Scribbles

Unisys Corp.

Cargo Center Copenhagen (CCC), the second largest ground handling agent in Copenhagen, Denmark, recently contracted with Unisys to act as the system integrator for an ambitious wireless network featuring pen-based mobile computers.

“Cargo Center Copenhagen of Denmark will use Symbol pen tablets to track packages.”

The system will enable CCC to reduce its cargo tracking costs by eliminating the existing paper based system. The system also enables CCC to expand its one-hour freight service, enabling customers to submit packages for export as late as 60 minutes before flight departure.

The pen-based computers, supplied by Symbol Technologies, are integrated with advanced bar code scanners, also developed by Symbol. The portable terminals are linked using a wireless Ethernet LAN, permitting data collection workers to track cargo with great detail, recording each event in the freight handling process.

For more information, please refer to http://www.corp.unisys.com/trans for Unisys Transportation, or http://www.symbol.com to contact Symbol Technologies.

Motorola.

Motorola’s Semiconductor Products Sector has started shipping the 68175 FLEX chip in volume. The chip implements the FLEX paging protocol which was developed by Motorola and has been adopted by service providers in countries ranging from China, India, Japan, as well as the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

The FLEX chip IC performs the important step of processing the information that has already been received and demodulated by the pager. It then selects the messages addressed to the particular paging device and communicates the message to the host computer.

The chip, combined with the separate FLEX Development Board, makes it straightforward to get a new design up and running.

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.

The Irvine, California semiconductor manufacturer revealed its latest generation NAND EEPROM offering 64Mbit in a single 3.3V part. The part uses the same pin-out as the company’s earlier 16Mbit and 32Mbit NAND parts, enabling system designers to incorporate it in existing designs without changing the layout of current printed circuit boards.

The NAND architecture for flash offers a smaller and more efficient memory cell that the competing NOR-type architecture. This makes the part suitable for a range of devices including digital cameras, digital voice recorders, PDAs, and wireless communication devices. Toshiba is also currently developing a 128Mbit NAND device.

Starfish Software.

Users of Starfish Sidekick now have a way to seamlessly connect and synchronize their Palm Pilot handheld organizer. Dubbed Starfish TrueSync, the new software product enables you to specify whether you would like to merge data from both Starfish and Pilot, give Sidekick 97 precedence, or assign Pilot data precedence.

Starfish TrueSync is available as an add-on for Sidekick 97 for $29.95. For more information, please visit http://www.starfishsoftware.com.

Citizen Watch Co.

The Nikkei English News is reporting that this leading Japanese company is preparing to market a pen-based PDA known as the Pensquare C112P. The device, which will sell for 35,000 yen, features handwriting recognition for Japanese and English numbers and characters, and includes built-in applications for scheduling, memo taking, and address book functions.

Nikkei also reports that data will be able to be uploaded and downloaded to a PC via an optional cable. The cable is priced at a surprising 10,000 yen and includes Windows 95 compatible software.