AT&T Takes Control at EO

In a surprise move earlier this month, telecommunications giant AT&T announced it has acquired a controlling interest in EO, Inc., the closely watched two-year old pen-based computer start-up. After initially providing a 20 percent grub stake for EO, AT&T with the recent move upped its stake to 51 percent for an undisclosed amount of cash. Other EO investors continue to include Olivetti, Matsushita and Marubeni (a pair of Japanese firms), and venture capitalist Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

EO is just one of the cooks in the AT&T mobile computing kitchen. Other companies in which AT&T has equity stakes include General Magic (developers of Magic Cap communications technology; see our February 1993 issue) and 3DO (developers of consumer-level multimedia video game player which AT&T will manufacture).

EO Machines Now Shipping

As described in our December 1992 issue (Volume 2, Number 5), the EO Personal Communicator (announced in November, 1992) comes in two models, the 2 pound 440 and 4-pound 880. Both models are based on AT&T’s Hobbit RISC processor and GO’s PenPoint operating system and sell for $1999 and $2799 respectively.

Both are now shipping and are available through AT&T Phone Centers or by calling EO directly at the following toll-free number: 800-458-0880. Outside the U.S., dial 415-903-8108.