For more information, contact:
A&R Partners for Be, Incorporated
Lisa Auslen, 650/762-2805
lauslen@arpartners.com
In Europe:
Be Incorporated
Marie-Francoise Lelong-Weinberg, +33 (0)1 55 91 77 36
mflelong@beeurope.com
Be's New BeIA Software Platform to be Available for Internet Appliances Manufactured by First International Computer, Inc. (FIC)
Leading manufacturer of PC motherboards and systems selects BeIA for new family of Internet appliances
Demo 2000 Conference, Indian Wells, Calif. - February 7, 2000 - Be Incorporated (Nasdaq: BEOS) today announced the selection of its just-announced BeIA™ software platform for Internet appliances by First International Computer (FIC). FIC is one of the leading PC motherboard and system vendors based in Taiwan, ROC, and is extending its R&D and manufacturing to include a new family of subsystems for Internet appliances.
BeIA is a device independent software platform for post-PC era Internet appliances focused on the personalization of multimedia and information rich applications that enhance a user's lifestyle. The design flexibility of BeIA allows Internet appliances to be configured as entertainment devices such as movie or music download and playback systems. The adaptive configuration of BeIA also extends into information devices such as personal online portals or financial management monitors. Because of its flexibility and breadth, BeIA is an ideal bundle for FIC's new Internet appliance motherboards and sub-systems.
"From the introduction of the first Sony Walkman to the success of Palm handheld devices and MP3 players, special purpose technology for enhancing consumer's lifestyles has grown into an unstoppable trend," commented Jean-Louis Gassee, Be's chairman and chief executive officer. "As part of this lifestyle trend, Internet appliances must have rock-solid stability, a flexibility to be adapted to single-purpose applications, and a cost-to-performance ratio that make them a win with any consumer. FIC has twenty years of experience and success in manufacturing such devices, and partnering with them in the Internet appliance space will be exhilarating."
FIC sells more motherboards than anyone else and is a world leader in the design and manufacture of motherboards, notebooks, and PC systems for volume sales to many of the most famous names in the international computer industry. With FIC's brand of vertical integration and global experience, it provides more major companies with the system or motherboard to suit their particular needs than any other manufacturer. FIC has extended its leadership in PC devices into a family of products for Internet appliances. The first product of this range is code named Genesis 2000, and is to be formally announced at CeBIT, February 2000.
"The market has high expectations for Internet appliances, and by coupling the BeIA software platform design with our new hardware platform design, FIC will offer vendors one of the most adaptive, scalable, and competitively priced Internet appliances on the market." stated Gene Sheu, president, of FIC Group. "Be's experience, stemming from its award-winning BeOS and its mastery of multimedia, makes Be a partner who will give us a clear market advantage."
About the BeIA Internet Appliance Platform
Be has developed a system foundation and architecture for the emerging Internet appliance segment. At the basis of Internet appliances lies a critical need for exceptional media handling, unfaltering stability, and broad application flexibility. BeOS has won critical acclaim in these areas, and the company has extended this core technology for this emerging class of devices. Building on the strength of BeOS, and teaming with key companies such as FIC, Be's new application system foundation is intended to offer a complete development and application platform for a wide range of Internet appliances.
About First International Computer, Inc.
Established in 1980, First International Computer, Inc. (FIC) is one of the world's largest PC motherboard manufacturers, and is a leading OEM/ODM supplier of desktop PCs, notebooks, communications and computer peripherals. FIC operates a global manufacturing and logistics network with over 4,500 employees in more than 12 countries worldwide, and in Q4 1999 FIC's monthly capacity was for 800,000 motherboards and 500,000 systems. In 1999, FIC's total revenues reached US$1.7 billion. The latest information about FIC's products and services products and services can be found at http://www.fic.com.tw or by contacting marketing@fic.com.tw.
About Be Incorporated
Founded in 1990, Be Incorporated creates software platforms that enable rich media and web experiences on Internet appliances and personal computers. Be's headquarters are in Menlo Park, California, with offices in Paris and Tokyo. It is publicly traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol BEOS. Be can be found on the web at http://www.be.com/.
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Be Incorporated Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this Press Release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" including without limitation statements regarding plans for product and reference platform development and release, the market for Internet appliances, future availability and performance of BeOS and third party devices and applications, including Internet appliances, and market acceptance of BeOS in the Internet appliance market. Actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks facing Be Incorporated or actual results differing from the assumptions underlying such statements. Such risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to product development, the competition and market acceptance of BeOS for the Internet appliances market, and our ability to meet OEM requirements and establish strategic relationships with OEMs. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements included in Be Incorporated's prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 on July 20, 1999 (Commission File No. 333-77855), and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Be, BeOS and BeIA are trademarks or registered trademarks of Be Incorporated in the United States and other countries. Other brand product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. All rights reserved.
Editor's Note: Product shots can be found at ftp://209.239.171.239/be. Enter the folder named "Product Images" then the folder named "Screen shots."