Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Angels of Alchemy -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: KevinMark who wrote (12822)	9/19/2000 10:29:38 AM
From: ColtonGang	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24256

Got to love BEOS at this level...old news.....National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) and Be Incorporated (Nasdaq:BEOS) announce joint efforts to co-develop a series of production-ready reference platforms for the Internet appliance market based on the National® Geode(TM) WebPAD(TM) manufacturing kit. The objective is to provide consumers with a compelling Internet experience for media-rich Internet and entertainment appliances, based on Be's foundational software technology, code-named Stinger, and National's Geode WebPAD reference platform. National and Be are engaged in collaborative efforts, although no formal agreement exists between the two companies at this time. These activities range from joint sales and market development to cooperative marketing campaigns. ``Our joint offering will be a truly innovative pairing of hardware and software,'' commented Jean-Louis Gassée, Be's chairman and chief executive officer. ``National Semiconductor is already a leading enabler of Internet appliance platforms, and our Stinger technology will bring unrivaled Internet and media handling capabilities to its Geode WebPAD platform. This will enable device manufacturers and consumer electronics companies entering the emerging Internet appliance space to deliver a superior product that will meet the needs of their most demanding customers.'' National's Geode WebPAD reference platform presents an attractive value proposition to Internet service providers, cable operators, e-Commerce businesses and other companies seeking to expand the Internet subscriber base, promote online services or increase brand awareness. The WebPAD design offers a simple, intuitive means of accessing the Internet without the cost, complexity and hassles often associated with personal computers. ``Our partnership with Be will significantly expand the applications available for our Geode WebPAD platform,'' said Mike Polacek, vice president of National's Information Appliance group. ``Be's expertise in video, audio and other high-bandwidth content will be a great value to customers who are developing entertainment-centric Internet appliances using our Geode WebPAD design.'' Be's Stinger Internet Appliance Platform Be has developed a system foundation and architecture for the emerging Internet appliance segment. At the basis of Internet appliances lies a critical need for exceptional media handling, unfaltering stability, and broad application flexibility. BeOS has won critical acclaim in these areas and the company is extending this core technology for this emerging class of devices. Building on the strength of BeOS, and teaming with key companies such as National, Be's new application system foundation is intended to offer a complete development and application platform for a wide range of Internet appliances. Be plans to formally introduce this new platform, code-named Stinger, in the first quarter of 2000. National's Geode WebPAD Platform National's Geode WebPAD platform is a reference design for a wireless personal access device that is optimized for Internet browsing. Weighing less than three pounds, the WebPAD tablet is about the size of a standard 8 1/2x11-inch paper notebook and features a simple touch-screen that encourages user interaction. Its wireless design lets users, within a range of up to 500 feet from the tablet's base station, surf the Internet, participate in e-Commerce and send email. The WebPAD reference design is based on National's highly integrated Geode(TM) GXLV processor, a low-power x86-based chip that integrates sound, graphics, memory control and the PCI interface. Geode WebPAD solutions based on the x86 architecture provide consumers with a no-compromise Internet experience, because most popular software plug-in modules for the Internet are supported