LADYDRAGON.COM - Palm Delivers SIG-compliant Bluetooth Software to Massive Palm OS Developer

Monday January 14, 2002

Palm Delivers SIG-compliant Bluetooth Software to Massive Palm OS Developer Base Top Bluetooth Hardware Providers Partner with Palm for Complete Bluetooth Development Solutions

Delivering on its promise to lead wireless innovations in handheld computing, Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) today introduced a beta version of its Bluetooth Software Developer Kit (SDK) for the industry's leading handheld platform, the Palm OS(R) platform. The SDK will enable software developers to accelerate their work on Bluetooth-compatible programs.

Palm's implementation of the Bluetooth technology was approved by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) as being compliant with the Bluetooth 1.1 specification, the industry's assurance of interoperability among Bluetooth devices.

In addition to delivering the software tools, Palm also announced it is working with top hardware manufacturers, including Red-M, Northstar Systems and TDK Systems, to provide compatible hardware development kits.

Bluetooth wireless communications will enable new kinds of interactions and collaboration among Palm Powered(TM) devices and a wide range of peripherals and mobile devices, including cell phones, computers, printers and Local Area Network (LAN) access points. Palm believes these Bluetooth solutions will provide an unprecedented level of flexibility and mobility for professionals and people on the go.

"Enterprises and end users should enjoy the ease and efficiency of a truly wireless, networked mobile computing environment," said Gabriel Acosta-Lopez, senior director of Platform Development Services for Palm, Inc. "By providing our developer community with these tools, we continue to drive forward wireless technology for handheld computing. Bluetooth-enabled products will liberate the mobile professional to manage information immediately and efficiently."

Palm Bluetooth Software Developer Kit (SDK)

Available to Palm OS developers for free download at www.palmos.com, the new beta version of the Palm(TM) Bluetooth SDK enables Palm's industry-leading developer base to build applications for Bluetooth wireless communications. The SDK download offers a complete Bluetooth software solution, including the certified Palm Bluetooth 1.1 compatible stack, Palm Bluetooth API, configuration tools, documentation and sample code.

Palm SDIO Bluetooth HDK Now Available for Order Worldwide Palm's SDIO Bluetooth Hardware Development Kit (HDK) is available now for $199 (USD). The HDK contains two Palm SDIO Bluetooth Cards, a Palm Universal Connector serial cradle, and SDIO drivers, and is available for order worldwide through Palm's PluggedIn Program Expansion Parts Store.

Palm's PluggedIn Program is the complete developer resource for Palm expansion solutions including Bluetooth. Developers wanting to create Bluetooth solutions for Palm handhelds need to join the free program in order to access the Palm Expansion Parts Store http://www.palm.com/pluggedin.

"With the Palm SDIO Bluetooth HDK, software developers can create Bluetooth solutions that facilitate communication, connectivity and collaboration," said Lars Rehder, wireless product manager, Solutions Group, Palm, Inc.

"Bluetooth is a key component of Palm's integrated wireless vision. We take a solutions-based approach, delivering easy-to-use, effective solutions that address real communication needs for the mobile professional."

The Palm SDIO Bluetooth Card, about the size of a large postage stamp, will enable quick, easy and secure local communication (within 10 meters, or 30 feet) between Pam handhelds and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, printers, network access points and other Palm Powered handhelds.

Palm OS Compatible Hardware Development Kits

Palm OS compatible Bluetooth HDKs also are available from industry leaders Red-M, Northstar Systems and TDK Systems. "As a pioneer in wireless networking and recognized leader in Bluetooth solutions, Red-M is a firm believer in the promise of Bluetooth technology, especially in terms of the compatibility across devices regardless of brand," said Chris Brading, marketing director of Red-M. "We are working with Palm because they are also dedicated to bringing forth new wireless and mobile technologies by providing their substantial developer base with the tools needed to create Bluetooth solutions that comply with industry standards."

"Northstar continues its support of the industry's leading developer base by providing tools to expedite development of Bluetooth products for Palm Powered handhelds," said Declan O'Mahoney, president of Northstar USA.

"With our extensive experience in the design and manufacturing of both Palm Powered handheld and Bluetooth products, Northstar is uniquely positioned to support Palm's Bluetooth efforts."

"TDK Systems is focusing on Bluetooth in two areas -- we have launched two clip-on devices, blueM and blue5, which provide comprehensive Bluetooth connectivity," said Derrick Emeka, head of Marketing at TDK Systems.

"What's more, TDK Systems is supporting Palm's thriving development community with the launch of its Bluetooth Development Kit -- we believe this, combined with the Palm Bluetooth SDK, will have a direct impact on time to market, providing rapid evaluation using certified Bluetooth devices."

With the industry's leading developer base of more than 175,000 developers, the Palm OS continues to lead the mobile industry with eight times more software programs than are available for any other handheld platform. Developers may register for Palm OS developer membership at www.palmos.com.

About Bluetooth

The Bluetooth wireless technology is set to revolutionize the personal connectivity market by providing freedom from wired connections. It is an open specification for a small-form-factor, low-cost radio solution, providing links among mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable and handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprising leaders in the telecommunications, computing and network industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Palm and Toshiba, and more than 2,500 other companies.

More information is available from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group website at www.bluetooth.com.

About Palm, Inc.

Palm, Inc. is a pioneer in the field of mobile and wireless Internet solutions and a leading provider of handheld computers, according to IDC (December 2000). Based on the Palm OS(R) platform, Palm's handheld solutions allow people to carry and access their most critical information wherever they go. Palm(TM) handhelds address the needs of individuals, enterprises and educational institutions through thousands of application solutions.

The Palm OS platform is also the foundation for products from Palm's licensees and strategic partners, such as Acer, Franklin Covey, HandEra (formerly TRG), Handspring, IBM, Kyocera, Samsung, Sony and Symbol Technologies. Platform licensees also include AlphaSmart, Garmin and Nokia.

The Palm Economy is a growing global community of industry-leading licensees, world-class OEM customers, and approximately 175,000 innovative developers and solution providers that have registered to develop solutions based on the Palm OS platform. Palm went public on March 2, 2000. Its stock is traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol PALM. More information is available at http://www.palm.com.