Press Releases Pepper Announces New Pepper Pad Plus™
New product offers increased battery life, bigger hard disk, improved Wi-Fi, VOIP and expanded digital media capabilities
LEXINGTON, MA, January 3, 2006 – Pepper Computer, Inc., today announced the Pepper Pad Plus, an enhanced version of its Pepper Pad handheld media computer. New hardware features include: a new battery with more than 60 percent greater capacity; Wi-Fi 802.11g; a 30-gigabyte hard disk; and Bluetooth 2.0. The Pad Plus will also include a new software revision that will include: SIP-based Internet telephony (VoIP); Windows Media 9 Series audio and video; plus Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), which enables the Pad to stream music, photos and videos from other UPnP devices and PCs. The new Pepper Pad Plus will be available in the second quarter. There will be an upgrade program for existing Pepper Pad owners to obtain the new hardware features. Current Pepper Pad owners will be able to upgrade to the new software for free using the Get Updates button included in the existing software.
 The Pepper Pad, launched last summer, is the only device that enables consumers to hold in their own two hands the world of digital media and broadband services. At just 2.3 lbs., less than one inch thick, rugged and splash-resistant, the Pepper Pad is perfect for the family room, the kitchen counter, the bedside table, the coffee shop or just about anywhere. The Pad Plus provides Mozilla Firefox-based Web browsing, e-mail and AOL instant messaging; streaming or downloading videos, music and photos plus photo sharing via Yahoo! Flickr; eBooks from Mobipocket; the TitanTV online programming guide and TV and stereo remote control. Upon release, the Pepper Pad Plus will be available to U.S. customers through select online retailers; it will be available to European and Canadian customers through Pepper.com.
“We’ve listened to our customers and partners and made the improvements and enhancements that they’ve requested,” said Len Kawell, CEO of Pepper. “We’ve worked to include in the Pepper Pad Plus everything you could need when you’re sitting on your family room couch: Internet, voice, video, music and remote control. We’ve improved the battery life, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the disk so it’s even easier than ever to stream and download music and videos and simultaneously chat on the phone, lookup sports scores, shop on the Web and switch the channels on your TV. If you’re into multi-tasking, the Pepper Pad is for you.”
 The Pepper Pad Plus is a lightweight, Wi-Fi-enabled device, with a large, high-resolution screen, 30-gigabyte hard disk, built-in speakers and a thumb keypad, providing a powerful, versatile platform for a much wider range of online and off-line activities than any other portable device. Its 8.4-inch display is ideal for viewing full‑width Web pages and watching full-screen videos. The Pepper Pad can store hours of music and videos, plus thousands of photos. And, with three forms of wireless communication – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), plus Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) – the Pad can access or control a wide range of devices around the home, from PCs to Wi-Fi access points, to keyboards and mice, to TVs, set-top boxes, music systems, home theaters and media servers. It’s an ideal way for consumers to have Internet and media access plus wireless remote control in every room of their home.
Pepper is offering a $50 rebate by mail for Pepper Pads purchased by Jan. 31, 2006.
The Pepper Pad is fully functional and ready to use right out of the box. Consumers can instantly, easily and wirelessly access the Internet and their home network. The Pepper Pad can be used anywhere, with or without Wi-Fi, taking advantage of home networks and public wireless hotspots for access to online services, or offline, they can play digital media they’ve saved on the Pepper Pad’s built-in hard disk, read an eBook or write an e-mail to send later. The Pepper Pad’s rechargeable lithium polymer battery comes with advanced power management for a day’s worth of activities.
The Pepper Pad also features built-in stereo speakers and microphone, jacks for headphones and external mike, plus a navigation pad and scroll wheel. The entire package is rugged and splash resistant for the rigors of daily use. The Pad also offers two options for easy text entry, a lighted thumb QWERTY keypad built into the device or a separate (optional) full-size Bluetooth or USB keyboard.
The Pepper Pad has an SVGA TFT LCD screen with an 800 X 600 resolution and resistive touch screen. The system is based on a 624-MHz Intel PXA270 application processor, Intel 2700G media processor and 256 MB of SDRAM. The Wi-Fi is complemented by Bluetooth, IR, SD/MMC card slot and a USB port. Developers who want to write C, C++, Macromedia Flash or HTML/XML/XSL-based applications for the Pepper Pad can register at www.pepper.com/linux to access Pepper’s supporting utilities and developer forum.
About Pepper Computer:
Pepper Computer, Inc. (www.pepper.com) is a digital home software and technology company that creates and markets a handheld media computer platform that includes software, hardware designs and services, which together deliver a total user experience combining the power of the Internet and the media capabilities of a PC into an easy to use handheld device. Founded in January 2002, the company's mission is to make consumer technology enjoyable to use and a pleasure to own. The company is privately held and headquartered in Lexington, MA.
For additional Pepper press information contact:
Mark Metzger
Metzger Communications
781-648-2564
mmetzger@metzgerco.com
Pepper and Pepper Pad are trademarks of Pepper Computer, Inc. Other brand names or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
|
