News and Events

Motorola’s EMBARC to run on GEOS

Motorola and GeoWorks have announced the two companies will work together to support Motorola’s EMBARC (short for “Electronic Mail Broadcast to a Roaming Computer”) wireless communications network for the GEOS operating environment. This will enable communication between GEOS-based mobile computers — such as the Tandy Zoomer — and the EMBARC network, a wireless electronic mail system with service to more than 220 cities across the U.S. and Canada. With EMBARC support, users could conceivably simultaneously send messages or data files to one or more GEOS-based PDAs or other mobile computers. Contact Geoworks at 510-644-0883.

Seagate Intros New Drives for Pen Systems

Seagate has introduced 170 MB (Model ST9190AG) and 127 MB (Model ST9240AG) 2.5 inch hard drives designed for mobile computing. Seagate claims the new drives offer 45% lower power consumption than any other 2.5 inch drives on the market. Contact Seagate at 408-438-6550.

PenRight Drops Price on SDK

In perhaps a sign of lukewarm enthusiasm for pen computing from software developers, Grid Systems’ software spin-off, PenRight, has dropped the price of its PenRight Pro Software Developers’ Kit from $795 down to $249. If you’ve been sitting on the fence, maybe now’s the time to take the plunge! Contact Grid Systems at 510-656-4700.

New Version of PenPoint Guide Now Available

Addison-Wesley has announced the second edition of the PenPoint Application Writing Guide, the definitive manual for writing PenPoint applications. The second edition includes PenPoint version 2.0, particularly the new international features of PenPoint. The paperback sells for $32.95 and is available at most bookstores that carry computer books.

PCMCIA Global Positioning System Announced

Socket Communications and Trimble Navigation have introduced a global positioning system (GPS) that plugs into the PCMCIA slot of mobile computers. A GPS developers’ kit is also available. The developers’ kit includes a six-channel GPS receiver and antenna, PCMCIA Type II interface card, developer’s manual, and C source code for operation under MS-DOS. The developers’ version is $995. An end-user version without the developers’ manual and source code is available for $795. Contact Socket Communications at 510-670-0300.

NCR Offers WaveLAN on PCMCIA

NCR’s WaveLAN wireless network product is now available on PCMCIA Type II cards. The in-building wireless LAN provides connectivity in an area of up to 50,000 square feet. WaveLAN can be bridged to wired EtherNet or StarLAN networks via WavePOINT. The WaveLAN PCMCIA card is priced at $695, while WavePOINT is priced at $1995 for Ethernet and $1895 for StarLAN. Contact NCR at 513-445-5000.

Beta Version of Pen Accounting System

Freehand Systems (Markham, Ontario, Canada) has announced a beta version of its Freehand Accountant’s Worksheet Package (FRACC), written using PenMagic’s Numero financial worksheet application for the PenPoint environment. FRACC is scheduled for formal introduction in mid-July. It is priced at $149 as a stand-alone package and will be offered on selected pen-based systems bundled with Numero. Contact Freehand Systems at 416-470-7337.

SimCity for PenPoint

You can’t always be doing serious work on pen systems, so Ink Development has joined forces with Maxis to produce a version of the popular game SimCity for PenPoint. SimCity is a simulation game for designing an evolving, growing city, and has sold over 900,000 units. SimCity is available for Intel or Hobbit-based PenPoint computer such as the EO 440 directly from Ink Development for the price of $69 and will also be distributed through “selected entertainment retailers.” Contact Ink Development at 415-573-6565.

Outlook for PCMCIA Report Available

SRI’s Pocket Intelligence Program is offering an “Updated Outlook for Memory Cards, PCMCIA Devices, and Their Platforms for the 1991-1997 Period.” The report includes market analysis and forecast information and is priced at $1495. Contact SRI International’s Mark Cummings at 415-859-3168.

Classroom Pen Project Underway

A partnership of educational institutions in Chicago has begun a project using pen-based systems for classroom instruction. Called SlateMate, students write on a pen system embedded in a special classroom desk and the results are displayed on the instructor’s screen. A pilot implementation is underway in the Chicago public school system. For more information, contact Eric Hamilton, Access 2000 Chicago Partnership, Loyola University Chicago, at 312-508-3582.

New 2400 MHz Wireless Net

A new wireless network priced at under $400 per node is under development at a company called Aerocomm. Scheduled for release later this year, AeroNet uses 2400 MHz spread spectrum technology. Contact Aerocomm at 913-492-2320.

Motorola Intros Mobile Net Integration Technology

Motorola has announced a Mobile Networks Integration technology aimed at enabling “seamless” communications and data transfers between dissimilar wireless and hardwired communications devices. The Mobile Networks Integration technology consists of a software developers’ kit and application programming interface for integrating the communications software directly into communications devices. The project has widespread industry endorsement, including Ardis and RAM Mobile Data, General Magic, and Tandem Computers, to name a few. For more information, contact Motorola Paging and Wireless Data Group at 708-632-2477.

Events

PC Expo will be held in New York June 29-July 1. Call 800-829-3976 or 201-346-1400.

PenExpo sponsored by Boston University will be held in Boston August 30-September 3. Call 508-649-4200 for more information.

Fed Micro ’93, the microcomputer conference and exposition for the federal government, is scheduled for August 31 to September 2. Call 800-638-8510 or 703-683-8500 for more information.

Downsizing Expo sponsored by DCI will be held in Toronto September 13-15. Call 508-470-3870 for more information.

The Mobile World Conference will be held in San Jose September 21-23, sponsored by DCI. Call 508-470-3870 for more information.

The CeBIT ’93 trade fair in Hannover, Germany, drew 660,000 visitors with some 5600 exhibitors, making it the biggest computer and communications trade show in the world. Next year’s CeBIT is scheduled for March 16-23, 1994. Call Hannover Fairs at 609-987-1202 for more information.

A conference on digital media sponsored by Technologic Partners, called Interact, is scheduled for July 12 and 13 at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, CA. The conference will focus on interactive programming and television, digital video, information services, graphics software and systems, video post-production, and more. Contact Technologic Partners at 212-696-9330.

The first European pen computing conference and exhibition is scheduled for October 5-6 in London. Called PenTech ’93, the event will feature speakers from leading companies in the pen industry, as well as product demonstrations. Call Lisa Bilby, Business Seminars International at 071-490-3774 (Fax: 071 490 2296).

In case you haven’t had enough conferences, check out Email World, The Mail Enabled Applications Conference to be held November 2-4 in Santa Clara, CA. Contact DCI at 508-470-3880.

The Second International Symposium on Globalizing Software will be held in Boston August 23-27. Contact Miller-Freeman at 415-905-2200.