Sharp Announces Windows CE-Based-Handheld PC Line With Color Screen Unit and Digital Camera Capabilities

Business Wire, Oct 13, 1997

MAHWAH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1997--

High Performance Mobilon(TM) Completes Full Line of Sharp

PDAs, Organizers and PC Companions

- Color LCD screen handheld PC - Digital camera card option plus audio record gives users

"multimedia e-mail" - Internet Explorer with frames offers true browsing experience

from your pocket - Built-in 33.6 Kbps/9.6 Kbps energy saving data/fax modem

Sharp Electronics Corporation announces Mobilon(TM), a new line of handheld PCs using the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE, Version 2.0 operating system. Sharp's new Mobilon line includes a color screen unit, digital camera option, audio record feature, seven "one-touch" application keys and other powerful features exclusive to Sharp.

In addition to the 8MB color centerpiece of the new line (HC-4500), the new Mobilon series features two monochrome units with 16-grayscale LCD (4MB HC-4000 and 8MB HC-4100) and an optional PC card digital camera manufactured specifically for the Mobilon series. Designed to augment Sharp's existing line of Zaurus(TM) PC Companions, the SE-500 Mobile Organizer, and Wizard(R) and YO series electronic organizers, the Mobilon will be available in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 1997.

"Mobilon complements Sharp's comprehensive line of handheld computing products and adds to Sharp's claim as the only manufacturer to offer a unique handheld product for every user's need," said Ted Rozylowicz, vice president of Sharp's Mobile and Home Office Equipment Division. "Bringing together the best of Sharp technology with the latest Windows CE operating system gives corporations the compatibility standard that is integral for information technology management," Rozylowicz added.

Multimedia in the Palm of Your Hand

The Sharp Mobilon introduces a number of multimedia tools and features that have never been offered in handheld products sold in the United States. One of Mobilon's unique features is its optional digital camera solution -- the first digital camera manufactured specifically for a handheld product sold outside Japan. Sharp's digital camera (CE-AG04), designed for Mobilon, advances handheld functionality to a new level by enabling users to capture and transfer digital images from their handheld devices to and from a PC, add voice messages and send as a multimedia e-mail and more.

With 16.7 million colors, 640 x 480 resolution, 2X optical and 2X digital zoom, the digital camera capabilities of Mobilon will become an invaluable tool for personal or business use, as well as vertical markets such as real estate, manufacturing, security, insurance or wherever visual documentation is critical. This digital camera capability can be utilized on both color and monochrome Mobilon units. Images captured on monochrome units are stored in the same color file formats as the color unit.

In addition to the digital camera, the Sharp Mobilon line includes a number of exclusive multimedia features such as:

- Image Editor - Edit or add to images from the digital camera

and other sources such as the Internet or create new drawings,

such as maps.

- Voice Recorder - Record or playback voice memos. Quickly

record important ideas or directions without opening and

turning on the unit, store them for playback or attach them to

documents.

- Multimedia e-mail - Create images with the digital camera, add

voice comments and attach it to an e-mail to give

communications a multimedia dimension.

Superior Design and Bundled Feature Set

Not only does the Sharp Mobilon incorporate the latest multimedia tools, the units also include a host of functional features and applications that are indispensable to personal as well as business users in today's mobile world.

Prior to designing the Mobilon line, Sharp conducted research about how people use handheld devices and which features users require. Comprehensive Sharp research revealed that primary requirements are a large, bright LCD, an optimized keyboard and easily-accessed applications. As a result, the Mobilon was designed specifically to offer the features that users request for both business and personal use and offers distinct design features not found on other Windows CE devices, including:

- A large clear LCD 640 x 240 pixel touch screen with adjustable

backlight VGA screen, 6.5" (diagonal measure) high-contrast LCD and

keyboard-controlled contrast, (HC-4500 256 colors; models HC-4000,

HC-4100 monochrome with 16 shades of gray).

- Seven one-touch "short cut" or direct access applications keys

that allow users one-touch access to all major applications in the

unit.

- A comfortably-spaced, optimized large keyboard for easier data

input.

- A built-in 33.6/9.6 Kbps energy-saving data/fax modem on every

unit in the line to keep in constant contact using both e-mail and

fax.

- An IrDA infrared port to enable simple, wireless exchange of

information from a Zaurus or notebook to a Mobilon.

Productivity, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, E-Mail, the Web -- Even Presentations

The Mobilon line delivers a comprehensive, fully-featured array of applications, including the ability to make multimedia presentations. Microsoft(R) Pocket PowerPoint(R), which is featured in the Mobilon units' Microsoft Windows CE operating system, allows users to create desktop presentations and transfer them to the Mobilon for on-the-go presentations, or to connect to an LCD projector with a VGA card for easy presentation on a larger screen.