Medion Adds Fingerprint Sensor for PC Security

MUNICH, Germany and MELBOURNE, Fla./BUSINESS WIRE/-- Medion is embedding the EntrePad 2501A from AuthenTec, a provider of fingerprint sensor security, in the new notebook PC, which is available immediately. AuthenTec’s EntrePad 2501A fingerprint sensor replaces the need for passwords, allowing authorized users to easily and quickly access their private Internet pages and files by sliding their finger across the sensor surface. At the same time, the sensor restricts access to the computer and its files to only those enrolled, keeping information private.

Medion is also tapping the EntrePad 2501A’s Power of Touch capabilities to enable users to perform other functions, including fast user switching. Fast user switching enables authorized users to simply swipe a finger across the sensor to quickly and automatically bring up their individual desktops and favorite applications.

For enhanced security, Medion has implemented Pre-Boot-Authentication in its MD 97000 notebooks. This requires the user to authenticate from BIOS before booting the PC. A finger swipe will bring the user all the way up to his individual Windows Desktop without entering further passwords and user names.

“We are proud that Medion has again selected AuthenTec and is embedding our biometric fingerprint sensor directly into its second notebook PC,” said Marc Gebert, head of AuthenTec's European operations. “AuthenTec's fingerprint sensors are specifically designed for consumer and commercial applications looking to add advanced security and easy to use benefits at the simple swipe of a finger.”

“Our users appreciate the benefits that AuthenTec’s Power of Touch provides,” said Mark Jendrzok, Product Manager of Medion. “We’re pleased to select AuthenTec for the second consumer notebook computer in Europe with biometric fingerprint functionality.”

The EntrePad 2501A is the most proven slide sensor for PCs available today. The sensor uses AuthenTec’s award winning TruePrint technology, the only subsurface-based solution that is reliable, accurate, and durable.

Along with the EntrePad 2501A, the MD 97000 Notebook PC also has other exciting features, such as a radio and hybrid TV tuner (for analog and digital TV reception and recording), a DVD-Writer supporting dual layer media, integrated Bluetooth, wireless LAN, and Intel Centrino Mobile Technology.

Last year, Medion introduced its first two biometric devices, the MD 96500 Notebook PC and a PC password manager, which also featured AuthenTec's EntrePad 2501A sensor. The computer and password manager have been successful in the European markets where they were available.

About AuthenTec

With more than eight million sensors in use worldwide, AuthenTec is the world leader in fingerprint sensor security, innovation and sales to the PC, wireless, and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning FingerLoc and EntrePad sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch by using the company’s patented TruePrint technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable, and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication. The company’s network of partners, solution providers, and customers include Analog Devices, APC, Compal, Cherry, Fujitsu Computer, Computer Associates, HP, IBM, LGE, Medion, Microsoft, Motion Computing, NEC Packard Bell, Pantech, Quanta, Samsung, Tatung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Wistron, among others. Visit www.authentec.com.

About Medion

Medion has developed a business model that opens up attractive market segments in the nonfood sector for leading retailing groups, while at the same time revealing new sales channels for international brand manufacturers. The Company supports retailers and manufacturers in one-off sales campaigns involving products from the fields of PC/multimedia, entertainment/household electronics, and communications technology. Medion complements the nonfood product range of retail companies, especially food discounters, coffee roasters, and self-service consumer markets. More and more specialized retailers have started to use Medion's services, too. In terms of product groups, Medion focuses on three areas: PC/multimedia (PCs, notebooks, printers), entertainment/household electronics (electric appliances for personal care, home equipment, TVs, DVD-players, HiFi, cameras, and video cameras) and communications technology (telephones, answering machines, fax machines, decoders, and SAT-systems). The assortment of these product groups is continuously extended and adapted to meet the latest technical and design developments. In this context, the most favorable price-quality relation possible for each product plays a key role. In the beginning, Medion concentrated on penetrating the German market and now has reached double-digit market shares in certain product segments. For some years now, the company has been successfully implementing its business model in markets outside Germany. The main focus was initially on Western Europe, but by now Eastern Europe, North America, and the Asian-Pacific region have become important target markets, too. For more information, please visit http://www.medion.com.