RadioMail Introduces First Two-Way Wireless E-mail Service for Apple PowerBook
SAN MATEO, Calif. — June 7, 1993 — Users of Apple Computer PowerBook and PowerBook Duo laptop systems can now send and receive electronic mail messages without a telephone connection using RadioMail Corp.'s wireless e-mail service.
With RadioMail, PowerBook users can wirelessly send messages to, or receive them from, virtually any wired or wireless e-mail address in the United States, including Apple's AppleLink mail system.
RadioMail's two-way gateway service uses the RAM Mobile Data radio frequency (RF) network, which covers thousands of metropolitan areas nationwide. Beginning this summer, RadioMail also will be available over the ARDIS wireless network.
Previously available on DOS-based portables and Hewlett- Packard handheld computers, the RadioMail wireless e-mail service comes to Apple PowerBooks and Duos for the first time.
Geoffrey S. Goodfellow, RadioMail chairman and founder, said, "Recent research found that nearly all PowerBook users who access networks do so primarily to send and receive e-mail. More than half of those reach networks from off-site locations. With RadioMail, they can now read and respond to their e-mail anywhere and anytime, without having to get to a phone or find a desktop connection. Wireless e-mail will dramatically increase the value of their PowerBooks by making their most essential application accessible on demand."
In addition to e-mail, PowerBook users can access RadioMail NewsFactory, the first wireless service for on-demand delivery of news and financial information. NewsFactory, also being introduced today (see accompanying release), is available to RadioMail subscribers at no extra charge.
RadioMail client software for PowerBook is based on Eudora, a widely-used electronic mail application developed by San Diego- based QUALCOMM, Incorporated. "Bringing Eudora to the wireless community demonstrates the ease of use with which Eudora crosses boundaries throughout the corporate environment," said QUALCOMM spokesperson John Noerenberg. "We're excited to work with Radio- Mail to bring Eudora to the wireless electronic mail community."
Incorporating RadioMail Transport, a software protocol for ensuring reliable, end-to-end information delivery, Eudora for the Macintosh uses the same familiar user interface as other Macintosh applications.
PowerBook users can connect to RadioMail through an Ericsson GE Mobidem or Motorola InfoTAC packet radio modem. For a $99 setup fee, customers receive a disk and instructions for installing RadioMail wireless e-mail application software on the PowerBook. The RadioMail wireless e-mail service is priced at $89 per month, with the first month free to new subscribers. The Eudora software is priced at $49; users receive a $25 credit on the first month's invoice.
Effective June 15, PowerBook users can subscribe to RadioMail by calling 800/597-MAIL. Corporate customers can order direct from QUALCOMM a version of the Mac Eudora interface that incorporates RadioMail Transport.
RadioMail Corp. operates an information service bureau that provides e-mail and information to intelligent portable computing devices equipped with radio modems. Subscribers are assigned a Radio Mailbox in RadioMail's computer center, enabling them to send and receive messages over the RAM Mobile Data and ARDIS two-way wireless networks. Subscribers can connect to a wide range of public and private networks, including corporate mail systems such as Lotus cc:Mail, public access systems such as MCI Mail, ATT Mail and CompuServe; and the worldwide Internet and UUCP/USENET service.
CONTACT:
RadioMail Corp.
Geoff Goodfellow, 415/286-7800
or
Ulevich & Orrange Inc.
William Orrange, Janis Ulevich, 415/329-1590