Newton Enabled for ARDIS Wireless Network

Along with all the other improvements, Apple’s Newton 2.0 operating system can now boast easier connectivity to wireless data networks. First among the services now available for Newton 2.0 is ARDIS, the U.S. nationwide two-way wireless data network. Using software available from ARDIS, MessagePad 120 users running the new version of the operating system can now send and receive wireless electronic mail, in addition to sending faxes and accessing corporate information and databases. The ARDIS communication software works with Motorola’s almost equally new Personal Messenger 100D PCMCIA wireless modem card, introduced earlier this year.

ARDIS encourages developers who are interested in creating wireless applications for the Newton platform to join the company’s Wireless Software Developer Program. The program offers developers substantially lower network air time. ARDIS also offers a rebate program to developers whose applications pass ARDIS’ certification testing. As you’ll recall, the ARDIS service is available in 410 towns and cities covering the most important metropolitan markets in each of the 50 States. ARDIS users can automatically roam throughout the network without additional charges or special setup.

In an unrelated announcement, ARDIS revealed that its wireless network is the first to support the software application Mail on the Run! developed by the River Run Software Group. Mail on the Run! enables mobile users to remotely access their LAN-based electronic mail systems. Now, using the ARDIS network, remote users can send and receive email that has been encrypted and compressed, providing secure and optimized message communication. The program also includes a filtering feature which reduces the amount of traffic over wireless.

Mail on the Run! uses an architecture described by the company as client/agent/server. The client software runs on Newton and Magic Cap-based systems. Meanwhile, the agent software runs on either a Microsoft Windows 3.1 desktop or a Windows NT server, supporting the wireless users directly. This agent machine then accesses the local network where the server-based email system resides.

Rob Euler ARDIS
300 Knightsbridge Parkway
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(708) 913-4405
(708) 913-4700 (fax)
[email protected]