October 9, 1996
Uniden America Corporation's Internet Products Division today announced it has developed the first telephone Internet appliance that allows consumers to send and receive electronic mail messages via the Internet without a personal computer. The Internet appliance, called Axis, combines a full-featured 900 MHz cordless telephone, keyboard and text and graphic display screen into one easy-to-use, low-cost communications device. In addition to e-mail, Axis soon will be capable of accessing news services, stock quotes, web browsers and a variety of other Internet applications.
Axis will be unveiled in November at COMDEX in Las Vegas and commercially available in January 1997. The products will be distributed through computer distributors, telephone operating companies and electronics and computer retail outlets.
"E-mail is by far the number one Internet application today, and telephones are an indispensable part of everyday life," said Greg Jones, vice president and general manager of Uniden's Internet Products Division. "By bringing the benefits of e-mail to the telephone, we are combining two of the most popular forms of communications and allowing a much broader base of consumers to easily enjoy the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of e-mail."
For user convenience, Axis comes preconfigured to connect to the Internet through CompuServe Network Services (CNS), but is compatible with all major Internet and online service providers -- should a consumer have another provider preference. Uniden's alliance with CNS enables consumers to simply plug in Axis, press a button and begin sending and receiving e- mail immediately.
The most unique feature of Axis is its automatic e-mail retrieval system. Traditionally, consumers using a PC turn on the computer, boot it up and open an e-mail application to retrieve a message. Instead, the new Axis checks for and retrieves messages at regular intervals throughout the day, automatically alerting consumers with a blinking indicator that messages have been received. Reading e-mail messages through Axis is as simple as pressing a button.
Axis features include a 2,000-e-mail message memory capacity, built-in modem and the automatic e-mail retrieval system. Additional Axis features include Caller ID, as well as an electronic address book, notepad and calendar. The phone will be available in both corded and cordless handset models with a suggested retail price ranging from $299 to $399.
"Our goal is to make Internet applications accessible without the expense and complexity of owning a personal computer," Jones said. "We expect Axis to catch on with a broad audience. For example, grandparents will be able to communicate more easily with grandchildren, professionals with an e-mail account at the office will be able to check their e-mail messages from home and parents will have a central communications tool to keep track of kids and their schedules."
Uniden's Internet Products Division was formed to facilitate the natural convergence of wireless communications with the Internet. Axis is the first of a new generation of smart products Uniden plans to manufacture that will allow consumers to access the Internet for a variety of applications and information services. The company will be first to market with this type of Internet appliance using its technology, manufacturing and distribution resources, as well as its ability to forge the necessary partnerships with companies such as CNS. Currently, Uniden has full range of Internet appliances under development.
"Our leadership position in the consumer electronics industry has enabled us to move quickly into the Internet appliance market," Jones said. "Now our development model for such products is in place, and we are able to continue developing cutting-edge Internet appliances at a rapid, industry-leading pace."