Tapwave Launches Native Application Programming Model; New Toolset Enables Native ARM Application Development on Tapwave Devices.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2003

Tapwave, Inc., creator of the Tapwave Zodiac, is proud to announce it has created the Tapwave Native Application (TNA) Model for Palm OS(R), which makes native ARM development available to the Tapwave development community.

Built on top of PalmSource's PNO and FAST Technology, the Tapwave TNA gives all developers the ability to build native ARM applications for use on Tapwave devices. The Tapwave TNA makes it possible for the general development community to access this technology via Tapwave's unique combination of development tools.

The Tapwave TNA programming model includes the following components:

-- Tapwave SDK 

-- Tapwave Native Application runtime

-- Metrowerks CodeWarrior 9.2

-- Metrowerks Standard Library for ARM

-- Palm OS Debugger

-- Palm OS Simulator 

Tapwave worked closely with both PalmSource and Metrowerks to create this new TNA programming model.

"We certainly expect more development models like this one to follow, as developers have been asking for access to exactly this type of functionality for a while," said Peng Lim, co-founder and CEO of Tapwave. "Still, we're gratified to present a comprehensive native ARM toolset, and we'll continue to work hard on innovating new ways to save developers time and money."

"Palm OS provides a flexible and open architecture that enables licensees, such as Tapwave to develop diverse products and innovative applications that deliver a unique user experience," said David Nagel, president and CEO, PalmSource.

The Tapwave TNA model provides many unique features that enable developers to write powerful Palm OS applications. Some primary benefits include:

-- Native ARM development -- Developers no longer need to write

68k code.

-- Native ARM APIs -- For the first release, the Tapwave TNA will

support about 600 native ARM APIs (not PACE wrappers).

-- No code segment size limit -- Developers have successfully

built working applications with code segments larger than 1MB.

-- Huge memory allocation limit -- Each application can allocate

up to 8MB memory in a single chunk.

-- Standard C/C++ library support -- Easy debugging and

customization, including floating point, mathlib, (string.h),

(stdlib.h), (stdio.h), (set), (map), and many others.

-- Global variable and relocation support -- This functionality

includes C++ virtual function table.

-- Extensive APIs -- This includes most of Palm OS System

functions, all Tapwave APIs, zlib, Berkeley sockets and more.

-- Compatibility -- The TNA possesses binary compatibility with

future Palm OS releases.

-- Easy debugging -- Using VC++ on PalmSim, and Palm OS Debugger

on devices using a serial cable, the TNA makes debugging fast

and simple.

Other Developer Support

For developers, Tapwave also offers a fully customized version of the X-Forge 3D game engine (www.x-forge.com) for rapid prototype and development. In conjunction with the Tapwave hardware offerings, the company will both publish games and continue to aggressively support independent game development specifically for the Tapwave platform. By keeping the platform open, building a strong developer support program, and providing a distribution channel, Tapwave will leverage the thousands of developers focused on mobile gaming and build a strong win-win business opportunity. Since announcing the company in May 2003, more than 500 game developers have signed up for the Tapwave development program and requested the Software Development Kit (SDK).

About Tapwave, Inc.

Pioneers of a new category called mobile entertainment gear, Tapwave is changing the way people live, play and interact on the go. Founded in May 2001, Tapwave is a privately funded startup company in Mountain View, CA. Through a wealth of experience and strong partnerships, Tapwave is developing a portfolio of innovative next-generation products tailored to deliver the most fun and function in mobile entertainment gear. More information about the company can be found on the Internet at www.tapwave.com.

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