Opera gets in the Moodâ„¢: Opera 7 in New i3 Set-Top Box Products

Oslo, Norway – May 4, 2004

i3 and Opera Software today announced that Opera 7 will now empower i3’s Mood Box IP set-top box (STB) products. The Opera 7 browser will display the STB’s user interface (UI), offer full access to the Internet, and enable features such as Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), messaging, gaming and interactive services.

Opera 7 empowers Mood Boxâ„¢ users with superior access to all Web pages, advanced rendering speed, and feature-rich functionality. Opera’s faithful standards support allows the browser to extend its usability to display the STB’s UI and EPG. The Mood Boxâ„¢’s EPG presents programming schedules in an easily searchable format.

“We are excited to work with i3 to present feature-filled and robust products to the iTV market,” says Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Opera Software. “The Mood Boxâ„¢ provides a variety of interactive services that allows Opera to demonstrate its real versatility as a smart solution for the iTV industry that is both fun and easy for users.”

Opera for iTV supports industry broadcasting and coding standards including DVB and OCAP. Opera’s cross-platform browser technology is developed from a single core, which integrates the same technology that is tested daily by millions of desktop users ensuring access to all Web sites available on the Internet.

“The embedded version of Opera 7 enables us to enhance both performance and functionality in our products,” says Chris Chalkitis, CTO of i3 micro. “Leverging from Opera’s large installed base and the iTV specific enhancements, Opera is the best browser platform for our market.”

The i3 Mood Box targeted at the IP STB market will, with the release of its latest version (MMB3), also targets new coding technologies such as WMT9 and MPEG4 AVC (H.264) beyond the support of MPEG2 and MPEG4 ASP of today. Utilizing the latest in browser and codec technologies, The Mood Box opens for a robust, flexible and cost effective solution.

About i3 micro technology

i3 micro technology is a Swedish company established in 1997. With headquarters in Kista, i3 develops and markets customer premises equipment and management systems delivering IP telephony, digital TV, video and Internet access. i3’s two product lines, Vood (Voice Options on Demand) and Mood (Media Options on Demand) enable operators to offer end-users advanced triple-play services, thereby increasing the revenues generated from broadband networks. i3’s products include streaming servers, residential gateways, integrated access devices, set-top boxes, and management systems. i3 customers and partners are found in Europe, US and Asia. For more information, visit i3 at www.i3micro.com

Contacts:

 

i3
Jonas Dahlof
Marketing Director
Tel: +46 8 506 388 00
Fax: +46 8 506 388 75
jonas.dahlof@i3micro.com

Opera Software
Michelle Valdivia
PR Specialist
Tel: +47 24 16 42 14
Fax: +47 24 16 40 01
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