MSN to Provide Wireless Internet Content for Handspring's New Blazer Browser

Alliance Advances MSN Vision of Delivering the Internet Virtually Any Time, Any Place, on Any Device Through New Handspring Blazer Browser May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. and Handspring Inc. today announced a strategic alliance to deliver MSN content and services in the U.S. mobile market with Handspring's new Blazer Web browser for Handspring Visors and virtually any Palm handheld device. Blazer is a Palm OS Web browser designed to provide handheld computers with fast access to a full range of Web content. Handspring is making Blazer available to all users of all Palm OS-based handheld computers for $19.95 through software distribution partners Handango and Palmgear. It will also be bundled with VisorPhone as part of Handspring's new Wireless Internet Access Suite CD.

Using Blazer and a modem, owners of Palm OS-based handheld computers can get fast access to virtually any site on the Internet, not just those sites designed for mobile access. Support for color graphics, personalization, bookmarks and strong security enables Blazer to provide users with a rich, full Internet experience. Blazer supports all major existing standards, optimizing HTML, WAP and cHTML content for viewing on a handheld display. Blazer also supports access to secure Web sites through encryption technology from Certicom.

MSN Mobile is powering the content for the default home page on the new Blazer Web browser, enabling Handspring customers to experience the benefit of MSN content and services to help them be more productive in their daily lives. This alliance offers consumers access to MSN Mobile's popular content and services -- including the MSN MoneyCentral(TM) online personal finance service, Expedia travel, MSNBC news and sports, and weather information -- on Handspring Visors as well as any other Palm handheld device based on Palm OS version 3.1 or higher through its new Blazer Web browser software. "We are thrilled that Handspring chose MSN as the primary Internet destination on its new Blazer browser," said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN and the Personal Services Business Group at Microsoft. "This is another example of MSN delivering on its strategy to offer content and services any time, any place and on any device."

"Web browsing is becoming a key application for handheld computing, and it will continue to be a primary focus for Handspring. Working with content leaders like MSN will help us provide the best possible mobile Web solutions for Handspring customers," said Ed Colligan, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Handspring Inc.

The two companies are also exploring opportunities for future collaboration based on a shared belief in smart devices that can take advantage of powerful software services based on the Microsoft(R) .NET Platform.

About MSN
MSN gives consumers a new home on the Internet -- a central place where they can get everything they need from the Web and make the most of their time online. With more than 230 million visitors per month, the MSN integrated network of content and services is the most popular destination on the Internet. MSN is available in 33 markets and in 17 languages -- a broader global presence than any other portal. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/.

About Handspring
Handspring is a leading innovator in the handheld computing industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets a family of expandable handheld computers for a broad range of markets and consumers. Founded in 1998, Handspring's flagship technology is the Springboard platform that provides a simple and easy method for hardware and software expansion. Today Handspring sells its Visor line of handheld computers, along with a line of Springboard expansion modules and accessories, at Handspring.com and through select Internet and retail partners in Asia, Canada, Europe, Japan, the Middle East and the United States.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device. NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and MoneyCentral are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.