Framingham, Mass., August 24, 2006
Co-Marketing and Technology Partnership to Enable Efficient andReliable Mobile Browser Upgrades to Phones Already in Customers’ Hands
Red Bend Software, the leading provider of firmware over-the-air (FOTA) update technology for mobile phones, andOpera Software ASA, a world leader in Web browser technologies, todayannounced a joint marketing and business development agreement. UsingRed Bend’s new Embedded Feature Delivery (EFD) technology, Opera will beable to bring new browser features to market faster, as well as updatethe browsers regularly with the latest feature packs, optimizing theconsumer’s mobile Internet experience.
While delivery of new software components has traditionally been alengthy process determined by handset release schedules, Red Bend’s EFDtechnology removes the timetable bottlenecks by allowing phones, alreadyin the hands of users, to be quickly and easily enhanced with new orupgraded core functions. New embedded functions are delivered to phonesover the air and provide a mechanism for more frequent software updates.
Under this agreement, the two companies will work together so that Operacan effectively use Red Bend’s EFD technology to shorten lead times forhandset enhancement integration and bolster customer and end-user service.
“EFD technology will provide new capabilities to Opera and other leadingmobile application providers to quickly deliver enhanced features totheir users,” said Yoram Salinger, president and CEO of Red Bend. “Byusing EFD, Opera will be able to allow its users to enjoy the latest andbest Web browsing tools on their mobile phones.”
“While the Opera Mobile browser is already well-known for delivering abetter and faster Internet experience, this partnership with Red Bendwill allow us to leverage the next generation in over-the-air firmwareupdating and further enhance our market-leading product,” said TimoBruns, executive vice president of Business Development at Opera. “Byreducing our time to market for new and updated browser software, EFD isnot only making the end-user experience more seamless, but is openingnew revenue streams for the company as we can focus our developmentefforts in other strategic areas.”
About Red Bend Software
Red Bend Software helps mobile phone manufacturers and network operatorsaccelerate the adoption of new services and features, respond rapidly tocustomer problems and reduce support costs through mobile softwaremanagement solutions. BenQ Mobile, LG Electronics, Sharp, Sony Ericsson,and other large handset manufacturers use Red Bend’s firmwareover-the-air (FOTA) technology to quickly and reliably deliver compactfirmware updates to mobile phones already in the hands of users. Foundedin 1999, Red Bend Software is a privately held, venture capital-financedcompany with offices in China, Israel, Japan, Korea, the U.K and theU.S. More information about Red Bend Software is available atwww.redbend.com.
About Opera Software ASA
Opera Software ASA has redefined Web browsing for PCs, mobile phones andother networked devices. Opera’s cross-platform Web browser technologyis renowned for its small size, performance and standards-compliance,while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience.Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around theworld. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the tickersymbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.
Media Contacts:
Julie Blake
Emerge Public Relations
E-mail: jblake@emergepr.com
Tel: +1 617-729-3174
Tor Odland
Communications Director, Opera Software
E-mail: toro@opera.com
Tel: +47 24 16 42 42
Eskil Sivertsen
Public Relations Manager, Mobile, Opera Software
E-mail: eskils@opera.com
Tel: +47 24 16 42 13