APC announces biometric card for laptops

- Gary Thayer, Editor

September 29, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- American Power Conversion (NASDAQ:APCC) today announced a new PCMCIA card with a personal fingerprint scanner that manages laptop users' login and password information.

The PCMCIA Password Manager card fits in a notebook computer's PCMCIA slot, and the sensor hides away inside the notebook until a user needs it to log onto applications or Web sites. The sensor ejects from the side of the laptop with a press of a finger.

The PCMCIA Password Manager permits up to twenty different fingerprints or twenty different users to store passwords on a single laptop. It comes with APC's "Omni pass" software and is compatible with Windows (XP, 2000, ME, and 98) operating systems.

Once installed, a user places their finger on the sensor and the software automatically fills in the login and password information. When using with Windows XP, the software stores an unlimited number of login names and passwords, and allows for one touch file or folder encryption and decryption, according to APC.

Using AuthenTec's patented "TruePrint" technology, the Password Manager scans fingerprints below the surface of the skin to the live layer or true fingerprint. TruePrint is not affected by common skin surface conditions including dry, worn, calloused, dirty or oily skin, according to APC.

APC's new PCMCIA Password Manager is currently available in North America and retails for US $150. For more information, see apc.com.

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