 515-223-8000.