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3Com Unveils Breakthrough Internet Appliance Experience
29 November 2004Delivering on the promise of providing radical simplicity and convenience for consumers, 3Com Corporation today introduced Audrey™ a breakthrough Internet appliance created for the kitchen, living room or "nerve center" of any home. Audrey, with one-touch access to email, Internet channels, a household calendar, address book and Palm™ HotSync® technology, debuts as the first in 3Com's Ergo® line of lifestyle-centered connected appliances. Today, Audrey is available in the US and will be available internationally in selected countries including Canada early in 2001.
"Audrey marks 3Com's entrance into a virtually untapped high-growth consumer market and represents 3Com's strategic focus on providing radical simplicity to the consumer," said Eric Benhamou, chairman and CEO of 3Com Corporation.
Audrey, a connected appliance that works with multiple ISPs, enables intuitive information access, communication and organization for entire households in three easy ways:
Convenient and immediate access to favorite pre-selected Internet content is as easy as changing the channel on a television. Simply scroll through the content with a turn of Audrey's channel selector knob.
Staying in touch through email has never been easier. Scribble a hand-written message, type or speak a message and send with the tap of a stylus.
Keep track of individual and family plans, appointments and special events on the family calendar; and, if desired, synchronize with two Palm-compatible handheld organizers.
Recognizing true convenience as the key to a competitive leadership position, 3Com conducted in-home research on how families work and live and how they want technology to work for them. The Ergo (pronounced "air-go") products, named for a Latin term meaning "therefore," represent the best of the Internet in a convenient and intuitive way.
"The Audrey experience allows Canadians to spend less time with technology and more time doing the things they really want to do," said Gino Ortuso, director of home technology. "Our focus is to remove the complexity associated with accessing information on the Internet. Just like flipping a light switch, or turning on the radio, simply turn Audrey's dial and the information is there. Accessing zip code-specific weather, for example, is a virtually instant experience with Audrey."
Tune to Favorite Internet Channels with a Twist of the Dial
3Com's lifestyle research revealed that people want immediate access to specific information such as news, sports and weather. By turning Audrey's channel selector knob, preferred Internet channels scroll across the bottom of the screen as if on a filmstrip. Audrey arrives out-of-the-box preset with the following basic channels:
News - ABC News
Weather - AccuWeather
Sports - ESPN
Stock quotes/Financial News - CBS MarketWatch.com
Entertainment - MrShowbiz
People can customize some of the basic channels to meet personal information needs such as local weather information or stock quotes. In addition to these basic channels, consumers can also select six additional channels from a growing list of lifestyle-oriented Internet content and e-commerce providers. Credit card and shipping information can be kept securely on file, allowing consumers to order Chinese take-out, purchase sunscreen for a weekend trip or buy a couple of CDs online at the turn of the dial. New channels will regularly become available as partners sign up with 3Com to offer specialized content for Audrey customers. Channels that may soon be offered include:
Beauty.com (beauty products and information)
CyberBills.com (online bill management)
Drugstore.com (online drugstore)
etown.com (consumer electronics advice and comparison shopping)
Express.com (online CD and DVD retailer)
Food.com (takeout or delivery from local restaurants)
Groceryworks.com (grocery service)
Peapod (grocery service)
Purpletie.com (mobile dry cleaning service)
Tavolo.com (upscale cooking supplies)
TVGrid.com (TV listings)
Wine.com (quality wine and food service)
For those who wish to print an email or Internet information, two USB ports on Audrey are available to connect a new printer from Canon Inc. Canadian content and channels will be available in 2001.
Quick, Easy Email
Audrey provides an intuitive, on-the-fly email experience. Touch the "Mail" button at the bottom of the screen for three convenient input options-type, speak or scribble a handwritten message. When docked in the top of the unit, Audrey's stylus flashes green when new email arrives.
Coordinated Family Calendar
Audrey replaces the clutter and chaos of the typical family refrigerator calendaring and messaging system. For the first time ever, two individual Palm datebooks can synchronize into a single, color-coded household calendar. To make planning a breeze, daily weather forecasts appear on the calendar at the push of a button. A shared family address book can be similarly created using HotSync technology.
Everything But the Kitchen Sync
Keep existing ISP and email address with Audrey; no designated service contract is required. An AT&T WorldNet account can be instantly created for new users without an ISP or for those whose ISP is not compatible with Audrey.
Play tunes from the Internet using Real Audio, or replay a voice email over Audrey's stereo speakers.
Audrey features a built in V.90 56K modem and can be set to dial into the Internet several times per day to refresh its Internet channels and download new email. Cable or DSL (broadband) users may connect Audrey with an Audrey-specific Ethernet adapter.
For typing, Audrey has a small, infrared keyboard that hangs neatly on the back of the device when not in use.
Two Palm organizers can synchronize with Audrey's shared family calendar.
Audrey is powered by the QNX operating system fused with Palm HotSync technology and 3Com designed software features.
Audrey receives system software upgrades transparently and automatically over the Internet using Marimba® Castanet™ technology to simplify the experience.
For creative color coordination with other appliances in the home, Audrey is available in five colors: ocean, meadow, sunshine, linen and slate.
A snapshot of a Web page can be instantly inserted into email by simply highlighting it with the stylus and attaching it into an outgoing message.
Additional buttons to the right of the screen activate a family datebook, address book, actions palette and Web browser.
Pricing, Availability and Warranty
Audrey will be available in Canada for an estimated street price starting at $575 CDN. The product may be ordered online beginning early 2001 at ca.3com.com/ergo or at selected retailers in 2001. Audrey carries a one-year limited warranty.
Connected Appliance Market
According to Cahners In-Stat, the five-year growth rate for total worldwide Line-Powered Internet Appliances is a very healthy 73 percent. (Cahners In-Stat (US), February 2000) "Audrey is very user friendly, while the dial gives it a 'familiar' feel to a TV or radio. The note scribbling feature is a super, personalized way of sending or leaving a message, and is as easy as grabbing a piece of paper and writing on it," said Joyce Putscher, director at In-Stat's Consumer & Convergence Group.
3Com's Digital Home
3Com's vision of a digital home is one that connects family members to each other and to important information — both within and outside the home. Based on real-life consumer needs for Internet connectivity, the digital home parlays 3Com's acknowledged expertise in networking computers and enriches consumers' lifestyles with simple, reliable and innovative products. Encompassing a wide variety of available products, 3Com is the only company that provides every connectivity element required by digital home members — such as cable and DSL modems, home network products, Internet appliances and PC WebCams.
About 3Com
3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use, connectivity products and solutions for consumers and commercial organizations. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit ca.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
Source: 3com.com
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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