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More 56-kbps PC Card Modems--This Time, From Hayes

New ACCURA models will ship by the end of the month.

By Paul Heltzel, PCWorld   

Hayes%squot modem features an idle mode for extending computer battery life and flash ROM capability for software upgrades. In addition, the card allows hot swapping, so that it can be removed and replaced with another PC Card without rebooting.

The ACCURA PC puts Hayes a jump ahead of U.S. Robotics which recently began shipping upgradable 33.6-kbps modems. The ACCURA features the K56flex technology -- developed by Rockwell and Lucent -- which cannot connect to U.S. Robotics 56-kbps modems at speeds greater than 33.6 kbps.

As the makers of competing 56-kbps standards fight for users, expect to see daily announcements as vendors pick sides and get products on the shelves. Just last week, USR debuted its 56-kbps capable PC Card modems.

As well as being confusing to customers, the race to get 56-kbps units on shelves has not always been smooth. Earlier this month, Motorola said it would replace some of its K56flex desktop modems due to a flaw in their chip sets.

%dquotI understand the importance of providing quality products to this exploding market in a timely fashion,%dquot said Hayes President and CEO Joseph Formichelli in a statement. %dquotWe%squotve rigorously tested these products and they%squotre rock solid.%dquot