Apple(R) (Nasdaq: AAPL) introduced AirPort(TM), a wireless local
area network (LAN) solution that provides totally untethered Internet access
for its stunning new iBook(TM) consumer portable. Apple's AirPort solution
includes the AirPort Card, which fits inside Apple's new iBook, and the
AirPort(TM) Base Station, which contains a 56K modem and a 10BASE-T Ethernet
port for connecting to a phone line, cable modem, DSL modem or local area
network for terrestrial Internet access. AirPort is based on the industry
standard IEEE 802.11b, and operates at 11 megabits per second for fast Internet
access from anywhere in the home or classroom.
"It's a liberating experience to surf the Internet from your iBook
while freely moving about your home or classroom -- without any power or
networking cables to tie you down," said Steve Jobs, Apple's interim CEO.
"With AirPort we can now bring fast Internet access to every room in the
house and every desk in the classroom."
iBook, the first computer designed for wireless networking from the
start, includes two built-in antennas and a slot for the optional AirPort Card
(see related release). The AirPort Card, working in conjunction with the
AirPort Base Station, enables data to be transmitted between iBooks and the
AirPort Base Station at speeds of up to 11 megabits per second. Up to ten
iBooks can share a single AirPort Base Station simultaneously from up to 150
feet away.
Apple teamed with Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), a leader in wireless
networking, to design and deliver AirPort. The 18-month-long collaboration has
resulted in the most cost-effective and easiest-to-use wireless networking
solution ever.
"Apple's decision to pioneer mainstream wireless networking is as
significant as its pioneering of the graphical user interface," said Rich
McGinn, chairman and chief executive officer of Lucent Technologies. "We
are delighted to be working closely with Apple to bring this incredible
technology to the market."
Apple's iBook consumer portable, available in September for U.S. $1,599,
features a brilliant 12.1-inch (diagonal) active-matrix TFT SVGA display; a fast
PowerPC G3 processor running at 300MHz with a high-speed 512K backside L2
cache; and up to six hours running time on a single charge of its Lithium-Ion
battery. The AirPort Card is a U.S. $99 option and easily installed by
consumers. The AirPort Base Station is U.S. $299. Additionally, Apple will
offer a wireless card for its current line of PowerBook(R) G3 professional
notebooks.
Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the
1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with
the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission to bring the
best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers,
scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries
around the world.
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds
and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications
systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and
microelectronics components. Bell Laboratories is the research and development
arm for the company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit the
company's web site at http://www.lucent.com.
NOTE:
Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh and PowerBook are registered trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. AirPort, Airport Base Station, iBook and iMac are
trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are
respectfully acknowledged.
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