From: Gina Wang 
To: 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