Xybernaut Showcases poma Wearable Computer at Consumer Electronics Show --CES-- -- Orders Now Being Accepted
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2002--Xybernaut Corporation (Nasdaq:XYBR - news) today announced that the company will showcase its first consumer wearable computer during the 2002 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) here in Las Vegas.
Xybernaut® will market and sell the product in North America under the brand name poma(TM) at a suggested retail price of $1,499 to include the computer itself and a lightweight head mounted display (HMD).
Xybernaut is accepting initial orders beginning today at the company's Web site xybernaut.com for delivery before the end of Q1 2002. More detailed information about the poma can also be found at this Web address. In addition to direct sales, Xybernaut is considering selling the poma through distributors that cater to technically minded consumers and mobile professionals.
A few months ago, Hitachi, Ltd. announced that it had completed a license agreement under Xybernaut's broad patents and intellectual property to manufacture a wearable computing and communication product for the consumer market. Under separate agreements announced in 2001, Hitachi will market the product as a Wearable Internet Appliance (WIA) in Japan.
Xybernaut's poma incorporates many features that make it an ideal computing option for mobile individuals. Hitachi's SuperH 32-Bit 128 MHz RISC processor with companion coprocessor powers the 10.9-ounce device, which utilizes the Microsoft's Windows® CE operating system (OS).
The poma incorporates a Compact Flash(TM) slot, USB port, 32 MB of RAM, 32 MB of ROM, a custom optical mouse and a removable internal rechargeable battery. The poma also provides users with support for instant on/off Internet and a head mounted display that provides a private viewing experience equivalent in quality to a desktop monitor.
According to Xybernaut's initial market research, poma appeals to a broad customer base. Target markets include entertainment (music, video and games), online activities, transaction-based computing, field force automation, distance learning, personal productivity, personal communication, electronic commerce and many others.
``Xybernaut and Hitachi have worked with industry leaders to integrate commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, plug-in adaptor hardware, and application support with open computing standards for communication, computing and networking,'' said Edward G. Newman, chairman, CEO and president of Xybernaut. ``An example of this effort is our relationship with Socket Communications, Inc. under which Socket has incorporated support for their products in the poma.''
This allows users to configure their CompactFlash ports to be used for cellular and wireless connectivity. Socket is the industry leader in connection products for wearable computers, handhelds and other mobile devices.
``Socket is pleased to be an integral part of the platform for the first wearable computer tailored for the consumer market,'' said John Adams, vice president of Global Sales for Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCKT - news). ``Xybernaut's poma wearable computer is a unique product with an opportunity to change the way individuals work and play.''
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 2000 (ended March 31, 2001) consolidated sales of 8,417 billion yen ($67.9 billion(a)). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment.
For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site at global.hitachi.com (a) At an exchange rate of 124 yen to the dollar.
About Xybernaut Corporation
Xybernaut Corporation is the leading provider of wearable/mobile computing hardware, software and services, bringing communications and full-function computing power in a hands-free design to people when and where they need it. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Xybernaut has offices and subsidiaries in Europe (Germany) and Asia (Japan). Visit Xybernaut's Web site at www.xybernaut.com.
Xybernaut, the Xybernaut logo and poma are trademarks or registered trademarks of Xybernaut Corporation in the USA and other countries. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the ``Act''). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words ``plan,'' ``confident that,'' ``believe,'' ``scheduled,'' ``expect,'' or ``intend to,'' and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act.
Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, the availability of components and successful production of the Company's products, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, competitive factors, timing, and other risks described in the Company's SEC reports and filings.
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Contact:
Xybernaut Corp.
Michael Binko, 703/631-9625
mbinko@xybernaut.com
or
Sheryl Frye, 703/631-6925
sfrye@xybernaut.com |
