Asserting Leadership in a New Market, Compaq Launches Internet Access Solutions
That Enhance Work and Personal Life
Newly Expanded iPAQ Line - Simple, Ingenious Devices and Services - Redefines
Customers' Internet Experience on the Job and at Home
NEW YORK, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Laying claim to a new market, Compaq
Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today unveiled a line of Compaq iPAQ(TM)
products and services aimed squarely at the power of the Internet, leading to
a convergence not of devices, but of experiences. True to Compaq's legacy of
developing innovative, practical tools, the new iPAQ solutions will redefine
and expand Internet access to address the full range of customer needs at work
and at home.
iPAQ is a family of personal Internet devices and services that together
provide solutions allowing users to take advantage of personalized and
customized information from the Internet any time, anywhere. Today's
announcement is a significant step in delivering on Compaq's strategy of
making Internet access more pervasive and easier to use. A new generation of
Internet access devices and solutions, the iPAQ family consists of:
-- the iPAQ Personal Audio Player, which offers one-button access through
your personal computer to the iCAST music and entertainment web site;
-- the iPAQ Home Internet Appliance, with instant Web access provided by
Compaq development partner, MSN Web Companion service;
-- the iPAQ Connection Point, which provides high-speed Internet access
with wireless freedom, flexible home networking, built-in firewall
security and additional security services through Compaq's partner
WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.;
-- the iPAQ BlackBerry(TM) Wireless Email Solutions, innovative handheld
and wireless devices along with complete server and services packages
for wireless email, offered as part of a strategic alliance with
Research in Motion;
-- and the award-winning iPAQ Pocket PC, which offers applications for
business users such as wireless corporate email and wireless
Internet/intranet access to specialized business applications such as
CRM and mCommerce, as well as applications such as healthcare,
insurance and CAD.
Speaking at a news conference today in New York City, Mike Larson, Senior
Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Products Group said, "Our
customers share a desire to expand their access to the Internet and to the
information they need in their daily lives -- whether they're at work, at home
or on the road.
"We're introducing the iPAQ family of products that redefine and expand
Internet access -- products that address new uses, new categories of users and
new emerging markets," he continued. Larson noted that analysts predict that
45 percent of all online users in the United States will connect to the Web
with more than one device by 2003 (according to a report by Forrester
Research, Inc. - June 2000).
Mike Winkler, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager of Compaq's
Commercial Personal Computing Group, added, "iPAQ is now a unique Compaq
sub-brand that cuts across the consumer and commercial markets. Our goal is
to deliver simple, practical devices that complement and extend the
functionality of our industry-leading PC products.
"iPAQ products furnish our customers with personal innovative Internet
devices, services and solutions that allow them to access the information they
want anywhere, any time. It doesn't matter if their focus is work or home or
school, we want iPAQ products to provide a seamless fit for every Internet
access need," said Winkler.
For more information, visit compaq.com.
iPAQ Personal Audio Player PA-1
The growing legion of digital music fans face common problems: the
complexity of downloading files to players, multiple digital music formats and
cumbersome players that prevent truly portable music. The new iPAQ PA-1 is
the solution to these problems; it's rugged, compact and has a colorful
design. It supports multiple formats, makes downloading simple and
convenient, and easily accepts upgrades as technology evolves. The PA-1 has a
simple plug-and-play feature that allows users to download music files from
their computers without added parts like memory sticks. The iPAQ PA-1 will be
available in late August for $249.99 at retail establishments in the U.S,
through Compaq's web site compaq.com, through the toll free
hotline at 1-800-888-0263 and through Compaq's kiosks located in over
10,000 popular retail stores. For more information, visit
athome.compaq.com.
iPAQ Home Internet Appliance
"The Home Internet Appliance is essentially 'Web in a box.' You literally
plug it in and turn it on -- practically instant access to the 'net," said
Larson. The small, elegant design of the Home Internet Appliance, winner of
the Silver IDEA 2000 design award, allows customers to place the appliance in
any room they want. The system runs on Microsoft's award-winning MSN
Companion Service so users get an instant email account and have 24-hour help
through MSN. "This frees up customers from having to find and select an
Internet service provider (ISP)," Larson added. The device is automatically
updated periodically over the Internet for reliable and worry-free
maintenance, providing virtual obsolescence protection for their system. The
Home Internet Appliance's simplicity makes it an ideal choice for people who
want an alternative to a PC for easy Web access and email on a daily basis.
It turns on like a TV and has only two cords -- a power cord and a phone cord.
The iPAQ Home Internet Appliance with MSN Companion Service will be available
within the next two weeks at retail establishments throughout the U.S.,
through Compaq's Web site at compaq.com, through the
toll-free hotline at 1-800-888-0263 and through Compaq's kiosks located in
more than 10,000 popular retail stores. Consumers can receive a $400 rebate
with a three-year MSN Internet Access subscription at a monthly rate of
$21.95. With this rebate, the iPAQ Home Internet Appliance costs as little as
$199. For more information on this device, visit
athome.compaq.com.
iPAQ Connection Point
The iPAQ Connection Point is the ultimate Internet communications access
point, providing broadband or dial-up Internet connectivity with built-in
firewall security, wireless Internet access and flexible home networking.
Customers can choose HomeRF wireless networking for mobile freedom, HomePNA
2.0 for 10Mbps phoneline networking utilizing existing phonelines, 10/100
Base-T Ethernet networking or a combination of all three. With rising
concerns about personal information attacks, Compaq has partnered with
WatchGuard Technologies, Inc., a leader in Internet security, to deliver the
latest in firewall protection along with additional services such as parental
control, content filtering and LiveSecurity(TM) Service. "The goal is
Internet access in every room, and the Connection Point delivers that with
secure instant connectivity to every device in the home," said Larson. The
iPAQ Connection Point will be available for $499 within the next 60 days
through retail outlets and direct channels. For more information visit
athome.compaq.com.
iPAQ BlackBerry Wireless Email Solutions
The Compaq iPAQ BlackBerry Wireless Email Solution -- innovative handheld
and wearable devices, coupled with complete server and service packages --
provides remote wireless email access from almost anywhere nationwide. These
solutions are the first end-to-end offerings of their kind and are a result of
Compaq's strong relationship with Research in Motion, Limited (RIM).
The iPAQ BlackBerry Wireless Email Solution uses innovative BlackBerry
hardware and software from RIM. The devices allow customers to read, compose,
forward, reply, delete or file email messages, plus determine which messages
they want to receive on their handheld -- all while maintaining a single
corporate email address and mailbox. The products are easy to use since they
are always on and always connected almost anywhere in the U.S. and Canada; no
complicated log-in procedure is required to receive or send email. Customers
can purchase certain models of the iPAQ BlackBerry Wireless Email Solution
starting today through Compaq DirectPlus at 1-800-888-5858 (U.S. only), at
suggested Internet prices starting at $399 with an unlimited usage airtime
service fee of $39.99 per month for email only, with a one-year airtime
commitment.
For further information, visit
compaq.com.
iPAQ Pocket PC
Introduced last April, the iPAQ Pocket PC is a revolutionary Internet
appliance dedicated to simplifying the computing experience for busy people
who need connectivity to the Internet and their business information any time,
anywhere. Through its unique Expansion Pack design, customers can add
standard PC Card and CompactFlash options to their device. This unique
concept enables wireless enterprise applications for accessing the Internet
and corporate data on this small yet powerful handheld device.
The flexibility of the Expansion Pack system allows customers to select
the wireless solution that is right for them, while providing a migration
strategy for future wireless technologies. In addition, hardware and software
vendors throughout the industry see the value in this powerful solution and
are rapidly porting their applications to this new platform.
The iPAQ Pocket PC is the company's most popular handheld product ever,
and Compaq is quickly ramping up to meet the extraordinary demand. Prices
start at $499 for the iPAQ Pocket PC; and the Expansion Packs range from
$39 for the CompactFlash Expansion Pack to $149 for the PC Card Expansion
Pack. For more information, visit
compaq.com.
About Compaq
Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the largest
supplier of computing systems in the world. Compaq designs, develops,
manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services,
including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant
business-critical solutions, and communications products, commercial desktop
and portable products, and consumer PCs.
Compaq products and services are sold in more than 200 countries directly
to businesses, through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners, and
directly to businesses and consumers through Compaq's e-commerce Web site at
compaq.com. Compaq markets its products and services primarily to
customers from the business, home, government, and education sectors.
Customer support and information about Compaq and its products and services
are available at compaq.com.
Compaq and the Compaq logo Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks
of their respective companies. This financial discussion contains
forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number
of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially include: delays in the
implementation of changes in delivery models, component shortages, increased
competitive environment and pricing pressures, delays in product rollout
schedules, slow acceptance for new form factors, changes in product, customer
and geographic sales mix, employee retention, the financial condition of
resellers, delays in new systems implementation, operational inefficiencies
related to sales cycles, equity investment volatility, emerging market
political or economic instability and disruptions related to restructuring
actions. Further information on the factors that could affect Compaq's
financial results is included in Compaq's Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and the latest
quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
SOURCE Compaq Computer Corporation
-0- 08/15/2000
/CONTACT: Cherry Harris, 281-927-8167, or email,
cherry.harris@compaq.com, or Nora Hahn, 281-514-8316, or email,
nora.hahn@compaq.com, both of Compaq Computer Corporation; or broadcast, Erica
Proto, 212-885-0322, or email, eproto@hillandknowlton.com, or print, Wanda
Moebius, 281-518-0484, or email, wmoebius@hillandknowlton.com, both of Hill
and Knowlton, for Compaq Computer Corporation/
/Photo: NewsCom: newscom.com
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467/
/Web site: compaq.com
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(CPQ)
CO: Compaq Computer Corporation
ST: Texas, New York
IN: CPR MLM
SU: PDT
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