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U.S. Robotics Launches Breakthrough
Pocket-Size Connected Organizer for PC Users
New Pilot connected organizer includes comprehensive PIM software
with built-in, one-touch PC connectivity, and instant response for
$299
DEMO '96, Palm Springs, Calif. -- January 29, 1996 -- The Palm
Computing Division of U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ: USRX) today announced
Pilot, a line of handheld electronic connected organizers designed
to work as companion products to a desktop or laptop computer.
Created by U.S. Robotics to be the first connected organizer, the
Pilot family of products is designed to meet the needs of PC users
who want to manage their activities both remotely and on their
desktops.
Unlike other palmtops, PDA's and organizers available today, Pilot
automatically synchronizes its information with a personal computer
or PC LAN at the touch of a button. Pilot also featuresshirt-pocket
size, instant response, and an elegant graphical user interface.
A comprehensive suite of personal information management
(PIM) software including date book, address book, to-do list,
calculator, and note-taking applications, along with a companion
desktop PIM, connectivity software and an innovative desktop cradle,
are all included with Pilot for a breakthrough price of $299.
Pilot is based on the Palm Operating System (Palm OS), which was
also announced today at Demo '96. The Palm OS is a handheld
computer operating system platform that enables low-cost, low power,
small form-factor devices to integrate seamlessly with desktop
personal computers. It is partitioned into two parts: highly
efficient operating system software for the handheld; and Windows-
or Macintosh-based software that manages synchronization of the
handheld and the PC.
While Pilot will ship with a complete suite of PIM applications,
the Palm OS also offers broad compatibility with existing PIM
software to accommodate users' existing PIM applications and data.
Many popular applications will be supported, including Ascend, from
Franklin Quest Co.; DataSync, from IntelliLink Corp.; Lotus
Organizer; Managing Your Money, from Meca Software; Microsoft
Schedule+; Now Up-to-Date from Now Software, Inc.; OnTime, from
Campbell Services, Inc.; SideKick, from Starfish Software; and
others.
Jonathan Zakin, executive vice president of strategy and corporate
development for U.S. Robotics, stated, "We are looking to Palm to
help us extend the wide area network more directly to the individual.
Palm's operating system and hardware platform will form the
basis for a series of pocket-sized products addressing the needs of
mobile professionals."
Kimball Brown, vice president of Mobile Computing for Dataquest
stated, "The Pilot finally shows the industry the form factor needed
to drive user demand, and it has addressed synchronization better
than any competitor's product with high performance at a reasonable
price. We expect this product to expand the whole market for
handhelds."
Pilot Features and Benefits:
- Shirt-Pocket Size. At just 5.5 ounces, Pilot is small and light
enough to fit in a shirt pocket or small purse. Users can carry
their important personal information with them anywhere.
- A Complete Set of Personal Information Management (PIM) Software.
Pilot ships with a suite of application software, for both the
organizer and a desktop PC, which provides a complete, easy-to-use
set of scheduling, address book, to-do lists, memo pad and
calculator functions. Users may enter or update information in
either system and then instantly synchronize the data between
systems at any time by pressing a single button.
- One-Touch PC Connectivity. With U.S. Robotics' HotSync
technology, Pilot serves as an extension of a personal computer or
LAN that the user can carry at all times. To synchronize Pilot with
the PC, the user places Pilot in its small docking cradle, connected
via a serial cable or wireline modem to the PC, and touches the
HotSync button on the cradle. The HotSync software then compares
the information on Pilot with the version on the PC, and updates
both instantaneously to reflect the new information. Because the
software runs in the background, this process requires virtually no
user interaction.
Pilot's desktop component enables users to enter text on their PC's
full-size keyboard and view the applications on their large monitor.
When ready to go, users simply "HotSync" their data and take it
with them. The software also can support several Pilot users with a
single PC, so one person can handle scheduling and updating for
several others.
- Speed and Simplicity. Pilot's intuitive, compact user interface
and hardware design are optimized for instant data access. Using a
few physical buttons and a touch screen display users can access most
of their information with a single touch. The Palm OS and Pilot
applications have near-instantaneous response. This is the first
product that is easier and faster to use than pen and paper.
- Easy Access to Data. To accommodate a user's existing
information, Pilot imports and exports data in standard file
formats. The product also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft
Office applications. U.S. Robotics is working with PIM and group
scheduling developers to provide seamless one-button links to
existing desktop applications.
- Extendible Architecture. Pilot contains a small, pluggable memory
module that is user-replaceable for adding memory or upgrading
software. In addition, users will be able to attach communications
add-on products, such as modems and pagers, as they become available
for Pilot.
- Graffiti Text Entry Software. Pilot features an enhanced version
of U.S. Robotics' award-winning Graffiti power writing software.
Graffiti's ease of use and functionality have made it a de facto
standard in the handheld computing market. Enabling users to enter
data at up to 30 words per minute with 100% accuracy, Graffiti is
the most robust, complete way to enter text into handheld devices.
It is supported by the majority of leading industry platform
vendors.
- Windows and Macintosh Compatibility. Full support for Windows
3.1, Windows 95, and Macintosh OS System 7.0 and above ensures that
users can work with most standard personal computers and can share
information with other application programs on their PCs.
- Great Value. A $299 price point for Pilot positions the product
at a much lower price level than competing PDAs and palmtop
computers. Pilot is also priced competitively with electronic
organizers. None of these products offer Pilot's critical benefit
of built-in seamless PC connectivity. Separate connectivity
software options for organizers typically cost about $100.
An Ideal Platform for Software Developers and OEMs
The Palm Operating System is an open, flexible architecture designed
specifically for small form-factor handheld devices that need to
synchronize with a PC or network. Developer tools for the Palm OS
enable developers to create new Pilot applications and "conduits."
Conduits are links be tween Pilot application databases and desktop
applications. Applications for the handheld device are developed on
the Macintosh using Macintosh Programmers Workshop (MPW) and
MetroWerks' CodeWarrior. Conduit development is done on the target
desktop platform (Windows or Macintosh) using standard tools,
including Visual C++ and MFC under Windows.
Distribution, Pricing and Availability
Pilot will be distributed through leading consumer electronics and
computer stores. The Pilot 1000 unit carries an average street
price of $299 and supports 750 addresses, one year of appointments,
100 to-do items and 100 memos, or any combination thereof. The
Pilot 5000 supports five times as much data for an average street
price of $369. A memory upgrade option that supports up to 10,000
records will also be available for $149.
Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000 will be available for PCs running Windows
3.1 and Windows 95 in March, 1996. Both versions will be available
for Macintosh computers running System 7.0 and above in May, 1996.
For further product information, customers can contact the Palm
Computing Division of U.S. Robotics at 800-881-7256 or visit the
Palm web site at http://www.usr.com/palm.
The Palm Computing Division of U.S. Robotics is a leading developer
of handheld computing systems. Headquartered in Los Altos, Calif.,
it designs, develops and markets handheld computing products th at
include the Palm Operating System, the Pilot family of connected
organizers, personal information management applications, desktop to
handheld computer connectivity software and Graffiti power writing
technology.
U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products
and systems that provide access to information. The company
designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers,
enterprise communications systems, desktop/mobile client products,
modems and telephony products that connect computers and other
equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks,
enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and
voice information. Its customers include Internet service
providers, regional Bell operating companies and a wide range of
other large corporations, businesses, institutions and individuals.
The company's 1995 sales were $889.3 million. # # #
The following are trademarks of U.S. Robotics and its subsidiaries:
U.S. Robotics, Graffiti, Palm Computing, and Pilot. All other
brands and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of
their respective holders.
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