Cyrix Unveils Groundbreaking WebPAD Conceptual Design; Demonstrates   Proof-of-
   Concept for Low-Cost, Portable Web-Browsing Device That Could   Enable Mass   
                           Adoption of Internet Access                          
                        (Business Wire; 11/13/98)                       

 RICHARDSON, TEXAS (Nov. 13) BUSINESS WIRE -Nov. 13, 1998--Cyrix(R) Corporation, 
 a subsidiary of National Semiconductor Corporation(R) (NYSE:NSM), today 
 announced a groundbreaking reference design for a hand-held wireless Internet 
 access device, dubbed WebPAD(TM), based on a new version of the integrated 
 MediaGX(TM) processor.

 Prototypes demonstrating this proof-of-concept will be shown publicly for the 
 first time at Fall COMDEX (Cyrix booth No. L6616 in the north hall of the Las 
 Vegas Convention Center).

 The WebPAD is the industry's first conceptual design for a low-cost, portable, 
 wireless consumer device for Internet access. It allows users to effortlessly 
 surf the Web or read and send e-mail from anywhere around the home or office.

 "Cyrix's unique x86-compatible integration technology and system expertise have 
 enabled the demonstration of a groundbreaking Internet access device," said Tim 
 Bajarin, president, Creative Strategies. "This could be the spark the industry 
 has needed to dramatically increase Internet access penetration into the 
 consumer marketplace."

 Developed by Cyrix's Conceptual Products Group, the WebPAD prototype 
 demonstrated at COMDEX is based on existing MediaGX(TM) processor technology. 
 Cyrix expects to have an optimized reference design available for OEMs 
 (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in Q199, based on a new low-voltage version 
 of the MediaGX(TM) platform.

 The reference design is intended to give OEMs a solution they can use to 
 manufacture a WebPAD-like device using Cyrix and National technology. The 
 reference design takes advantage of Cyrix's highly integrated processor 
 platform, which provides the processing capabilities and x86 compatibility 
 users need for Internet access.

 "The WebPAD is another demonstration of Cyrix's advanced thinking on the future 
 uses of integrated processor technology," said Forrest Norrod, senior director 
 of Cyrix's Systems and Software Development in Longmont, Colo.

 "It's a proof-of-concept demonstrated in hardware and software. OEMs will be 
 able to use the reference design to deliver an exciting product that, because 
 it's based on the MediaGX(TM) processor, doesn't sacrifice the look and feel of 
 Internet access on a conventional PC."

 WebPAD prototypes are the first in a series of WebPAD reference designs for low-
 cost Internet Access devices using National's highly integrated platform 
 solutions. The prototype is a hand-held, battery-powered, 8-inch by 11-inch 
 tablet with an interactive 10-inch LCD touchscreen supporting 18-bit color and 
 high-resolution graphics.

 WebPAD Reference Design Features

 The reference design includes specifications for the MediaGX(TM) processor-
 powered WebPAD, a charging cradle and a base station transceiver. The base 
 station transceiver connects to the telephone or network system and 
 communicates by radio frequency with the mobile WebPAD.

 The base station can be conveniently located near telephone and network 
 connections, allowing users to carry the WebPAD anywhere in and around the home 
 or office and surf the Internet, read and send e-mail, or chat online, free 
 from the constraints of power cords and telephone wires.

 The WebPAD works much like a cordless home telephone, with a range of up to 500 
 feet from the base station transceiver. The prototype WebPAD uses 2.4 GHz 
 wireless communications technology developed by Harris Semiconductor.

 The reference design will be available in Q199 to original equipment 
 manufacturers under a no-fee license program. Pricing will be determined by 
 OEMs.

 OEMs can customize their WebPAD-based products to optimize them for specific 
 markets and price points. For example, modem functions housed in the base 
 station could be tailored for specific bandwidth requirements. Or a PC platform 
 could be used as the base station with the WebPAD providing untethered Internet 
 access.

 The design will support several diskless operating systems, such as QNX(R), 
 Windows(R) CE and embedded Windows NT.

 The prototype WebPAD uses an MMX-enhanced MediaGX(TM) processor. The reference 
 design available to OEMs in Q199 will be based on a new low-voltage version of 
 the MediaGX(TM) processor. The prototype has 16MB RAM, 8MB ROM, built-in 
 speakers and microphone, and dual USB ports for connecting an optional keyboard 
 or mouse. The prototype does not include a hard drive or PCMCIA slot, but the 
 design could support such additions if an OEM chooses.

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