From: Gina WangTo: lwn@lwn.net Subject: Press Release Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 09:14:45 +0800 PRESS RELEASE National Semiconductor=AE Brings Linux to Information Appliance = Platforms through New Partnership with INFOMATEC Hong Kong - September 27, 1999 - National Semiconductor=AE Corporation = has appointed INFOMATEC AG / IGEL Technology Labs=AE to serve National's = Asia Pacific customers of its innovative information appliance = platforms. INFOMATEC / IGEL will develop Linux-based firmware to port to = National Semiconductor's market-leading set-top box and thin-client = platforms. National Semiconductor's strategy to provide highly integrated solutions = for the information appliance market is illustrated by its introduction = in July of the Geode? SC1400, which integrates an interactive set-top = box onto a single piece of silicon--including full PC functionality. = The partnership between National Semiconductor and INFOMATEC / IGEL = complements earlier partnerships with two Windows? CE system = integrators, CCL and ITE, allowing customers to choose either Windows CE = or Linux as the operating systems for their information appliances based = on Geode technology. =20 "To optimize performance and market value of these new devices, it is = vital that our Geode solutions run as many operating systems as = possible," said Ozy Wong, National's Information Appliance Market = Director, Asia Pacific. "IGEL's expertise in JNT, the=20 Java-based operating system, and Linux is a great asset in further = enhancing our reach in the information appliance market." =20 Mr. Jean Louis Van der Velde, the Managing Director of / IGEL Asia LTD, = added, "The Internet is providing everyone with immense new = opportunities. With the rise of e-commerce and the large number of = ISPs, many more services and applications are now web-based. INFOMATEC = recognizes the need for a flexible OS, which is Java-capable, and = actively develops Linux-based programs to enable the proliferation of = information and networking appliances. We're pleased to be working with = National and their Geode family of products. The Geode SC1400's high = integration and performance, together with our easy to use and versatile = embedded OS solution, makes a powerful combination for success in the = market."=20 About INFOMATEC AG / IGEL Technology Labs INFOMATEC AG is a developer and manufacturer of High-End -eCommerce = Systems for the trading industry, banks, and insurance companies. = INFOMATEC has a current market capitalisation of US $1 billion and = customers including: BMW, Audi, Agfa and Siemens. INFOMATEC was the top = performing IPO on the Neuer Market in 1998. Part of INFOMATEC AG since = 1998, IGEL Technology Labs was established in 1989 and is one of = today's most innovative vendor's of embedded computer technology. = Technologies include - JNT - for embedded systems and Etherminal - Thin = Client products. In cooperation with other overseas subsidiaries of the = parentcompany INFOMATEC, IGEL Technology Labs is marketing their = products worldwide. IGEL Asia LTD was formed in 1999 to enable = localisation of products for the Chinese and Asian markets and forge = closer links with OEM manufacturers and Telecoms. More information = regarding INFOMATEC and IGEL Technology Labs can be found at their = respective websites - www.igelasia.com, www.igel.de, www.infomatec.com, = or contact press@igelasia.com About National Semiconductor National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the = information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art = digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the = personal computer, communications, and consumer markets. With = headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2 = billion for its last fiscal year and currently has about 11,000 = employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is = available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com. - ### - National Semiconductor and Geode are registered trademarks of National = Semiconductor Corporation. All other trade names referenced are the = service mark, trademark or registered trademark or trade name of their = respective companies. For more press information: National Semiconductor Dorothy Cheng Tel: (852) 2737 1653 Fax: (852) 2376 3901 Email: dorothy.cheng@nsc.com INFOMATEC - IGEL Asia Limited 801 China Insurance Group Building 141 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2542-2639 Fax: (852) 2543-3619 Email: press@igelasia.com