Following international computing trends that have seen the evolution of the personal computer into distinct appliance devices, Fujitech, the locally assembled brand from SDD, has announced the release of the Fujitech Information Appliance (IA), a device that is designed for the relatively unsophisticated home user.
Warren Richardson, brand manager for Fujitech, explains the concept behind the innovative device: "The IA has been designed to be a complete home entertainment system. It is aimed at the generation that has 'missed' the computing revolution - by that, we mean the market sector that makes use of high-tech gadgets but does not necessarily have any idea of the internal workings of the machine," he begins.
As a home "Infotainment" device, the machine has a lot to offer. Most strikingly, although it is PC-based (it features an Intel Pentium3 processor) the device looks like a VCR - right down to the infrared remote control. Also included is a remote infrared keyboard, which includes all the standard keys found on a '101' keyboard as well as some specific to the entertainment features of the machine.
Those entertainment features are diverse and rich. The Fujitech IA is a DVD-player, a CD-player a games console and an MP-3 player. It can surf the Internet, it can send and receive e-mail, it's a telephony system that can send and receive faxes. And in addition to all that, the Fujitech IA is a fully functional, networkable PC running Windows ME.
"The device is expected to be very popular with home users who typically require all of this functionality for communications and entertainment. This is expected to take the PC out of the spare room and fully establish it as a part of the living room," states Richardson.
The IA is fully compatible with television sets, or can be connected to a standard VGA colour monitor. The machine effectively combines all the functionality of a CD-player, DVD-player, PC and fax machine into a simple to use, attractive device. Control of the machine is through a very simple icon-based display menu, which can be accessed by the remote control.
Probably one of the best features of Fujitech's Information Centres is that the price includes not only delivery and installation but also an introductory training course of the devices numerous applications. These products carry a three-year warranty, with any warranty claim in the first year being attended to by a technician coming to your home at no extra charge.
The Explorer Infotainment Centre is the junior model of the two devices and is priced at R8 999 including VAT, while the Intrepid Infotainment Centre with some additional features is priced at R13 999 including VAT.
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