FINLAND, June 28, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nokia, the world's leading mobile terminal manufacturer, and RealNetworks(R) Inc, the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet, today announced an agreement to develop and distribute Internet media technology for future mobile devices. As part of the agreement, Nokia and RealNetworks will implement RealNetworks' RealPlayer(R) technology in Nokia's EPOC based communicators and smart phones. Customers with enabled devices will be able to experience the vast amounts of RealAudio(R) and RealVideo(R) content available on websites worldwide.
"Streaming media is a good fit with our vision of the Mobile Information Society and introduces a new dimension to the mobile phone user experience,"said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones. "Through our collaboration with RealNetworks, the leader in Internet audio and video distribution, we are bringing the best technology for Internet media delivery to the highest quality mobile Internet devices for the benefit of our customers. We are pleased to be working together with RealNetworks to enable access to the mass of content available in RealNetworks formats."
"RealNetworks is very excited to be working with Nokia on bringing the power of the RealPlayer to Nokia devices," said Rob Glaser, Chairman and CEO, RealNetworks, Inc. "RealNetworks strongly believes that mobile devices will play a paramount role in the future of computing and information exchange - our work with Nokia is focused on bringing the compelling medium of streaming audio and video to the millions of mobile device users worldwide."
The RealPlayer for the first Nokia EPOC products is scheduled to be available in 2001.
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.realnetworks.com.
About Nokia
Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its innovative products and solutions. The company is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, Nokia's net sales totalled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 56,000 people.