GRiD Introduces PalmPAD, the First Wearable PC
NEW YORK — March 19, 1992 — GRiD Systems Corp. Thursday introduced the PalmPAD personal computer, The First Wearable Pen Computer.
The MS-DOS-based PalmPAD weighs 2.8 pounds and is a full-featured, ruggedized pen computer designed for data collection applications.
The PalmPAD was unveiled today at a high tech ''fashion show'' product introduction in New York City's fashion district.
The PalmPAD has a 9.5MHz NEC V.20 microprocessor, MS-DOS 5.0, 2MB of RAM, a slot for high-capacity solid state storage cards with up to 20MB of storage, nickel metal hydride or NiCad batteries for eight hours of battery life and a 6.5-inch diagonal high-resolution 640×400 pixel LCD with adjustable backlighting.
PalmPAD runs GRiD'S MS-DOS-based PenRight! pen computer software platform specially designed for data collection applications.
The PalmPAD can be strapped to the hand or, when not in use, can be worn on the wrist by adjusting the sturdy handstrap with its secure Velcro fastener. It can also be worn on the belt or shoulder in a durable carrying case.
The PalmPAD's rubberized plastic hand grip provides a comfortable, tactile feel while adding shock absorption protection that allows the PalmPAD to withstand three-foot drops onto concrete. The PalmPAD's internal battery pack is also wearable. The battery can be removed from the unit and be worn in a belt-mounted pouch, bringing the PalmPAD's weight down to 2.2 pounds.
GRiD President D. Bruce Walter said: ''The PalmPAD takes pen computing to the next level of performance and utility. GRiDPAD proved to industry and government that pen computers are viable, strategic business and productivity tools. The PalmPAD blends the latest and most vital new technologies into a pen computer. These technologies demonstrate many features that will be commonplace in future pen computers.''
Walter explained that this is the first time SunDisk flash memory cards with capacities up to 20MB will be used and the first time Logitech's Gazelle Graphics digitizer scheme will be used. This is also the first pen computer with fluorescent backlighting and the first use of co-molded plastic and rubber in a PC.
''These benefits,'' he said, ''will significantly broaden the pen computer market to include thousands of workers who need smaller and lighter computers.''
PalmPAD is the ideal solution for data collection workers in industries such as health care, transportation, law enforcement, warehouse and distribution, manufacturing, automotive, consumer products, utilities, oil and gas, petrochemical, market research, hospitality and federal, state and local governments.
Input from GRiD's 700 pen computer customers largely determined the design of the PalmPAD, said Ken Dulaney, director of marketing for GRiD's portable computer products.
GRiD found that customers who are automating their data collection tasks want a pen computer that is light and rugged, has an easy-to-read display in varying lighting conditions, will go eight hours on one battery pack, can support many communications options and is easily programmable.
PalmPAD's designers achieved those goals by using advanced technologies and adhering to concepts developed in GRiD's 10 years of designing computers for mobile professionals.
The PalmPAD has a water-resistant top assembly and protective rubber flaps cover the port connectors and storage card slot. The digitizer/display, which sits beneath a clear plastic covering, allows the use of a tetherless pen and provides greater resolution.
Dulaney said: ''Other pen computer vendors have products under two pounds, which we believe have gone below the 'flimsy' barrier. Those products sacrifice ruggedness and important features like backlighting and rechargeable batteries in order to shave off weight. We resolved the ruggedness issue by designing a product you could wear and be less likely to drop.''
The PalmPAD features a combined power/serial port and cable. Only one cable is needed to charge the unit and upload or download data via serial communications.
This cable can also be used to turn the wearer's belt into an expansion bus. The cable serves as the basis for future belt-mounted peripherals such as printers, magnetic stripe readers and extra batteries, according to Kate Purmal, GRiD's group product manager for pen computers.
She said: ''This is really a LAN that is worn around your belt. Additional features can be added without increasing weight in the main unit. This concept, which reduces user fatigue, has been named Belt Bus.''
One of the PalmPAD's two rounded hand grips is actually an empty module that has been tooled to accommodate either a 2400 bps modem or a 902-928 MHz spread spectrum radio. GRiD expects a number of independent hardware companies to build additional capabilities into this area.
Purmal said: ''Our goal was to deliver a pen computer that could compete against a variety of data collection devices and win. PalmPAD's pen interface makes training workers much easier because it is clearly the most intuitive way to enter data, as opposed to a numeric keypad.
''It has a 640×400 display compared with the 8- or 16-line maximum on handheld units. Because it is MS-DOS-based and runs PenRight! software, applications are easy to write and modify using industry standard development tools. There are hundreds of applications available.''
PalmPAD applications can be quickly developed with a variety of MS-DOS development tool kits: PenRight! Pro is GRiD's software development toolkit for ''C'' programmers, Pen-Pal for high-level language programmers, and PadBase+ for Clipper programmers.
These tools allow customers to create PalmPAD applications that mirror their existing paper forms and applications. PenRight! was recently licensed by Poqet Corp., and other licensees will be announced shortly.
PalmPAD comes standard with a 9.5MHz NEC V/20 microprocessor, 2MB of RAM, a slot for one PCMCIA storage card or a high-capacity SunDisk storage card with up to 20MB of storage, a combination RS-232 serial and power input port, an external keyboard/keypad port, MS-DOS 5.0 in internal ROM, an internal/external autosensing power supply and an internal NiCad rechargeable/removable battery pack.
Options include a 2400 bps v.42 bis data-fax modem, an internal nickel metal hydride rechargeable/removable battery pack and an auto charging/power adapter.
PalmPAD, in standard configuration, is priced at $2,895 and will begin shipping in April.
GRiD designs, manufactures, markets and services laptop, pen, desktop and multimedia computers, pen-based software development tools, electronic mail and networking systems. GRiD, located at 47211 Lakeview Blvd., Fremont, Calif. 94537, also has offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Sweden, France, Belgium and Denmark.
GRiD is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tandy Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, a leading manufacturer and distributor of consumer electronics and computers.
Note to Editors: GRiDPAD is a registered trademark of GRiD Systems Corp. The Wearable Pen Computer is a trademark of GRiD Systems Corp. PalmPAD, PenRight!, PenRight! Pro and Belt Bus are trademarks of GRiD Systems Corp. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
CONTACT:
GRiD Systems, Fremont
Mike McGuire or Bob Goligoski, 510/656-4700