Congrats to the Big "O" big time news, Go BND, Joel:
National Semiconductor Teams With Boundless Technologies to Introduce First Production Information Appliance Based On the Geode WebPAD Reference Platform
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 1999--
National's Geode WebPAD Reference Platform Enables
Boundless' iBrow(TM) Appliance
National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) and Boundless Technologies, Inc. today announced that Boundless' new iBrow(TM) information appliance is the first production Internet access device based on the National(R) Geode(TM) WebPAD(TM) reference platform. The iBrow, the new premier solution for enabling media-rich Internet appliances, was created by the Internet Appliance Group of Boundless Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boundless Corporation (AMEX: BND).
Boundless' iBrow offering enables users to conveniently browse the Web, send and receive email and purchase products online without the cost, complexity and problems frequently associated with today's personal computers. Boundless will demonstrate the iBrow at Fall COMDEX '99 in its booth at the National Semiconductor-sponsored IA Pavilion, located just inside the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
"We're very excited about Boundless' implementation of our Geode WebPAD reference design," said Camillo Martino, worldwide director of National's Personal Access Device business unit. "Boundless has brought to market a very compelling appliance that will really appeal to the countless companies out there seeking to promote their brands on the Internet."
Boundless' iBrow provides companies with a relationship vehicle for consumer branding and one-to-one electronic marketing programs. Banks, Internet service providers, online brokerages, and other financial service institutions will benefit from the ability iBrow offers to increase Internet subscriber base, promote on-line services and increase brand awareness.
"National's Geode WebPAD design played a key role in helping us bring iBrow to market," said Chad Gibbons, director of business development at Boundless Technologies. "Using National's platform enabled us to focus our efforts on developing new business models and markets instead of time consuming and costly hardware development."
iBrow combines a unique software and hardware package in an all-in-one flat panel design. The device's embedded software enables users to conveniently browse the Web, access email and purchase products, and its full-size window eliminates the need to re-format the content on Web pages. The embedded ISP connection software offers simple user registration screens and supports streaming of audio and video, as well as Java applications. The iBrow features a 56k v.90 internal modem, dual RJ-11 phone jacks for line-in and telephone-in, an external LCD display, 16Mb flash storage, 32Mb SDRAM, and a National Geode GXLV processor.
The Geode WebPAD Platform
The iBrow is enabled by National's Geode WebPAD platform, a complete hardware and software reference design for a personal Internet access device that allows users to surf the Internet, participate in e-Commerce and send email. The WebPAD design is based on National's highly integrated Geode GXLV processor, a low-power x86-based chip that integrates sound, graphics, memory control and the PCI interface. Geode WebPAD solutions based on the x86 architecture provide consumers with a no-compromise Internet experience, because most popular software plug-in modules for the Internet are supported.
National Semiconductor first introduced its Geode WebPAD concept demo at Fall COMDEX '98. Since then, National has been working with key partners to expand the platform's offerings and develop the infrastructure needed to bring these devices to market.
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