Be Logs Record-Breaking Half-Million Downloads of BeOs 5

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Be Logs Record-Breaking Half-Million Downloads of BeOs 5

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Be Logs Record-Breaking Half-Million Downloads of BeOs 5
Release of Free Version Leads to Overwhelming Interest in Acclaimed Digital Media Operating System
MENLO PARK, Calif. - Be Incorporated (Nasdaq:BEOS) today announced that in the week since its release on March 28th, over 550,000 copies of BeOS 5 Personal Edition have been downloaded worldwide. This number includes all downloads from Be's web site, and 18 reporting download partners. Be estimates there are at least 39 other download sites that have not yet reported. BeOS 5 Personal Edition is the latest release of Be's acclaimed digital media operating system and is available at no charge via the web at http://free.be.com. Additionally, Be news-related web sites, including BeNews.com and BeBits.com, have experienced a significant increase in site traffic, many registering five to ten times their normal amount of user visits in the last week.
``The demand for BeOS 5 Personal Edition has been inspiring,'' stated Jean-Louis Gassée, chairman and CEO of Be. ``It is a testament to the public's desire for a powerful, flexible and robust operating system that is easy to install and use. We believe the demand for BeOS 5 will continue to increase as more people have the opportunity to use the OS and fully realize its potential.''
BeOS 5 Personal Edition is ideal for first-time or casual users who want to experience the power of a digital media operating system. This version is stored as a file within users' existing Windows-based operating systems, without repartitioning their hard drives. As a result, users will find the installation process no more difficult and no riskier than installing a typical Windows application. Launching BeOS 5 Personal Edition is as simple as double-clicking an icon on the desktop. BeOS 5 Personal Edition is compatible with Intel-based PCs and includes HTML-based documentation. Additionally, Be is offering a programmer's development kit (BeIDE, or Be Integrated Development Environment) and a library of demonstration applications at no charge. These development tools aid software developers in bringing their products to market faster.
A fully-featured version of the operating system, BeOS 5 Pro Edition, will be available through third-party publishers, including Gobe Software in the Americas and Hitachi, Ltd. in Asia. BeOS 5 Pro Edition will be bundled with additional applications and services for advanced functionality that truly take advantage of the power of BeOS, including features that make it ideal for individuals involved in audio and video production.
Availability and Pricing
BeOS 5 Personal Edition, the BeOS Developer Kit and demonstration application packages are available at no charge from http://free.be.com, as well as dozens of mirror sites throughout the world. BeOS 5 Pro Edition will be available in the Americas through Gobe Software, in Asia via Hitachi, and should be available in Europe through Apacabar and Koch. Each publisher will price BeOS 5 Pro Edition independently and based on other bundled components. Publishers are also responsible for setting the upgrade policy for existing BeOS users in their territories.
About Be Incorporated
Founded in 1990, Be Incorporated creates software platforms that enable rich media and web experiences on personal computers and Internet appliances. 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.
Forward Looking Statements
The statements contained in this Press Release that are not historical facts are ``forward-looking statements'' including without limitation statements regarding the demand for, future market penetration and market acceptance of BeOS. The number of downloads stated are based on numbers reported to Be from the Website managers handling such downloads, and may not accurately reflect the actual number of copies of BeOS downloaded, nor are such numbers intended to imply that every download will result in the actual use and adoption of BeOS by the person or entity downloading the copy. 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 related to the continued availability of third party BeOS applications and drivers, ability to establish and maintain strategic publishing relationships, and the competition and market acceptance of BeOS. 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), its Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Be and BeOS 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.

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