Advanced Communications Software Introduced for Newton
BOSTON — August 2, 1993 — — Two software applications that permit Apple's Newton(TM) MessagePad(TM) personal digital assistant to communicate with hundreds of on-line databases and to receive wireless messages from desktop computers were announced today by New York-based Ex Machina, Inc.
The first third-party communications applications for the Newton platform, PocketCall(TM) and Notify!(R) for PowerTalk(TM), were demonstrated at the Newton product launch, held in conjunction with MacWorld Expo, in Boston from Aug. 3 through Aug. 6.
"These communications programs fulfill the promise of the Newton MessagePad as a communications assistant to intelligently assist you in capturing, organizing and communicating information," said David S. Rose, CEO of Ex Machina.
PocketCall Automates On-Line Sessions
PocketCall, a terminal emulation program, allows a Newton user to respond to queries from host systems by simply handwriting text on the MessagePad's screen, or by popping up an on-screen keypad. Incoming information from the modem can be viewed on the Newton's screen or automatically saved into a Newton folder. To speed on-line sessions, PocketCall provides instant touch-access to multiple sets of pre-stored words and phrases, allowing complete interaction with on-line information services without the need for any direct text entry.
At the Newton product launch at Boston's Symphony Hall, Ex Machina demonstrated PocketCall communicating with the Compuserve Information Service, a corporate computer system and the Official Airlines Guide on- line edition.
"PocketCall is the perfect way to carry the power of Compuserve's new Newton Forum in your pocket," said Neil Shapiro, chief system operator of the Newton/PIE Forum on Compuserve, which opened today. "Newton users can look forward to beaming themselves into many interesting discussions and interactions with other Newton users in this new on-line community."
The most innovative feature of PocketCall is its facility for accepting add-in modules tailored for most of the popular database, corporate and consumer information systems. These PocketPacks(tm) simplify and automate communications sessions by storing information about the content and structure of specific services, providing for instant set up and minimizing on-line time. PocketPacks will initially be available for Compuserve Information Service, GENIE, Official Airlines Guide Electronic Edition, Dialog Information Services, MCI Mail, AT&T EasyLink and cc:mail Remote, with many others following. Multiple PocketPacks can be used simultaneously, enabling sessions that encompass more than one service.
"Designing a communications program for this groundbreaking platform was a real challenge," according to David S. Rose, CEO of Ex Machina. "We had to start from scratch and rethink the entire on-line session from the point of view of a user with a pocket-sized, mobile, pen-based device."
Notify! for PowerTalk Gives Wireless Links to Newton
Notify! for PowerTalk, which will be available when Macintosh System 7 with PowerTalk ships, is a personal Messaging Service Access Module that works with PowerTalk's built-in messaging services to provide seamless wireless connectivity with Apple's Newton MessagePad. Any PowerTalk-compatible application, including the AppleMail program that comes with PowerTalk, can be used to send a wireless text message to a Newton by choosing Send from the menu bar, in the same way that an application can print by choosing Print.
With Notify! for PowerTalk and Ex Machina's currently shipping Notify! for Macintosh and Notify! for Windows, more than 250 applications on the Macintosh and Windows platforms that are already shipping or in development are instantly capable of sending wireless messages to Newton. These include programs from such leading developers as Microsoft, CE Software, WordPerfect Corp., Nisus Software, ON Technology, Software Ventures Corp. and Magnum Software.
At the Newton product launch at Boston's Symphony Hall, Ex Machina demonstrated Notify! for PowerTalk sending wireless messages to the Newton MessagePad from new workflow applications from SouthBeach Software, Shana Corp and Beyond, Inc. Notify! for Macintosh was used to send Newton messages by ON Technology and Pastel Development. QM- Notify!, an electronic mail gateway introduced last month, was demonstrated sending wireless letters from CE Software's QuickMail.
"With the wireless power that Notify! brings to Microsoft Mail for Appletalk Networks and Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, you can have your incoming mail instantly forwarded directly to your Newton In-Box," said Ron Simons, Product Manager for Microsoft Mail from Microsoft of Redmond, Wash.
Added Zyg Furmaniuk, Director of Advanced Systems for ON Technology in Cambridge, Mass., "Meeting Maker on the Macintosh can not only exchange appointments with the built-in Newton calendar, but with Notify! it can automatically alert you to meetings whether you are across the hall or across the country."
Product Availability and Pricing
The basic PocketCall application will ship in October 1993. It will be marketed through all Newton sales channels and major computer and mass market resellers. The initial PocketPacks will be available in the fourth quarter of 1993, and will be distributed both individually and in bundles with PocketCall. PocketCall will be available for approximately $100, and PocketPacks will be available for approximately $50 each.
Notify! for PowerTalk will ship at the same time as System 7 with PowerTalk, and will be priced at $149. Notify! for Macintosh Personal Edition and Network Editions , Notify! for Windows, MailNotify! for Microsoft Mail and QM-Notify! for QuickMail are all currently shipping. They are available directly from Ex Machina and from most major computer resellers.
Ex Machina, Inc., based in N.Y., is a privately held computer software company that develops and markets products merging mobile computing and wired and wireless remote communication technologies. It is the leader in wireless communications software products that utilize the most pervasive wireless infrastructure: the radio paging network. Among Ex Machina's products are Notify!, the wireless messaging server, and Update!, the wireless in-box.
For sales and ordering information, Ex Machina, Inc., 45 East 89th Street No.39-A, New York, NY 10128-1232, 800-238-4738, or 718-832-5465 (fax).
NOTE: Notify! and Update! are registered trademarks of Ex Machina, Inc. PocketCall, PocketPack, MailNotify! and QM-Notify! are trademarks of Ex Machina, Inc. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Newton, MessagePad and PowerTalk are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. All other product and service names used are U.S. trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT:
David S. Rose of Ex Machina, Inc. 718-965-0309 (voice), 718-832-5465 (fax);
or
Bob Keener of Hill and Knowlton, 617-894-3100 (voice), 617-893-2420 (fax) for Ex Machina, Inc.