Sharp Confident About Newtons, Pen Organizers, and Deutschland

Following Apple’s introduction of a localized Newton for German-speaking markets, and concurrent with Siemens’ introduction of its Newton NotePhone (see below), Sharp too displayed its confidence in the largest European market by introducing the German version of the ExpertPad at CeBIT ’94.

The German version features the technology of the original ExpertPad, and is not based on the recently introduced Apple MessagePad 100 and 110 that includes more memory and better support for handwriting recognition. (See January 1994 issue for more information.)

However, Sharp has the advantage of leveraging its large group of distributors that currently sells its popular line of notebook computers and handheld organizers. Sharp has priced the ExpertPad at a suggested retail price of DM 1498. Dates for an updated ExpertPad were not announced at the show.

On the pen organizer front, Sharp introduced the first handheld, pen-driven organizer that is capable of communicating with online information services, such as CompuServe, as well as sending a fax. The Sharp IQ-8900G (European model number) also enables you to exchange Organizer files on Windows-based PC’s using Sharp’s Organizer Link III software, which is available separately.

Like other Organizers (also known as Wizards in North America), the IQ-8900G performs no handwriting recognition, but instead enables users to select, navigate, and scribble information on the screen. Working memory for the IQ-8900G is 256 KB, while 512 KB is available with the up-model IQ-8920G. German pricing for the respective devices are DM 849 and 1099.

For additional information, contact Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH at (040) 23 76-2747 or (040) 23 76-2500 (fax).