| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ||
| For more information please contact: | ||
For
Motorola Inc.: |
||
| For Starfish Software,
Inc.: Jennifer Kissell The Weber Group (650) 463-8616 jkissell@ca.webergroup.com or Lupe Hirt (650) 463-8609 lhirt@ca.webergroup.com |
||
MOTOROLA TO ACQUIRE STARFISH
Philippe Kahn to join Motorola; Starfish core technology to
accelerate Motorola’s vision for the wireless industry
Schaumburg, Ill. — July 14, 1998 — Last night at a press event at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Motorola Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Starfish Software, Inc. Pending regulatory approvals, all Starfish technology, intellectual properties, products and services will become part of Motorola. Starfish will be an independent wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola. As part of the agreement, Philippe Kahn, chairman and CEO of Starfish, will join Motorola as the president of Starfish and will be an integral member of Motorola’s senior management team. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. To view a Web cast of the announcement, go to www.motorola.com or www.starfish.com.
With the Starfish acquisition, Motorola seeks to advance its leadership position in the communications and digital wireless industries worldwide. Working as one entity, Motorola and Starfish will be better poised to exceed customer demands with enterprising technology innovation. Leveraging the Starfish leadership and expertise in connectivity and synchronization technology, Motorola will create a new generation of wireless devices that exchange information with each other as well as with a wide array of information sources, including PCs, the Internet and wireless service providers.
Motorola to Acquire Starfish Software Inc.
"Today we announce an exciting element of our overall strategy to evolve Motorola’s communications business into the premier total solution provider for customers. The complementary visions of our two companies — to create an environment in which consumers can literally take their world with them — make this union not only logical but extremely powerful," said Bob Growney, president and COO of Motorola. "We are equally excited to add Philippe Kahn’s leadership and vision to the Motorola management team."
"For several decades, Motorola has defined the communications and wireless industries, while others tried to imitate," said Philippe Kahn. "Now the time has come for a new wave of innovation, and Motorola is leading again. There is no other company that has shown such clear leadership in this industry. We have always had the greatest respect for Motorola as an innovator. It is with great pride and honor that we are joining the Motorola team."
As a leading supplier of complete, customized solutions for the Connected Information Device (CID) market, Starfish is the creator of the technology behind the REX product line. In addition, Starfish has developed core technology that will be instrumental in bringing products such as smart pagers, smart phones and PC companions to the mainstream consumer marketplace.
"Combining its software engineering methodologies and proven technology, Starfish has emerged as the leader in a market characterized by rapid technological advances," said David Coursey, Coursey.com. "Starfish has continuously demonstrated its ability to effectively advance technology solutions for swift market deployment."
"Starfish has some of the most innovative technology in the mobile industry; married to Motorola’s core strengths, this promises to be a dynamic combination," said Alan Reiter, Wireless Internet & Mobile Computing.
About Starfish Software, Inc.
Starfish is the leading supplier of core device, server and desktop technologies for wireless and wireline Connected Information Devices. Starfish works closely with leading device manufacturers and cellular, paging and telecommunications operators to develop complete customized solutions built on the Starfish TrueSync Technology Platform. Founded in 1994, Starfish is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California. Additional information can be found on the Starfish Web site at www.starfish.com.
About Motorola Inc.
Motorola is one of the world’s leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors and advanced electronic systems, components and services. Major equipment businesses include paging and data communications, cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Motorola semiconductors power communications devices, computers and millions of other products. Motorola’s 1997 sales were $29.8 billion.
|
|