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CAMBRIDGE, England and SAN FRANCISCO, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, and Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced that they have entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement that will enable the companies to jointly develop new Java(TM) technologies optimized for the wireless device market. The agreement will give ARM access to Sun's Java technology that ARM will incorporate into its roadmap of Jazelle(TM) technology-based microprocessors.

The ARM® Jazelle technology is optimized for applications where users require high-performance Java execution in an environment where memory resources and power requirements are at a premium. The agreement will allow the two companies to align their respective Java technology roadmaps and collaborate on new Java technology, targeted specifically at embedded applications commonly found in wireless or mobile devices.

``We see ARM as underpinning a great deal of microprocessor technology in consumer electronics. The ARM Jazelle technology provides a highly-optimized implementation of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), speeding up execution times and providing consumers with an enriched user experience on their mobile devices,'' said Rich Green, vice president, Java Software, Sun Microsystems. ``Together with our proven J2ME technology, our collaboration on new Java technology will provide OEMs with the best possible dedicated JVM for running the Java Platform in the wireless world.''

In October 2000, ARM announced the availability of its Jazelle for Java technology extensions for microprocessor cores to enable direct execution of Java byte code in hardware and software. ARM intends to make the Jazelle technology, currently available for the ARM7(TM) Thumb® microprocessor family and the ARM9(TM) Thumb microprocessor family, available throughout their performance roadmap.

``We are seeing a significant increase in demand from OEMs to provide Java implementations for devices such as PDAs and mobile phones, and ARM will play a central part in this,'' said Robin Saxby, chairman and CEO, ARM. ``This collaboration with Sun, the original architect and acknowledged industry leader in Java technology, will deliver the best possible platform for the next generation of Java technology-enabled handheld, wireless and mobile devices and will give consumers an unprecedented user experience.''

About ARM

ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-on-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network Is The Computer(TM) -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the 'net and allow companies worldwide to take their businesses to the nth. With $19.2 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.

ARM and Thumb are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM7, ARM9 and Jazelle are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. ``ARM'' is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Java, JavaOne Developers Conference, J2ME, The Network Is The Computer and all Java-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd.