Home networking for the masses....
biz.yahoo.com
Tuesday April 6, 1:02 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Intel Brings Powerful, Simple PC Networking to the Home
New AnyPoint(TM) Home Network Uses Existing Phone Lines to Allow Multiple-PC
Families to Share Internet Access, Printers, Files and Games
SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 1999-- Intel Corporation today introduced the
AnyPoint(TM) Home Network product line, which helps make it easy for families with more than one PC to
share Internet access, printers, files and games.
The products will be available at intel.com, CompUSA and Gateway.
The AnyPoint Home Network uses existing phone lines to connect home PCs without the need for additional wiring. The AnyPoint Home
Network is the first phoneline solution that can be installed without opening the PC chassis, because it attaches to the parallel port of home
PCs. The AnyPoint Home Network's powerful software is optimized for ease of use, making it quick and easy to start enjoying the
capabilities of a home PC network.
With the AnyPoint Home Network, family members can share a single Internet connection, allowing two or more users to surf the Web at
the same time without the need for a second phone line or Internet account. Users can share PC peripherals such as printers and external
storage devices including tape back-up drives. Users can send files and messages from one PC to another, and enjoy multi-player PC
games from separate rooms in the home.
''With the AnyPoint Home Network, consumers can get the maximum benefit out of multiple home PCs,'' said Dan Sweeney, general
manager of Intel's Home Networking Operation. ''It takes advantage of existing home wiring to provide a product that is designed to be
simple, affordable and based on industry specifications.''
According to Dataquest studies, there will be 17 million multiple PC homes in the U.S. this year and the number is expected to reach 26
million in the next four years.
''Home networking is a very exciting area for Intel to bring its silicon expertise, manufacturing efficiency and networking capability to
bear,'' said Mark Christensen, vice president and general manager of Intel's Network Communications Group. ''Intel has a vision of one
billion connected PCs in the next decade. Simple, affordable home networks are an essential step and necessary component towards
realizing this vision.''
The AnyPoint Home Network software makes Internet sharing simple, automatically informs users when a new device has been added to
the home network, and installs in the majority of homes in three easy steps. The network is fast, providing up to one megabit-per-second
(Mbps) of network bandwidth within the home, which is powerful enough for most of today's home PC applications.
AnyPoint Home Network products are based on the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA) 1.0 industry specification and are
Year 2000 capable. The network transmits data signals on a higher frequency than voice signals and, therefore, is designed so it does not
interfere with phone conversations. The AnyPoint Home Network is also compatible with emerging, high-bandwidth Internet access
specifications, such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modems for even greater shared Internet access performance in the future.
Available at intel.com, CompUSA and Gateway
The AnyPoint Home Networking product line can be purchased three different ways: on-line from Intel at www.intel.com; from
CompUSA, the nation's top retailer of personal computers and related products; and from Gateway, a leading computer manufacturer.
Intel.com offers consumers the convenience of purchasing the AnyPoint Home Network online with a special introductory program for
online purchases. Consumers who order through www.intel.com will receive free shipping and a 60-day, no-questions-asked return policy
that includes free return shipping. Consumers can learn more about Intel's solution and purchase the AnyPoint Home Network at
www.intel.com/anypoint or toll-free at 877/649-5817.
Customers can also purchase AnyPoint Home Network products at any CompUSA Superstore throughout the United States or from the
CompUSA web site at www.compusa.com. ''We're proud to have been chosen by Intel as the exclusive retail provider during the launch of
this exciting new product,'' said James F. Halpin, president and chief executive officer of CompUSA Inc.
''The AnyPoint Home Network products are designed to provide our customers a reasonably-priced, easy-to-set-up solution that allows
multiple users in the same household to simultaneously share one Internet connection and computer peripherals. We think it will be quite
popular with our customers.''
''Gateway is committed to providing its clients the best technology solutions and products available to help maximize their computing
experience,'' said Bob Burnett, vice president of Product Management and Planning at Gateway. ''We examined a number of home
networking solutions and determined that Intel's AnyPoint Home Network products will enable us to provide the best solution available at
the best value for our clients.''
Intel AnyPoint Home Networking will also be available to consumers via the IBM Owner Privileges program. ''In offering AnyPoint
Home Networking to our Aptiva customers we are providing them with access to innovative home networking technology that addresses
their needs today and in the future,'' said Mary Walker, general manager of IBM Home Networking. ''We believe the technology in
AnyPoint is going to help greatly expand the home networking market and delivers an easy-to-use solution for connecting PCs and
peripherals in the home.''
Pricing and Availability
The AnyPoint Home Network product line will initially be available in three packages. The Parallel Port Model for two PCs has a U.S.
Suggested List Price of $189, includes two external units, cabling to connect two PCs and their printers and Intel's Internet sharing
software.
The Parallel Port Model for one PC is also available at a U.S. Suggested List Price of $99 and includes one external unit, the cabling to
connect one PC and its printer and Intel's Internet sharing software. Finally, a PCI adapter, which can be installed inside a PC, is available
at a U.S. Suggested List Price of $79.
Additional Products Planned
Intel is actively involved in establishing industry specifications for radio frequency (based on the Home Radio Frequency Working Group
efforts) and in resolving technical issues with powerline (PLC) based technologies. Intel plans to deliver interoperable consumer products
that support other technologies in the future.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional
information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
Note to Editors: Third party marks and brands are property of their respective holders.
Contact:
Intel Corporation
Tom Potts, 503/264-6277
tom.potts@intel.com |
