NETGEAR Introduces New Networking Innovations at CES 2004

Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NETGEAR spotlights its award-winning networking innovations connecting consumers to a dynamic array of audio, video and gaming applications at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week. Displayed in lifestyle settings, the NETGEAR 30' x 50' booth features exciting demonstrations utilizing the latest 108 Mbps and 802.11g technologies through its extensive product line, including the unveiling of CES' home data networking "Best of Innovations" award winner, the WGT634U Super Wireless Media Router. These innovative products, along with NETGEAR's two other CES "Best of Innovation" award honorees, the WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router and XE102 Wall-Plugged Ethernet Bridge, will be located at Booth #22652 in the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall from January 8th to 11th.

"The tide has risen dramatically from a year ago, with the availability of even more digital content spurring demand for affordable, easy-to-use and reliable connectivity in the home," said Patrick Lo, CEO and Chairman of NETGEAR. "Unchaining music from the PC, support for quality video streaming, and the demand for whole-home wireless networking coverage drive NETGEAR to deliver innovative devices to meet our customers' needs. NETGEAR strives to keep everyone connecting in a variety of settings -- around the home and the home office, as well as in business environments."

Extending the Entertainment Network Around the Home
With the introduction of the WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router in 2003, NETGEAR enabled consumers to utilize wireless throughput up to ten times faster than 802.11b in support of bandwidth-intensive entertainment applications and to enjoy range more than four times further than 802.11b for complete home coverage. NETGEAR's 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router is duly noticed this year at CES by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), as an Innovations honoree in the home data networking category.

Following on the heels of the WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router, NETGEAR's WGT634U Super Wireless Media Router debuts at CES to empower a dynamic new range of connectivity applications with a keen detail to aesthetics. Clearly resonating with the CES organizers, the Super Wireless Media Router, available in Q1 2004, has been named the CES "Best of Innovation" winner in the home data networking category. The WGT634U Super Wireless Media Router is a full-featured 802.11g-compliant wireless router equipped with a USB 2.0 port for direct connection to an external storage device, and featuring a unique reflective Mylar faceplate.

In addition, NETGEAR is showcasing its MP101 Wireless Digital Music Player, the industry's first affordable and easy to use wireless network adapter for home stereos. The MP101 connects any home stereo system to an existing home network. Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks, the MP101 features an antenna to enable a wireless connection to the home network at one end, and connects to the audio input jacks of any stereo system at the other end. Middleware from Digital 5 enables listeners to use the MP101's remote control and its large built-in LCD display to select the playlist of their MP3 and Windows Media format music files stored on any networked PCs, sending the music directly to the stereo speakers. Besides music files, the MP101 streams worldwide Internet radio and RealNetworks' RHAPSODY digital music subscription service, offering music enthusiasts a whole-home "wireless hi-fi" experience.

Demonstrating Excellence in Everyday Life
NETGEAR is presenting live demonstrations that illustrate the typical applications consumers can configure easily and affordably in their homes for a complete wireless network. In the family room, NETGEAR will show the multimedia streaming capability of its products. In the teenager's room, streaming music takes center stage with NETGEAR's WG511T 108Mbps Wireless PC Card and MP101 Wireless Digital Music Player connected to the RHAPSODY digital music service. The children's room showcases the diverse ways to connect a game console for multi-player gaming via the XE102 Wall-Plugged Ethernet Bridge and ME101 Wireless Ethernet Bridge. Utilizing a small office setting, NETGEAR products display efficient home office productivity via the WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router, a new PS121 USB Mini Print Server and 802.11g and 802.11g Wireless USB Adapters. For an extended set of options for small and medium businesses, NETGEAR will also display its affordable switches and ProSafe firewalls and access points with business-class features necessary for a complete networking solution, as well as demonstrating connectivity with Shoreline Voice-over-IP telephone products.

For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.netgear.com or call 408-907-8000.

Source: NETGEAR, Inc.