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Technology Stocks : Compaq -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: PCSS who wrote (84212)	8/14/2000 10:42:27 PM
From: Steven N	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 97611

Compaq's new role: Gadget provider Monday August 14 08:15 PM EDT By John G. Spooner, ZDNet News, and Carmen Noble, eWeek Online, ZDNet News On Tuesday, Compaq will announce a host of new Net-access devices for its iPaq line -- marking a shift in focus toward smaller, non-PC hardware. Compaq Computer Corp. (NYSE:CPQ - news) has a new pitch for people living the Net lifestyle. The PC maker will try to ascend to the role of gadget provider for the connected Tuesday when it announces a repositioning of its iPaq line of products. The name iPaq will remain, but the focus of the product line will shift toward smaller, non-PC devices that will allow consumers to access the Internet in a variety of different ways in a variety of settings. Instead of just PCs and handheld devices, Compaq will now add to the mix several new devices. The new offerings On Tuesday, the company will unveil: a new Internet appliance based on Microsoft Corp.'s (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) MSN Companion platform; two new portable MP3 music players; a new two-way pager based on its relationship with Research in Motion (RIM); and a residential gateway for Internet access and home networking. Compaq officials declined to comment on the as-yet-unannounced products. But a company spokesperson said the iPaq line aims to offer "innovative products that make the Net friendly and easy to use -- that will not change." Compaq has been dropping hints about the repositioning of iPaq for some time. It's a wireless world "You'll see a major announcement next month that will offer a significant expansion of the iPaq line," said Mike Winkler, a senior vice president and general manager of Compaq's Commercial Personal Computing Group in a recent interview. "You'll see more from us in the wireless handheld world," he added, indicating that the Compaq-RIM relationship was about to come to "fruition." The new pager will be based on RIM's 957 Blackberry Wireless Handheld, but will be branded as an iPaq device, sources said. The device offers wireless e-mail and helps users organize contacts, among other features. Compaq and RIM inked a deal in late February to bring the Exchange edition of the 957 Blackberry to Compaq customers. The Exchange Edition's software allows access to the companies' Exchange e-mail servers. MSN Companion: Easy access The MSN Companion is a platform for Internet appliances based on Microsoft's Windows CE operating system and Internet Explorer browser, using its MSN service to provide access to the Web. The device was designed to offer first-time computing users easy access to the Web. It has no Microsoft Start Menu, and instead relies on a "start page" filled with links to services such as Web and e-mail. It has a permanent navigation bar at the bottom of its screen, allowing users to easily get back to the point from which they started, and a light that shows when a user has e-mail waiting. It is expected that the device will come in several forms, including one that resembles an Apple Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL - news) iMac, in that it encapsulates the entire device within a CRT screen and uses a simplified keyboard. Compaq has been working on such an all-in-one MSN Companion device, code-named "Clipper," for some time. It first showed the device at last year's Comdex/Fall convention. Since it may change the way businesses and consumers use the Internet, Compaq will also roll out new access devices. New access devices Compaq will also reveal a new iPaq residential gateway. The device will handle the function of connecting to the Internet via a phone or cable modem. It will include a built-in firewall and allow users to connect to the Net with a wireless connection, sources said. Moreover, Compaq will announce a pair of portable MP3 players that will allow users to download songs and listen to them when on the run. Not to be left out, the anchor of the iPaq line -- the desktop PC and the Pocket PC handheld -- will both receive minor updates. Sources say to expect a refresh of the desktop with faster processors. Compaq is also planning to update its iPaq Pocket PC handheld with a lower-cost monochrome screen model, sources said. sn