HP Forms Alliances with AOL, AT&T, and Yahoo for Customized Web Options

Strategic Insights -

Palo Alto, California-based PC giant Hewlett-Packard Co. has forged partnerships with America Online, AT&T WorldNet, and Yahoo to offer customized Web options for users of its HP Pavilion PC line. The new features, accessible through a one-touch Internet-connection keyboard, will allow users to link directly to Internet sites featuring e-mail, entertainment news, financial data, search options, and shopping information. The keyboard, set to be available within a week, will initially default to AOL pages for AOL subscribers and Yahoo's content pages for AT&T WorldNet users, but can be reprogrammed to link to other Web pages.

Key Takeaways:

  • HP has formed alliances with America Online, AT&T WorldNet, and Yahoo to create customized Web options for users of its HP Pavilion PC line.
  • The new features will be accessible through a one-touch Internet-connection keyboard, which will be available in about a week.
  • The keyboard will provide seven new keys that can be programmed by user preference to link directly to Internet sites featuring e-mail, entertainment news, financial data, search options, or shopping information.
  • Users who sign up for AOL service will have their keys defaulted to AOL pages, but can reprogram them to link to other Web pages if desired.
  • AT&T WorldNet users will have their keys programmed to Yahoo's content pages, but can also adjust them through a software applet.
  • Financial terms of the alliance were not disclosed.
  • This marks HP's first Web customization agreement with AOL and AT&T WorldNet, with the company already having an agreement with Yahoo.
  • The new keyboard will also provide printing and fax options through the press of a button.
  • The features are available on HP's middle- to high-end Pavilion PCs, which sell for between $1,200 and $2,499, with startup prices at $599.
  • Ray Aldrich, HP spokesman, describes the new features as "the current evolution of our keyboard."

Statistics:

  • HP has partnered with three major Internet service companies: America Online, AT&T WorldNet, and Yahoo.
  • The new keyboard will provide seven new keys that can be programmed by user preference.
  • The features will be available on HP's middle- to high-end Pavilion PCs, which sell for between $1,200 and $2,499.
  • Pavilion PCs start at $599.
  • The alliance between HP and the three Internet service companies represents HP's first Web customization agreement with AOL and AT&T WorldNet.

Sources:

  • Laura Randall, Newsbytes (Palo Alto, California, U.S.A., 1999 JUN 14)
  • Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HWP)
  • America Online (NYSE:AOL)
  • AT&T WorldNet (NYSE:T)
  • Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO)
  • Newsbytes.com (19990614/Press Contact: Jim Hahn, BSMG Worldwide, 415-986-1591 /WIRES ONLINE, PC/)