JAVAONE, SAN FRANCISCO -- June 27, 2005 -- Semacode(TM) Corporation today launched a preview release of Semacode Reader for Java Phones, the first 2D barcode reader for the J2ME platform. The software will be adopted by semacode application developer Critical Mas of New Zealand for their MIVIS electronic tourism products.

"Java has matured as a mobile development platform this year," said Simon Woodside, Semacode's Founder and CEO. "We are pleased to offer this new option to our application developers, who are always first in our mind as they develop innovative uses of the semacode platform."

At the National Wildlife Sanctuary in New Zealand, Critical Mas in partnership with the Department of Conservation has piloted their electronic tourism system. MIVIS provides a self-guided multimedia experience through semacodes mounted at outdoor stations. "We have enjoyed a fruitful collaborative relationship with Semacode as we developed this pilot. Having studied a range of technologies on offer we believe semacode leads the way as an example of truly ubiquitous computing and meets our criteria as a 'simple, technology-rich solution'," said Dave Smith, director of Critical Mas. "We will continue to work with Semacode to develop our range of complimentary applications enabling our users to develop and manage content over this platform."

In order to better serve semacode application developers like Critical Mas, Semacode will be launching the Semacode Developers Network on August 16. Through this forum, Semacode will provide application developers with a complete spectrum of tools, support, and valuable connections with operators and manufacturers.

Building better ubiquitous computing technology is the goal of Semacode Labs, the company's R&D division. The company's core IP is a highly efficient image recognition algorithm to read semacode tags, which are 2D URL barcodes. Users can scan a tag, and the software will automatically extract the web address and load it on the phone's browser. Since the product's launch in 2004, the company has improved the speed and reliability of the image recognition engine by more than 10x.

Semacode Corporation develops the most broadly deployable ubiquitous computing platform in the world. The company is based in Ontario, Canada. Critical Mas is a ubiquitous computing applications company in Hastings, New Zealand, developing mobile tourism content and integrated services.