(June 26, 2003) - Sun Microsystems has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pixo Inc., a privately-held company based in San Jose, California. Pixo provides network operators with Java technology-based server software to manage the secure distribution and monetization of digital content for end users' mobile devices. Pixo will become part of Sun's Software organization, under Jonathan Schwartz, executive vice president, Software. Sun acquired Pixo to solidify its position in mobile data services and create a presence for Sun in the arena of digital rights and access management for content distribution. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of Sun's 2004 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2003.

"The adoption of Java technology and the Java Card Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) standard are unleashing revenue opportunities on a sea of new and emerging devices," said Schwartz. "From mobile phones to home audio equipment, set-top boxes to desktop personal computers, Java and Java Card technologies bring authentication, and new service delivery possibilities wherever they go. The acquisition of Pixo accelerates that opportunity? Pixo provides a critical link integrating the evolution of Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition, with the pervasive adoption of Sun's Solaris Operating Environment and Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition."

Pixo's server software enables network operators and enterprises to centrally manage content, customize multiple subscriber interfaces, and allow rapid downloads of secure digital content, including Java applications. It will also provide a consolidated platform to add, manage, market, download, and bill for all types of wireless content regardless of where that content is physically located. The Pixo product will be offered in conjunction with Sun's mobility programs, which includes the Sun Developer Network Mobility Program, Business Mobility Initiative, and Unified Testing Initiative for Wireless Java Applications.

In the future, Pixo will become part of the Project Orion platform, which converges Sun's software offerings into a scheduled quarterly release of an integrated software system distributed on Solaris Operating System, Solaris x86 Platform Edition, and Linux.

For further disussion of Project Orion see: http://www.sys-con.com/Java/articlenews.cfm?id=1889