Psion PLC Launches New Division, Psion Internet

Psion PLC today announces that it has consolidated the Psion Group's internet services activities into a new business division, Psion Internet. Gareth Hughes, a main board director of Psion plc, has been appointed the division's Managing Director.

Psion Internet is developing an advanced ISP and portal service centred around a wireless personal information manager (PIM) for mobile professionals, which will be launched in the second half of this year. The advanced service will be promoted with Psion's products to provide users with a full mobile internet experience out of the box.

In late 1999 Psion launched an Internet Service Provider with a re-purposed content portal in the UK in partnership with Line One. In Germany Psion launched an innovative service, "Psion & More", which brings a variety of content formatted for Psion's existing products. In early 2000 Psion PLC announced a strategic relationship with Vodafone Airtouch PLC to develop end-to-end mobile internet solutions for a wide range of mobile devices. The planned service will allow users access to personal information from any device, across any network with sophisticated synchronisation to ensure up to date information is available whenever required. The service will also provide dynamic personalisation tools which will allow users to create a unique service based on their needs and preferences.

Gareth Hughes, Managing Director of Psion Internet, said: "By 2003 there will be more users accessing the internet via mobile devices than fixed PCs, with mobile professionals using a variety of devices to access and interact with the internet. We will leverage Psion's vision of the evolving mobile internet age and partner with the leading content and service providers to deliver an innovative and compelling advanced mobile internet service."