Via releases Net appliance design

Tawian-based chip designer Via Technologies has released the design specification for its homegrown Internet appliance. The tablet, designed for browsing the Web and sending and receiving e-mail, will be based on a next-generation Via Cyrix processor, Via's Twister chipset, and Microsoft's Windows operating system. The chip will likely be VIA's forthcoming integrated "Matthew" processor.

The Via design also includes support for 802.11b wireless networking through a PC card slot and a 6.7-inch touch screen. A hard drive, modem, and Universal Serial Bus can also be offered with the device. Via expects device makers to adopt its specification to build easily portable tablets for accessing Internet information.