Roaming Around the Mobile Computing Industry

More Magic From aha!

The day when handwriting recognition becomes foolproof and bulletproof is still some time away. However, even when we do get there, we may realize that it’s not everything we thought it was going to be. There is an innate pleasure in scribbling a reminder, in jotting a note, and in crossing out a line.

Of course, we can do all this today with a sixty cent notepad. However, what we can’t do is open new space between two words, delete a phrase leaving no marks, or close up space with word processor style wrapping. For that we need a computer and a very innovative program from Mountain View, California-based aha! software corporation. The program, dubbed InkWriter, has been available for computers running Microsoft’s Windows for Pen Computing for some time. Now it’s available for PDAs running Magic Cap, including Sony’s Magic Link.

The secret behind InkWriter’s power is aha!’s patent-pending SmartInk technology that enables electronic ink and text to be intelligently edited. Using InkWriter, you can write, edit, delete, and move text around just as you would in a regular text-based word processor. InkWriter proves that you don’t need to have handwriting recognition to get the job done.

aha!’s InkWriter software is available from Sony electronics, has a suggested retail price of $129, and can be ordered by calling 1-800-571-7699. For more information, please contact aha! software corporation at (415) 988-2080.

IntelliLink Adds New Links

We all long for the day when information will move transparently between all the machines that occupy space in our lives. However, in real terms today, this means finding an application that is capable of transforming and moving data between desktop and mobile computers, including the new class of PDAs.

Nashua, New Hampshire-based IntelliLink has worked hard at providing these links and, of late, has added to its already impressive list of supported applications and platforms. Recently, the company released its newest offering, IntelliLink for Windows version 3.3.1. In terms of new platforms, this version incorporates support for Sharp’s Zaurus, a keyboard and pen-based handheld PDA.

In addition, IntelliLink has also added support for three popular desktop-based information managers: Lotus Organizer 2.0, ACT! for Windows 2.0, and WordPerfect for Windows 6.0. This permits IntelliLink to not only transfer data between mobile and desktop computers, but also to translate this information into a format that is meaningful to the target device.

IntelliLink for Windows includes a feature known as SmartMerge, which guides users through cases where data directly conflicts between one platform and the other.

IntelliLink for Windows is available from IntelliLink for $99.95, however registered users can upgrade for $39.95. For more information, please contact Karen Young of IntelliLink Corp. at (603) 888-0666, (603) 888-9817 (fax).

Fast Mobile Pentium

Mobile computer users demand long battery life, but for certain applications, many are willing to sacrifice a certain amount of time for pure power. Fortunately, this decision is going to get a bit easier in the next few months following Intel’s recent introduction of a 90 MHz Pentium processor that achieves significantly lower power consumption.

Intel has achieved this improvement by incorporating what it calls the Voltage Reduction Technology, enabling the 90 MHz pentium to operate at 3.3 volts using conventional components, and operating at an even lower 2.9 volts for inner core functions. Intel estimates that this version of the Pentium consumes up to 30 percent less power than its desktop equivalent, an important difference in the mobile computing world.

Intel anticipates that most mobile computing vendors will adopt the new chip for use with entry level systems that could be as low as $2,000 to $3,000. Because of this, many analysts predict continued strong growth in the number of mobile units sold, and an increase in the sophistication of the types of applications employed on the road.

Intel’s Voltage Reduction Technology is part of the company’s Pentium Processor Mobile Advantage technologies designed specifically to address the issues of mobile computing. Other facets of the program include:

• Tape Carrier Packaging (TCP), reducing the size of the packaging to free space for other components
• Module power down mechanisms, turning off the cache and floating point units when not in use
• SL technology, featuring enhanced power management at the processor level

The 90 MHz Pentium for mobile systems is priced at $427 in 1,000 unit quantities, with a 75 MHz version also available for $275 in similar quantities. Both processors are now available in volume.

AvailWorks Available for Newton

Apple’s Newton PDA is supposed to be about communicating, however, it’s difficult to create any type of document that anyone would be proud to call their own. Sunnyvale, California-based Avail Technologies hopes to change that perception with a new upgrade to its popular TapWorks application for the Newton.

The new product, dubbed AvailWorks for Newton 2.0, integrates the features of text processing, spreadsheet calculation, drawing, and graphing into a single application. In addition, Avail claims to have made significant improvements to the user interface, compatibility, performance, and memory usage of the program, all important considerations for a personal digital assistant.

AvailWorks includes features that make it easy to lay out a regular 8 1/2 by 11-inch page for faxing or printing. This task is made even easier by the program’s ability to flip between two editable views of the page: one that is actual size, and the other that is “fit to screen.” Objects within the fit to screen view can still be manipulated making major restructuring of information possible. AvailWorks also includes two sample clip-art libraries.

In a separate announcement, Avail also unveiled a series of five clip-art software packages for the Newton entitled, appropriately enough, Avail ClipArt For Newton. Each package contains a library of over 100 professionally drawn images, together with an installer package and utility program, Avail NotepadPlus For Newton. The clip-art collection developer, T/Maker, has also entered into a licensing agreement with Avail covering this and future products.

AvailWorks for Newton, including the main application and two utility programs, Avail Works Viewer and AvailWorks PCMCIA Fax Modem Utility, is available now for a suggested retail price of $79.95. For more information, please contact Daryl Scott of Avail Technology, Inc. at (408) 730-6855.

ARDIS Enhances Wireless Developer Program

A wireless data communication network is only as useful as the applications designed to take advantage of it. Realizing this, ARDIS has lowered an important barrier to encourage application developers to make their products work seamlessly with their nationwide network, and has provided a special incentive for developers to take advantage of advanced features and services.

ARDIS is making these incentives available as part of its Wireless Software Developer Program, which the company initiated in January of this year. As part of the program, ARDIS will offer a promotional pricing program for software developers using network air time in the course of application development. The program, available until the end of 1995, limits the maximum air time cost for developers at $40 per month for each hardware unit.

ARDIS also created a rebate program to help developers whose complete applications pass ARDIS’ certification testing. Level one of the program is for applications deemed to be “ARDIS compatible” and entitles developers to receive a 50 percent rebate on air time billed over the 24 month period prior to application certification.

Level two of the program, which offers a 100 percent rebate over the 24 month period, is for applications which ARDIS has certified as “efficient and reliable.” This means that the application takes full advantage of the network messaging service, performs data compression, and includes quality documentation with the application.

For more information, please contact Rob Euler of ARDIS at (708) 913-4405 or [email protected].