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For Immediate Release June 20, 2001 PHILIPS AND SOFTWARE ARCHITECTS, INC. AGREE TO CO-DEVELOP ADVANCED CD-MRWTM DRIVE TECHNOLOGYSunnyvale, Calif. and Bothell Wash.—20 June, 2001—Philips Components, a division of Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands, and Software Architects, Inc. (SAI), have signed a joint development agreement aimed at launching the world’s first integrated CD-MRW drive and software solutions for personal computers (PCs)—adhering to the Mount Rainier Group specifications for next-generation CD-MRW drives. CD-MRW disc drives combine the convenience and reliability of floppy disk drives with the high capacity and re-writability of conventional CD-RW drives. Philips—a leading global manufacturer of CD-RW drives and a founding member of the Mt. Rainier Group that developed the specifications for this new technology—is committed to being one of the world’s first suppliers to bring these drives to market realization. Software Architects, Inc., the world’s first and leading supplier of system level utilities for PCs that use the Universal Disk Format (UDF), is collaborating with Philips to provide the first system-level software that interfaces with Mt. Rainier-compliant drives, running under the Microsoft® Windows® operating system. The UDF system level software, specified as the default interface for Mt. Rainier-compliant drives, provides the user with an easy-to-use “drag and drop” drive letter interface, along with the ability to reliably exchange and read files on the disc by all types of computers and operating systems, such as the aforementioned. “PC makers are demanding easy-to-use, reliable, and low-cost removable disc solutions for personal storage and data interchange. CD-MRW is designed to be a solution that can handle the increasingly larger file sizes being used by consumers and businesses today,” said Dirk Hamelinck, program manager for the Mt. Rainier development project at Philips. “We are applying Philips’ world-leading CD-RW technology to make Mt. Rainier-compliant drives the easiest to use and most reliable optical drives available.” “Consumers and professionals alike appreciate the simplicity, speed and reliability of the drag and drop interface,” stated Robert Zollo, president of SAI. “This provides a breakthrough advancement for PC makers who can now provide a single, easy-to-use optical disc drive that meets the needs of both business and consumer PC users. Our combined technology addresses the biggest user problems concerning CD-RW discs—such as easy reading and writing of files to the disc, and reliable transfer of files on the disc between different computer systems.” For further information, please contact: Robert Zollo, Software Architects, Inc., tel. 425/487-0122, email: bobz@softarch.com Hans Driessen, Philips Optical Storage, tel.: +31 40-2734618, email: hans.driessen@philips.com Jeremy Cohen, Philips Components, tel.: +408/617-4466, email: jeremy.cohen@philips.com Marie Labrie, MCA for Philips Components, tel. +650/968-8900, email: mlabrie@mcapr.com The Mt. Rainier Group The Mt. Rainier Group is a group of companies led by Compaq, Microsoft, Philips and Sony, whose aim is to foster industry adoption of easy-to-use CD-RW drives that have the potential to replace the 3-1/2” floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drives and conventional CD-RW drives with a single multiple-function drive for PCs. Visit www.mt-rainier.org. Software Architects, Inc. Software Architects, Inc. (“SAI”), is the world leader in UDF file systems, format and device driver technology for personal computers. The company applies its file system, device driver, and image enhancement technology to address the reliable integration and ease of use of input and storage devices with personal computers. Founded in 1987, the company has fourteen years of experience licensing its technology to OEM manufacturers, systems integrators and resellers in world markets. As a member of the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) and the DVD Forum, SAI plays a leading role in the application of the Universal Disk Format and technology for a variety of computer and consumer applications. Philips Components Philips Components, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a world-leading provider of integrated digital electronic solutions in the areas of displays, storage, connectivity and imaging and sensing. Its global customer base covers the consumer electronics, telecommunications and automotive industries, amongst others. Philips Components had annual revenues of over EUR 6.3 billion for the year 2000, and employs more than 40,000 people in 39 countries around the world. More information about Philips Components is available at www.components@philips.com Royal Philips Electronics Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 37.9 billion in 2000. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, color picture tubes for televisions and monitors, and one-chip TV products. Its 219,400 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.news@philips.com |
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