Opera Press Releases

MontaVista Software and Opera Partner for Linux-Based Consumer Devices

MontaVista Linux and Latest Opera Browser Technology Validated

Oslo, Norway and Sunnyvale, Calif. - Jan 13, 2003

Opera Software ASA and MontaVista Software, Inc., the company powering the embedded revolution, today announced that the two companies have verified interoperability between MontaVista™ Linux® and the newly released Opera 7 browser.

MontaVista Software and Opera form a strong alliance to offer solutions for embedded device manufacturers. MontaVista is one of the most widely used Linux operating systems for embedded products, and Opera’s high speed, modularity and small size makes it one of the most popular browser technologies for Internet-enabled devices. Together, they provide a small footprint that makes minimal demands on system resources, thereby reducing the requirements on hardware for device manufacturers.

"Mobile phones, advanced PDAs and even cars are becoming our gateways to information access. It is important to provide consumers worldwide with the ability to interact with technology in the most natural and convenient way. Together, MontaVista Linux Consumer Electronics Edition and the Opera browser enable software developers meet that goal with a flexible solution that provides consumer-grade reliability," said Sheila Baker, vice president of marketing, MontaVista Software. "Both our companies focus on scalability, open standards and customization, so that our mutual customers can save on development time and costs."

The newly released Opera 7’s core works flawlessly with the MontaVista Linux, providing users with a new and faster rendering engine in a smaller package that supports the latest Web standards such as DOM and CSS2, as well as handling non-standard pages using DHTML. Opera is well suited for digital TV set-top boxes, automotive telematics and mobile applications, and offers integrated Flash, Java and ViaVoice support on MontaVista Linux.

"MontaVista Software’s open and robust Linux operating system is widely used and a compelling offer for Internet-enabled consumerdevices," says Lars Boilesen, executive vice president of sales and distribution, Opera Software. "We are honored to complement the first class networking capabilities of MontaVista Linux with our fast, small and stable browser technology."

MontaVista Linux Consumer Electronics Edition (CEE), announced last week, enhances Linux with dynamic power management, rich consumer-focused networking support and consumer-grade reliability. It is designed specifically to address the needs of consumer electronics device manufacturers. CEE forms the foundation of solution stacks from software partners in key mobile, home and automotive vertical markets. CEE is also tailored to the demands of highly constrained mobile devices, which require low power consumption, restricted memory size and short boot and resume times. In addition to the complete cross development environment that MontaVista provides with all its three Linux Editions, CEE adds new developer tools for tuning system performance to enable higher quality end- user experiences. MontaVista also provides several technology add-on products addressing specific consumer electronics needs such as the Java Development environment and powerful graphics toolkits.

The Opera browser is known for its cross-platform support and rendering engine with HTML, JavaScript and CSS support simplifying content viewing and creation. Opera's browser technologies bring an unprecedented Internet experience to PDAs and smart phones with a revolutionary small-screen rendering that allows entire Web pages to be displayed at once. Opera's rendering engine for iTV follows industry standards, supporting MHP, OCAP and ATVEF, in addition to smart-rendering of fonts and colors specially suited for TV screens.

Availability

MontaVista Linux Consumer Electronics Edition will be available from MontaVista Software and the company’s sales and distribution channels worldwide in first quarter 2003. It is offered as a product subscription, providing customers with the MontaVista Linux kernel, utilities, development tools, software updates, access to the MontaVista Zone and access to complete technical support. The Opera browser is available from Opera Software ASA.

About Opera Software ASA

Opera Software ASA has redefined Web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera's cross-platform Web browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com.

About MontaVista

MontaVista Software is a leading global supplier of systems software for intelligent connected devices and associated infrastructure. MontaVista powers the embedded revolution by providing GNU/Linux-based open-source software solutions. Founded in 1999 by real-time operating system (RTOS) pioneer James Ready, MontaVista offers a family of products under the MontaVista Linux umbrella that address broad-based software developer needs encompassing applications ranging from communications infrastructure to consumer electronics. Multiple Editions of MontaVista Linux are available including Professional, Consumer Electronics and Carrier Grade, along with complementary technology products providing powerful Java and graphics development capabilities.

Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, in Sunnyvale, California, MontaVista Software is a privately held company funded by leading investors such as Alloy Ventures, US Venture Partners, RRE Ventures, WR Hambrecht + Co., IBM, Intel Capital, Sony, Panasonic (Matsushita), Toshiba America and Yamaha Corporation. For more information about MontaVista Software, please visit www.mvista.com, e-mail to info@mvista.com or call (408) 328-9200.

Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. MontaVista is a trademark of MontaVista Software Inc. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.

Contacts:

MontaVista Software
Joe Samagond
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
MontaVista Software Inc.
Phone (408) 328-9234
E-mail: jsamagond@mvista.com

Patricia Colby
PR Strategy and Business Development
Pacifico Inc. (for MontaVista Software)
Phone (408) 293-8600 ext. 340
E-mail: pcolby@pacifico.com

PR Contacts

Norway:
Tor Odland
Communications Director
Tel: +47 2416 4242
Email: toro[at]opera.com

United States:
Michelle Valdivia Lien
Communications Manager
Tel: +1 786 208 6072
Email: michelle[at]opera.com

Japan:
Kaori Kotobuki
Communications Manager
Tel: +81 3 57 68 82 24
Email: kaorik[at]opera.com

Contact us at press08@opera.com