Paytrust and Netpliance Align to Launch Instant BillDelivery and Payment on i-opener.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas and PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2000

One-Click Access Combined with Paytrust Bill Management Will Mean

Simplicity for Consumers Using i-opener

Internet Appliance Service

Netpliance,

Inc. (Nasdaq:NPLI), an innovative Internet appliance services company, and Paytrust(R), the leading Internet service allowing consumers to receive, review, pay, and organize bills online, today announced an arrangement whereby Netpliance and Paytrust will deliver an easy and convenient way for i-opener users to receive and pay bills online.

By clicking on the Bill Paying instant service, i-opener customers will be able to check the status of their bills offline and pay them without having to wait for a computer to boot up or connecting to the Internet. The integrated service will be available later this year.

"We have received such positive feedback from our instant channels such as weather and news that we decided to introduce an instant service," said Kent Savage, President and CEO, Netpliance. "Paytrust's secure bill management service combined with i-opener instant access will reduce getting and paying bills to one simple step, making a consumer's life easier."

Using the i-opener automatic update feature, new bills will be brought down and stored automatically on the i-opener when it updates every few hours, so there is no waiting when an i-opener customer wants to view and pay bills. As i-opener users sign up for the Paytrust service, this partnership will result in a new service revenue stream for Netpliance, and bring Paytrust access to a new, untapped market of consumers.

"We are excited about Netpliance's vision to simplify the Internet for everyone," said Edward G. McLaughlin, CEO of Paytrust. "We are focused on bringing consumers the most convenient way to receive, view, and pay their bills and through our relationship with Netpliance, we will reach a new segment of the population that yearns for this simplicity."

About Paytrust

Through Paytrust's proprietary technology, subscribers can receive and pay 100 percent of their bills online or using a wireless device. Paytrust subscribers receive bill notifications and reminders via email rather than physical mail, and they can review their bill information from anywhere they have access to the Internet. Paytrust can issue payments directly from any check writing account designated by a customer, provide information that enables a customer to balance their checkbook and provide data that a customer can download into their personal financial management software.

Paytrust is the flagship service of PAYTRU$T, Inc., a privately held company based in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in October 1998, the company is financially backed by investors including American Express, AT&T Ventures, Citigroup, GE Equity, Goldman Sachs, NextCard, SOFTBANK Venture Capital, Spectrum Equity Investors and Thomas Weisel Partners. More information on the company can be found on its Web site located at http://www.paytrust.com or by calling 800/PAYTRUST.

About Netpliance

Netpliance offers Internet-based content, applications and services through devices specifically designed for Internet access, commonly known as Internet appliances. The Company introduced its current i-opener(TM) service in November 1999, which combines its i-opener appliance, Internet access and its own consumer portal. The i-opener service includes all of the elements required for a user to access the Internet and simplifies Internet access, delivering a truly simplified Internet experience for consumers. More information on Netpliance can be found on its Web site located at http://www.netpliance.com.

Netpliance Forward-looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Although Netpliance believes that the expectations reflected in its forward looking statements are reasonable, Netpliance can give no assurance that such expectations or any of their forward looking statements will prove to be correct, and future results may differ from those discussed in this press release. Important cautionary statements and risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in Netpliance's forward looking statements are disclosed under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Netpliance's Prospectus dated March 17, 2000 which is contained in Netpliance's Registration Statement on Form S-1, copies of which may be obtained from Netpliance. Netpliance a disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future event, change in expectations, conditions or circumstances, or otherwise.

Paytrust is a registered trademark of PAYTRU$T, Inc. Netpliance and i-opener are trademarks of Netpliance, Inc.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Netpliance press materials can be found at: http://www.netpliance.com/corp/media.asp.