Press Releases

ACCESS Announces New Version of NetFront™ Embedded Browser

New Features Include Rendering for Small Screens, Client Certification and Digital Rights Management Support

Tokyo, Japan – June 20, 2003 – ACCESS (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813), a global provider of mobile content delivery and access technologies for information appliances, today launched NetFront v3.1, the latest version of ACCESS’ NetFront family of browser technologies.

NetFront is a next-generation browser conforming to the latest W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) standards including CSS (cascading style sheets), DHTML (dynamic HTML) and also to the WAP 2.0 specification, which enables resource constrained, non-PC hardware to browse the Internet. The NetFront family of browsers is embedded in over 86 million devices spanning 230 different product lines (as of February 2003) such as PDAs, game consoles, digital cameras, digital televisions, and mobile phones, including handsets for i-mode services worldwide.

NetFront v3.1 includes new features such as Smart-Fit rendering, a patent-pending technology that intelligently adjusts and renders web pages to small display screens, making horizontal scrolling unnecessary. Strengthened security functions such as client signature authorization provides end-users with the same level of security as desktop browsers.

NetFront v3.1 also includes features such as Direct-Connect which enables direct hardware viewing and manipulation of peripheral devices, and OMA DRM compatibility, enabling download-type online distribution services for content with strict copyright control. With these new features, NetFront v3.1 enables a secure and functional Internet browsing environment that supports the development of new services for information appliances and embedded devices.

NetFront v3.1 will be embedded in numerous Internet enabled household appliances scheduled for shipment this autumn. A software developers kit (SDK) for ITRON, Linux/GTK+, and Linux/QtEmbedded/Qtopia versions will also be released later this year, allowing manufacturers to further customize or expand their applications.

NetFront v3.1 features

Smart-Fit rendering
Patent-pending technology that intelligently adjusts and renders web pages for display on small screens, making horizontal scrolling unnecessary.

Client certificate application (PKCS #7 and #12) support
Client certification based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), in partnership with VeriSign^® OnSite^®. This feature provides end-users with the same level of security as desktop browsers.

IC card client certification (partial compatibility with PKCS #11)
Client certification functions utilizing private key stored on IC card. PDAs and other mobile handsets embedded with NetFront and its client authorization function allows strengthened security hosting for confidential information.

Direct-Connect
A feature that serves as an alternative to Live-Connect, a standard technology for PC peer-to-peer connectivity. Direct-Connect allows direct connectivity for resource constrained embedded devices, to directly view files or manipulate peripheral devices. Security functions simultaneously prevent unauthorized access.

Telephone, fax Communication control, schedule/address book
Audio guidance Speech synthesis
Printing of contents Printer control
Soft Key, indicator display Display control
Location finder GPS/Meter Information
Device preferences, confirmation of settings General control

OMA DRM compatibility
Support for “forward lock/combine delivery” of content as defined by the OMA. This feature enables download-type online distribution services for content with strict copyright control.

About ACCESS Co., Ltd. and ACCESS Systems America, Inc.
ACCESS Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4813) is a global provider of mobile content delivery and access technologies. ACCESS develops and markets PCSS, an integrated platform that enables wireless network operators to rapidly deploy value-added data services on 2.5G and 3G networks and generate revenue from premium branded third-party content. ACCESS’ embedded NetFront and Compact NetFront browsers power approximately 200 different commercial products worldwide. The NetFront micro browser is most widely deployed in phones for NTT DoCoMo’s popular i-mode service. ACCESS Co. Ltd. is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with ACCESS Systems America, its U.S. subsidiary, in Fremont, California. More information is available at www.access.co.jp and www.access-us-inc.com.

ACCESS is a registered trademark in Japan. VeriSign is a registered trademark. VeriSign OnSite is a registered trademark of VeriSign, Inc. in the U.S and other countries. NetFront is registered trademark of ACCESS Co., Ltd. in Japan. NetFront is a registered trademark of NetFront Communications, Inc. in the United States and is used under license. i-mode is a registered trademark of NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

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