FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Espial Brings Together Industry Leaders to Promote Java for Set-Top Boxes

Multi-Continent Seminar Series Showcases Numerous Validated Java 
Platforms Designed to Shorten Time-to-Market for Set-Top Box Designers

OTTAWA, Canada--October 11, 2001--Starting next week Espial, creator of 
software that powers the world of smart Internet devices, will host a 
series of free one-day seminars targeted at set-top box manufacturers. 
The seminars, titled "The Interactive TV Era: Building Java-Based Digital 
Set-Top Boxes," will feature presentations and technical demonstrations 
from leading companies, including Insignia, Lineo, NSIcom, Skelmir, Sun, 
Tao, TriMedia and WindRiver.

The road-show kicks off in London on October 16, then travels to Munich 
on October 18, and concludes in San Diego on October 25.

The interactive TV (iTV) seminars are designed to help companies planning 
to build a market-ready set-top box by demonstrating how it is possible 
to bring Java-based designs to market faster. Highlighted at each venue 
will be numerous full-function Java platforms. These platforms 
demonstrate the commitment of each participating company to making the 
"write once, run anywhere" mantra of Java a reality in high-performance 
set-top boxes, while also meeting the requirements of emerging industry 
standards for TV such as DVB-MHP.

"I know attendees will be invigorated by the education they will take 
away from these events," commented Bob Egner, VP of marketing for Espial. 
"We are seeing really excellent participation from all the co-sponsors of 
this series, who want to not only prove that the "write once, run 
anywhere" premise is a reality for iDTV, but also to show that many of 
the complexities of Java-based designs are now behind us. I urge anyone 
starting a new embedded design, whether it includes Java technology or 
not, to come out and learn all you can about these emerging technologies, 
which are designed to hone your market leadership."

The seminar presentations touch upon key areas to be considered when 
building a Java-based set-top box, and include topics such as:

o   Tracy Swedlow, President and Editor-in-Chief of
    Interactive TV Today, sharing perspectives about market
    momentum within the ITV industry

o   An overview of the Java TV API from Sun

o   Presentations by the leading JVM providers on the
    requirements and considerations for set-top boxes

o   A panel of Java experts to answer tough design and trend questions

o   Working demonstrations of numerous of set-top boxes and
    other smart Internet devices

Locations & Registration
For more information or to register for this FREE seminar in any of the 
three countries, simply click on: www.espial.com/seminars. 

October 16, 2001    October 18, 2001                October 25, 2001
Hilton Bracknell    Munich Airport Marriott Hotel   Loews Coronado Bay 
Hotel
London, England     Munich, Germany                 San Diego, CA, USA 

Espial
Espial is the first to provide a comprehensive approach to the 
development of open software for the next generation Internet -- The 
Pervasive Internet. Partners and customers such as Intel, Motorola, NEC, 
Philips, National Semiconductor and Sun are helping Espial to realize its 
Pervasive Internet vision, where billions of users access highly 
personalized information through a variety of smart Internet devices. 
Completely portable across any platform, Espial software allows customers 
to quickly create services, deliver devices and manage infrastructure. 
The technology applies universally, across such sectors as Internet 
Appliances, TV, wireless, and automotive. Visit www.espial.com.


MEDIA CONTACTS:

ESPIAL
Director, Public Relations
Angie Lynch
alynch@espial.com
+1 613.566.3428

ZING PUBLIC RELATIONS
Tim Cox
tim@zingpr.com
+1 650.369.7784 OFFICE
+1 650.888.6116 MOBILE