Psion signs with Opera Software and offers complete on-line security
London, England – Apr. 03, 2000
Psion PLC has signed a strategic licensing agreement with Opera Software ASA, a privately held software developer and producer based in Oslo, Norway, to license their advanced HTML browser to the Psion range. Psion’s new browser is a breakthrough for its users who will be able to complete secure on-line m-commerce transactions and view full Internet content effortlessly from their Psions.
The Opera browser is efficient, offers a robust feature set and compatibility with leading web standards, including HTML 3.2 and JavaScript. Importantly, it also features 128bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layer v2.0 and v3.0) encryption and supports TLS (Transport Layer Security v1.0) which means the user can complete secure online ordering of goods and services and online banking without any additional proxy software. SSL is the preferred security method used for on-line banking and the majority of ecommerce sites meaning that Psion users can now conduct real business on the move.
“We are one step closer to putting the Internet in people’s pockets and one further step ahead of the competition thanks to the first secure browsing and transaction experience available for the Psion range,” said David Levin, CEO of Psion PLC. “This agreement will allow companies to extend the reach of their traditional enterprise systems and empower the ever increasing number of employees who need to access securely their corporate network while on the move,” he said.
“The Opera browser is lean, fast, easy to use and is quick to download and we now expect to build significant uptake of the netBook and the Series7 among our customers,” said Claes Bergstedt, Commercial Director, Psion Enterprise Computing. “It is a major step forward for us in our quest to lead and shape the evolving mobile Internet age.”
The strategic relationship with Opera means that the advanced browser will be shipped as an integral part of the Series7 and netBook range and will also be available for separate purchase to existing Series5mx users.
“In order to have a credible mobile Internet offering, with secure Internet browsing, SSL is a prerequisite,” said Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “Our browser combines these key security features with fast and effective graphics and text layout, which will give the user a better Internet experience.”
Psion will be working closely with content partners to optimise Internet content for small screen devices. Psion users, both individual and corporate, will now be able to access the Internet wirelessly with complete peace of mind over GSM networks or via and ISP with Psion Dacom’s 56K Travel Modem.
The Opera browser for the Psion also provides CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) enabling a far more personalised interface and user experience than is currently possible using palmtop browsers.
The first release (v3.6) of the browser for EPOC will have the following features:
- Full colour (256 colours) support;
- Web browser functionality;
- Multiple window support as an option;
- Full zooming key mapped to a range of zoom levels;
- 128-bit SSL Encryption Versions 2 & 3;
- TLS 1.0 Security;
- HTML v 3.2;
- Support for Java Applets using EPOC native Java implementation;
- Javascript v 1.1;
- CSS v1
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About Psion PLC
Psion PLC develops, designs, manufactures, distributes and markets mobile computers for consumer, enterprise and industrial markets, and mobile network products. The Psion Group has a worldwide sales and distribution network comprising Psion’s sales companies in the USA, Germany and Holland, and more than 50 independent distributors around the world.
Psion is the largest shareholder in Symbian, a joint venture established in partnership with Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola and Matsushita. Symbian promotes and markets EPOC as the industry standard technology for the next generation of mobile communication and computing products. For more information on Psion PLC, visit www.psion.com.
About Opera Software
Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Webbrowsers for the desktop and embedded markets, partnering withcompanies such as IBM, AMD, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies, Ericsson,Sharp and Lineo (now a division of Embedix). The Opera browser hasreceived international recognition from end users and the industrypress for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant than otherbrowsers. Opera is available on Windows, Mac, Linux/Solaris, OS/2,Symbian OS and QNX. Opera Software ASA is a privately held companyheadquartered in Oslo, Norway. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.
Contacts
Psion PLC
Anthony Garvey
Head of PR Psion
Tel: +44 317 4265
E-mail: anthony-garvey@psion.com