AST’s Handheld GRIDPAD 2390 Brings Real-World Practicality to Business Users
IRVINE, Calif. — March 21, 1994 — AST Research Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:ASTA) Monday announced the immediate availability of the GRIDPAD 2390, a sleek handheld PC companion that challenges competitive products by delivering real-world productivity through up to 100 hours of battery life on standard "AA" batteries, a library of ready-to-use applications including Intuit's Pocket QuickenTM, America OnlineTM, Palm Computing's personal information management (PIM) software and several connectivity options which give users the ability to link quickly and easily with desktop and notebook computers.
"AST is delivering an integrated business solution that provides real-world practicality with both innovative and traditional features. The GRIDPAD 2390 gives users in-hand productivity when away from their primary computer and the ability to quickly transfer updated information between the two," explained Bret Berg, director of Mobile Computing Products at AST Research. "Solutions such as Palm Connect, Pocket Quicken, and America Online make the GRIDPAD 2390 a useful tool for today's business user looking to increase productivity and efficiency with handheld solutions. In addition, 100 hours of battery life offers users weeks of computing power and the convenience of buying standard "AA" batteries while on the go anywhere in the world."
Available immediately through AST's authorized resellers throughout the United States, the GRIDPAD 2390 has an estimated sales price of $549.
Improved Productivity from the Moment it is Turned "On"
Pre-loaded software and an easy-to-use menu gives users instant access to information. For instance, one simple tap on the screen calls up Intuit's Pocket Quicken, an on-the-go version of America's best-selling personal finance software. Compatible with the popular desktop version, Pocket Quicken charts expenses by category, captures bank account transactions and tracks cash, check and credit card spending, providing a welcome method of tracking travel expenses for the business traveler.
Another simple tap instantly calls up a suite of pre-loaded personal information management (PIM) software from PalmComputing. Designed to increase personal productivity for the business user by organizing and managing personal information, Palm Computing offers an appointment calendar, name and address database, to-do list and notepad.
America Online gives users instant access to a variety of on-line services such as up-to-date news reports, weather, sports, stock quotes, software files, travel information and more. It also allows the user to communicate with the outside world via electronic mail and one-touch faxing.
Access to a wide variety of everyday reference information makes the GRIDPAD 2390 the most versatile and application-rich PC companion available today. Applications from Palm Computing include a dictionary with spelling verification, a thesaurus and a calculator. A forms calculator easily solves complex equations by simply entering the variables. The GRIDPAD 2390 also includes reference sections about U.S. city and state information and area codes, as well as three popular games: Solitaire, Pyramid and UkiTM.
The perfect handheld solution for the traveling professional, the GRIDPAD 2390 features a 26-language translator, automatic money conversion table, world clock and reference information about international countries and cities.
Users Can Easily Toggle Between Programs, Increasing Productivity
Built-in multitasking capability allows software applications to run concurrently, letting a user switch between the to-do list and appointment schedule, for example. "This lets the user toggle between two separate applications without having to open and close them," Berg added.
This capability is provided by having all the software stored on an embedded ROM chip. Additionally, password security ensures that only the authorized user will gain access to the sensitive information contained in the GRIDPAD 2390.
Communications Capabilities Put the User in Touch with the World
AST offers four communications options that simplify data transfer between the GRIDPAD 2390 and desktop or mobile computers and provide access to on-line services and electronic mail:
– (SYMBOL183 f"Symbol" s10 h) PalmConnectTM file transfer software and serial port cabling from Palm Computing
– (SYMBOL183 f"Symbol" s10 h) AST's 9600 baud internal PCMCIA data modem
– (SYMBOL183 f"Symbol" s10 h) AST's 9600 baud external pocket data modem that connects to the unit's serial port
– (SYMBOL183 f"Symbol" s10 h) infrared desktop adapter, available in June, gives users wireless connectivity to the desktop. In addition, the GRIDPAD 2390's built-in infrared communications capability will give users wireless connectivity with other GRIDPAD 2390, Tandy Z-PDA and Casio Z-7000 units as well as PC-based desktop and notebook computers with the soon-to-be-available infrared desktop adapter.
Unparalleled Battery Efficiency Provides up to 100 Hours of Life
Powered with three commonly available "AA" alkaline batteries, the GRIDPAD 2390 gives users up to 100 hours of non-stop computing time. This is equivalent to weeks, even months, of normal intermittent use. Two lithium batteries provide back-up power for the system's RAM memory. An optional A/C adapter is also available. Entry Options Let Users Convert Text Now, Later or Not At All
"To overcome the limitations of current handwriting technology, AST is providing the user a choice of entry methods, greatly improving the usability of today's handwriting recognition technology and giving users the best of both worlds." AST's GRIDPAD 2390's entry options are:
– (SYMBOL183 f"Symbol" s10 h) PowerInk from Palm Computing — electronic ink allows users to write directly on the pad and save their own handwriting exactly as they've written it, without using the recognition function
– (SYMBOL183 f"Symbol" s10 h) PalmPrint handwriting recognition capabilities — allows users to convert handwritten text as they enter it or defer the recognition to a later date when they have more time to review and edit their notes
– (SYMBOL183 f"Symbol" s10 h) keyboard input — AST's pop-up on-screen keyboard is perfect for those users more comfortable with traditional entry means.
"Given this choice of input technologies, we anticipate that AST GRIDPAD 2390 users will use a combination as appropriate to their tasks. For example, a user may take notes in electronic ink, deferring conversion to the next day when there is time to review and reflect on them. Once the text is converted, it can easily be linked to the desktop computer, dramatically cutting the time needed to create documents, such as meeting summaries," Berg added. "For the built-in address book, the user may opt to use the pop-up on-screen keyboard for accurate entry of addresses and telephone numbers." To make entry as comfortable as possible, AST offers an optional high-quality designer-look stylus that makes writing as easy as with a traditional pen.
AST's choice of PalmPrint handwriting recognition technology greatly increases the accuracy of the GRIDPAD 2390. This advanced technology reads each character, rather than each word, relying upon its database of hundreds of handwritten versions of each letter and number. This technology allows an infinite number of words, whereas word-based recognition technologies are very limited in their recognition, particularly of uncommon words such as proper names. The technology used in the GRIDPAD 2390 also distinguishes between upper and lower case characters and recognizes delayed strokes such as the crossing of a "T" after the word is written.
Performance Features Let GRIDPAD 2390 Keep Pace with the User
AST's GRIDPAD 2390 runs on Geoworks' GEOS (SYMBOL210 f"Symbol") operating system, a powerful DOS-compatible environment providing a pen-based graphical user interface. Its "instant on" feature enables the user to have immediate access to information.
The GRIDPAD 2390 is built around a custom Intel-compatible 7.4 MHz, 8086-compatible CPU and LCD screen from Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Its 80 x 100 mm screen size offers a 320 x 256 screen resolution and .3 mm dot pitch. Although it comes standard with more memory than competitive handheld devices, 1MB system RAM and 4MB system ROM, AST recognizes the future need for additional storage. Optional SunDisk Flash mass storage cards provide up to 5.2MB of storage using the Type II PCMCIA-ATA format.
Three input/output slots are included in the system: One RS-232C-compatible serial port with a sub-miniature 10-pin "D" connector for serial communications with another personal computer, printer or external modem; a 2.5 mm sub-miniature headphone jack for applications requiring sound output; and a built-in infrared transceiver for wireless data transfer at up to 9600 Bs.
Attractive and Durable, the Sleek GRIDPAD 2390 Goes Anywhere
The sleek one pound, 1" x 4.2" x 6.8" unit comes in a small, lightweight chassis coated with rubberized plastic providing scratch-resistance durability. Its small form factor easily fits into a jacket pocket or purse. The hinged screen cover with "quick look" instructions folds back for quick access and provides protection for the LCD screen. An optional leather slip case provides additional protection.
Pricing and Availability
AST's GRIDPAD 2390 is available through AST resellers throughout the United States. Estimated sales price is $549. The GRIDPAD 2390 complements AST's existing family of pen-enabled computers designed to enhance productivity for vertical and horizontal applications. AST continues to be the leader in pen computing, with the largest installed base and the broadest range of products in its category. AST's current pen computer products include the GRID PalmPAD, PalmPAD SL and the Convertible 486.
ExeCare Plus Provides Free 48-hour repair service
AST GRIDPAD 2390s are covered by a one-year warranty. The standard ExeCare Plus program includes free 48-hour repair upon receipt at AST. AST will pay the return freight. Toll-free customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Company Background
AST has the largest installed base, the largest number of corporate users and the broadest range of products in the pen-enabled computer product category. The current product family includes pen-enabled notebook computers, pen tablet computers, and smaller handheld pen-enabled computers, such as the GRiD PalmPAD family.
AST Research Inc., the world's fifth largest personal computer manufacturer, develops PC products ranging from handheld portable systems to superservers under the Advantage!, Bravo, Premmia, Manhattan SMP, PowerExec, GRID, and Victor brand names. Revenues for the first six months of fiscal year 1994 totaled more than $1.191 billion, an 88 percent increase over the prior year period. The company reported record sales of $1.4 billion and record volume shipment increases of 69 percent for fiscal year ended July 3, 1993.
Ranked number 367 on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial companies, AST is represented in 100 countries and operates 43 subsidiaries and sales offices worldwide. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone; (714) 727-4141 or (800) 876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355.
CONTACT:
AST Research, Inc.
Teri Bruno, 714/727-7943
or
Ruth Ensley Rosene, 714/727-7961