Intel is joining the ranks of many other companies who have failed in the consumer electronics, PC peripherals and Internet appliance sector.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based chip making giant Friday says it is phasing out its IntelPlay line of PC-connected digital cameras, digital-audio players and toys.

Soon to be history is Intel's PC-connected cameras, digital audio players as well as its toys: IntelPlay Digital Movie Creator, IntelPlay QX3+ Computer Microscope, IntelPlay Computer Sound Morpher and the IntelPlay Virtual Me2Cam Game System.

"This is a gradual wind-down of our operations of the Connect Product Division. So we do plan to sell the existing inventory," says Intel spokesperson Linda Bonniksen. "This particular business did not meet our requirements for long-term growth."

Bonniksen says Intel also plans to phase out its Dot.Station Internet appliance and has put StrongArm-powered wireless Internet "Web Tablet" on indefinite hold. The prototype made its debut in January at the Consumer Electronics Show.

IntelPlay's closure is just the latest in series of items that Intel is dumped from its lineup.

Earlier this year, the company halted production on the Personal Audio Player 3000, the IntelPlay Digital Movie Creato, its line of Pocket Digital PC cameras and its wireless keyboard and mouse.

But, Intel is not the first major player to tryout Internet-connected appliances and fail.

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Netpliance gave up on its i-opener terminal in January.

After a terrible slump in sales Santa Clara, Calif.-based 3Com Corp. killed its Audrey Web surfing appliance and Kerbango Internet radio in March 2001.

A few months later, Sony discontinued its eVilla Network Entertainment Center.