Thursday January 7, 7:00 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft Introduces Universal Plug and
Play Initiative to Help Consumers Get
More From New and Existing Home Electronics
Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq and Twenty-Five Other Companies Join to
Promote Standards for Simple, Seamless Home Networking
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT - news) introduced Universal Plug and Play, an initiative that allows a broad range of
intelligent consumer appliances and PCs to easily connect as peers and share resources within the
home. Universal Plug and Play -- the next phase of the Plug and Play initiative introduced by Intel Corp.
[Nasdaq:INTC - news], Compaq Computer Corp. [NYSE:CPQ - news] and Microsoft in 1992 -- is a
cross-industry effort to define a set of common interfaces that describe devices and services, allow
automatic discovery when a device is plugged into a network, and allow other devices and people to use
them without complicated setup or configuration. Universal Plug and Play is a key element in
Microsoft's standards-based vision of simple networking, where easy-to-configure intelligent appliances,
networked peripherals, PCs and the services they provide become peers on networks in homes and
businesses.
''As appliances become more intelligent and the distinction between appliances and computing devices
blurs, a key part of their value to consumers will come from their ability to communicate with other
intelligent devices,'' said Craig Mundie, senior vice president, consumer strategy, Microsoft. ''Because
Universal Plug and Play is built on standards, it will be relatively easy for vendors to implement, allowing
a quick and easy transition for consumers and enabling them to enjoy the convenience, community and
better communication afforded by a home network.''
Cross-Industry Support
Companies supporting Universal Plug and Play are helping to drive the emergence of a new generation
of easily networked consumer devices and to remove the barriers for consumers implementing home
networks. This support will lead to opportunities for using and combining information in new ways with
home devices. The following companies support Microsoft's efforts to help define solutions that simplify
networking in the home: Intel, Hewlett-Packard Co., Compaq, Dell Computer Corp., Cisco Systems Inc.,
Eastman Kodak Co., Samsung Information Systems America (SISA), Toshiba Corp., Lucent
Technologies Inc., Axis Communications Inc., National Semiconductor Corp., 3Com Corp., ATI
Technologies Inc., Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc., Conexant Systems Inc., Texas Instruments,
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), Lexmark International Inc., ShareWave Inc., NEC, Honeywell,
Proxim Inc., Intellon Corp., Echelon Corp, Fujitsu Limited, SHARP Corp., Hitachi Ltd. and AT&T Corp.
Pragmatic Approach to Simple Networking
Universal Plug and Play will make connecting multiple devices in the home easier by building upon
existing standards and technologies without requiring consumers to replace the existing device driver
infrastructure or adopt one specific networking medium. Some of the advantages of Universal Plug and
Play follow:
Standards-based. Universal Plug and Play was designed within the context of existing standards.
The individual implementations for particular networks and buses will build on the protocols
already in place. Universal Plug and Play will provide a common set of interfaces for accessing
devices and services.
Network media-independent. The Universal Plug and Play software is independent of the physical
network media, for compatibility with any type of existing network, such as standard 10BaseT
Ethernet and new networking technologies that won't require costly installation of new wiring in
existing homes. These include the Home Phoneline Networking Association (HomePNA)
standard for data networking on telephone wiring, HomeRF for wireless networking and powerline
carrier protocols.
Device-independent. Universal Plug and Play encompasses all types of networked and traditional
peripheral devices, including PCs, new smart appliances, home automation systems, networked
peripherals and Web-based services, without a centralized server to manage the devices.
The result of this pragmatic approach is that implementing Universal Plug and Play requires very little
work and an extremely small amount of system resources and footprint. Microsoft will deliver a
TCP/IP-based implementation of Universal Plug and Play in 1999.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company
offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the
mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal
computing every day.
NOTE: Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
CES Quote Sheet
January 1999
''We see this initiative accelerating the ability for PC users to easily connect to emerging
network devices. Intel is committed to open specifications that unite the industry to expand the
use of connected PCs.''
Craig Kinnie, Corporate Vice President and Director of Intel Architecture Labs, Intel Corp.
''3Com and Microsoft Corp. share a vision of building powerful networks that are simple to use.
3Com, the leader in connecting people to the Internet, combined with Microsoft's leadership in
Universal Plug and Play, will help consumers more easily connect computers and intelligent
appliances and share resources within the home and beyond.''
Roy Johnson, Vice President and General Manager Home Networking Division, 3Com Corp.
''By extending the Plug and Play model from a single PC to a network of intelligent devices,
Universal Plug and Play helps provide the foundation for the next generation of PCs, networkable
peripherals and consumer electronics appliances capable of taking advantage of interdevice
communication to create usage models that increase the functionality of the devices on the
network. Universal Plug and Play will play a key role in the emerging home and small business
network, helping enable end users to seamlessly deploy network-ready devices by simply
plugging them in.''
Tom Eby, Group Vice President Communications Group, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD)
''The dynamic events in the cable, wireless and communications industry will usher in a new
wave of consumer devices and services that will require the kind of advanced functionality that
Universal Plug and Play represents.''
Glenn T. Edens, Vice President, Broadband Technology, AT&T Corp.
''ATI Technologies supports the Microsoft® Universal Plug and Play initiative and believes
building upon open standards will drive the home networking market. ATI is committed to the
convergence of computer and consumer electronics technology; Universal Plug and Play's
potential to easily connect a variety of 'intelligent' consumer devices will be a key factor in the
growth of home-networking solutions that will feature ATI's leading graphics acceleration
technology.''
Alfonse Licata, Group Product Manager, ATI Technologies Inc.
''Universal Plug and Play is another important step on the road to making network connectivity
simple and affordable -- concepts that have driven our development efforts from the very
beginning. As a leading provider of peripheral connectivity, we welcome Microsoft's initiative and
see it as a complement to our ThinServer-powered products. Using familiar Internet standards --
such as XML -- is a practical approach for dealing with a typically difficult issue -- network
extensibility. The ability to automatically understand what devices are available and to access
their services will give home and business users the freedom to mix and match their peripherals
to meet changing application requirements.''
Bengt Christensson, Chief Technology Officer, Axis Communications Inc.
''Cisco believes that standards-based, open architectures offer consumers the broadest range of
solutions, and we look forward to working with Microsoft and others in this area.''
Robba Benjamin, Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Line of Business, Cisco
Systems Inc.
''As the leader in Internet PCs and home networking, Compaq strongly supports Microsoft's
Universal Plug and Play initiative; it truly complements our vision of the digitally networked home.
With Universal Plug and Play, Compaq's pioneering work on simple, foolproof home networks will
be extended in a completely compatible way to exciting new digital devices throughout the
home.''
Rod Schrock, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager, Consumer Products Group,
Compaq Computer Corp.
''We are pleased to support Microsoft's Universal Plug and Play initiative. Universal Plug and
Play will become the driving force behind the new easy-to-use intelligent network, making
networking as familiar to tomorrow's users as computing is to today's. Conexant plans to be at
the forefront of this exciting new technology.''
Matt Rhodes, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Conexant Systems Inc.
''Dell has been active in consumer connectivity for some time with our ConnectDirect broadband
initiative with cable and telecommunications suppliers. As broadband connections make
high-speed home Internet access a reality, the need for intrahome networking is on the horizon.
Microsoft's Universal Plug and Play helps lay the groundwork for simple home networking
augmented with high-speed Internet connections.''
Janet Mallory Mountain, Vice President, Dimension Product Group, Dell Computer Corp.
''More and more consumers are searching for ways to easily and affordably connect multiple
PCs within the home. Today, we offer the HomeFree brand of home networking products,
including phoneline and wireless solutions, that enable consumers to connect their PCs to share
resources. Microsoft's launch of Universal Plug and Play is an important step toward expanding
the definition of the digitally connected home beyond personal computers to include intelligent
appliances.''
Jim Cady, Vice President and General Manager, Communications Division, Diamond Multimedia
Systems Inc.
''By simplifying the way computers and peripherals such as digital cameras communicate with
each other, Universal Plug and Play will make it easier for consumers to get and share their
pictures -- and that's what Kodak is about.''
James Stoffel, Director of R&D, Imaging Equipment and Software, Vice President, Eastman
Kodak Co.
''Microsoft's Universal Plug and Play concept supports Echelon's vision for true end-to-end
interoperability and open control networking. Echelon's LonWorks System, including the
LonWorks Network Services (LNS) API and ActiveX® control, already support the Windows®
operating system and have built-in Internet/IP support to enable seamless integration of data and
control networks. LonWorks system's already strong presence in the home, building, industrial
and transportation markets is further extended by the Universal Plug and Play concept.''
Bea Yormark, Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Echelon Corp.
''Consumers need the process of installing devices on a network to be as simple as plugging in a
lamp. HP's intent in co-developing Universal Plug and Play with Microsoft is to continue to drive
simplicity and ease of use for our customers. We expect to implement this exciting new
protocol's device discovery mechanism in future HP JetDirect and HP Web JetAdmin products.''
Dave Harris, General Manager, Network Peripheral Solutions Division, Hewlett-Packard Co.
''We believe the establishment of open standards for Universal Plug and Play will enhance the
Home API specification initiative by making devices easier to install and connect to other
networks. Together these two initiatives will usher in a new industry helping to provide simpler
lives in complicated times. Honeywell is committed to this vision for comfort, convenience and
peace of mind.''
Deb Massof, Vice President, Home Vision, Honeywell
''Universal Plug and Play is all about providing universal connectivity. Intellon's high-speed
communication technology provides connectivity over the most universal media, the AC power
line. Microsoft's implementation of our IeOFDM technology and the Universal Plug and Play
initiative will combine to bring networking to the widest variety of products and applications.''
Eric Buffkin, Vice President of Marketing, Intellon Corp.
''We believe the vision of the Universal Plug and Play technology utilizing open standards is
important to the advancement of the industry. Carrying out this vision ties in well with Lexmark's
vision for Internet and home appliance printing.''
Bernard Masson, President, Consumer Printer Division, Lexmark International Inc.
''National Semiconductor strongly supports the Universal Plug and Play initiative. National has
been working towards transitioning the 'wired and wireless' networks into a truly ubiquitous
connection for PCs and smart consumer devices. The Universal Plug and Play initiative is an
exciting and needed step in making networking seamless and will allow for transparent exchange
of data between smart devices. This initiative is the next step in providing the needed 'always
connected experience' with data on demand anywhere and at any time.''
Brian Halla, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, National Semiconductor Corp.
''We believe that Universal Plug and Play will be the best solution for seamless and easy
connection between PCs, network peripherals and intelligent consumer appliances.''
Hideyo Takasu, General Manager of PC Strategic Planning Office, First Personal C&C Operation
Unit, NEC
''Networks in homes and small businesses are one of the most exciting new technology markets
emerging today. Simplicity in installation and usage are critical to fostering this market. Universal
Plug and Play will be extremely important in helping make the user experience simple and
natural. Proxim will be among the first to support this facility.''
Brian Button, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Proxim Inc.
''As one of the driving forces behind the recent emergence of home networking, ShareWave has
long advocated the vision of a connected home. Microsoft's Universal Plug and Play initiative
adds significant momentum to this vision and is a great complement to our ShareWave Digital
Wireless home networking technology portfolio. ShareWave strongly supports Microsoft's efforts
in this area, and we look forward to working closely with Microsoft to make the Universal Plug
and Play initiative a success.''
Jim Schraith, President and CEO, ShareWave Inc.
''Texas Instruments [TI] welcomes industry initiatives such as Microsoft's Universal Plug and
Play. When combined with TI's Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) solutions and home
networking, Universal Plug and Play can greatly simplify and enhance consumers' Internet
experience.''
John Hughes, Broadband Access Director of Business Development Texas Instruments
NOTE: Microsoft, ActiveX and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be
trademarks of their respective owners. |
