Zeev,
Your opinions are well respected and your knowledge of the chip industry is impressive. What do you think of the going on's of WAVX and this press release.
Here is a response you may understand better than I #reply-4635539
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Standard Microsystems and Wave Systems Agree to Embed Wave's WaveMeter Technology in
Standard Microsystems Integrated Circuits
Agreement Provides a PC Chip Implementation of Wave's Technology, Offering a Low Cost Solution for PC OEMs
LEE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 1998-- Wave Systems Corp. (OTC BB:WAVX - news) today announced a technology license agreement with
leading integrated circuit supplier Standard Microsystems Corporation (NASDAQ:SMSC - news). This license agreement will enable SMSC to incorporate Wave
Systems' WaveMeter technology into a variety of SMSC's integrated circuit (IC) products, including input/output (PC I/O) integrated circuits, which are a
fundamental component of personal computers. The initial product is an enhanced PCI/O device designed to offer Wave's technology to all PC OEMs using the
Wave-enabled SMSC component.
Engineering development related to the agreement is underway, and initial prototypes are expected later this year with commercial availability expected in 1999.
SMSC is currently working with a number of customers to integrate this technology.
SMSC is a leading worldwide supplier of ICs for the PC industry. The PC I/O integrated circuit is a standard component in most PC's. To date, the company has
shipped more than 100 million PC I/O devices, and is one of the leaders in the PC I/O market. SMSC's PC I/O parts reside on the motherboards of almost all the
major PC manufacturers.
''The WaveMeter on the PC I/O IC is a natural fit,'' commented Steven Sprague, president of Wave Systems. ''Our relationship with SMSC enables the
WaveMeter functionality to be built into the motherboard, thereby dramatically reducing the per unit cost, engineering and customization required to deliver
WaveSystem benefits to end users. Through the SMSC relationship, we are able to reach millions of PCs through a single IC supplier. Further, given SMSC's strong
customer base and industry presence, this agreement represents an important milestone in our efforts to solidify PC OEM commitments for our unique, turnkey
electronic commerce service.''
The WaveSystem opens exciting new content distribution possibilities that will benefit consumers and content providers alike. The PC software community can
benefit from more flexible pricing models as well as the security inherent in Wave's triple DES encryption and WaveMeter-based decryption. Consumers utilizing
PCs that incorporate a WaveMeter/SMSC chip will be able to quickly and conveniently access and purchase, pay-per-use or rent-to-own top entertainment,
education and software titles directly from their PCs. Moreover, the WaveSystem is compatible with a variety of content distribution channels, including the Internet,
data broadcast, cable television, CD-ROM, DVD, floppy diskette or e-mail, while also providing the needed end-user content and subscriber management system.
Consumers receive the flexibility of paying for information based upon their actual usage, while publishers benefit from significantly reduced marketing and distribution
expenses and the ability to reach new end-user target markets.
''Our customers have expressed strong interest in the Wave technology. SMSC's investment in this technology will enhance PC I/O functionality and increase the
value provided by SMSC to our customers,'' said Robert Hollingsworth, divisional vice president of marketing at SMSC. ''We are pleased to offer the WaveMeter
technology in support of SMSC's commitment to providing competitively priced, leading-edge semiconductor products to the world's most quality-conscious
customers.''
About Wave Systems Corp.:
Wave Systems Corp., formed in 1988 by Peter Sprague, former Chairman of National Semiconductor, has developed a unique distributed information metering and
transaction processing service, called the Wave System, for use in the sale and distribution of a wide range of electronic content for consumer entertainment and
education applications. The Wave System gives content providers security and flexible transaction models and consumers the convenience and control of obtaining
content via the Internet through Wave's Great Stuff Network (http://www.great-stuff.com) and planned CD-ROM and broadband delivery channels. For more
information, please visit Wave's corporate web site at wave.com.
About SMSC:
Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMSC) is a worldwide supplier of metal-oxide-semiconductor/very-large-scale-integrated (MOS/VLSI) circuits for the
personal computer industry. SMSC has a leading position in input/output (I/O) integrated circuits for PCs with over 100 million units shipped and, additionally,
supplies integrated circuits for PC Connectivity, local area networks, and embedded networking. The Company also operates a wafer foundry that specializes in
MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) devices. SMSC is a leading supplier of MEMS, with more than 20 million devices delivered to date. Standard
Microsystems is based in Hauppauge, New York and maintains offices worldwide, including locations in North America, Asia, Europe and Japan. SMSC operates
engineering and marketing centers in San Jose, CA; Westborough, MA; Hauppauge, NY and Austin, TX. More information about the Company is available on the
World Wide Web at www.smsc.com.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements:
Except for the statements of historical fact, the information presented herein constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, the ability to fund operations, the loss of market share, changes in
consumer buying habits and other factors over which Wave Systems Corp. has little or no control.
''Safe Harbor'' Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this
announcement with respect to Standard Microsystems Corporation are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely
development and market acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the effect of changing economic conditions, and such risks
and uncertainties as are detailed from time to time in Standard Microsystems Corporation's SEC reports, including the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and the
Quarterly Reports filed on Form 10-Q.
Contact:
Fleishman-Hillard
Aaron Feigin (Wave Media Contact)
415/356-1033
feigina@fleishman.com
or
Wave Systems Corp.
Kent Kappen (Wave Contact)
408/261-9510
kkappen@wavesys.com
or
Jaffoni & Collins
David Collins (Wave Investor Contact)
212/835-8500
WAVX@jcir.com
or
Standard Microsystems
John Tweedy (SMSC Contact)
516/434-4630
john.tweedy@smsc.com |
