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To: mishedlo who wrote (50798)	8/22/2000 5:18:31 PM
From: Don Green	Respond to of 93625

O.T. Via to create a hybrid Net appliance By Bloomberg News August 22, 2000, 1:50 p.m. PT URL: news.cnet.com TAIPEI, Taiwan--Via Technologies, one of the world's top chip designers, said today it will create computers combining the features of desktop systems and Internet appliances, as part of its bid for the lower end of the PC market. Via plans to run the sub-$500 computers on its Cyrix III processor, which is smaller and consumes less power than other chips, the company said in a statement. The device will be designed for Internet tasks such as email and Web browsing while providing the muscle needed for common computing tasks such as word processing and spreadsheets Via's Matthew processor, slated for production next year, will also be used in the devices, according to the company. Computer makers are beginning to design stripped-down devices capable of accessing the Internet but without many of the features found in PCs intended for more sophisticated tasks. They envision the day when an array of devices such as set-top boxes, game machines and digital televisions connect to the Internet. ''This is the kind of platform we've been anticipating,'' Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette analyst Stephen Connor said. '' Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have been trying to raise average sales prices by targeting the high end. Via will be filling a gap that is widening.'' Separately, Taipei-based Via denied a report in today's Commercial Times that it has formed an alliance with 3Com to market Internet appliances starting next year. Via will probably announce in the next few weeks Net appliance partnerships with several companies, both computer makers and telecommunications service providers, Via spokesman Richard Brown said. Via has indicated it will need partnerships with systems makers for its Internet appliance plan to succeed. "The PC industry has a responsibility to develop more affordable solutions that will allow people to access the online world of information quickly, easily and inexpensively," Via president Wen-Chi Chen said in a statement. Via expects the systems to retail for between $199 and $499 to budget-conscious home users, schools, government organizations and developing countries. Copyright 2000, Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved