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 Incorporated's BeIA Software Platform to Power New Internet Appliance from First International Computer, Inc.
Leading Worldwide Manufacturer of PC Motherboards and Systems Announces the Genesis 2000
Be Incorporated (Nasdaq: BEOS) today announced that its software
platform for Internet appliances, BeIA, will serve as the foundation
of the Genesis 2000, a new Internet appliance from First International
Computer, Inc. (FIC), announced yesterday at a press conference in
Tokyo. FIC is a leading PC motherboard and system vendor based in
Taiwan, ROC, and was one of the first companies to announce support
for BeIA earlier this year.
The target markets for the Genesis 2000 -- known as Smart Blue in
Japan -- include pre-installations in hotels, apartments and other
similar environments where reliability and easy access to the Internet
is a priority. FIC plans on delivering appliances in the Japanese
market before the end of 2000 with other markets to follow at a later
date.
``FIC was an early and enthusiastic supporter of BeIA, and it has
been a pleasure collaborating with them as we have made preparations
for first customer shipments of our software platform for Internet
appliances,'' commented Jean-Louis Gassée, Be's chairman and chief
executive officer. ``By specifically targeting deployments in venues
such as hotels and apartments, they are demonstrating their
understanding of how appliances will be delivered and used in the real
world.''
``BeIA is a turnkey appliance software platform, making it the
perfect software solution for the Genesis 2000. It delivers a rich Web
experience with an easily customizable user interface, all while using
minimal system resources,'' stated Gene Sheu, president of FIC, Inc.
``The completeness of the platform has allowed us to focus on hardware
development and distribution and deliver a superior solution without
compromise.''
The Genesis 2000 is both lightweight and easy to use, making it
convenient to access the Internet in both home and office
environments. Featuring direct connection to the Internet,
appliance-like reliability and instant power on and off, the Genesis
2000 is an innovative product consisting of three distinct components:
hardware, software and services. The Genesis 2000 will offer users an
enjoyable and rich Internet experience, without the technical or
convenience barriers typically associated with PCs. For corporations,
the Genesis 2000 represents a unique way to market and grow their
online businesses. The Genesis 2000 is based on the National
Semiconductor Geode GXLV 233MHz processor and features 16 megabytes
Compact Flash ROM, 32 megabytes RAM, a display with resolution of up
to 1024x768 and a 56Kbps internal modem.
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$1.9 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 personal computers and
Internet appliances. Be's headquarters are in Menlo Park, California,
and its European office is in Paris, France. 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.
Be Incorporated Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this Press Release that are not
historical facts are ``forward-looking statements'' including without
limitation plans for product development and release, future
availability and performance of Internet appliances and third party
applications, market penetration and market acceptance of BeIA, and
the benefit of such products to customers, appliance manufacturers and
developers. 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, continued availability of third party devices and
applications, our ability to establish and maintain strategic
relationships, the competition and market acceptance of BeIA, and our
ability to meet customer and developer demands. All forward-looking
statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the ``Risk
Factors'' and other cautionary statements included in Be Incorporated's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, and
other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.