Intel sells web devices to European portal

Intel said an unnamed European ecommerce portal has bought a significant number of its Dot.Station web access device, due to be released by the end of the year.

The appliance runs the Linux operating system and is aimed at consumers that may not have PCs or other devices with which to access the internet. The device, which comes with keyboard, built-in telephone and sports a high-resolution screen, can be used for email and family-oriented applications.

Intel is in talks with a number of service providers interested in reselling the product across the world, but said that one European ecommerce portal company has bought a "significant" quantity and has "very aggressive plans for rollout this year".

The as-yet unidentified customer intends to distribute the appliance to its subscribers to enable them to access information such as travel, news and horoscopes on its site.

Greg Welch, director of marketing for Intel's home products group, said Europe would be Dot.Station's principal market because the region has a lower penetration of PCs in the home, compared with the US, and that it boasts a well-educated and affluent customer base.

The device comes with an internal modem for dial-up access to the internet, but Intel plans to also support cable and digital subscriber line modems. They will initially be manufactured in one colour, but Welch said the appliances could appear in different palates in the future.