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Handspring Press Release Archive
HANDSPRING AND ORANGE SA PARTNER TO DEVELOP FUTURE SMARTPHONES
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. and LONDON (April 16, 2003) Handspring
(NASDAQ: HAND), a leading innovator in personal communications products,
and Orange SA, one of the world's largest communications companies, said
today they have signed an agreement to work together in the development
of future smartphones for Orange customers throughout Europe.
The companies are working closely together to develop advanced business
and personal smartphone solutions that will tie seamlessly into Orange
back-end network systems to make wireless data applications easy to use
right out of the box. Handspring and Orange plan to leverage their respective
expertise in mobile user interface design and robust wireless service
offerings to bring new smartphone solutions to the European market.
"Working with established leaders like Orange is the ideal way for
Handspring to help deliver the best possible smartphone solutions to European
customers." said Ed Colligan, president and chief operating officer
of Handspring, Inc. "By customizing Handspring's advanced wireless
applications and intuitive user interface for Orange's services and back-end
systems, together we can deliver solutions that will make a difference
in people's lives. We look forward to building a strong position together
in this category."
Richard Brennan, Executive Vice-President, OrangeWorld and Brand at Orange,
said, "We are pleased to be working with Handspring, who has proven
to be one of the leading innovators in smartphones. Together we can create
a superior customer experience for Orange customers. We are dedicated
to delivering compelling services to our customers, and making the experience
of accessing wireless services an easy and enjoyable one."
Chris Jones, senior analyst and director at European research firm Canalys,
commented, "In Europe, we expect shipments of smart phones to exceed
those of handhelds in 2003. But for vendors to succeed they need to develop
good relationships with mobile network operators, in as many countries
as possible. The leading phone handset brands already have these and this
is a positive move on Handspring's part."
ABOUT HANDSPRING
Handspring is a leading innovator in personal communications and handheld
computing. The company's products include the Treo wireless communicators
and Treo 90 organizer, the Visor expandable handheld computers, and client
and server software for fast Web access from handheld devices and mobile
phones. Today Handspring sells its products and accessories at and through
select Internet, retail and carrier partners in the United States, Europe,
Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada Middle East, and Mexico/Latin America.
ABOUT ORANGE
The Orange group is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies,
with operations in 20 countries across Europe and beyond. It provides
a broad range of personal communications services, including Orange GSM1800
services and other digital cellular telephone services. The Orange brand
operates in the UK, France, Switzerland, Romania, Denmark, Slovakia, Thailand,
the Ivory Coast, the Dominican Republic and the Cameroon. The Orange group
also has controlled operations in Belgium (Mobistar), the Netherlands
(Dutchtone), Botswana (Vista Cellular) and Madagascar (SMM) and intends
to launch Orange UMTS operations in Luxembourg. The Orange group has a
joint controlling interest in Egypt (MobiNil) and minority interests in
Italy (Wind), Portugal (Optimus), Austria (Connect Austria) and Mumbai/India
(BPL Mobile). As at the end of December 2002, Orange was the largest mobile
operator in both the UK with 13.3 million active customers, and France
with 18.8 million active customers. Orange has 44.4 million controlled
customers worldwide. Further information about Orange can be found on
the Orange website at www.orange.com.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, including those relating to: Orange's and Handspring's
ability to develop smartphones that will tie seamlessly into Orange back-end
network systems, create a superior customer experience and make a difference
in people's lives; the two companies' plans to deliver the best possible
smartphone solutions for European customers and build a strong position
in the smartphone category; and the projection that shipments of smart
phones will exceed those of handhelds in 2003. Actual results may differ
materially due to a number of factors including, among others: Handspring's
ability to develop and deliver innovative wireless smartphone products
that meet Orange's specifications and expected delivery dates; customer
acceptance of and demand for smartphones in general and Handspring's products
in particular; the degree to which Orange will facilitate the introduction
of Handspring's wireless products and the pricing and terms of rate plans
that they will offer for use with such products; and the rapid pace of
technological change and competitive developments in the wireless communications
industry. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks
and uncertainties described in Handspring's most recent SEC filings. Handspring
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained
in this press release.
Orange is a trademark of Orange PCS. Handspring, the Handspring logo,
Treo, the Treo logo, and Visor are trademarks of Handspring, Inc. and
may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand names are
trademarks of their respective owners.
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