News Release
Esmertec Japan, Ubion and Websoft International Join Forces
November 11, 2008
New company "eflow” will offer world's first platform-independent integrated Java™ + Browser + Skype™ middleware and application software solutions for advanced connected devices
Tokyo, Japan - November 20, 2008 – Esmertec Japan (advanced Java technology-based middleware and applications provider), Ubion (mobile Java and user interface expert, and Skype Approved Integrator), and Websoft International (high-performance Esprit embedded browser) today announced that they have begun operations under their new company name eflow. For the first time, eflow will bring to market the unique combination of its Java and Browser technologies, with the pervasive and user-acclaimed Skype experience, packaged in a range of reference solutions targeted at next-generation devices.
Consolidating all software and management assets, teams, and know-hows, eflow provides highly portable, highly customizable, platform-independent core technologies, products, and integrated reference solutions to operators, manufacturers, and developers of advanced connected devices in the mobile, networked home, digital office, automotive, and industrial markets.
"With this merger, eflow becomes a single source for our customers for Java and Browser technologies, two complementary yet critical technologies for devices to be able to connect to, and communicate with each other over the network." said Koichi Makabe, CEO of eflow Inc.
"We are relentlessly bringing additional value to our Java and Browser technologies, and are offering the essential software building blocks used in those devices: core components, like movie codecs and database engines, and rich user interface and multimedia platforms, which allow not only the playback of content, but also to implement a content delivery service to those devices.
But this merger also allows us to bring Skype technology's famed messaging and video phone capabilities to those devices.
With its complete range of products and solutions, eflow intends to be a major contributor to the ubiquitous network society." continued Koichi Makabe.
eflow’s current product portfolio consists of:
- Jbed™ Advanced CDC/CLDC: a leading Java runtime platform product line designed for embedded devices, which eflow will continue to resell, integrate, and extend, under license from Esmertec AG, Switzerland.
- Esprit™: a completely modular, fully customizable and extensible, embedded browser.
- FlexMotion™: a lightweight, customizable, 100% Java multimedia player allowing the deployment of rich media content to portable devices.
- OSVM®: a very lightweight, secure system platform using virtual machine technology built for extremely resource-constrained embedded devices allowing rapid and cost-effective development of applications on new devices.
- Skype products include the official Skype API wrapper library for Java, that allows to use the Skype API on Java in a very straightforward fashion, and to develop Skype applications on Java-enabled embedded devices.
eflow has strategic partnerships with high-profile software and hardware companies in Japan and across Asia to further complement its offering and help its customers differentiate their devices.
eflow is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with sales and engineering operations in Seoul, South Korea, Beijing, China, and Taipei, Taiwan. For more information about eflow, please visit eflow.jp.
About Esmertec Japan
Esmertec Japan markets middleware software products, which include Jbed™, a Java runtime environment originally designed by Esmertec AG, Switzerland,“OSVM®", an application platform designed for small-size embedded devices, and "FlexMotion™”, a Java-based application framework which allows the distribution and playback of movie content and the implementation of a variety of user interfaces on portable devices. Esmertec also provides a comprehensive range of services, including porting, consulting, application development, and support. A leading provider of solutions which deliver on the promise of ubiquitous computing, Esmertec's products and technologies are currently used in numerous embedded devices. For more information about Esmertec Japan, please visit www.esmertec.co.jp
About Ubion
Ubion was founded in 2001 for ubiquitous computing in society, with a focus on researching and delivering superior user interfaces and allowing safe information access from mobile phones, set-top boxes, and personal computers. Pursuing this goal, Ubion has focused on delivering Skype-related technologies, and has developed the official Skype API for Java. Ubion is a Skype Approved Integrator, and, as of today, the only one in Asia. For more information about Ubion, please visit www.ubion.co.jp
About Websoft International
Websoft International develops and licenses the market-proven, W3C standards-compliant, fully customizable and extensible Esprit™ browser platform to OEMs, manufacturers, and operators of connected devices in the mobile, digital home, digital office, and automotive markets.
Provided on a source code license basis and designed as a highly modular architecture for enhanced portability, the Esprit browser platform enables the implementation of innovative user experiences and interactions on next-generation devices, software and hardware platforms, and facilitates quick adaptation to changing market requirements.
Websoft International is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and can be found on the web at www.wsoft.co.jp
Contact:
eflow Inc.
+81 3 5333 5430
www.eflow.jp
eflow, the eflow logo, Esprit, OVSM, and FlexMotion are trademarks or registered trademarks of eflow Inc.
Java is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
Skype is a trademark of Skype Limited.
Esmertec and Jbed are trademarks or registered trademarks of Esmertec AG.
All other names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks or servicemarks of their respective owners.