Mobility Electronics Acquires Miram International; Mobility Electronics Positioned to Become Single Source Provider for Notebook Connectivity at the Office.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1997--Mobility Electronics today announced the acquisition of Miram International Inc., creator of advanced notebook expansion solutions. Miram International is the first company to market with a universal docking station (1) A cradle for a portable device that serves to charge the unit and connect it to other sources or destinations. For example, an iPod docking station charges the iPod and connects it to a computer, speakers or TV set. . The acquisition expands Mobility Electronics' EASi Dock product line to encompass the available range of technologies for connecting notebook computers A laptop computer that weighs in a range from five to seven pounds. The term originated when laptops were routinely more than 10 pounds, and those that became lighter were placed in a special "notebook" category. In practice, notebook computer and laptop computer are synonymous. to a company's network and peripherals. This expanded product line is more attractive to both individual users as well as channel partners. "This acquisition accelerates our growth as market leader in connectivity products for portable computers," said Cameron Wilson, executive vice president, Mobility Electronics. "Miram's engineering resources and product are a perfect complement, enabling us to provide whatever solution best meets users' needs in today's virtual office environment: a docking station for complete office connectivity, or a port replicator A device used to quickly connect multiple peripherals to a laptop using only one connector. The desktop devices are permanently plugged into the port replicator, which connects to the laptop via the USB port, PC Card slot or proprietary expansion port. for cable management." "With Mobility's established distribution channels as well as their aggressive product development infrastructure, Miram's customers will see significant new product features in the near future," said John Moroz, former president of Miram International, newly appointed director of business development for Mobility. In his new role, Moroz will be responsible for developing retail and distribution channels for Mobility products, as well as overseeing the development of the universal docking products. The universal docking product family will initially include a port replicator, with optional integrated ethernet or SCSI SCSI in full Small Computer System Interface Once common standard for connecting peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, etc.) to small and medium-sized computers. SCSI has given way to faster standards, such as Firewire and USB. connections, and will available in November, 1997. In January of next year, Mobility will introduce a full docking station which will include all of the features of the port replicator, but with two 5.25" drive bays which will allow the user to add any IDE/ATAPI, Floppy or SCSI device to the system. About Mobility Electronics Formerly known in the U.S. as Electronics Accessory Specialists International (EASi), Mobility Electronics was founded in 1995 to aggressively pursue the development of cost-competitive, high quality, innovative accessories for portable computer products. The company has already taken over the leadership of the docking-station market, establishing strategic relationships with Intel (USB Hubs A device that increases the number of USB ports on a PC. However, since the hub plugs into one of the USB ports on the computer, the total number of additional ports is minus one. For example, a four-port hub adds three new ports. ) and 3Com (networking), as well as serving much of the major Notebook manufacturers, either directly or through partnerships. Acer Corporation, Canon, Compaq Computer Corporation (company) Compaq Computer Corporation - The largest US manufacturer and vendor of IBM PC compatible personal computers and servers. Compaq was started in 1982 by three ex-Texas Instruments employees. Quarterly sales $2499M, profits $210M (Aug 1994). http://compaq.com/. , Dell Computer Corporation (company) Dell Computer Corporation - One of the biggest US manufacturers of IBM PC compatibles. "From notebooks to networks", their slogan says. http://us.dell.com. , Fujitsu PC Corporation, Hitachi PC Corporation, Olivetti and Toshiba America are examples of Mobility Electronics' growing customer list. Mobility Electronics offers two product families, EASi Dock and EASi Power. The EASi Dock product family includes port replicators, port replicators with integrated network A network that supports both data and voice and/or different networking protocols. See converged network and new public network. connectivity, mini docking stations which include 100 BaseT Ethernet, integral power supply and PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, San Jose, CA, www.pcmcia.org) An international standards body and trade association that was founded in 1989 to establish a standard for connecting peripherals to portable computers. PCMCIA created the PC Card. See PC Card. slots, universal port replicators An earlier port replicator that worked with any laptop computer. It connected via a PC Card rather than a proprietary plug and socket. Such a device had a limited market as laptops became thoroughly equipped with large screens and extra ports for desktop use. , and monitor stands. The EASi Power product family includes In-air/Auto DC and AC adapters, lightweight and powerful AC travel adapters, desktop chargers, spare and replacement batteries. Mobility Electronics designs and manufactures all of its port replicators, docking stations, charging products and monitor stands at its 40,000 square foot facility in Scottsdale, Arizona Scottsdale (O'odham Vaṣai S-vaṣonĭ) is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. Scottsdale has become internationally recognized as a premier and posh tourist destination, while maintaining its own identity and culture as " . This ensures the highest quality products at the lowest possible cost, and the flexibility to bring new products to market quickly. Mobility Electronics is located at 7955 East Redfield Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, and can be reached at 602/596-0061 or through its World Wide Web page at www.easintl.com . -0- Note to Editors: Mobility Electronics, EASi Dock and EASi Power are registered trademarks. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. CONTACT: Candelori Communications Judy Leigh, 650/592-6357 jleigh@leighassoc.com |
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