FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ActiveWire, Inc. Announces a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface
Kit, ActiveWire(TM)-USB

PALO ALTO — July 19, 1999 /Xpress Press/ — ActiveWire, Inc., an
embedded technology company, announced the immediate availability of
its Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface kit, ActiveWire-USB.

ActiveWire-USB kit consists of example software and interface
hardware with programmable input/output pins that can interface to
many devices such as switches and LEDs. ActiveWire -USB allows
hobbyists and engineers to easily connect devices to the ubiquitous
USB interface instead of the old, slow RS-232 and parallel
interfaces. Applications include interfacing a pan/tilt head for a
small camera, robots, automating various high speed electronic
devices, and computer interface education.

“When I first tried to connect devices to USB, it was not easy,” says
Mato Hattori, president of ActiveWire, Inc. “I decided to provide a
quick and easy way to interface to USB for engineers and hobbyists,
like me.” Mato continues; “With ActiveWire-USB you can start
controlling your device from USB in moments instead of days.”
ActiveWire-USB has the following features:
* Easily programmable with software development tools
* 24 MHz CPU core with USB
* Firmware downloadable via USB
* 16 bit parallel input/output
* Expandable add-on boards
* New firmware and scripts available from website
(http://www.ActiveWireInc.com)
* $59 + shipping and handling

ActiveWire-USB can be programmed from browser script (JavaScript) on
PC running Windows (R) 98. This feature will be available for
Macintosh in the near future. ActiveWire, Inc. can offer interface
design kits for other interface standards as well as drivers for
FreeBSD.

ActiveWire, Inc. was founded as a PicoStar company two years ago to
develop interface technologies that enhance the connectivity of
devices to personal computers and the Internet.

PicoStar, LLC is an incubator organization, providing funding and
support services for the startup of advanced technology companies.
PicoStar, LLC currently holds four businesses: NetEyes, Inc.,
ActiveWire, Inc., iWrap, and United Earth Networks. “A new business
can work more efficiently in an environment where all share resources
and stimulate each other,” says Eric T. Brewer, president of
PicoStar, LLC.

Consumers can order ActiveWire-USB directly from ActiveWire, Inc. via
the Internet at http://www.ActiveWireInc.com/. Dealers and companies
interested in OEM arrangements can make inquiries to Eric T. Brewer
of PicoStar, LLC.
CONTACT:
Eric T. Brewer
President, PicoStar, LLC
650-493-4900
Eric@PicoStar.com
or
Mato Hattori
President, ActiveWire, Inc.
650-493-8700 (ext. 204)
Mato@ActiveWireInc.com

For more information on USB contact http://www.ActiveWireInc.com/USB.htm.