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Symbian launches 'Quartz'
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February 23, 2000: 11:26 a.m. ET
Tech venture's wireless platform combines Web, fax, phone, e-mail
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LONDON (CNNfn) - Technology venture Symbian unveiled a new wireless computing system for handheld devices Wednesday that can enable users to browse the Web, e-mail, fax and make phone calls while on the run.
The new system, called "Quartz", unveiled at the CeBit computer trade fair in Hanover, Germany, will be used in a mobile phone made by venture co-partner Motorola and is due to hit store shelves in the first half of 2001.
The platform, equipped with a color display screen, will combine the functions of a personal organizer with a wide range of wireless voice and data applications that can be modified to meet the demands of companies whose products use it, Symbian said. Company's CEO Colly Myers told Reuters that other members of the Symbian group already have expressed interest in Quartz.
The others members of the consortium are U.K.-based Psion, Sweden's Ericsson, Finland's Nokia and Matsushita Communication Industrial Corp. of Japan.
"The indication is that Ericsson and Psion are on board," Myers was quoted as saying.
The launch of Quartz comes as the main players in the wireless industry vie for the position Microsoft Corp. once achieved in the PC marketplace by owning the operating system adopted by the majority of computer makers to run their products. Symbian is eager to promote its own operating system - EPOC -- as the Internet-access platform of choice for a new generation of handheld gadgets and other mobile devices.
With many analysts predicting that mobile devices are set to supplant personal computers as the preferred mode of accessing the Web, the stakes for the company that can introduce a dominant wireless operating system are high.
One of Symbian's challengers, Microsoft Corp., is fighting a rearguard battle against Symbian to secure a prominent spot for its Windows CE operating system. Though Microsoft is seen as lagging in the mobile race, analysts refuse to count it out. The company has been aggressive in pursuing deals, including a recent agreement with Ericsson to develop mobile-phone software.
Another system breathing down Symbian's back is Linux, whose free operating system is reputed for its speed and flexibility.
Symbian said companies that adopt the Quartz open platform for their devices will be able to bundle together content and applications provided by more than 24,000 Symbian developers.
Myers said in Hanover he holds high hopes that Quartz will draw interest from a wide range of groups beyond the mobile phone behemoths.
"When we started we focused on the shareholders, as they are the big companies, but we have to go beyond them," Myers was quoted as saying. "We have third-party licensing as well, which we are looking to drive the platform." 
-- from staff and wire reports
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