Epson America, Inc., one of the world's leading manufacturers of printers, today announced the selection of TROY XCD, a subsidiary of TROY Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROY), to provide Bluetooth(TM) wireless connectivity on Epson's most popular lines of inkjet printers. The initial contract covers the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
The advantage of TROY's Bluetooth connectivity is that it benefits large and small businesses and home users by significantly simplifying the printing process. Essentially, computers will be able to send and print data without the need for cumbersome wires and cables. In addition, laptop and handheld computer users will also be able to enjoy wireless printing by simply being located within the range (approximately 30 feet) of a Bluetooth-enabled printer.
"We strongly believe that wireless printing is critical for future applications," said Mitch Kadish, Senior Product Manager for Connectivity and Internet Devices for Epson America. "Mobile devices like cell phones, handheld computers and laptops will all need to print without the hassle of cabling, and there is also a growing need for wireless communications in homes and small businesses. TROY's Bluetooth wireless technology will allow us to address these emerging applications."
"We are pleased to be supplying Bluetooth wireless technology to Epson," said Patrick J. Dirk, TROY's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "With this agreement, both TROY and Epson are early to market with Bluetooth enabled printing. This accomplishment is a major milestone in the execution of TROY's wireless strategy."
According to the market research company Dataquest, Epson is the world's second largest printer manufacturer, and is one of the top three sellers of inkjet printers in the United States. During 1999 alone, 23.8 million inkjet printers were shipped in the United States.
Bluetooth, named for the 10th Century Viking king who united Denmark, is a new low-cost radio technology that is designed to eliminate the need for cabling in a wide range of products, including cellular phones, PCs, headphones, audio equipment, and much more. It has unprecedented industry support, with over 2,000 companies in the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, including all of the leading players in the telecommunications and computing industry. According to Cahners In-Stat group, the Bluetooth market will grow from virtually zero in 1999 to over one billion in 2005.
Bluetooth is a trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson, and licensed to TROY XCD. All other trademarks are hereby acknowledged.
[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]
Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group