(ARA) - As computers become commonplace in many American homes, hardware gadgets and software accessories are making holiday wish lists everywhere. One such gadget, which the whole family can enjoy, is a new, wireless Internet appliance that allows you to surf the net and receive and send mail from anywhere in your home or yard.

Tired of surfing the Web in the one room where the family computer is stationed? The Honeywell WebPAD Internet appliance brings the Web where you want it in your home: in the kitchen exploring recipes, in the living room checking sports reports, at the desk researching homework assignments.

Weighing less than 3 pounds, the Honeywell WebPAD appliance is a portable Internet device about the size of a piece of paper with a rechargeable lithium battery that lasts up to five hours. It provides access up to 150 feet away from a base station, essentially anywhere in the home or yard, and allows you to read and send e-mail as well as download attachments. In addition, it has an easy-to-read 10-inch, full-color touch screen and a virtual keyboard, or you can attach a traditional keyboard if you prefer. Using a high-speed broadband connection, the unit is up to 75 times faster than traditional dial-up Internet access.

A recent Honeywell survey underscored the growing importance of Internet access and found that 81% of Americans disagreed with the statement "Nobody really needs the at Internet home." In addition, 61% said the Internet was so useful it was hard to live without it. The survey showed that Americans envision using the WebPAD device everywhere -- from the family room to the bedroom to the yard.

One of the best features of Honeywell's innovation is that the wireless technology can support multiple users. Up to eight WebPADs can work simultaneously off one base station, making it an addition the whole family can enjoy at the same time. For some families, the true benefit may be no more fighting about whose turn it is to use the computer!

The Honeywell WebPAD Internet appliance can be ordered directly from the company and is available now. For information on where to purchase the product, visit www.honeywell.com/yourhome/.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info@aracontent.com

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EDITOR'S NOTE: WebPAD is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation.