Espial Extends Capabilities With Macromedia Flash Support

Macromedia and Espial News

Integration with Espial Escape Browser Provides Richer User Experience for TV, Wireless, and Consumer Devices

San Francisco and Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) --September 15,2003--Macromedia (Nasdaq: MACR) and Espial today announced an agreement to integrate Macromedia Flash into the Espial Escape Browser. Escape, one of the most widely deployed scalable embedded browsers worldwide, is utilized in a wide range of device categories including interactive TV, wireless, PDAs and automotive telematics systems. Under the agreement, consumer devices powered by Espial technology will fully and seamlessly support Macromedia Flash content and applications.

"Macromedia Flash is the leading client technology for delivering great experiences across various platforms and devices," said Peter Meechan, vice president, Macromedia. "By working with companies like Espial, we are extending our leading rich client technology to even more consumers and Espial can leverage our large developer base to create content for its users."

Macromedia Flash is the leading rich Internet client. Espial is now offering an integrated and optimized Flash Player for Escape, utilizing years of embedded software experience to port and verify the player to any consumer device platform. Additionally, integration of Flash Player with Espial Escape offers a seamless experience that many embedded browsers have been unable to provide, particularly with remote control navigation in the TV market segment. This solution not only allows time to market improvement and risk reduction advantages to any OEM, but true differentiation in the end user experience of the final product.

"Just as Macromedia Flash took web content to a new level, the implementation of Flash on the Escape Browser will improve the look, feel and ease of use of devices powered by Espial technology," said Bob Egner, vice president of Global Marketing, Espial. "Moving beyond widely deployed systems using Espial Escape on Flash-enabled platforms, this is an exceptional benefit to our customers who rely on standard features such as Macromedia Flash to drive acceptance and use."

Many consumer electronics manufacturers, mobile carriers, and service providers use Macromedia Flash support as a value-added service to differentiate themselves from competitors, ensuring customers have engaging content specifically tuned for their devices. This increases customer retention and adds potential new revenue streams.

Product Availability
Espial Escape with integrated Flash Player is now available. For more information, or for a demonstration of Espial Escape integrated with Flash, contact sales@espial.com or visit www.espial.com.

About Macromedia
Experience matters. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Our software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling, and memorable experiences - on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices.

About Espial
Espial is the leader in providing scalable TV application software for next generation television products. Espial software allows the creation of TV user interface solutions that build revenue via email, chat, games, program guides, broadcaster-content browsers, photo viewers, and Internet, while maintaining look and feel of the user interface. With more than 90 consumer electronic wins with companies such as Motorola, On Command, LodgeNet, Philips, Sony and Samsung, Espial had deployed proven solutions which apply universally across sectors including TV, wireless, automotive, and other connected devices. For more information, visit www.espial.com.
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For further information, please contact:
Suzy Ramirez
Public Relations, Macromedia
415 252 4053
sramirez@macromedia.com

Craig Olson
Media Relations, Espial
+1 515 224 7641
colson@espial.com