CES 2007: Hanbit Electronics and Pepper® Computer Announce Pepper Linux® Upgrade for New Pepper Pad 3 Handheld Web Computer

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hanbit Electronics Co., Ltd. and Pepper Computer, Inc. today announce an upgrade to Pepper Linux that will offer Pepper Pad 3 users Skype support in mid-2007. Designed to be both maintenance-free and virus and spyware resistant, the integrated Pepper Pad 3 handheld Web computer allows users to browse the Web, e-mail and instant message, edit and share photos, download and stream music, and watch videos and more – right out of the box. The Pepper Pad 3 with Skype will be demonstrated at CES 2007, Sands Expo booth #69623.

“The introduction of the Pepper Pad 3 has been wildly successful and our customers are very excited about these new applications,” said Mark Phillips, Director of Business Development at Hanbit America. “The integration of Skype will provide customers with an even more complete experience when using their Pepper Pad 3.”

Skype will be available to all Pepper Pad 3 users through an automatic update in the first half of 2007. Skype customers will be able to travel anywhere in the world and make and receive Skype calls with their Pepper Pad 3.

Pepper also recently announced the Pepper Linux 3.1 upgrade, which delivered enhancements, system software upgrades and software fixes to the Pepper Pad 3, Pepper Pad and Pepper Desktop in December. These upgrades included:

• Import and export options for the eBook Library
• Off-line Gmail support in the Mail Application
• Photo access via Windows Media Player 11 using UPnP
• Ability to add custom devices and custom activities in the Remote Control
• New keyboard shortcuts enabling users to navigate between applications and tabs
• Enhanced video controls in the Video Library
• System software upgrades to Firefox, Mplayer and Helix

The Pepper Pad 3 brings the Web directly to consumers and is the entertainment solution for the entire family - designed for casual use and maximum portability. At just 11.4” by 5.9” and 2.2-pounds, the Pepper Pad 3 features a splash-resistant, rugged design. With a seven-inch, high-resolution color LCD and a built-in touch screen for viewing full size Web pages and full screen videos, the Pepper Pad 3 also offers a full split QWERTY keypad, a 20-gigabyte hard drive, Wi-Fi b/g plus Bluetooth and USB compatibility. It also hosts a multi-room activity-based A/V Remote Control application with infrared capabilities that enables consumers to control and access any A/V devices in the home and the Pepper Pad 3’s UPnP capabilities allow access to media stored on Windows XP Computers.

In addition to the built-in stereo speakers and microphone, the Pepper Pad 3 has jacks for headphones, external microphone and external video display, plus a direction pad and scroll wheel for navigation. Internally, the Pepper Pad 3 is based on the AMD Geode™ LX 800 processor and Linux Kernel 2.6 embedded operating system for fast Web browsing and quiet, fan-less operation. The Pepper Pad 3 is manufactured by Hanbit Electronics of Suwon, South Korea, based on Pepper Computer’s new Pepper Pad 3 Reference Design and features Pepper Linux. Hanbit licensed the rights to Pepper’s hardware and software designs under an agreement signed December 2005.

Available in pink, matte black and white, the Pepper Pad 3 has an MSRP of $699.99 and is available at Amazon.com, eCost, Target.com and through D&H Distributing. Additional retailers will be added shortly. For more information about the Pepper Pad 3, please visit www.pepperpad.com.

For additional Pepper Pad 3 and Hanbit Electronics press information contact:

Lindsey Groepper, BLASTmedia

317-806-1900 x. 114 or lindsey@blastmedia.com

For additional Pepper Computer press information contact:

Heidi Monroe-Kroft, BLASTmedia

317-806-1900 x. 111 or heidi@blastmedia.com

About Hanbit Electronics

Hanbit Electronics Co., Ltd. (www.hbe.co.kr), founded 1999, is an electronics hardware and technology company that creates designs, frameworks and assemblies and guarantees quality assurance. Hanbit supplies memory application modules, home networks and navigation/DMB devices.

-- Hanbit is a trademark of Hanbit Electronics Co., Ltd. AMD and Geode, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Pepper and Pepper Pad are trademarks of Pepper Computer, Inc. Other brand names or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

About Pepper Computer

Pepper Computer, Inc. (www.pepper.com). Pepper software solutions combined with Pepper-powered Web devices, consulting services and SDK enable low-cost, secure, and customizable products to help manufacturers, Telcos, MSOs and Web app developers reach their target customer. Pepper’s simple end-user environment provides revolutionary Web & media access that is easy for you to implement and simple for your customer to use – Web without Windows. Simple. Founded in January 2002, the company's mission is to make consumer technology that’s enjoyable to use and a pleasure to own. The company is privately held and headquartered in Lexington, MA.