TUXIA's Embedded Linux Software Suite Ported onto STMicroelectronics' STPC System-on-Chip Microprocessors.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

AUGSBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2001

TUXIA, a developer of embedded Linux(R) software for information appliances and thin clients, and STMicroelectronics, a developer of semiconductor integrated circuits and discrete devices for microelectronic applications, today announced that STMicroelectronics has chosen TUXIA's embedded Linux software line, TASTE(R) (TUXIA Appliance Synthesis Technology), to provide an application framework and operating system for STMicroelectronics' Web terminal and thin client terminal reference designs based on its STPC(R) family of x86 PC-compatible System-on-Chip (SoC) microprocessors.

STMicroelectronics selection of TASTE for its STPC-based Web terminals and thin clients strengthens a long-standing partnership that is enabling a new generation of information appliances with the smallest, fastest and most stable embedded Linux platform.

Using a Linux Kernel 2.4 operating system, an embedded Mozilla browser called Nanozilla(R) and the smallest memory footprint of any embedded Linux system available today, TASTE will be ported to STPC-based Web terminal and thin client devices to provide developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with the highest level of functionality to engineer cutting-edge information appliances. The STPC x86 platform is particularly attractive for information appliances as it offers developers and OEMs fast time-to-market, guaranteed support of all the latest browser and plug-in standards, and the ability to run high performance RTOS, Linux and Windows(R) CE, Windows 9x(R), Windows NT(R) Embedded 4.0 and Windows 2000(R) and application programs, as well as full compatibility with the large installed based of x86 development tools.

"Performance, cost-efficiency and time-to-market are three of the most critical factors in the development of new Internet appliances," said Colin Long, marketing director of the STPC Business Unit, STMicroelectronics. "By integrating TASTE's small memory footprint with the high power of our STPC, we will be able to provide OEMs and developers with a cost-effective, ready-to-use solution to take Internet appliances the next step forward."

"With the rapid technological developments in today's information appliance market, synergies are crucial to gaining competitive advantage and growing market share," said Hannes Eisele, chief executive officer, TUXIA. "With the seamless fit of TASTE's leading-edge embedded Linux platform and STMicroelectronics' world-class microprocessors, we will offer customers maximum functionality with minimum development costs. In expanding our partnership through the integration of TASTE with STMicroelectronics' microprocessors, we can harness our capabilities to bring a new generation of information appliances to market and capitalize on an important emerging market opportunity."

The market for information appliance devices is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years. Research firm IDC forecasts that the worldwide market for information appliances will grow from more than 31 million units in 2000 to more than 168 million units by 2005.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is the world's third largest independent semiconductor company. The Company shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 2000, the Company's net revenues were $7,813.2 million and net earnings were $1,452.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

About TUXIA

TUXIA(R) is blazing a new path in the field of embedded Linux systems by delivering the full Internet experience to network computing and information appliances, such as settop boxes, thin clients/Web terminals, and PDAs. Leveraging more than eight years of experience in pioneering turn-key Linux devices, TUXIA(R) has engineered a new generation of embedded systems with TASTE (TUXIA Appliance Synthesis Technology). TASTE features a Linux Kernel 2.4 operating system, an embedded Mozilla browser called Nanozilla(R) and a full complement of plug-ins and other functionalities that are configured according to the use of an information appliance. Using block compression technology, TUXIA(R) has engineered TASTE to have the smallest memory footprint of any media-rich embedded Linux system available today, which yields dramatic savings for device manufacturers. With TUXIA's development kit TSE (TUXIA Synthesis Environment), the appliance software can be easily customized and extended to customers' needs. With centers of excellence spanning four continents, the growing 120-member TUXIA(R) team is one of the leading players in the embedded Linux revolution. TUXIA's strategic partnerships include ACCESS, Citrix, Insyde Software, FOCUS Enhancements, M-Systems, MGI, National Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics and Tvia. TUXIA is also spearheading the Embedded Linux Consortium in Europe. Additional information about TUXIA may be found on the Internet at www.tuxia.com.