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Wednesday April 12, 7:03 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Netpliance and eBay Enter Strategic Relationship
eBay To be Exclusive Provider of Online Trading Services for Netpliance's i-opener Internet Appliance Solution
i-openers From Netpliance to Ship With An eBay Hot Key
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2000-- Netpliance, Inc., (Nasdaq:NPLI - news) and eBay© (Nasdaq:EBAY - news) have entered into a strategic marketing relationship to deliver a one-touch trading service to Internet users through an e-commerce button on i-opener(TM), Netpliance's Internet appliance and service.
The agreement unites eBay, the world's leading person-to-person online trading community, and Netpliance, the leading consumer Internet appliance services provider, to provide a simple way for i-opener users to access the popular online trading site. The eBay agreement highlights Netpliance's initiative to offer ``real estate' on the i-opener Internet appliance keyboard in order to deliver a one-touch connection to an e-commerce site, such as eBay. Netpliance intends to form similar arrangements with other e-commerce players and already has a designated pizza key that offers a one-touch connection to local pizzerias.
eBay expects its new branded hot key on the i-opener will make it easier for families to join the fun of shopping on one of the world's most dynamic marketplaces. eBay also will promote the i-opener with the eBay hot key at industry events nationwide and on the eBay site.
``We're thrilled with Netpliance's strategy to make the Internet simple for everyone,' said eBay Chief Operating Officer Brian Swette. ``We hope that this relationship will open the world of eBay's online trading community to a new segment of the population.'
Bill Cobb, Netpliance Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Sales and Marketing, said ``i-opener customers, both first-time and existing Internet users, are a perfect match for eBay's world-class online trading services, because they want the simplicity of our single-button access to the eBay community. We believe that the powerful combination of simple, one-touch access and the placement of i-openers in high traffic areas of the home, such as the kitchen, will mean repeated visits to eBay's online community.'
About Netpliance
Netpliance offers Internet-based content, applications and services through devices specifically designed for Internet access, commonly known as Internet appliances. The Company introduced its current i-opener service in November 1999, which combines its i-opener appliance, Internet access and its own consumer portal. The i-opener service includes all of the elements required for a user to access the Internet and simplifies Internet access, appealing to both novice and veteran Internet users.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Future results may differ from those discussed in this announcement. Some of the factors that could cause such differences for Netpliance can be found under the headings ``Forward-Looking Statements' and ``Risk Factors' in Netpliance's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Dec. 23, 1999, as amended. Each company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future event, or otherwise.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Netpliance press materials can be found at netpliance.com. |
