InformationWeek

Friday, March 28

Microsoft And Intel To Announce Device Bay Spec

Microsoft, Compaq, and Intel will announce on Monday, March 31 a specification for a "Device Bay" that will function as an external plug/and/play box to enable users to add hardware to sealed-case NetPCs and PCs that support the specification.

Device Bays will connect to PCs using a special connect or and will support Universal Serial Bus and IEEE 1394 FireWire interfaces. They will also feature add-in slots for peripherals.

The specification is expected to be finalized late in the second quarter. With it, a wide range of add-on hardware -- from hard disks and network interface cards to modems and digital versatile disks -- will be able to be plugged into or removed from the bay without turning off the PC. Devices will be automatically configured. Industry supporters include Adaptec, Cirrus Logic, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Maxtor, Seagate Software, Sony, and Texas Instruments.

-- Stuart J. Johnston

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