ESS and Microsoft Announce Window CE-Based Internet Appliance Roll-Out By Chinese OEMs
PR Newswire - October 06, 1999 06:15
*** read especially paragraph 8 ***
Venus-Based Computers Showcased at the First Annual China Hi-Tech Fair In ShenZhen
SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- ESS Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: ESST) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced that several major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are showcasing Venus-based computers based on ESS' VIC (Video-Internet-Computer) chips and Microsoft(R) Venus(TM) software with Windows CE as the core operating system for the Internet Appliance industry at the first annual China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) held in ShenZhen.
Major name-brand OEMs displaying their Venus-based computers using ESS's VIC chips at the CHTF include computer manufacturers such as Legend Computers, Stone Computers and Yu-Xing Computers; Super VCD/DVD manufacturers such as Shinco, Wyan, Xiaxin, SVA/SGD and Sunstar; television manufacturers such as TCL and Skyworth; and the largest consumer appliance company, Haier Group.
The Venus platform was first unveiled by Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill Gates, in China on March 10, 1999. Since the announcement, ESS and Microsoft have accelerated the technology development into a final production stage.
The new platform utilizes an existing 300 million-television install base for its video output and provides educational software as well as other capabilities such as Internet browsing, e-mail, document creation, multimedia, games, television and Super VCD/DVD well suited for Chinese consumers.
Several of the OEMs are currently in pilot production with the Venus-based computers and are expected to enter the distribution channel for the hot selling season before Chinese New Year. ESS will provide the VIC chipset and related software-enabling features such as Super VCD/DVD, V.90 56K modem, CPU, peripheral controls and Internet access. ESS will include the Microsoft Venus software based on the Windows CE operating system in product sales to OEMs.
Commenting on the roll-out of the Venus-based computers, Jonathan Roberts, general manager of Market Development, Windows CE Division at Microsoft said, "ESS and Microsoft have teamed up for the past two years in developing the Venus-based computer to address the Internet Appliance industry. We are pleased to see that Chinese OEMs have quickly adopted this platform to accelerate the growth of the Internet Appliance industry in China."
"We are excited to see our VIC program kicking into high gear, with major OEMs ready for volume shipment at the end of the year," stated Johnston C. Chen, vice president of Consumer Products and Internet Appliance Group at ESS. "The Chinese consumer can now enjoy home appliances that handle basic computing, Internet access and entertainment at a very affordable price."
According to the Boston-based Yankee Group, there will be 374 million Internet users in Asia by the end of 2005. The group also predicts that China will surpass Japan to become the largest Asian Internet market in 2001 when it will have an estimated 40 million users. China today has about 4 million Internet users. By 2005, the Yankee group predicts China will overtake the United States to become the world's largest Internet market.
ESS Technology
ESS Technology, Inc., a leader in Internet, communications, PC audio and digital video, provides advanced products enabling the convergence of communications, computer, consumer, and Internet markets.
ESS's wholly owned subsidiary, ViAlta.com, Inc. provides advanced, easy-to-use products and applications for the Internet. Products include multi-media appliances, applications and content for the Internet, which enable the user to experience new levels of entertainment and e-Commerce.
ESS, headquartered in Fremont, California, has R&D, sales and technical support offices worldwide. ESS Technology's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol ESST. ESS's Web site address is: esstech.com .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
About CHTF
CHTF is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Information Industry, Ministry of Science and Technology, The Chinese Academy of Science, and the ShenZhen City Government. The Fair includes hundreds of exhibitors and several major conferences addressing high technology areas including Internet/Intranet, E-Commerce, Computers, and Telecom Networking Applications.
The matters discussed in this news release include certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, not limited to, the timely availability and acceptance of the Company's new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the dependence on continued growth in demand for PC and consumer multimedia products, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of ESS, including the reports on Form 10-K and Form 10Q. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
SOURCE ESS Technology, Inc.
/CONTACT: Johnston C. Chen, Vice President Consumer Products and Internet
Appliance, or Investor Relations, Dale R. Lindly, Vice President Finance
& Chief Financial Officer of ESS Technology, Inc., 510-492-1066/
/Web site: esstech.com
(ESST MSFT)
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