Clarion Unveils World's First Auto PC Powered
by Microsoft Windows CE

In-Dash Personal Assistant Provides Communication, Navigation, Entertainment and Information Retrieval ... All Via Voice Command

GARDENA, Calif.--(BW-Automotive Wire)--Dec. 4, 1998--Clarion Corp. of America (CCA), a world leader in the car audio and electronics industry, Friday unveiled the Clarion AutoPC, the world's first product that integrates car audio, computing functions,navigation and wireless communications through hands-free voice activation into a 1-DIN unit in the dash of an automobile.

The Clarion AutoPC, powered by the Microsoft Windows CE operating system, is now available -- for the first time -- in select locations in California, Washington and Oregon. Special events are being held to commemorate this premiere launch at The Good Guys! San Francisco/Stonestown Galleria store; DOW Stereo & Video's San Diego/Sports Arena store; and Car Toys' North Seattle store.

This revolutionary product will be available throughout the United States at hundreds of authorized Clarion retailers in January1999.

"Clarion is extremely proud to be the first to bring to market this highly anticipated product that revolutionizes the car audio as well as computing industry as we know it today," said James Minarik, president and chief executive officer, CCA.

"The Auto PC will forever change the way we spend time in our cars. With advanced voice recognition, the Clarion AutoPC can be counted on to help motorists travel more efficiently and safely, while having more fun on the road than ever before."

"Microsoft is excited to see Clarion ship the first product based on the Auto PC platform," said Harel Kodesh, vice president at Microsoft. "This newest member of the PC Companion family uses aversion of Windows CE that has been optimized for the car environment, giving professionals more convenient access to important information while on the go."

The Clarion AutoPC is a high-powered AM/FM stereo with integrated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) equalization and a built-in 35 watt x4 channel amplifier, which comes standard with Windows CE, Hitachi SH3processor and 16 MB DRAM/8 MB ROM.

The unit also boasts the first-ever in-dash Clarion-quality CD audio and CD-ROM drive, which supports an optional six-disc CD changer through Universal Serial Bus (USB). The backlit, 8-color LCD screen provides consumers with an easy-to-read, icon-driven user interface.

An Infrared Data Port provides easy information exchange to and from other PC Companion devices such as a Palm-size PC. In addition, built-in support for Compact Flash (CF) cards enables additional memory and access to hardware accessories.

Designed with safety, efficiency and convenience in mind, the Clarion AutoPC recognizes simple voice commands, allowing consumers to do things like select music and retrieve contact information without taking their eyes off the road.

Through "speech synthesis" technology, the Clarion AutoPC provides information back to the driver by "speaking" the displayed texts. Other built-in features applications include an address book end voice memo feature.

With optional map data from Navigation Technologies, the Clarion AutoPC is able to provide route calculation from a user-specified starting location and destination, as well as spoken turn-by-turn directions. Coupled with an additional Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, the unit provides automatic starting-point identification and location updates as well as pinpoints the driver's exact locale.

"We at DOW are very excited to be involved with the worldwide launch of the most advanced cutting-edge technology ever for the car in automotive history," said Tom Campbell, corporate director, DOW Stereo & Video Inc. "DOW believes this will be a slam-dunk winner and a quantum leap for the car-audio category."

A number of hardware accessories will be available for the Clarion AutoPC in January 1999. Some of these accessories include a cellular phone cradle with modem to allow for voice-controlled operation; a wireless receiver providing access to an array of customized information, such as real-time traffic reports, news updates, numeric paging, and e-mail alerts; and a vehicle diagnostic module that enables the Auto PC to receive data from the vehicle's on-board computer system.

Many more applications are on the way to make driving safer and easier. The suggested retail price for the basic Clarion AutoPC unit is $1,299.

Clarion Corp. of America, with U.S. headquarters in Gardena, has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940.The company conducts research, development, engineering, design and manufacturing of entertainment, communication, security, computing and navigation systems products.

Clarion has more than 14,000 employees worldwide and 24 factories in 10 countries, with marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia. Clarion is located on the Web at  http://www.autopc.com.  

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