AMQUEST introduces first multi-function modem/sound card under $250.

LANCASTER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 1996--Monday AMQUEST Corp., a PC enhancement company, expanded their modem line by introducing their new COMMANDO(TM) multi-function communications card.

The COMMANDO combines the functions of a 28.8 V.34 fax modem, a wavetable sound card, a full-duplex speakerphone, a voice mail answering and fax-on-demand system all on a single internal card.

At $249, the lowest price in its class, the COMMANDO combines all the necessary peripherals for managing business communications in small company and home-office settings.

To perform these advanced functions, COMMANDO employs the MWAVE chipset from IBM Corp. -- a powerful digital signal processor chipset also used in various IBM Thinkpad and Aptiva models now shipping.

"With COMMANDO users can turn their PC into a corporate headquarters and take charge of all their business communications," said Robert A. Norman, president of AMQUEST. "And at $249, the COMMANDO is less expensive than many single-card modems on the market! The COMMANDO offers the ultimate combination of high speed communications, advanced telephony and premium sound," added Norman.

28.8 V.34 for High Speed Internet Access 

The AMQUEST COMMANDO delivers 28.8 Kbps for high speed access to the Internet and on-line services plus support for 14.4 Kbps Group 3 Fax . With the V.34 standard users obtain compatibility with other V.34 and slower speed modems. In addition, modem functions can be upgraded via software instead of hardware-based ROM changes on ordinary modem designs.

New Technology for Simultaneous Voice & Data Connections

AMQUEST's COMMANDO supports DSVD - digital simultaneous voice & data - which allows users to have a conversation and exchange computer information during the same phone call. The COMMANDO will allow users to discuss document edits while making changes on-line, update spreadsheets, and play interactive modem games all on the same phone line.

Computer Telephony and New Voice-on-Demand Feature

Unlike other products in its class, the COMMANDO supports Voice-on-Demand application for business users who want to automate their phone system. This application sets up a catalog of pre-recorded voice messages for callers to retrieve via their touch-tone telephone.

For example, a medical insurance company could set up a directory of voice options describing their health care coverage plan. When members phone in, they could instantly obtain verbal descriptions of health plan benefits via voice prompts and their touch-tone keypad.

Other key telephony features include an extensive voicemail/speakerphone system, remote message access, Fax-on-Demand, pager notification and Caller ID for identifying important incoming calls and faxes. Plus, COMMANDO also distinguishes which type of communication (voice, fax, data) is being received and processes the call appropriately.

Home Theater Sound that Outperforms Most Sound Cards

Besides its communications features, the COMMANDO delivers better audio performance than most sound cards or multi-function cards on the market.

Premium features include wavetable audio for realistic music playback, a sound effects processor with chorus and reverb, and Qsound which instantly adds 3-D sound experience to most games and multimedia software. The COMMANDO supports all major sound standards including General MIDI, MPC-2, MPEG and Sound Blaster Pro.

Price, Availability and Warranty

At a $249 estimated sell price, the COMMANDO is available this month through AMQUEST's network of authorized distributors, value-added resellers and retailers. The AMQUEST COMMANDO is backed by two year limited warranty and is compatible with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.

The COMMANDO package includes fax/data/voice mail software, trial-offers for Internet and on-line services (America Online, CompuServe and others) and all the necessary cables to get the user up and running.

AMQUEST Corp., headquartered in Lancaster, is a privately held company that makes and markets multimedia/communication solutions for the personal computer market-place. Current offerings include advanced telephony solutions and high-speed Internet Ready(TM) data, fax, and voice/speakerphone modems. The company is focused on delivering unique add-on products providing high reliability and genuine customer value. -0- AMQUEST, COMMANDO are trademarks of AMQUEST Corp. All other product names are trademarks of their respective companies. -0- For additional information contact AMQUEST Corp., 1650 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone].

CONTACT: AMQUEST Corp., Lancaster

Stacey Pierson, 717/569-8030, Fax [phone]