Network Computer Inc. (NCI), and it's hardware partners today announced pricing and availability of network computers, based upon NCI's reference design. NCI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCL), is working with the industry's leading hardware, consumer electronics and software companies to deliver complete network computing solutions to corporations, ISPs and systems integrators. NCI's partners demonstrated a range of existing and future NC(TM) devices and NC software applications here at Oracle OpenWorld.

NCI's partners have committed to produce the network computer for both the consumer and corporate market, in a number of different "form factors." RCA, America's leading seller of color televisions, intends to manufacture a US$300 set-top box network computer for the consumer market. Funai, the premier manufacturer of VCRs worldwide will manufacture the JANESA, a network computer for both the corporate and consumer markets. Acorn Computer Group plc, Akai Digital, IDEA, Proton Industrial Electronic Co. Ltd, and Uniden also announced pricing and production details of their network computers all based on NCI's reference design.

NCI has been seeding the market with "proof of concept" trials with over two dozen corporations and ISPs worldwide. Working with the hardware companies, NCI will supply the database, networking software, applications, consulting and support services to implement the network computer into the corporate and consumer market.

"Demand for the network computer has been phenomenal," said Jerry Baker, President of NCI. "We are delighted to work with the finest hardware and consumer electronic manufacturers in the industry to deliver the promise of simple and affordable computing to our customers."

Hardware Partners

NCI's hardware partners announced the availability and production details for a range of network computing devices (see supporting releases):

Acorn Computer Group, plc is producing the Acorn network computer, which is currently shipping in Europe and is available to corporations in volume at sub US$400. Acorn also developed four new network computing devices for demonstration at Oracle OpenWorld: the Office network computer, the ExecPhone network computer, the Set-Top-Box network computer and the network computer- TV.

Akai Digital will ship its US$349 Akai Internet Connection network computer in the first quarter of 1997. Targeted at the home market, the Akai Internet Connection will offer consumers entertainment, shopping, news and e-mail through a television set.

Funai Electric Co. Ltd.'s JANESA offers easy and affordable Internet access for both corporations and consumers. JANESA will ship in December 1996 for less than US$500.

The IDEA Internet Client Station (ICS) is available today beginning at US$500. The ICS has been successfully deployed in many corporations and addresses the requirements for terminal enhancement and replacement, multi- tier client/server transaction processing, and office automation.

Proton Industrial Electronic Co., Ltd's Xavier set-top box network computer for US$499 will ship in the first half of 1997. At the same time, Proton will launch its ProNet Internet Service (ISP) for Xavier customers.

RCA will deliver a US$300 set-top-box network computer by the spring of 1997, allowing consumers to surf the Web, send and receive e-mail, bank and shop online -- without leaving their family room.

Uniden's wireless network computer for the consumer market will be available in 1997.

Hardware vendors are eager to tap the vast new market for the network computer, a new generation of affordable, easy-to-use information devices, that are designed and optimized for electronic communications, information access and entertainment. The network computer runs all applications from a server over a network, making the network computer easy to use and lowering the cost of ownership for both consumers and corporations.

Next Generation Network Computers

Also demonstrated at Oracle OpenWorld, was a range of next-generation network computers and software. Future models shown include a network computer television, set-top box, executive telephone and a network computer streaming video. Because the network computer is based on open standards, several software companies demonstrated their applications and services on the network computer for both corporate and consumer markets including Scopus, IntelliMatch, Com.Sortium, The Consumer's Choice Network and NetChannel.

Network Computer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oracle Corp., develops, licenses and markets all software and support services for the NC(TM) including the NC System Software Suite and other NC applications. Oracle Corp. with annual revenues of more than $4.2 billion, is the world's second largest software company and the largest supplier of software for information management.

Trademarks

Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation. Oracle OpenWorld is a trademark of Oracle Corporation. NC is a trademark of Network Computer, Inc. All other products or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Oracle Corp.