Digital Ocean To Offer Wireless LocalTalk

Sometime in the early life of the Apple Newton and Sharp ExpertPad, someone decided that the Personal Digital Assistant is really a communicator. Of course, the Newton contains little built-in hardware to facilitate communications—even the data/fax modem must be externally supplied.

Lenexa, Kansas-based Digital Ocean has decided to remedy this situation and has selected the AppleTalk port as the natural link to their wireless connectivity products.

As the first developer of wireless local area network products using spread spectrum for Apple computers, Digital Ocean is bringing its expertise to the Newton environment. Dubbed the “Grouper” family of products, the hardware and software solution enables users to connect mobile LocalTalk devices together, or to hardwired networks by wireless.

Because it uses RF technology, the Grouper is capable of reaching a radius of 800 ft. through walls and ceilings. A prototype of the Grouper 100MP was on display at MacWorld and featured a form factor nearly identical to the Newton, making it fit snugly to its underside.

For more information, please contact Digital Ocean at (913) 888-3380.