News and Events

Compaq Introduces Convertible Bundled with Pen Applications

Compaq’s new Concerto notebook computer doubles as a fairly lightweight laptop computer (6.5 pounds with keyboard) or as a fairly heavy pen-based computer (5.2 pounds without keyboard). The Concerto comes with a 25 or 33 MHz 486SL processor, 2 PCMCIA slots, and a 9-1/2 inch backlit monochrome VGA display with built-in digitizer.

For pen users, the Concerto is bundled with Windows for Pen Computing, Inkware’s NoteTaker application, and Slate’s new Pen-Power for Excel, which, as the name suggests, adds pen functions to Excel. The Concerto is priced around $3000 depending on configuration. For more information, contact Compaq’s customer service line at 800-345-1518 (outside North America, contact local Compaq sales representative).

Fujitsu Announces PadPlus RF

The PadPlus RF, a pen-based computer with a built-in wireless LAN adapter, was announced this month by Fujitsu Personal Systems. Essentially, the PadPlus RF is a PoqetPad Plus pen-computer with Proxim’s RangeLAN adapter and radio incorporated within the unit. The PadPlus RF provides a communications range of up to 300 feet with interference “immunity” made possible by spread-spectrum technology. The PadPlus has a burst data rate of 242 Kbps and provides three full channels. Error correction is built into the hardware/firmware and automatically retransmits undelivered data.

The V30-based PadPlus RF weighs less than 2 pounds and is 10×4.6×1.5-inches in size. As with many handheld computers, it operates about 3 hours between NiCd battery recharges. The device has a type I/II PCMCIA slot, RS-232C infrared link, RS-232C serial, TTL serial (for bar codes), and a keyboard. The PadPlus RF is compatible with Novell Netware systems which are equipped with Proxim’s RangeLAN/ISA adapters. The computers is available immediately for $2449.

Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc.
5200 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
408-982-9500

Start-Up Intros Ruggedized Pen System

A start-up company called Kalidor, Inc., has introduced an 80386-based ruggedized pen-based computer. Weighing 3.5 pounds, the Kalidor K2000 is designed for field use and exposure to the elements. Kalidor also offers an infrared docking station (Model K100) for transferring data between the K2000 and other computer systems. The K2000 is equipped with 4 MB of RAM (expandable to 16 MB), an 85 MB hard disk, and runs Windows for Pen Computing. PenPoint and PenRightPro are available as options. The K2000 sells for $3495 and K100 docking station for $965, both of which are manufactured exclusively for Kalidor by Alps Electric.

Kalidor Inc.
400 N. Mountain Ave. #210
Upland, CA 91786
909-931-3885

Signature Verification Tools Launched

If pen-based security is of concern, you might want to examine Peripheral Vision’s PenOp suite of signature verification tools. Consisting of server, administrator, and developer software, the set of tools is available for the Windows, OS/2, and PenPoint operating environments.

PenOp/MAS (“machine-access security”) restricts pen computer access to a predefined list of users by asking them to “sign on.” Multiple users can be supported, each with different levels of privilege. PenOp/MAS is initially available for PenPoint.

PenOp/Admin, available for Windows and OS/2, is a host-based application for managing multiple pen computers and their users from a central location.

Central to the concept is PenOp/Server which maintains a database of unique invisible signature dynamics for each individual and contains the core PenOp dynamic link library (DLL). The DLL is used by all client applications wishing to capture, verify, and manage signatures. Software is developed for the PenOp/Server using the Pen/SDK (software development kit).

Peripheral Vision Ltd.
West Hill House, West End Frome
Somerset BA11 3AD U.K.
800-286-4137 (U.S.)
0373 452755 (U.K.)
[email protected] (Internet)

GeoWorks, Palm Computing, Ink Deal With Sharp

Sharp Electronics will support the GeoWorks GEOS operating system and the personal information management software developed by Palm Computing in its PT-9000 PDA to be announced later this year. Sharp will bundle the Palm Organizer series of applications as well as the PalmPrint handwriting recognition software.

The deal means that the PT-9000 will have essentially the same software as the Tandy/Casio Zoomer, which could mean some competition on price.

GeoWorks
2150 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-644-0883

Objective C Compiler Announced for PenPoint

Andrew Novobilski’s Novotech Inc. has announced an Objective-C compiler for PenPoint, which supports the Hobbit architecture. The new release, version 2.0, is an ANSI-C based object oriented development environment, allowing developers to extend the object programming capabilities of the PenPoint architecture. Objective-C for PenPoint removes the need for method tables, the main () function, instance variable de-referencing, and simplifies debugging, according to the company.

Novotech
141 S. Main St.
Beacon Falls, CT 06403
203-729-8771

PCMCIA: It’s in the Cards

PCMCIA Ethernet adapters compatible with HP’s OmniBook 300 Superportable PC are being shipped by Socket Communications. The SocketLink package, which includes a high-speed, 16-bit Ethernet adapter plus software, allows the OmniBook to run Novell’s Netware and Netware Lite, Microsoft’s LAN Manager, IBM’s PC LAN, Artisoft’s LANtastic, Banyan’s Vines, and other networks. The SocketLink EA handles 10BaseT Ethernet and the SocketLink EA+ handles both 10BaseT and 10BaseT2 Ethernet.

Socket claims that the SocketLink cards are up to four times faster than LAN adapters which use the OmniBook parallel port, and over 10 times faster than communicating over the OmniBook’s RS-232 or infrared serial ports. Likewise, the Socket EA adapters are the only PCMCIA Ethernet adapters capable of emulating the NE2000 Ethernet controller. Other systems that the Socket EA already support include the IBM ThinkPad, Elonex notebook, and AT&T EO. The retail price for the 10BaseT-only kit is $399 and for the 10BaseT/10Base2 combination is $420.

To aid developers in creating PCMCIA-based products, R&D Micro has introduced the PCMCIA Type II Cover-LOC Card Kit. The kit includes a frame assembly with ESD clips (15-position I/O), cable assembly (15-position keyed), and two blank covers. The frame assembly is designed to accommodate 68-position connectors from DuPont, JAE, modified JST, and Methode. Circuit boards can be configured for OFFSET or CENTERLINE positions. The Cover-LOC snapfits to the frame assembly, eliminating heat activation, heat staking, or pressure-sensitive lamination of circuit substrate to the frame assembly. This leads to ease of assembly, faster and less handling, and quicker time to market.

The Card Kit is priced at $27 per unit for from 1 to 50 units. Volume runs are negotiable. R&D Micro also offers prototyping and design consultation services.

Socket Communications
2501 Technology Drive
Hayward, CA 94545
510-670-0300

R&D Micro
23392-A Madero Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
714-830-1387

Airsoft Intros DOS/Windows App Wireless Access

AirAccess, recently announced by AirSoft, is a software package that makes it possible for mobile computers to transparently and wirelessly connect to data residing on desktop PCs and LAN servers directly from DOS or Windows applications. The AirAccess software lets the mobile user treat the desktop PC or LAN server as a “virtual disk” that’s accessible directly from the user’s DOS or Windows application in exactly the same manner as any other local disk.

The software supports the RAM Mobile Data and ARDIS wireless networks and works with both cellular and dial-up telephone links. In a typical scenario, a mobile user who wants to edit a word processing document located on a remote desktop PC could access that data using the word processor’s normal commands. Instead of “opening” a local document, however, the user “opens” a remote document, edits it, and saves/exits.

The introductory price is $199 for single users (regular price is $499).

AirSoft
1900 Embarcadero Road, Suite 204
Palo Alto, CA 94303
415-354-8120

Events

Email World, The Mail Enabled Applications Conference is to be held November 2-4 in Santa Clara, CA. Contact DCI at 508-470-3880.

Fall Comdex, November 15-19, 1993, in Las Vegas. As always, Fall Comdex is the premier event for new product introductions and this year promises to be no exception. Contact the Interface Group ar 617-449-6600 for more information.

Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 6-9, 1994, in Las Vegas. CES has also become a key platform for pen and handheld product introductions. Contact Electronic Industries Association at 202-457-8700.

Meckler Conference Management is planning conferences on Electronic Books and Recognition technologies in March and November, 1994, exact dates to be announced. For more information, contact Meckler at 800-632-5537 or 203-226-6967 (in the U.K. 071 976 0405)

The CeBIT ’93 trade fair in Hannover, Germany, is scheduled for March 16-23, 1994. Call Hannover Fairs at 609-987-1202 for more information.

The Wireless Datacomm ’93 Fall exposition and conference is scheduled for December 6-8 at the Sheraton Washington in Washington, DC. Conference tutorials will cover topics ranging from wireless LANs to data communications over cellular networks. Among the companies exhibiting at the exposition are ARDIS, AT&T Network Wireless Systems, Bell Atlantic, IBM, RAM Mobile Data, and the like. Admission to the conference is $25 for exhibits only; $495 for a full-day session; $895 for two full days; or $1095 for the full three days. To register, call 800-322-WDEC.