From: "Stephen Moore" 
To: 
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 17:26:51 +0800
Subject: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR ANNOUNCES LINUX SUPPORT FOR ITS GEODE
WebPAD REFERENCE DESIGN


NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR ANNOUNCES LINUX SUPPORT FOR ITS GEODE™ WebPAD™
REFERENCE  DESIGN
Infomatec to Port its JNT™ Operating System to National's Geode WebPAD Platform
November 15, 1999 - National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) today announced 
that Infomatec AG will port its custom Linux-based basic platform Java Network 
Technology™ (JNT™) operating system to the National® Geode™ WebPAD™ platform 
- a complete hardware and software reference design for a wireless Internet personal 
access device (PAD). This collaboration is the first result of an agreement signed 
earlier this year by National and Infomatec to partner on the development of 
information appliances such as set-top boxes, thin clients and PADs.

The addition of Infomatec's basic platform JNT operating system to the Geode 
WebPAD reference design will broaden National Semiconductor's portfolio of operating 
system offerings on the Geode WebPAD. This will enable National's customers to 
select the performance and functionality that best suits their chosen market 
segments. JNT's ease of development and widespread industry support offers OEMs 
low development costs and rapid time to market, and its built-in security features 
protect sensitive user information. JNT utilizes a multi-tasking customized architecture, 
which is embedded in a Flash ROM chip. This "burned-in intelligence" allows JNT 
to be integrated into almost any imaginable device.

"National's Geode WebPAD design is a truly innovative approach to accessing the 
wealth of information available on the Internet," said Gerhard Harlos, CEO at 
Infomatec. "Its advanced, highly intuitive design makes it simple and easy for 
anyone to surf the Web, from anywhere in the home. The days of walking into the 
den and waiting five minutes to get on the Internet will soon be a distant memory."

The Geode WebPAD Concept
National's Geode WebPAD platform is a reference design for a wireless PAD that 
is optimized for Internet browsing. Weighing less than three pounds, the WebPAD 
tablet is about the size of a standard 8½x11-inch paper notebook and features 
a simple touch-screen that encourages user interaction. Its wireless design lets 
users, within a range of up to 500 feet from the tablet's base station, surf 
the Internet, participate in e-Commerce and send email. The WebPAD reference 
design is based on National's highly integrated Geode™ GXLV processor, a low-power 
x86-based chip that integrates sound, graphics, memory control and the PCI interface. 
Geode WebPAD solutions based on the x86 architecture provide consumers with a 
no-compromise Internet experience, because most popular software plug-in modules 
for the Internet are supported.

"In order to fully capitalize on the performance and unique value proposition 
that our Geode WebPAD platform offers, we need to be able to provide our customers 
with their operating system of choice," said Camillo Martino, worldwide director 
of National's Personal Access Device business unit. "As Linux gained the industry's 
approval and acceptance, it became obvious that we needed a Linux solution for 
the WebPAD. The reliability, flexibility and security offered by the JNT system, 
in addition to its strength in the European market, made Infomatec an attractive 
partner."

National Semiconductor first introduced its Geode WebPAD concept demo at Fall 
COMDEX '98. Since then, National has been working with key partners to expand 
the platform's offerings and develop the infrastructure needed to bring these 
devices to market. The first products based on National's Geode WebPAD design 
are expected to be available by the end of 1999, and the first Linux-based versions 
will be available in early 2000.

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.

About Infomatec AG
Infomatec AG is one of the leading producers of high-end Internet systems for 
the retail trade, the finance-, media- and telco sector. The group provides innovative 
IT-solutions with core applications for the operation of large Websites. Among 
these are the business platform HiPEx (High Performance Extranets) enabling companies 
to organise data and communication processes worldwide in a cost-efficient and 
clearly structured way - and JNT (Java Network Technology), an universal platform 
for Internet end devices like the Surfstation. Moreover, Infomatec AG offers 
individual project solutions, and, as a licensed partner of SAP, IT-services 
for SAP R/3. In this way, the fulliner software company ideally uses synergy 
effects from all three divisions to the advantage of its customers. The group 
currently employs almost 500 staff, approximately 250 work in the headquarters 
in Augsburg/Bavaria.