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Intel's Web Tablet

Wireless Device Extends Internet Reach In The Home

Intel's Web Tablet is a wireless device that allows users to surf the Web and send E-Mail from any point in their home over their existing Internet access point. The device is able to share both the Internet access and the printer of a centralized PC, while providing its own Web browser and functionality (so both the tablet and the main PC can surf simultaneously).

The device will be based on the Intel StrongARM SA-1110 processor, and will contain software components specifically tuned to Internet appliances from Wind River (WindStorm, VxWorks, and Personal Jworks), Espial (Escape Web browser and Espresso GUI tool kit), and BeComm (Strings audio software). The diskless tablet will store both its application code and data using Intel StrataFlash memory.

The Intel Web Tablet connects wirelessly to an existing PC (or PC Network) in the home and is therefore able to share the Internet access and printer available to that PC. The wireless connectivity is made possible through the use of Intel's AnyPoint Wireless Networking hardware on the Master PC. The AnyPoint system allows for the wireless connection of PCs in a home network (or in this case, the connection of the Web Tablet to the PC) within a 150 foot range.

The Intel Web Tablet is expected to be available "later this year."