IRVINE, CA - April 29, 2002 - Linksys®, a leading global manufacturer of broadband, wireless and networking hardware for the Small/Medium Business (SMB) corporate sector, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and home environments, today announced the Instant Wireless Presentation Gateway™ (WPG11). First of its kind on the market, the Wireless Presentation Gateway enables wireless PC users to project PowerPoint™ presentations and other data onto VGA-equipped devices such as multimedia projectors, monitors and LCD panels without having to physically wire each PC to the projector. This unique innovation launches the new product segment of wireless hardware appliances, which are tailored for specific business uses beyond general 802.11 wireless networking.

The Instant Wireless Presentation Gateway adds value to existing Wireless LANs (WLANs) by giving wireless users more freedom and functionality within their wireless network. The Presentation Gateway also provides a solution that solves the hassles of connecting and reconnecting multiple PCs to projectors or monitors when multiple users present material in conference rooms or auditoriums. For an estimated street price of $299, corporate users will find the Wireless Presentation Gateway an easily implemented, cost-effective solution for maximizing business productivity in meetings. Resellers will embrace the Presentation Gateway as a value-added solution for clients seeking to enhance their networks and conference rooms with wireless applications, while conference and event directors can adopt this wireless solution for its convenience.

Linksys Senior Manager of Product Management Charles Tran said, "Linksys is the first to apply 802.11 wireless technology beyond basic networking by developing and delivering new hardware application solutions like the Wireless Presentation Gateway. This Presentation Gateway was designed specifically for enabling wireless control of presentation displays such as powerpoints, charts, text or images for multiple users, eliminating setup hassles. The WPG11 lets users take turns controlling the display instantly."

Wireless Presentation Gateway users are each assigned unique key codes for access and control of the device. Since cabling and setup time is eliminated, Wi-Fi-enabled users can take turns controlling the presentation display by simply typing in the pre-assigned key codes. In real time, participants can offer instant visual input that follows the verbal discussion. 

Compliant with IEEE's 802.11b industry standard, the Instant Wireless Presentation Gateway works with 802.11b-compliant wireless devices of any brand. Since the Presentation Gateway was specifically developed for conference rooms and auditoriums, the wireless range of 802.11b is perfectly suited to users within 300 feet of the device. 

The ability to take turns displaying slides and data serves an invaluable role in Q&A sessions, brainstorming, scheduling, strategy meetings and negotiations. Educational forums such as corporate trainings, classrooms and auditoriums can benefit immensely from the group interaction that the Presentation Gateway offers. VGA displays connected to the Presentation Gateway, such as projector screens, TVs, flat-screen and PC monitors, render graphics in vivid 256-color, 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. The device is also equipped with 40/64- and 128-bit WEP encryption modes that keeps unwanted users from accessing the Presentation Gateway.

Linksys has taken ease of use one step further with the Presentation Gateway by creating unique software called the Linksys PresentationPlayer™. Awaiting patents, the PresentationPlayer gives the presiding wireless user control of start, pause and stop commands to the visuals. Each wireless user who plans to utilize the Presentation Gateway installs the utility on their computer. The Instant Wireless Presentation Gateway accommodates the wireless network settings of each PC that connects to it, so users' settings remain intact when they return to their original wireless network environment. 

Running on a Linux-based operating system, the Wireless Presentation Gateway uses an Intersil PRISM 2.5 chipset housed in a MiniPCI slot, allowing easy chipset upgrades in the future. Linksys is also looking into adding additional advanced features to the Wireless Presentation Gateway for other types of business applications.

The Instant Wireless Presentation Gateway (WPG11) is now available for $299 through e-commerce, direct response, distribution and reseller channels. 

For more information: http://www.linksys.com