Prometheus adds Speakerphone to PCs
New MaxFax includes Hands-Free Communication Tool

TUALATlN, Oregon --November 14, 1994-- Prometheus Products, Inc. announced
today another innovative advance in computer based telephony with the
addition of speakerphone capability to their MaxFax version 3.0
application. The new software, bundled with the Prometheus Home Office
modem, turns the PC into a hands-free communication device that can dial a
telephone number and switch to speakerphone mode with the click of a
mouse. With full-duplex communication capability, both parties can speak
simultaneously without the time delay associated with traditional
half-duplex speakerphones.

"Adding speakerphone capability to MaxFax enhances an already sophisticated
piece of software. MaxFax is already popular with the SOHO computer user
because it brings voice mail and send/receive fax capability to the PC.
But this new release goes further, extending the software with telephony
features that will appeal to the corporate user as well. For example,
corporate users who have an analog connection to a PBX can use
programmable buttons to add call transfer and conference call features to
their speakerphone," said Robert Christiansen, vice president of Sales and
Marketing at Prometheus Products.

An on-screen display that looks just like a telephone/answering machine
responds to keyboard input, or the mouse, to operate the telephone.
Graphic touch-tone numbers or speed-dial buttons can be clicked on to
place a call. A standard multimedia microphone can transmit the outgoing
speech, while external PC speakers relay the incoming dialog.

Based on the new Sierra Semiconductor AccuSound speakerphone modem chipset,
the Home Office uses mixed signal silicon integration and embedded DSP
algorithms for natural sounding, position-independent, full-duplex
speakerphone capability. Advanced echo canceling DSP technology and
Sierra's Position-Adaptive Gain Control technology enable natural
sounding, business-quality conference call features.

The speakerphone includes an interactive message window that displays the
current date and time, the telephone number dialed, and the elapsed time
of the call. It also includes an electronic phone book that makes it
possible for the user to simply type the name of the person they want to
call and then click on the dial button. Volume control is easily
manipulated using an on-screen slider. Traditional telephone features,
like hold and mute buttons are also included.

Incoming calls can be monitored and Caller ID information, when available,
can be displayed in both the MaxFax status window and the speakerphone
window. The user can answer the call and switch to speakerphone mode, or
let MaxFax take a message.

The new Home Office 14,400 bps voice/fax/data modem, planned for release
the first quarter of 1995, will utilize the first commercially available
Plug and Play chipset for an ISA modem. With logic that can automatically
configure the modem's COM and IRQ settings, the new Plug and Play modem
will greatly simplify the installation procedure for the end user.
Designed to Plug and Play specifications, the new modem will be compatible
with the upcoming Windows 95 operating system.

The Home Office can also transfer files, dial into a remote network or
connect to on-line services. With V.42bis data compression, it can
transmit data at throughput speeds up to 57,600 bps. Using V.42 error
correction, the Home Office preserves the integrity of data while
transmitting at the highest speed possible.

The Prometheus Home Office modem requires an IBM AT compatible 386 or
better PC, Windows 3.1, and 4 MB RAM. A multimedia microphone and external
speakers, which can be plugged into jacks on the back of the modem, are
required to use the speakerphone.

Prometheus modems are available to resellers through distributors such as
Ingram Micro and Merisel, and to consumers through mail order and national
retailers like Computer City, CompUSA, Egghead, and MicroCenter.

Prometheus Products, Inc., a leading supplier of telecommunications and
multimedia products for the Windows and Macintosh marketplace, was founded
in 1981. The company operates as wholly-owned subsidiary of Sierra
Semiconductor Corporation and is headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon.

Prometheus
9524 SW Tualatin Sherwood Rd
Tualatin, OR 97062
503-692-9600,  fax 503-691-1101

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