It was rumored on the Raging Bull (GE) thread that GE has been buying large chunks of SUNW at these current levels.
Here is an interesting announcement by GE today:
(BSNS WIRE) There's More than Meets the Eye with GE's New Web-Enabled Refri There's More than Meets the Eye with GE's New Web-Enabled Refrigerator; Appliance Connectivity with ''No-New-Wires''
Business & Lifestyle Editors/Technology Writers
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2001--GE Appliances (NYSE: GE) is developing a web-enabled refrigerator that connects to the Internet by simply plugging the electrical cord into an everyday household electrical outlet. The new Internet-ready model, which will
be shown at the NAHB International Builders Show in Atlanta, will demonstrate how any appliance can be internet-ready without special network wiring by communicating over power lines to a home gateway.
After conducting extensive consumer research with a web-enabled refrigerator previously shown at the Builder's Show in 2000, GE's 2001 demonstration better reflects what consumers want today. "As part of our rigorous Six Sigma quality processes, we determined that while technology can provide many features like a web pad on the refrigerator door or a scanner to build a grocery list, consumers do not necessarily want all that technology now," explained
Paul Raymont, vice president-Technology for GE Appliances. "We found that connectivity was a stumbling block for consumers so we made it simple."
The NAHB demonstration will allow consumers to check the
refrigerator performance by accessing their personal web-site from a PC. In addition to checking overall temperature in the freezer and fresh food compartments, special pan settings and door status, consumers can access warranty, service, parts and use and care information.
General Electric (NYSE: GE) has been bringing good things to life for more than a century, and sells products under the Monogram(R), Profile(TM), GE(R), Hotpoint(R), and SmartWater(TM) brands. For more information about GE appliances, consumers can call the GE Answer Center(R) at 800.626.2000 or visit the company's web site at geappliances.com.
During the NAHB Show in Atlanta February 8 - 11, contact Kim
Freeman at 502/741-3269 (cell). Her office phone is 502/452-7819.
--30--LR/na*
CONTACT: GE Appliances, Louisville
Kim Freeman, 502/741-3269 (cell) or 502/452-7819 (office)
KEYWORD: KENTUCKY GEORGIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: UTILITIES COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS INTERNET CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD RETAIL PRODUCT
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I wonder if SUNW is working on a low cost home server appliance that will monitor andcontrol these GE appliances. Perhaps it could be something built into that new set-top box.
EKS |
