Hitachi Announces Next Generation Handheld PC With Microsoft Windows CE 2.0

Business Wire, Nov 17, 1997

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--

Launches "One Platform, Many Solutions" Strategy

Exemplifying its growing leadership in the digital convergence arena, the Multimedia Products Group of Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. announced today at COMDEX its highly innovative and ultra-functional next generation Handheld PC.

Bundled with Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE 2.0, Hitachi's Handheld PC offers users a host of powerful applications making it a virtual mobile desktop computer.

Powerful and Functional Features

With a large and superbright seven-inch screen with backlit display and a user-friendly oversized keyboard, Hitachi's Handheld PC was designed from the ground up for fast moving mobile professionals who demand both functionality and portability. Weighing just 16.9 ounces and measuring 7.7"W x 4.3"D x 1.1"H, Hitachi's Handhled PC is powered by a lightning quick 80MHz SH 7709 Hitachi chip, includes 8MB of memory in the base unit, a superfast software modem with fax, one Type-II PCMCIA slot, and one Compact Flash Card Slot. Maximizing ease of synchronization with desktop and laptop computers, Hitachi's Handheld PC also offers an optional cradle with Ir-DA, VGA serial and AC Adapter charger interfaces. Simply placing the Handheld PC in the cradle automatically engages the synchronization and charging procedures.

"We asked our customers what they wanted in the next generation Handheld PC and then we went to the drawing board," said Gary Bennett, executive vice president of Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. "In response, we are delivering a unit with one of the largest screens, superbright clarity, more memory, and simple communications and synchronization interfaces. With the VGA connector, our Handheld PC can even drive high impact corporate or sales presentations, further expanding its potential uses."

Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 modular, scaleable design, enables rich connectivity, communications and interoperability among the more than 250 supporting applications and peripherals, including wireless e-mail solutions and contact management and productivity software for vertical markets. Windows CE 2.0 for the Handhled PC also has an intuitive interface with support for web browsing, development tools, and a host of general personal productivity applications.

One Platform, Many Solutions

To enhance the productive capacity of its Handheld PC and to maximize the number and types of applications that can be seamlessly engaged without complexity, Hitachi is launching a "one platform, many solutions" mobile digital strategy for its next generation of Handheld PCs. Recognizing the needs of mobile professionals, Hitachi is actively seeking cooperation with third party hardware and software vendors that provide applications most in demand from users. With a goal to offer "many solutions" that complement and enhance it singularly robust Handheld PC platform, Hitachi is and will continue to work with many third party solutions providers to test products to ensure compatibility and maximum performance of integrated technologies. Exemplifying its "one platform, many solutions" mobile digital strategy, Hitachi is announcing today several cooperative efforts currently underway with third party solutions providers, including Proxim, Motorola, and GPS TeleType. Last week Hitachi announced its cooperation with Iomega on its clik! family of products.

Following is information on third party solutions providers that Hitachi is cooperating with to enable an array of applications to run on Hitachi's Handheld PC.

Proxim

Hitachi is working with Proxim, Inc., a leading supplier of wireless data communications products. Using Proxim's RangeLAN2 client adapters for wireless LAN connectivity, handheld PC users could roam freely throughout an office environment while maintaining high-speed wireless access to networked resources, including the Internet, World Wide Web, servers, printers and other users. The 1.6 megabit per second (Mbps) data rate of RangeLAN2 is 55 times faster than a 28.8 modem, providing a basis for applications that require speedy connectivity to exist.

Motorola

Hitachi is also working with Motorola. The Personal Messenger(R) Wireless Modem Cards from Motorola (www.mot.com/nowires) enable handheld PC users to wirelessly send and receive e-mail, send faxes, and access the Internet, intranets and other information services, without connecting to phone jacks or cellular phones. The modems slide into the PC Card Type II slot in a handhled PC. The Personal Messenger 100D modem operates on the ARDIS nationwide wireless data network and the Personal Messenger 100C modem operates on cellular digital packet data (CDPD) networks.

TeleType GPS

To ensure handheld PC users never get lost on the road, Hitachi also announced today its cooperation with TeleType GPS. TeleType GPS will bring worldwide street level navigation with global positioning system (GPS) technology to handheld PC users. TeleType GPS software is the first of its kind to combine GPS and street level maps worldwide. Adding street level navigation allows recreational users, mobile professionals, and transportation service providers to use a low-cost, pocket-sized system, filling the gap created by the larger laptop systems which are heavy and limited to specific geographic areas. With TeleType GPS, handheld PC users can download maps from Yahoo and MapQuest and use those maps in the navigation software. In addition to using the Internet, handheld PC users can use TeleType GPS to scan their own paper maps and import them into the TeleType GPS software.