ART’s Handwriting Recognition Software for Windows CE-based Handheld Computers will be Bundled and Sold on CompactFlash Memory Cards
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — June 10, 1997 — In an industry first, SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced that software will be bundled and sold on CompactFlash (CF) memory cards, the world's most popular small size removable storage cards.
The new software is the smARTwriter PLUS for Window CE handwriting recognition package from Advanced Recognition Technologies, Inc. (ART) and is targeted at the rapidly growing market for CE-based HPCs (handheld computers).
ART's software, which includes support for European character sets as well as English, brings handwriting recognition capabilities to any Windows CE application. CompactFlash memory cards, developed by SanDisk, are removable, rugged, non-volatile (no power is required to retain data) storage cards being designed into new Windows CE-based HPCs.
Ed Cuellar, SanDisk product manager, said, "Many Windows CE HPC owners will be using ART's advanced handwriting recognition software because keyboards on the new HPCs are quite small for typing. With this new software bundle, HPC users can expand the capabilities of their HPC by making it easier to create Word documents and hand drawings with the stroke of a pen. The software can be loaded from the CompactFlash card by inserting it directly into a CF slot in the HPC. Or the CF card can be inserted into a PC card adapter (SanDisk ships the adapter with CF cards) that users can slip into a Type II PC card slot in the HPC."
Rick McCaskill, ART executive vice president and general manager, said, "CompactFlash has become the de facto, global standard for small size memory cards and is already widely used in HPCs, ruggedized portable computers, digital cameras, audio recorders and other portable devices. This marriage of smARTwriter for Window CE and CompactFlash makes a Windows CE HPC a more valuable product for consumers."
SanDisk CompactFlash cards are available in 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20MB capacities. smARTwriter for Windows CE requires less than 100KB of memory on the HPC. After loading smARTwriter into system RAM, the software can be copied to a desktop PC to free up the space on the card for storing files.
ART smARTwriter for Windows CE adds handwriting recognition capabilities to any Windows CE application. Users write characters or symbols anywhere on the HPC screen to launch applications or enter words within programs such as Pocket Word and Pocket Excel. Regardless of where the user writes on the screen, the recognized word or character will automatically be entered where the cursor is located. smARTwriter adapts to any user's unique writing style.
The smARTwriter PLUS package features smARTwriter, and includes smARTscribble and Ink Pad utilities. smARTwriter captures images exactly as the user writes or draws them on the screen. This allows users to save maps, thumbnail sketches and signatures, all of which can be added to a Windows CE application. Ink Pad is a notepad-type program that provides special editing tools not available with standard word processing applications.
Prices vary depending on the capacity size of the CF card ordered with the software. A 4MB CompactFlash has a street price of $ 99 while a 10MB CF card, for example, carries a street price of $ 199. The software is bundled free on the card. To take advantage of this special promotion, offered only through Prima International, consumers can call Prima at 800/724-3000 and ask for the special HPC offer. The bundled product will be available in July, 1997.
Advanced Recognition Technologies, Inc. develops and markets innovative and technologically superior products that allow the human voice and handwritten letters or symbols to control cellular phones, computer applications and electronic devices. The company is based in Chatsworth, Calif., with a wholly owned R&D subsidiary in Tel Aviv, Israel and sales offices in Japan and Singapore.
More information on ART and its products is available on its Web site at http://www.artcomp.com .
SanDisk Corporation manufactures and markets industry-standard, solid-state data, image and audio storage products using patented, high density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk has strategic alliances with Seagate Technology, Matsushita Electronic Corp., NEC Corp. and LG Semicon. Seagate holds a 25 percent equity stake in SanDisk. SanDisk is based in Sunnyvale.
Note To Editors: See smARTwriter PLUS at the SanDisk booth 2222-10 and the ART booth 2222-7 in the Microsoft Partners Pavilion at PC EXPO, June 17-19, Javits Convention Center, New York.
CompactFlash and CF are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation. SanDisk's Web site/home page address: http://www.sandisk.com .
CONTACT:
SanDisk Corporation
Bob Goligoski, 408/542-0463
or
ART
Russell Barber, 408/727-4356
Rick McCaskill, 818/678-3999