Honeywell (NYSE:HON) today announced the availability of the Honeywell WebPAD(TM) Internet Appliance - the first-ever wireless, portable tool for high-speed connection to the Internet and centralized home control applications.
Weighing less than three pounds, measuring less than an inch thick and about the size of a standard sheet of paper, the Honeywell WebPAD Internet appliance allows a user to surf the Internet, send and receive e-mail, and enter information via a wireless touch screen display. The device uses a wireless connection to a base station --similar to a PDA synchronizer -- that's connected to broadband cable or DSL. This enables users to enjoy all the benefits of a high-bandwidth Internet connection from anywhere inside or outside the home within 150 feet of its base station.
The Honeywell WebPAD, with a suggested retail price of $995, is the first wireless Internet appliance of its kind in production and is based on National Semiconductor's Geode(TM) WebPAD reference platform. For information on where to purchase the product, customers should visit www.honeywell.com/yourhome/.
"The WebPAD appliance is one of several Web-enabled, home solutions that Honeywell will bring to customers," said Jay Schrankler, vice president, Honeywell Home Comfort and Systems. "Technologies in the home continue to converge, allowing the integration, monitoring and controlling of key home functions via the Internet. The Honeywell WebPAD will be a fundamental component in this convergence - permitting wireless Internet access today and a wide range of wireless home control capabilities in months and years to come."
Another key feature of the Honeywell WebPAD is that it can be used with any Internet Service Provider (ISP). Recent Honeywell research showed that 91% of consumers prefer to choose their own ISP.
Additional features of the Honeywell WebPAD include:
- A 10-inch LCD panel with touch screen support and stylus
- A base station with capability for up to eight, separate Internet users in conjunction with a DSL or broadband cable modem
- High-speed connections at speeds of up to 1.5 megabytes per second
- Word processing capabilities with Pocket Word(TM) from Microsoft
- Online, downloadable, upgradeable software as new features become available
- Rechargeable battery with typical battery life of four to five hours per charge, plus an adjustable timer for battery-saving features
- A USB port for adding an accessory keyboard or mouse
- Onboard speakers and headphone jacks for listening to audio
- A cradle for charging and viewing
- Maintaining of favorites and other settings during shutdown
"With its leadership in home comfort and security, Honeywell is in a unique position to integrate various services in the home," said Michael Polacek, vice president of National's Information Appliance division. "Adding Internet connectivity and centralized control via a wireless appliance is an ingenious approach to simplifying everyday tasks in the home. In teaming up with National Semiconductor, Honeywell provides consumers with an easy-to-use, low-power WebPAD Internet Appliance that enables users to experience the rich world of the Internet. We are extremely pleased that our WebPAD reference design is part of this innovative product."
[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]
Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group