Larry Ellison's New Internet Computer Company Unveils NIC 2.0 At Upside Showcase Event in Palm Springs

Business Wire, Jan 23, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2001

Today, Larry Ellison's New Internet Computer Company unveiled Version 2.0 of its New Internet Computer (NIC).

NIC CEO and President Gina Smith demonstrated the new NIC and its faster, sleeker system software to an assembly of industry leaders attending the Upside Showcase event in Palm Springs, California.

Now in its fifth year, Showcase is an invitation-only gathering of companies selected because of their potential to shape the digital economy.

"At $199, the NIC is easily the most affordable Internet appliance on the market. It is among the few offerings that don't require lengthy ISP commitments. It works with Real Player, Flash and Java. And now, it is faster and more polished than ever," adds Ms. Smith.

The new NIC CD, available free of charge to current NIC users, will be available in February, 2001. The NIC is available to purchase through www.thinknic.com, toll-free at 877-WANT-NIC and through selected partners.

NIC 2.0 offers significant enhancements:

- Improved performance

- Streamlined setup and user interface

- Support for most popular printers

- Instant messaging

- MP3 player enhancements

- Easier setup for LANs, DSL and Cable Modems

- More games

- NETWORD web-searching

In addition to NIC 2.0, the New Internet Computer Company today introduced a line of inexpensive flat-screen displays to complement the NIC product line. Starting at $399, the displays come in 12" and 14", active and passive matrix.

Launched last year, The New Internet Computer Company is the nation's fastest-growing Internet appliance company. Since its introduction to consumers in July 2000, the NIC device has garnered an extensive list of favorable reviews in media such as NBC's TODAY SHOW, the New York Times, PC World, the Detroit Free Press, Access Magazine, the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, the Dallas Morning News, Linux Journal, Maximum Linux Magazine, and the St. Petersburg Times. See www.thinknic.com for links.

ABOUT THE NIC COMPANY:

Founded in January 2000, the NEW INTERNET COMPUTER COMPANY and its NIC Internet appliance bring fast, affordable and functional Internet access to consumers, schools and businesses without the cost or complexity of a PC.

Starting at $199, the NIC offers plug-and-play email and Internet access. The NIC Company is located at 781 Beach St., San Francisco, CA, 94109. Telephone 415-345-4900.

For more information on the NIC, visit The NIC Company's website at www.thinknic.com or call toll-free, 1-877-WANT-NIC.