Tegic Communications Releases T9 Text Input for 3Com PalmPilot Connected Organizers
SEATTLE — August 17, 1998 — T9 Makes Text Input Fast, Easy And Intuitive, With Virtually Nothing to Learn
Tegic Communications today introduced T9(TM) text input for 3Com(R) (NASDAQ:COMS) PalmPilot(TM) connected organizers for $ 39.95.
Available for the first time, T9 text input for the PalmPilot connected organizer allows users to quickly and easily enter information from a touch-screen keypad on their Palm(TM) connected organizers, including the IBM(R) WorkPad(TM). Fewer, larger keys group letters together to make text entry fast, easy and intuitive — with virtually nothing to learn. To type any word, a user simply taps each key. T9 decodes the keystrokes to determine the correct word, automatically.
"T9 is the first system to add intelligence to text input on PalmPilot connected organizers," explained R. Larry Atwell, senior product manager with Tegic Communications. "Consumers are increasing the utility and value of their PalmPilot devices, because now they have a new method of text input, which is fast, easy, and intuitive."
According to Atwell, with the T9 keypad, users have full punctuation capabilities and access to a wide variety of symbols and international accented characters. Individuals will also be able to find proper names and can add any personal name or word to the T9 database.
T9 text input can be used in conjunction with Graffiti(R) power writing software. "The thing I like most about T9 is that you can switch between it and the other Palm input methods without having to turn off T9," said Andrew Seybold, editor-in-chief of Outlook. "While you are using T9, you can enter Graffiti strokes to advance a line, add a space, or delete a character. Being able to switch back and forth is a tremendous benefit."
T9 text input for the PalmPilot connected organizer has received the coveted Platinum Certification design for the Palm Computing(R) platform. To receive the certification, Tegic Communications' T9 text input software had to pass rigorous independent testing, the standard which is established by Palm Computing Inc., a 3Com company.
"Independent developers such as Tegic Communications have helped make Palm Computing devices essential business and productivity tools," said Mark Bercow, vice president of strategic alliances and platform development at Palm Computing.
Availability of T9 for the PalmPilot Organizer
Initially, T9 text input will be available directly from Tegic Communications' Web site — www.t9palmpilot.com. Other electronic software distributors including @Home, Chumbo, Egghead.com, Future Shop, InfoWorld, MobilePlanet, and PilotGear HQ will sell T9 text input for PalmPilot connected organizers as well.
T9 text input is compatible with the Pilot 5000, the PalmPilot Professional, the PalmPilot Personal, and the Palm III(TM) connected organizers, as well as Palm Computing-based devices from IBM and Symbol Technologies. Minimum system requirements for the use of T9 text input on the PalmPilot organizer is 170 kilobytes of memory.
In addition to developing T9 for the PalmPilot organizer, Tegic Communications is licensing its technology to major communications and consumer electronics manufacturers worldwide. Licensees include: Fujitsu Network Communications, Mitsubishi, Motorola, Nokia, Philips, Samsung, and Texas Instruments. The company also has worldwide patents pending for T9 text input.
About Tegic Communications
Seattle-based Tegic Communications was founded in 1995 to develop and market text input technologies for the telecommunications and computing industries. The company has licensed its T9 text input technology to major consumer electronics and communications equipment manufacturers both domestically and abroad. For more [email protected], or visit Tegic's Web site at www.tegic.com.
T9 is a trademark of Tegic Communications.
3Com, Palm Computing, and Graffiti are registered trademarks, and Palm, PalmPilot, Palm III and Palm OS are trademarks of 3Com Corp. or its subsidiaries. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT:
Tegic Communications, Seattle
Jennifer Gehrt, 206/343-7001 ext. 126