Clarion Announces a Revolutionary New Product to Lead the Way in the Mobile Internet Device Category

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    LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarion Corporation of America and
 Clarion Co., Ltd, a leading global manufacturer of mobile electronics,
 announce the introduction of MiND (Mobile Internet Navigation Device). MiND
 is based on the Intel Menlow platform, which is comprised of the
 Silverthorne processor and the Poulbo chipset, and is scheduled to start
 shipment in 2008 in the US market. MiND will provide an 'always connected'
 experience and provide users access to navigation, high-speed Internet
 connection, digital music and videos, hands-free phone connection (via
 Bluetooth(R)), built-in camera and many other innovative entertainment
 features. MiND will transform the way people connect with their vehicles.
 
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     MiND provides Internet connectivity via WiFi whether at home, at the
 office, or in hot spots around the city. Clarion's MiND also allows for
 Internet connection via Bluetooth when paired with a mobile phone for
 convenient service options, and will eventually offer an Internet
 connection by either WiMAX or 3G wireless technologies. These connectivity
 options combine rich GPS navigation with full-page PC-like Internet
 browsing capabilities using its 800-pixel by 480-pixel touch- screen
 
     Thanks to multiple Internet connections, users can download the latest
 information in real-time and have 'always on' access to today's most
 popular websites including Google Maps, Google Earth, You Tube and MySpace.
 Clarion has utilized its years of experience in creating car audio and
 navigation systems, which offer award-winning, best-in-class features, with
 user interfaces that provide rich information and make operation quick and
 intuitive.
 
     The Clarion MiND is not only a mobile device but also offers a vehicle
 attachment via an installed docking station, thus enhancing the audio
 system in ways that traditional portable GPS navigation devices cannot. The
 MiND's Internet connection allows for downloading the latest music and
 videos, and provides POI's and directions to better guide the user through
 their daily commute. The MiND concept, a collaboration by Clarion Co. Ltd.
 and Hitachi Ltd. Automotive Systems' Car Information System Division is
 being developed with the goal of offering the next generation of mobile
 connectivity solution. "Always connected Internet capability will
 drastically improve the usage of mobile navigation devices. Hitachi and
 Clarion will jointly provide a fabulous experience to the user," states Mr.
 Masatsugu Shinozaki, EVP Hitachi Automotive Systems & General Manager.
 
     Clarion is currently working on a portal website which will better
 define the future expansion and features of MiND. This portal site, named
 "Chizuru and Susumu" (URL: http://chizu-route-susumu.jp/ ), is currently
 available in Japan, and will reinforce information as MiND feature-sets
 progress.
 
     "Clarion is clearly leading the wave of technology and feature adoption
 for in-car information and entertainment with this extremely versatile and
 exciting product. We feel it will also raise consumer awareness for all of
 the other innovative Clarion products offered in the market today," states
 Matt Matsuda, President of Clarion Corp. of America.
 
     "Clarion's Mobile Internet Navigation Device (MiND) is a good example
 of a next- generation Mobile Internet Device that combines navigation
 capabilities with real-time Internet-based services," said Anand
 Chandrasekher, Senior Vice President and General manager of Ultra Mobile
 Group at Intel Corporation. "Clarion's ability to innovate in the MID
 category, combined with Intel's low power technologies, will enable end
 users to access directions, real-time points of interest and location-based
 services while enjoying rich entertainment experiences on-the-go."
 
 

     MiND (Development Codename)
 
     Specifications*:
 
     -- 5.2 inch WVGA (800x480) LCD Display with Touch screen
     -- Intel Menlow (Based on Silverthorne processor and Poulsbo Chipset)
     -- 256MB DRAM
     -- 4GB Flash Memory for Storage
     -- WiFi
     -- Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
     -- GPS Antenna/Receiver
     -- Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery
     -- Microphone
     -- Amplifier
     -- Speaker
     -- Headphone Jack
     -- CMOS Camera
     -- 3G Data Module (Future Capability)
     -- Mobile WiMAX (Future Capability)
 
 
     Software Features*:
 
     -- Linux OS
     -- GPS Navigation
     -- Media Player
     -- Internet Browser
     -- MySpace
     -- YouTube
     -- Email
     -- Hands-Free Phone
     -- Flash Player
     -- Image Viewer
     -- PDF Viewer
     -- Instant Messenger
     -- News Reader
     -- Office Viewer
 
 
     * (Specifications/Features may be subject to change without notice during
       development)
     About Clarion:
 
     Clarion Corporation of America, headquartered in Cypress, California,
 is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Clarion Co. Ltd., which joined the
 Hitachi-group companies as a consolidated subsidiary in 2006. Clarion
 Corporation of America ranks among the top 150 North American OEM Suppliers
 and is recognized by an independent research firm for the highest customer
 satisfaction for 6CD radios in new vehicle's sold in the U.S. Clarion, an
 international leader in mobile electronics since 1940, conducts research,
 development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of
 vehicle entertainment, navigation, rear vision, communications and security
 products for the automotive, marine and recreational vehicle environments.
 Clarion has over 10,000 employees worldwide and 12 factories in 10
 countries, with marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South
 America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the Web at
 www.clarion.com.
 
     About Hitachi:
 
     Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE:   HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan,
 is a leading global electronics company with approximately 384,000
 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2006 (ended March 31, 2007) consolidated
 revenues totaled 10,247 billion yen ($86.8 billion). The company offers a
 wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including
 information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems,
 consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information
 on Hitachi, please visit the company's website http://www.hitachi.com.
 
     About Intel:
 
     Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies,
 products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live.
 Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom
 and http://blogs.intel.com.
 
 
 

SOURCE Clarion Corporation of America