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The Vestel Internet.Terminal, an MSN-Based Web Companion, to Enable Optimized Internet Browsing for Consumers
Santa Clara, CA -- April 18, 2000 --National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) and Vestel USA Inc., a leading innovator of easy-to-use, affordable Internet appliances, today announced a strategic partnership to enable Vestel to develop and manufacture information appliances based on National's Geode™ WebPAD™ technology. The National® Geode WebPAD platform is a flexible hardware and software reference design that can be used by manufacturers to develop both wired and wireless personal Internet access devices. The first product to result from Vestel's state-of-the-art product design and manufacturing capabilities and National's expertise in silicon and system design will be the Vestel Internet.Terminal - an affordable, easy-to-use Internet access device for consumers.
The first Vestel Internet.Terminal, an MSN-based Web companion, will be available in three innovative form factors, including:
- a sleek, flat-panel LCD;
- a 15" high-resolution monitor;
- a wireless Internet.Pad.
The Vestel Internet.Terminal features a simple and intuitive user interface with a "start page" that provides consumers with one-click access to email, online applications, chat, communities, shopping and search capabilities.
"Vestel is a strategic partner for National. As a global provider of information appliances, they will help popularize the Geode WebPAD platform," said Mike Polacek, vice president of National's Information Appliance division. "Utilizing their expertise in high-volume manufacturing and innovative designs, Vestel will leverage the platform's complete Internet functionality to quickly bring the highest quality information appliances to the mass market."
The Vestel Internet.Terminal presents a significant value proposition to MSN and eventually to other Internet service providers, cable operators, e-commerce businesses and other companies seeking to expand their Internet subscriber base and promote online services. The Internet.Terminal offers a simple and intuitive means of accessing the Internet without the cost and complexity often associated with personal computers.
"National Semiconductor's dedication to the information appliance market complements Vestel's long-term strategy of delivering the highest quality, affordable Internet access devices to the market," said Selcuk N. Caglar, president and CEO, Vestel USA. "We selected National's Geode technology for our full line of appliances because its core x86-based architecture provides the leading Internet access functionality and supports the popular software plug-in modules for the Internet."
The Vestel Internet.Terminal is truly plug and play - users simply plug in the telephone line and power cord and switch on the device for instant access to the Internet. Vestel's Internet.Terminal features a full screen window for easy viewing and has the capability to print Web pages and email when connected to a printer.
As an MSN-based Web companion, the Vestel Internet.Terminal enables user-friendly features such as "instant-on," a single-window operating environment and a simplified user interface. Microsoft provides the Vestel Internet.Terminal with a complete browser-based software platform consisting of MSN services, the Microsoft Windows CE operating system and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Users will connect to the Internet and instantly experience MSN's Everyday Web services including MSN Hotmail Web-based email service, MSN Messenger, MSN Search, MSN eShop and a number of other services.
National's Geode WebPAD Platform
The Vestel Internet.Terminal is based on National's Geode WebPAD platform, a complete hardware and software reference design for a personal Internet access device that is optimized for Internet browsing. The design kit allows manufacturers to reduce their overall development costs and shorten their time-to-market. The platform is powered by National's highly integrated Geode GXLV microprocessor, a low-power x86-based chip that integrates sound, graphics, memory control and the PCI interface. In addition to the Geode GXLV processor, the Vestel Internet.Terminal incorporates a wide variety of National silicon, including a companion chip and several industry-leading analog parts, such as an audio codec, microcontroller and several power management chips. Information appliances based on the x86 architecture provide consumers with support for most popular software plug-in modules for the Internet.
The Vestel Internet.Terminal based on National's Geode WebPAD technology will be available in the third quarter of 2000 through major national retailers.
About Vestel USA, Inc.
Vestel USA, Inc., established in 1998, is the innovator of a full line of Information Appliances that offer flexible, easy-to-use, Internet-centric solutions for the home and business markets. Vestel USA, Inc. is based in Mountain View, California, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vestel Electronics, Europe's second largest television and monitor manufacturer. Vestel is the leading member of the Zorlu Group, a multi-billion dollar corporation operating in four main industries including electronics, textiles, banking and energy.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications, and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2 billion for its last fiscal year and currently has about 10,500 employees worldwide. |
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