Tokyo, Japan — National Semiconductor today announced that Japan Computer Corporation (JCC) has developed a new Internet appliance based on National's Geode “set-top box on a… chip”, running an Embedded Linux operating system. JCC will begin shipping the new Linux-based iBOX-2 to the Japanese market in September. An English version is expected to be introduced this Fall in the U.S., with other overseas markets following.

“JCC pioneered the Internet Appliance market in Japan, introducing the world's first product in the new category in 1996,” said Takatoshi Ishii, president of JCC. “By integrating National's [chip-level Internet Appliance] solution and Linux operating system into our new Internet Appliance, we are able to find new customers for our device in market segments like educational and medical institutions and local government offices, in addition to home markets.” Another key feature of the new device is its built-in broadband (Ethernet) interface which enables users to surf the Web much faster than with telephone lines.

JCC's new iBOX-2 with Geode and Linux inside
Targeted for both home and commercial use, the JCC iBOX-2 is intended to be easy-to-use and reasonably priced, allowing use in both institutional settings and as a consumer device for accessing Internet content on home TVs. Pricing has not yet been announced.

What's in the box?

Here is a preliminary list of the iBOX-2's key hardware specs . . .

• CPU: Geode SC1200
  
• System DRAM: 16MB or 32MB
  
• Flash memory: 8MB DiskOnChip
  
• Video:
  • NTSC (640 x 430 pixels, 30 frames/sec)
    
  • PAL (640 x 508 pixels, 25 frames/sec)
    
  • CVBS and S-Video output
• Audio:
  • AC97 Compliant
    
  • Stereo line-out, mono microphone input; optional speaker
• RS232C (optional)
  
• Smart Card interface (optional)
  
• IR: Remote power on/off control module
  
• Ethernet: 10-Base-T via RJ-45
  
• Size: 9.9″ (W) x 6.5″ (D) x 1.5″ (H)
  
• Weight: 1.3 pounds

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