PalmPilot platform enables enterprise-wide handheld solutions with applications such as Lotus Organizer, Symantec's ACT! and Qualcomm's Eudora E-Mail

SANTA CLARA, Calif., August 4, 1997 -- 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today announced that over 3,000 developers are currently creating software applications to run on its PalmPilot connected organizer, with hundreds of software applications, developer tools and services already available. This broad developer support of the PalmPilot platform further fuels its emergence as the leading platform in the handheld computing industry.

Developers are writing PalmPilot applications in a broad range of categories, including contact and schedule management, e-mail and Internet communications, field automation, personal productivity groupware, financial management and games. In addition, several major software developers have incorporated conduits for the PalmPilot platform within leading enterprise-wide applications, including IBM's Lotus Organizer, Symantec's ACT! and Qualcomm's Eudora Internet E-mail software. Much of this software is available for purchase or download on the Web, where more than 25 independent Internet sites offer PalmPilot software and accessories.

"The developer community has wholeheartedly embraced the PalmPilot platform for delivering handheld computing solutions," said Ed Colligan, vice president of marketing for Palm Computing, Inc., the subsidiary of 3Com that designs and markets the PalmPilot product. "The remarkable success of the PalmPilot handheld is a powerful draw for developers who create these software solutions, bringing even greater functionality and value to every PalmPilot handheld user."

According to leading computer research firms Dataquest and PC Data, the PalmPilot organizer (formerly sold by U.S. Robotics) currently holds a 51% share of the standard handheld computer market and a 70% share of U.S. retail sell through of PDAs and HPCs. These firms estimate that the market will grow to 2 million units this year and to 5 million units by 2000, providing a significant market opportunity for software developers.

 "The PalmPilot platform is ideal for developers looking to extend the portability of their applications, and 3Com has proven to be a great partner," said Arvind Goyal, director of Organizer Development for Lotus Development Corp.

"They've been very open with our developer teams, giving us high-level access

to technical information, training and support services, and an enthusiastic approach to problem solving. Organizer customers are very excited about the PalmPilot conduit in our new release, Organizer 97GS. Now they can carry all their vital Organizer information in their pockets."

3Com continues to foster the development of enterprise solutions for the PalmPilot platform by providing a complete range of technical and testing services, educational seminars, and expanded development tools. In a separate press release today, 3Com announced the availability of new Windows-based development tools, extending the choice of development environments to include the Windows and Macintosh operating systems and C, C++, Java and BASIC programming languages. Due to the interest in the PalmPilot platform, 3Com will host the first PalmPilot developers conference this October in San Francisco.

 The PalmPilot platform consists of four open components for which developers can write applications: the Palm OS operating system; the HotSync conduit data synchronization technology; the PalmPilot communications layer; and software interface capabilities to enable other hardware devices add-ons. 3Com will immediately publish APIs and header files for the PalmPilot platform, enabling tools makers to create software development solutions for each of these components.

Handheld device applications reside on the PalmPilot unit and include corporate data collection and enterprise time tracking software, productivity software such as financial calculators and international dictionaries, arcade and puzzle games, and system utilities such as alarm enhancers and event reminders. HotSync conduit applications reside on the desktop PC, and synchronize desktop data from PIMs and other applications to data on the PalmPilot device with the touch of a single button. Lotus Organizer, ACT!, and Eudora E-mail are examples of applications that work with PalmPilot conduits. Other examples include Microsoft Outlook 97, NetManage's ECCO 3.03 and 4.0, Maximizer Technologies' Maximizer, Starfish Software's Sidekick 97 and Internet Sidekick and Goldmine Software's Goldmine 3.0 and 3.02.

PalmPilot communications applications use the TCP/IP stack in the PalmPilot Professional Edition to offer users Internet connectivity and fax capabilities.

 Hardware developers can use the platform's interface capabilities to create devices such as wireless modems, external keyboards, and other external communications and data input devices that interface with the PalmPilot product's serial interface. One recent example of a hardware interface development project is a wireless modem from San Diego-based Novatel Wireless, Inc.

 The award-winning PalmPilot connected organizers, designed as companion products to personal computers, enable mobile users to manage their schedules and personal information both remotely and on their desktops. The PalmPilot HotSync technology enables users to synchronize all of their contact, scheduling, and personal information with a personal computer at the touch of a button. PalmPilot products are distributed through leading consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide, including Circuit City, CompUSA, Computer City, Egghead, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples, and other retailers. The product is also available through national corporate resellers, including Vanstar and Entex. In addition, Franklin Quest offers the Franklin Electronic DayPlanner, which incorporates the PalmPilot platform with Ascend '97 software, and is available at Franklin Quest retail outlets and directly from Franklin Quest.

For further information, visit the PalmPilot Web site at http://www.palmpilot.com.

3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to communicate and share information and resources at anytime from anywhere. As the world's preeminent supplier of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 100 million customers worldwide. With global reach and local touch, the company gives enterprises, network service providers and carriers, small businesses and consumers the most comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. 3Com has worldwide revenues of more than $5.5 billion and employs approximately 13,500 people in 45 countries. For further information, visit 3Com's new World Wide Web site at http://www.3Com.com or call 1-800-NET-3COM.

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3Com and the 3Com logo are registered trademarks, and HotSync, PalmPilot, Palm OS and the PalmPilot logo are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other brands and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.