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OQO Unveils Ultra Personal Computer at CES; Windows XP notebook computer shrunk to pocketable size heralds new PC category

Las Vegas, Consumer Electronics Show, Jan. 8, 2004 -- OQO today announced its ultra personal computer (uPC), a breakthrough product that will usher the next wave of PC hardware by increasing mobility and flexibility for consumers and the enterprise.

Slated to ship in the second half of 2004, the OQO computer weighs approximately 14 ounces, making it the smallest, high performance Windows XP computer with complete PC functionality. Measuring a mere 4.9 inches x 3.4 inches x 0.9 inches, the OQO computer is the size of a PDA with the power and features of a laptop.

"OQO undertook a ground-up redesign of the PC architecture resulting in radical miniaturization, extended battery life and full performance in a beautiful and useable package that is finally small enough to be called personal," said CEO Jory Bell, OQO. "This device represents a new PC category that could transform personal computing the same way the cell phone has revolutionized telecommunications."

OQO's breakthrough technology will allow a person to access Windows XP applications anytime, anywhere -- whether it's the living room, the automobile, an airplane or the office. The OQO computer morphs into a productivity device, entertainment device and communication tool -- whichever is optimal for its environment.

"The key to the success of any mobile platform is in the applications," said Ken Smiley, consumer technology analyst. "With the OQO device, standard Windows XP applications are supported. This will reduce solution development time as well as remove the headache associated with trying to synchronize other mobile devices."

With the OQO computer, consumers can have laptop, PDA, MP3 player, digital video editing and wireless LAN capabilities in a single compact device. At the office, the OQO computer is no different from existing PCs and is the only computer users need -- it replaces both the PC and the PDA. Plus, through BluetoothT, USB, and FireWireT, they can easily add peripherals, like printers, a conventional keyboard, and full-sized monitor, to further extend the functionality of the device.

"Users increasingly need their technology to be where they are. Other handheld computers have attempted to address this, but generally are too limited to be stand-alone devices," said Bell. "We're pushing the limits of personal computing by offering a highly functional and versatile handheld wireless computer that easily becomes a desktop PC. With WindowsXP, the OQO computer delivers full desktop applications in a handheld form factor."

About the OQO Ultra Personal Computer (uPC)

The OQO ultra personal computer is the smallest, high performance Windows XP computer with complete PC functionality. As a standalone device, the OQO computer slips easily into a shirt pocket and is a complete Windows XP wireless handheld computer. It is a media player that can hold 1,000 songs or three feature movies. With high-speed wireless access, it is also a portal to the web and email.

The included OQO docking cable allows for mobile professionals to make presentations with any LCD projector and connect to Ethernet networks. With the OQO desktop stand connected to a keyboard and monitor, it serves as a full-featured desktop machine. Product specifications include:

  • 1GHz Transmeta processor
  • 20GB hard drive
  • 256MB RAM
  • Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP
  • 00x480 Wide-VGA 5-inch transflective screen (indoor/outdoor readable)
  • Thumb keyboard with mouse buttons and TrackStik« pointing device
  • Thumbwheel
  • 802.11b wireless
  • Bluetooth(r)
  • FireWire(r) (1394)
  • USB
  • 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
  • Digital pen
  • Removable lithium polymer battery
  • OQO docking cable:
    • 3D accelerated 1280x1024 VGA video output
    • Additional USB
    • Additional FireWire
    • RJ-45 10 Base-T Ethernet
    • DC power
    • Audio out

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About OQO

OQO, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, has developed the OQO ultra personal computer (uPC), a full-powered, full-featured personal computer running Microsoft Windows XP in a pocketable form factor.

Jory Bell and Jonathan Betts-LaCroix founded the company in 2000, along with other members of the team that developed the Apple Titanium Powerbook. Their vision was to transform personal computing in the way cell phones revolutionized telecommunications.

The company's initial proof of concept was unveiled at WinHEC 2002, signaling the next era of personal computing. The OQO ultra personal computer will be widely available in the second half of 2004.