Scottsdale Technologies Brings Amstrad’s PDA 600, a $499 High-Performance Personal Digital Assistant, to the U.S. Market
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — September 29, 1993 — Scottsdale Technologies Inc., an Arizona technology company specializing in interactive multimedia, announced the U.S. launch of the Amstrad PDA 600, a low-cost, easy-to-use Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with exceptional handwriting recognition capabilities and a wide range of features.
Scottsdale Technologies has exclusive selling rights for the PDA 600 in the United States, and will also sell the product in Canada and Mexico. The PDA 600 will soon be available at major U.S. electronics, computer and department stores.
Weighing only 14 ounces, the pocket-sized PDA 600 is as natural and easy to use as a traditional paper-based personal organizer. The user simply picks up the pen and writes on the screen. When using features such as the address book and appointment scheduler, the PDA 600 automatically converts each handwritten character into its appropriate letter, number or symbol.
As users work with the PDA 600, they actually "train" the device to recognize their unique writing style. This character-oriented approach allows the PDA 600 to quickly adapt to the natural handwriting of the user, rather than requiring the user to modify his or her handwriting so it can be recognized by the device.
When using features such as Notes, the PDA 600 also provides an easy and convenient way to create freehand sketches, diagrams and scribbled notes that can be saved for later use.
Standard PDA 600 features include an address book with touch-tone phone automatic dialer, calendar/appointment scheduler with daily, weekly and monthly view, anniversary and date reminder, to-do list, freehand note pad, full-function calculator, conversion tables, a world time clock, multiple alarms, a search function for locating information, and more.
The PDA 600 also has a 1600-baud serial port, which provides connections for printing as well as for data transfer with personal computers and faxes and other peripheral devices. In addition, the PDA 600 supports industry standard PCMCIA cards for added memory and specialized applications.
The PDA 600 uses a multi-processor architecture. One processor is dedicated to handwriting recognition, a second handles normal processing tasks, while a third processor provides power management. Power is supplied by three AA cell batteries, which provide up to 40 hours of use, while a separate lithium battery protects stored information.
Introduced in Europe in spring of 1993, the PDA 600 has proven to be extremely easy to use. Helpful border and on-screen pen-activated icons allow the user to simply touch the desired function symbol with the slim stylus pen.
Using the pen in an ordinary way, the user can prepare meeting lists, add appointments to the calendar, find or expand telephone and address listings, and create pages for storing handwritten notes, sketches and diagrams.
"We are excited that Scottsdale Technologies will be marketing the PDA 600 in the United States, where awareness of PDA technology is now so high," said Amstrad director Malcolm Miller. "The highly competitive price of $499 makes the PDA 600 a very attractive buy in a sophisticated market like the United States."
Amstrad is based in the United Kingdom.
"A number of factors put the PDA 600 in a class by itself," said Eric Schedeler, chairman and chief executive officer of Scottsdale Technologies. "First, it's as easy to use as a looseleaf notebook. Many people find that they can use it without ever reading the instructions. Second, at only $499 the PDA 600 establishes an entry price point for PDAs that should make it attractive to a broad base of customers.
"Perhaps most important is that the PDA 600 is very good at doing everything that Amstrad claims it can do. For example, as you interact with the device, you can sense that the handwriting recognition feature is adapting to the way you write. We're equally excited about the platform the PDA 600 will create for the development of complimentary products, features and services in the near future."
In addition to Schedeler, key personnel at Scottsdale Technologies include Kimball McCusker, executive vice president, and Dr. Gary Gear, director of technology. McCusker has more than 17 years experience in consumer electronics sales and marketing, having held senior positions at both NEC and General Electric.
Gear brings to Scottsdale Technologies more than 20 years experience in technology development, and has held senior positions at Texas Instruments and Intel Corp.
Scottsdale Technologies Inc., based in Scottsdale, develops and markets interactive electronics which will include products under the Scottsdale Technologies label.
Note: Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Inc.
CONTACT:
Scottsdale Technologies Inc., Scottsdale
Eric Schedeler, 602/998-2597
or
Martz & Wadas, Scottsdale
Richard Burger, 602/998-3154