Seagate Continues to Lead the Way in the Information Appliance Market

Strategic Insights -

Seagate Technology has announced the shipment of over half a million disc drives in WebTV-based products, solidifying its position as a leader in the consumer information appliance market. The company has also revealed plans to ship its new U4 disc drive to WebTV Networks and EchoStar Communications Corp., which will enable enhanced digital TV features such as "freezing" TV shows and automatic recording of high-quality digital video.

Key Takeaways:

  • Seagate has shipped over half a million disc drives in WebTV-based products, demonstrating its dominance in the consumer information appliance market.
  • The company's new U4 disc drive will be used in the EchoStar Model 7100, a satellite receiver capable of pausing, recording, and playing back full-quality digital video simultaneously.
  • The Seagate disc drive enables a range of enhanced digital TV features, including freezing TV shows, automatic recording, and download of video games.
  • WebTV Networks depends on Seagate's industry-leading quality and price/performance, with over half a million Seagate disc drives in WebTV-based products.
  • The EchoStar/WebTV combination will revolutionize the TV viewer's experience by integrating digital satellite television programming with the Internet, interactive TV, and personal TV capabilities.
  • Seagate's U4 disc drive is designed to enable affordable consumer applications and other new systems opportunities.
  • With its vertical integration strength, technology ownership, and capabilities in volume manufacturing, Seagate is uniquely positioned for new, unique, and affordable consumer platforms like WebTV and EchoStar.

Statistics:

  • 500,000+ disc drives shipped by Seagate in WebTV-based products
  • 2nd calendar quarter 1999: Seagate plans to ship its new U4 disc drive to WebTV Networks and EchoStar Communications Corp.
  • Up to 30 minutes: duration for freezing TV shows with the echostar satellite receiver and Seagate disc drive

Sources:

  • Seagate Technology, Inc. press release, April 19 /PRNewswire/
  • WebTV Networks, Inc. press release
  • EchoStar Communications Corp. press release