Motorola Unveils Envoy Hand-Held Device: First Fully Integrated Two-Way Personal Wireless Communicator
SAN JOSE, Calif. — March 7, 1994 — Continuing its work to fulfill the vision of any time, anywhere communications, Motorola today unveiled the Envoy(R) product, the first fully integrated personal wireless communicator that incorporates two-way wireless and wireline communication. The Envoy communicator, the first in a line of personal wireless communicators from Motorola, was demonstrated at an event held in conjunction with the opening day of the Mobile '94 Conference in San Jose, Calif.
Based on General Magic's intuitive Magic Cap(TM) platform and Telescript(TM) communications language, the Envoy hand-held device lets users instantly access and communicate information anywhere — across a conference table or in a moving taxi. It is powered by Motorola's Dragon chip set — the highly integrated 68349 processor and a special purpose application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) referred to as Astro. This chip set was designed specifically to optimize the performance of Magic Cap and Telescript.
"It's rewarding to witness the result of the close business and technological cooperation between Motorola and so many distinguished partners," said Chris Galvin, Motorola's president and chief operating officer.
The Envoy communicator is a practical, all-in-one tool for people who need to stay in touch. Designed for both business and personal use, it can communicate with popular public and private electronic mail systems, Windows-based computers, Macintosh computers and fax machines, as well as with other Envoy communicators. It can keep track of appointments, expenses, addresses, telephone numbers, telephone calls, billing preferences and time zones.
"Motorola's leadership and expertise in wireless communications, the powerful Magic Cap and Telescript environment, and the outstanding applications from so many software developers and communication service providers make it possible to bring end-to-end solutions to market, allowing users to communicate and access information anywhere," said Bob Growney, president and general manager of Motorola's Messaging, Information and Media Sector.
A user can write on the Envoy communicator with the accompanying stylus, or even use a finger, to type and select or move objects on its screen. Envoy communicator owners can use an on-screen keyboard to input information, use electronic ink to draw or write personal notations, or send messages and faxes in their own handwriting.
A Single Tool, Three Ways to Communicate
Using the Envoy communicator, people can send and receive messages and information any time, anywhere, and at their convenience. A two-way wireless packet data modem from Motorola is built into every Envoy communicator, allowing users to stay in touch wirelessly when access to a phone line isn't convenient. Envoy communicator owners can also access standard telephone lines to communicate, using the built-in fax modem. And through the built-in infrared communications link, users can instantly exchange data — such as business card information — between Envoy communicators.
The two wireless communication services offered to Envoy communicator users, AT&T PersonaLink(SM) Service and RadioMail(TM), will be connected via the ARDIS(R) nationwide wireless data communications network, which serves more than 400 metropolitan areas in the United States.
Communication and Productivity Software Built In
Motorola's Envoy personal wireless communicator features a full complement of integrated electronic mail and information services. Through RadioMail, Envoy communicator owners can wirelessly communicate with a broad population of electronic mail users via the Internet, and commercial and public mail systems. America Online(R), which is also built into the Envoy communicator, allows users to receive stock quotes and also communicate with electronic mail users. Using Telescript technology, AT&T PersonaLink Services will let Envoy communicator users take advantage of personal intelligent assistants. These intelligent assistants will make it easy for PersonaLink Services subscribers to send smart electronic messages, seek out information, and shop for products and services, using both wireless and wireline means. The built-in Official Airline Guides (OAG(R)) Flightline(TM) service gives air travelers direct access to timely flight information.
The Envoy communicator also comes with PenWare's PenCell(TM) spreadsheet, a software poy communicator users. Additionally, Motorola and Intuit have entered into a letter of intent to build into the Envoy communicator Pocket Quicken SmartWallet(TM), an application that lets users capture and sort expenses in real time.
For maximum flexibility, the Envoy communicator features two PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) type II slots, allowing Envoy communicator owners to simultaneously run third-party software applications and add memory to store more information.
To augment the functionality of the Envoy communicator, Motorola has made it convenient for customers to purchase additional products and services through the Motorola Software and Accessories Catalog, packaged with each communicator. Motorola is working with multiple independent software developers who have created a variety of applications and services for the Envoy communicator; more than 15 applications, ranging from travel maps to daily news summaries, will be available when the product ships.
Motorola's expertise in wireless technologies and semiconductors has made it possible to miniaturize sophisticated circuitry, and fit it in one small, portable package. The Envoy communicator weighs 1.7 lbs. and measures 7.5 inches in width, 5.7 inches in height, and 1.2 inches in depth.
Product Availability
Motorola's Envoy communicator will be available in the United States this summer through multiple distribution channels.
The Envoy communicator is expandable, therefore future wireless connectivity may be possible with other networks, such as Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Mtel's Nationwide Wireless Network (NWN), the Motorola Integrated Radio System (MIRS) service providers and RAM Mobile Data.
The Wireless Data Group is part of Motorola's Messaging, Information and Media Sector, and incorporates the company's business activities involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of wireless data communications products, infrastructure equipment and systems for worldwide markets. Motorola, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems and services. Sales in 1993 were $17 billion.
For further customer information on the Envoy communicator, please call 1-800-535-5775.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Motorola and Envoy are registered trademarks of Motorola Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
NOTE: For more information on product capabilities and applications please refer to the Motorola Envoy Personal Wireless Communicator Product Features Summary. ENVOY lan-lvoi, lan- n 1 :a diplomatic agent 2 :REPRESENTATIVE, MESSENGER (The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Right out of the box, Motorola's Envoy(R) personal wireless communicator has the ability to…
— Wirelessly send a message from the back of a taxi to your colleague's Envoy communicator, PC or fax, 3000 miles away.
— Broadcast a single message to a group, with each member of that group receiving the message in their preferred format.
— Program your Envoy communicator to gather information based on your requirements.
— Schedule a meeting in your Envoy communicator's appointment book, which automatically invites attendees.
— Screen, route and organize messages to suit your preferences.
— "Beam" a business card to another Envoy communicator across a conference room table.
— Access real-time scheduling and pricing information for U.S. airline flights, then order your tickets via fax or electronic mail.
— Keep track of contacts through an address book.
— Receive daily news summaries and stock information.
— Capture, organize and review business and personal expenses on-the-go.
— Gather, edit and analyze information in spreadsheets and graphs compatible with Lotus 1-2-3 and Excel file formats.
— Electronically shop in a mall.
And with additional third-party software, Motorola's Envoy personal wireless communicator can also…
— Access maps that pinpoint exact addresses, hotels, restaurants and business appointments, then automatically construct routes between all of the above.
— Automatically access specific financial information, news or mail through CompuServe at pre-designated times throughout the day.
— Print to practically any dot matrix, inkjet or laser printer.
— Transfer information to and from your personal computer.
— Check your spelling.
— Draw a picture to supplement your text.
— Use terminal emulation such as TTY, VT52, VT100 and ANSI, or use add-on modules to access most popular on-line information systems.
— Electronically access information on a variety of topics, from how to buy a car to how to get the best buys on vacations.
— Translate more than 600 useful expressions in any of six languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese. Motorola Envoy(R) Personal Wireless Communicator
Product Features Summary
The Motorola Envoy(R) personal wireless communicator is the first hand-held device that provides two-way wireless, wireline and infrared communications. It is powered by Motorola's Dragon chip set — the highly integrated 68349 processor and a special purpose ASIC referred to as Astro. Based on General Magic's Magic Cap(TM) and Telescript(TM) communication technologies, for which the Dragon chip set was specifically designed, the fully integrated Envoy device can communicate with popular public and private electronic mail systems, Windows-based computers, Macintosh computers and fax machines, as well as other Envoy communicators. Additionally, the device incorporates tools to manage personal information, such as a datebook, address book, notebook, filing system and calculator. Designed for both business and personal use, the Envoy communicator offers an integrated portable solution for communicating any time, anywhere.
Software Environment
Magic Cap – Magic Cap is an integrated software environment that includes everything needed to communicate via fax and public electronic mail services. It is also an object-oriented platform that makes possible communicating applications such as those bundled with the Envoy communicator.
Telescript – Built into the Magic Cap software, Telescript technology opens a new world of electronic services to Envoy communicator users, who can launch electronic agents to manage correspondence, shop and seek out information on the AT&T PersonaLink(SM) Services.
Three Communication Modes
Two-Way Wireless – Motorola has developed a built-in, two-way wireless packet data modem specifically for the Envoy communicator. With the Envoy communicator, users can send and receive messages, fax and page as well as access a variety of information. The two wireless communications services offered to Envoy communicator users, AT&T PersonaLink Services and RadioMail(TM), use the ARDIS(R) network, the largest nationwide wireless data communications network.
Wireline – Users can communicate via wireline when wireless connectivity is not necessary. The Envoy personal wireless communicator features a fax and data modem, connecting users to any telephone network.
Infrared – Information can be swapped – or beamed – between two Envoy communicators. Users can immediately exchange address card information or an e-mail message, eliminating the need for users to re-key information.
Additional Integrated Hardware Features
Two PCMCIA Type II Slots – For maximum flexibility, two PCMCIA slots are built into the Envoy communicator so users can simultaneously run third-party software applications and add memory to store more information. (PCMCIA is an industry standard for portable computing add-on cards, established by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.)
Touch Screen – The Envoy communicator's touch screen has been optimized for the Magic Cap platform and may be activated with either its stylus or by finger touch. The screen features 480×320 resolution and 4-level gray scale shading for sharp contrast.
MagicBus – A smart peripheral port allows users to connect the Envoy communicator to a personal computer to exchange information. It also connects the Envoy communicator to other optional peripherals such as keyboards, scanners and printers. The MagicBus can daisychain up to six devices and supports auto-configuring, hot plugging and hot removal.
Speaker and Microphone – A speaker and microphone lets Envoy communicator users personalize their messages with sound. Users can record up to a 20-second voice message or choose from a selection of music stamps to accompany messages sent to other Envoy communicator users or personal computers equipped with Magic Cap.
Removable/Rechargeable Battery – The Envoy communicator includes a NiCad battery, which will provide approximately eight hours of power under continuous use. The battery is self contained, so it can be removed and replaced within seconds.
Hardware Security – 48-bit read-only circuitry implements a unique device identification feature for theft deterrence, simplified registration and device/owner authentication.
Microprocessor – Motorola's Dragon I(TM)/68349 microprocessor (3.3V, highly integrated processor with DMA, serial controllers, 4K cache).
Memory – The Envoy communicator features 1MB of RAM; 4MB of ROM.
Data Input Choices
On-Screen QWERTY Keyboard – Information can be input through the on-screen keyboard by either tapping with the accompanying stylus or by finger touch. Users can choose the method most comfortable to them.
Freehand Writing and Drawing – With electronic ink, users can draw or write personal notations, or send messages and faxes in their own handwriting for a more personal touch.
Tools for Managing Personal Information
The Envoy communicator features a variety of tools for keeping the user organized:
— Address book – referenced from every function in the communicator: mail, faxing, controlling telephone functions, calendar and all the third-party applications;
— Calendar from which you can schedule appointments automatically;
— A note pad with structured formats including to-do lists;
— Telephone interface with phone log, payment preferences and other customizations;
— World clock that keeps track of daylight savings time in different time zones;
— Calculator;
— Filing capabilities that automatically file and discard correspondence;
— A tutorial and help system.
Personalized Communication Features
Users of the Envoy communicator can easily customize when and how mail should be delivered or received, which senders are to be treated with high priority, what subjects are to be filed or forwarded to others, and many other means for organizing communication. Envoy communicator users can add a personal touch to all their communication using rich built-in capabilities such as:
— Voice stamp – record a voice message, up to 20 seconds;
— Music stamp – send musical tunes to accompany a postcard;
— Graphics and animation – choose from interacting visuals to accompany a postcard.
Integrated Services and Applications
The Envoy communicator's built-in software includes electronic mail, information services and a suite of productivity packages:
— AT&T PersonaLink Services – based on Telescript, intelligent agents allow users to customize correspondence, shop for goods and services and stay informed via wireline and wireless communications;
— RadioMail – wireless messaging and information delivery service;
— America Online(R) – users can communicate with a large population of service subscribers and get stock quotes;
— Official Airline Guides (OAG(R)) Flightline(TM) – travelers can get flight and fare information using the Envoy communicator;
— PenWare's PenCell(TM) – spreadsheets and graphs.
Additionally, Motorola and Intuit have entered into a letter of intent to include Intuit's Pocket Quicken SmartWallet(TM) for expense tracking and management.
More than 15 third-party software applications and services will be available at the time the Envoy communicator is shipped. The software can be purchased through the Motorola Software and Accessories Catalog packaged with each communicator.
Physical Characteristics
The Envoy communicator is ergonomically designed with a 360-degree hinge to fold compact, with handgrips on each side so it is easy to hold by either left- or right-handed users. When closed, the Envoy communicator is 7.5 inches wide, 5.7 inches high and 1.2 inches deep, and the screen is fully protected. Its weight is 1.7 pounds, including the stylus and both main and backup batteries.
Product Availability
The product includes the resident software packages, input stylus, main and backup batteries, trickle charger, RJ-11 Y-adapter and user manual. Envoy will be available through multiple distribution channels this summer.