Oregon Start-up HBN Develops Technologies for Secure Peer-to-Peer Networking & Multi-Media Audio for PDA Devices.

Business Editors

EUGENE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2002

After Three Years in Stealth Mode, HBN Prepares to Release Consumer Version of The Network Guide/Wildfire Information Management,

Secure Peer-to-Peer File Transferring and Instant Messaging System

In a bid to solve "information overload" and change the way people use, store and transfer information, HBN, Inc. (High-Tech Broadcasting Network) lays claim to developing a more efficient way to manage today's increasing amounts of information.

HBN's Information Management and Networking division designs and markets software for public and private networks, while its Mobile Handheld Solutions division concentrates on multi-media enhancements for PDAs and cell phones.

"It's not often that you find talented people who know what they're doing, and enjoy doing it," said HBN's president, Terry Melvin. "HBN's team has successful backgrounds in hardware and software design, radio, television, music, consumer electronics, sales and marketing, as well as managing fast growth companies."

Kevin Corson, the creative energy behind HBN and its chief vision officer, provides a good example of that talent. During the last 15 years, Corson has developed and/or brought to market significant technologies, including the world's first Windows voice recognition system for all soundcards, the world's first Windows based digital audio editing software, and the world's first full duplex Internet telephone.

The Network Guide:

The Network Guide(TM) makes it easier to search for, find and transfer files, manage data, launch programs, watch movies, listen to music, view art, follow sports, get news, shop, and organize information both on and off-line -- all from a single, secure Web-Free(TM) interface.

In beta now, the program is compatible with Windows 95 /98 /2000 /NT /ME /XP, and will be available free via popular online download sites worldwide this summer. "When designing the software, I took the best concepts in file transferring, online searching, instant messaging and information delivery technologies, overcame what I perceived as their individual pitfalls, then combined them into one, easy to use information management system," explained Corson.

Information and media content -- from over 75,000 sites handpicked by HBN -- are pumped to each user's desktop according to their interests via HBN's proprietary P.U.M.P(TM) technology. Interactive "tickers" deliver up-to-the-minute news, sports, weather, finance and even emails. "Our program replaces today's typical, web-based searching because it enables users to quickly research sites off-line prior to visiting them online," continued Corson.

Wildfire Peer-to-Peer File Transfer and Instant Messaging System:

HBN's proprietary Wildfire Peer-to-Peer(TM) communications technology, which is built into The Network Guide, enables secure and private networking (chatting, file transferring, etc.) because it connects users directly instead of forcing them to use central or third party servers. Corson clarifies, "Conventional, 'central server' type instant messaging and file sharing systems, such as those in ICQ, Music City, Napster and AOL Instant Messenger, store user 'usage' information and content which can be controlled, monitored or examined by a third party. These systems leave numerous loopholes and open doors for snoopers or hackers to take advantage of, so they don't meet the security and privacy needs of the government, or private and public corporations."

"With Wildfire, users choose how, when and whom to "chat" with or transfer data to over a secure, direct, peer-to-peer network. Power users can take advantage of plug-in encryption, direct connections, secure sockets, dynamic IP addresses, and multiple ports. Users less concerned with security can use HBN's free Lookout(TM) program, which allows central servers to facilitate finding and connecting to other Wildfire users," adds Corson.

Revenue Sources:

"We created a highly efficient advertising model for The Network Guide, based upon our PUMP technology," said Terry Melvin. "Unlike traditional banner ads, PUMP ads are 'dynamic' and don't force users to visit a website for more information. By simply moving the cursor over these non-intrusive ads, users can get directions, locations, specials, email, video and audio, all Web-Free." Melvin added, "Advertisers get targeted demographics by reaching consumers with intelligent ads, while consumers get a Web-Free search engine combined with a unique information management and communication program."

Regular ads, purchased on a per-view basis, are for advertisers planning targeted campaigns. Sponsorship ads rotate for a year for a flat fee. All ads run uninterrupted for 30 seconds in an 80 by 200 dpi window. If the window is inactive or covered by another application, ads stop rotating until the window becomes active again.

HBN has over fifty sponsors, including American Express, Flower.com, Ford Motor Company, Inspector Backup, Maxtor Corp. and R.E.I. For more information, visit www.thenetworkguide.com/sponsor.

HBN will also focus on retail and corporate sales of PDA add-ons, and licensing the enterprise version of The Network Guide. The enterprise version, slated for release in late 2002, is based on HBN's Information Management Technology (iMAT(TM)). The iMAT engine is compatible with databases like Oracle, SAP, SQL or Back Office. Once installed, iMAT saves time, cuts costs, and provides better performance and connectivity across corporate networks.

First Multi-Media Audio Device for Palm Computers:

The design is complete, prototypes are done, the software developer kit (SDK) is underway and delivery is expected early 2003 for The Audio Thing(TM). This device acts like a soundcard and snaps to the bottom of Palm-based computers, enabling them to play, record and store MP3, Wav and Mpeg files. Expected this summer, the SDK enables Palm developers to write applications that take advantage of HBN's new mobile audio solutions standard (MASS).

"We're doing for mobile computers what we did for desktops in the '80s and early '90s -- giving them multi-media sound," said Leigh Brigham, director of developer relations. "Breaking into the sound-card and audio chip market isn't easy. It's not designing the hardware that's difficult, it's supporting over 180,000 developers who are creating software to take advantage of your device's capabilities that's the real challenge. Knowing how to support third party developers prior to releasing The Audio Thing is the key to our success."

About HBN, Inc.:

Incorporated in 1999, HBN plans to set standards by delivering several first-to-market hardware and software technologies. HBN's mission is to provide new communication, information and content management programs to consumer and enterprise users that improve efficiency, increase operating performance and provide user satisfaction across multiple platforms. For more information, visit www.hbnetworks.com, email [e-mail], or call 541/681-9199.

HBN, The Network Guide, Wildfire Peer-to-Peer, iMAT, P.U.M.P, Web-Free, MASS, Lookout, and The Audio Thing are trademarks of HBN, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.