ePods Continues Teaming With Premier Online Brands and Services to Bring High Quality Offerings to All-in-One Internet Experience

Business Wire, May 3, 2000

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2000

Innovator of the ePodsOne(TM) extends Web access system's portal

functionality with best-of-breed features through REI.com,

Hollywood.com, HotJobs.com, Infoplease.com and Illuminations.com

ePods(TM), Inc., a privately held company that will offer consumers a simple, convenient and stylish way to access the Web, today announced that it has signed a collection of brand-name products and services that will further enhance the ePods experience.

ePods is proud to announce alliances with leading Web resources REI.com, Hollywood.com, HotJobs.com, infoplease.com and Illuminations.com, making the ePods.com site a premier Web destination for consumers.

ePods introduces the ePodsOne, an all-in-one Web access system for consumers, with a magazine-sized device, local dial-up service and tailored portal. Beginning next week the company will be taking direct orders for the ePodsOne device (www.ePods.com) and the product will be found in familiar retail stores later this summer. Designed to make the functionality and entertainment of the World Wide Web a reality for anyone in a portable, easy-to-use format, ePodsOne will provide relevant services and information like local movie showtimes, a wide selection of outdoor and athletic gear, home decorating and design merchandise, career opportunities and reference information.

"We are creating an invaluable service for all consumers that will be greatly enhanced by these market-leading partnerships," said Shae Hong, co-founder and CEO of ePods. "Exactly one year after starting this company, I look forward to launching our first product that will be simple, easy to use and relevant for any type of user."

Created with the premise that anyone should be able to comfortably purchase products, gather information and be entertained online through a fun, portable and well designed appliance, the following strategic relationships will be prominently displayed for users via the ePodsOne portal site:

-- REI.com (www.rei.com)

A leading retailer of quality outdoor gear and clothing,

REI.com will partner with ePods to offer users access to more

than 78,000 individual items; more than 45,000 pages of

in-depth product information, expert gear advice and a

complete adventure travel service.

-- Hollywood.com (www.hollywood.com)

Official Web site of the National Association of Theatre

Owners, ePods users have access to close to one million pages

of movie information, including reviews, showtimes, national

theatre listings, entertainment news and video and audio clips

of entertainment events.

-- HotJobs.com (www.hotjobs.com)

ePods users will be able to use the services of HotJobs.com, a

leading Internet-based recruiting solutions company, to search

for jobs and careers, post resumes, research career

opportunities and benefit from direct access to employers.

-- Infoplease.com (www.infoplease.com)

A premiere provider of facts and information, the ePods system

will be enhanced by direct access to authoritative

encyclopedia and dictionary content, the Information Please

Almanacs and comprehensive maps.

-- Illuminations.com (www.illuminations.com)

An online seller of hand-made candles, candle accessories and

home decor products, will offer the ePods user a wide

selection of quality products that are completely guaranteed

in quality and delivery and that can enhance a home's interior

and mood.

About ePods

Founded in May 1999, ePods is a privately held company that will provide consumers with a solution to getting online through an experience that will simplify and enhance their daily lives, consisting of a portable, Windows powered device; local dial-up service with around-the-clock customer support; and a dynamic, personalized Web portal. For more information about the Seattle-based company, visit www.ePods.com.