Hitachi to Unveil Handheld Computer Based on Windows CE
NEW YORK — October 30, 1996 — Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT) today announced it will manufacture and market a RISC- based, handheld computer (HPC) employing the Microsoft Corp. new Windows(a) CE platform, an open, scalable Windows operating-system for consumer electronics and non-PC devices. The new Hitachi HPC will use the company's 32-bit SuperH(b) RISC architecture-based SH-3 microprocessor, which is a key engine for the Microsoft(a) platform. In making the announcement, Etsuhiko Shoyama, senior executive managing director in charge of multimedia systems and products operations of Hitachi, Ltd., said, "The realization of this new important product offering is based on our long collaboration with Microsoft and the broad experience we have gained over many years from our involvement in both microprocessor technology and consumer electronics.
The Hitachi HPCs will be designed for convenience and simplicity, including features such as long battery life, built-in communications and compatibility with Windows. They will employ Hitachi's flagship SH semiconductor product, which in recent years has achieved considerable customer and market acceptance. The SH provides superior performance, particularly for 'personal access' products, which inherently have low-power requirements and high code efficiency."
Commenting on the announcement, Craig Mundie, senior vice president of the consumer platforms division at Microsoft, said, "We welcome the announcement of Hitachi's HPC and are proud that a company of Hitachi's reputation and stature has endorsed the Windows CE platform."
Hitachi said that the new product will be marketed and sold by Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., Multimedia Products Division, based in Norcross, Georgia. Price and delivery will be announced at a later date.
Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., develops and markets a variety of consumer electronics and commercial multimedia products. Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is the world's leading global electronics company, with fiscal 1995 consolidated sales (ending March 31, 1996) of $76.6 billion(c). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment.
(a) Windows, Windows CE and Microsoft are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation
(b) SuperH is a trademark of Hitachi, Ltd.
(c) At an exchange rate of 106 yen to the dollar.
CONTACT:
Ken Mizoguchi, Hitachi America, Ltd.
Tel: +1 914-333-2902
e-mail: [email protected]