HP Introduces JetSend for Pocket PC; JetSend Solutions Now Compatible with Complete Range of Microsoft Windows CE- and Pocket PC-based Products

Business Wire, April 25, 2000

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2000

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced JetSend for Pocket PC, providing users of Microsoft(R) Windows(R) for Pocket PC software with a simple, fast and convenient way to exchange information between mobile devices. The software, which debuted with the HP Jornada 540 Series Color Pocket PC, can be downloaded for use with all Windows Pocket PC-powered devices.

"The ultimate success of the mobile market hinges on the marriage of a product's own capabilities and its ability to seamlessly exchange and manipulate information," said Chris De Herrera, editor of CEWindows.NET. "JetSend is making significant progress in standardizing communication across a wide range of devices, enabling users to leverage the full functionality of their devices and printers."

JetSend for Windows CE Devices 2.0 Also Available

The company also released JetSend for Windows CE Devices 2.0, which includes added functionality to better integrate JetSend into a device's core functions. Specifically, JetSend for Windows CE Devices directly integrates Personal Information Manager (PIM) functions, automatically synchronizing scheduling information sent via infrared (IR) to the user's copy of Microsoft Pocket Outlook.

JetSend for Windows CE Devices is now easier than ever to use. User-interface enhancements reduce the need for user intervention when receiving information from other devices. The new auto-receive mode can be configured to accept jobs at any time, requiring no manipulation of the user's device.

"We recognize Pocket PC and other Windows CE-based devices as representing a significant portion of the PDA market," said Steve Lieske, program manager for HP's JetSend Communications Solutions. "Our portfolio of JetSend solutions for these devices underscores our commitment to facilitate fast and reliable communication among PDAs, printers and a wide scope of other peripheral devices."

These latest JetSend solutions not only provide ad-hoc information exchange, they also enable palmtop and handheld devices running Windows CE and Pocket PC software to send print jobs via infrared (IR) directly to any JetSend-enabled IR printer. Print jobs sent via IR execute up to 10 times faster using JetSend and use less than 540Kbit of memory, preserving more of a device's precious memory capacity for other applications.

This announcement is part of a larger initiative driven by HP to deploy JetSend capabilities throughout the mobile-device market. Specifically, HP expects to announce a JetSend solution for the Palm computing platform in early summer. With solutions in place for Pocket PC software, as well as the Windows CE and Palm operating systems, JetSend solutions will be available for the industry's most prominent PDA-computing platforms.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

Effective today through July 17, JetSend for Pocket PC and JetSend for Windows CE Devices 2.0 can be downloaded at no cost at www.jetsend.com. Beginning July 18, products will be available for $19.95 each at www.jetsend.com, www.mobileplanet.com, www.cecentral.com and www.wincecity.com.

About JetSend

HP developed JetSend as an open device-to-device communications protocol designed to simplify interaction between information appliances. Since its introduction in 1997, JetSend has generated a great deal of interest from computer and information-appliance manufacturers, as well as software vendors. There are currently more than 6 million JetSend-enabled devices in the marketplace.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services.

HP announced that it will spin off Agilent Technologies and distribute its shares of Agilent on June 2, 2000 to HP shareowners of record as of May 2, 2000. Agilent consists of HP's test and measurement, semiconductor products, chemical analysis and healthcare solutions businesses.

HP has 85,400 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.