Sun and LG Semicon to Develop Java Processor for Consumer NCs, Internet-Ready TVs, and Kiosks.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 1997--Sun Microsystems, Inc., today announced at the JavaOne conference that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with LG Semicon to co-develop the first consumer Java processor aimed at bringing the Internet to millions of Internet-ready customers via network computers, Internet TVs, Internet set-top boxes and consumer kiosks.

Based on Sun's 32-bit picoJava I core, the low-cost, highly-integrated processor will allow designers to create information appliances capable of accessing the Net from the home, hotels and kiosks in grocery stores and shopping malls.

Under the planned agreement, Sun Microelectronics and LG Semicon will co-develop the chip through the sharing of individual intellectual properties. LG Semicon will produce it at its Korean manufacturing facilities and Sun will have exclusive worldwide sales and marketing rights. Target availability for the chip is the second half of 1997.

"This chip will herald a new era of televisions, consumer network computers and kiosks that will effortlessly interact with each other," said Chet Silvestri, president of Sun Microelectronics. "Consumers will reap the benefits of a never-before-achieved level of information portability."

The new highly-integrated chip will include many of the necessary functions for the consumer network computer and Internet television applications, such as a CRT controller, modem port, PCI interface controller, flicker-free logic and graphics engine.

"This high level of integration accelerates our customers' time-to-market with cost-effective solutions," said Raj Parekh, vice president and general manager of the Volume Products Group at Sun Microelectronics. "LG's consumer product expertise combined with Sun's Java know how will enable us to create powerful JavaChip processors for a vast array of new products."

"We see this chip as the beginning of a new era in the history of information appliances for the mass market," said Sun Choi, managing director, LG Semicon. "Our alliance with Sun keeps us on the cutting edge of Java-enhanced technologies, and combined with LG Semicon's world-class state-of-the-art fab, it is a major boost for the growing Java-centric industry. LG Electronics will incorporate the chip initially into network computers and Net televisions."

The Sun JavaChip family consists of the picoJava core and the microJava and UltraJava microprocessor families. Unlike traditional CISC and RISC processors which are general purpose in nature, the JavaChip family of processors are optimized to directly execute Java applications at higher performance, lower cost and highest security.

About LG Semicon

LG Semicon is one of the leading companies in the memory industry and is at the forefront of semiconductor technology putting emphasis on media processor products. The company maintains research and development laboratories in Seoul, Cheongju and Gumi, Korea, and manages manufacturing facilities in Cheongju and Gumi. It also operates overseas development laboratories like one in San Jose, California, to pursue its "globally networked R&D." Striving to meet the different conditions and requirements of customers worldwide, LG Semicon actively pursues a strategy of globalization by operating more than 30 overseas subsidiaries and branch offices around the world.

About Sun

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more the $7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Java, JavaChip, JavaOne, The Network Is The Computer, JavaOS, picoJava, microJava and UltraJava are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

CONTACT: Sun Microsystems

Steve Fritz, 415/336-1970

or

Access/LG Semicon

Anne Stendel, 415/904-7070

or

The Benjamin Group, Inc.

Jim Graham, 408/559-6090