Revolutionary Product Delivers new Solution for Handwriting Input with Mobile Computers; aha! software Releases InkWriter for Windows

June 10, 1994 — aha! software today announced the release and shipment of aha! InkWriter for Windows, the only word processor for your handwriting.

InkWriter is based on aha!’s innovative SmartInk technology which deals with pen input without depending on hand-writing recognition, which to date has frustrated and alienated many mobile users. aha! InkWriter is the first product to enable users of pen-enhanced computers to easily edit and search for handwritten words in the form of electronic ink.

aha! InkWriter allows users to write and draw as easily as if they were using a pencil and paper. Handwritten words can be erased, highlighted, italicized or made bold with a few quick strokes of the pen. When words are deleted or moved from a paragraph, the remaining words are instantly rearranged (“rewrapped”) to fit the page, leaving no unsightly gaps. With a tap of the pen, handwriting can be quickly translated into printed text, and drawings can be straightened, filled, resized and rotated.

A significant breakthrough

“One of the biggest barriers to the acceptance of pen-enhanced computers and PDAs has been the focus on handwriting recognition — users are easily annoyed when they have to stop their writing and correct mistakes. While InkWriter does support handwriting recognition, it amazingly lets you cut, copy, paste, reformat and even search through your hand-written notes,” said Greg Stikeleather, president and chief executive officer of aha! software corp. “InkWriter enables users to focus on what they’re really interested in — taking notes, or composing a fax or letter.”

Users of pen-enhanced systems so far have been limited either to the translation capabilities of their devices or the more uneditable quality of electronic ink. Once a note was written in ink it could only be manipulated as a graphic image. InkWriter is the first product to combine the convenience of handwriting with the power of word processing.

“Many of the early expectations for the pen-enhanced mobile market were out-of-synch with reality,” noted industry analyst Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies Research International. “The folks at aha! didn’t get caught up in the hype. They’ve been sticking to improving and extending their technology base, and now own a critical component that makes the use of these systems especially compelling.”

“There are actually quite a number of Windows for Pen Systems in users’ hands today,” added Bajarin, “from dedicated mobile tablets to more general keyboard and pen notebook convertibles. IBM, Toshiba and NEC have all announced new pen-enhanced color systems, and by the end of the year you’ll see more sub-notebooks outfitted with pen enhancements. aha! should do a great business with InkWriter for Windows.”

aha! InkWriter enables users to translate their handwriting into computer text, but unlike most handwriting recognition software, InkWriter supports “deferred recognition.” Users don’t have to deal with correcting mis-recognized words as they are writing. They can return to translate their writing at a later, more convenient time. InkWriter uses either the handwriting recognition software built into Microsoft’s Windows for Pen Computing software, or other popular recognition software, such as that available from Communication Intelligence Corp. (CIC).

In addition, with aha!’s unique InkFinder technology, users can easily search through a mixture of both text and electronic ink to find words or phrases — even if they are displayed in the user’s original handwriting.

“aha! InkWriter for Windows is a remarkable product,” said Gerry Purdy, editor-in-chief of the Mobile Letter. “aha! has developed a technology that we call ‘intelligent ink.’ It allows users to manage note taking better than they can with paper and pencil. We believe InkWriter provides a compelling reason to use a pen-enhanced computer.”

Early customers are enthusiastic

One of aha!’s early customers, Wayne Warkwick, in charge of deploying hundreds of mobile computers for ITT Hart-ford Insurance Group, one of the country’s most innovative insurance companies, has this to say: “I’ve been using a pen computer for over two years, and aha! InkWriter stands head and shoulders above other mobile software I’ve used. I now use InkWriter every day — it’s an integral part of our plans for a wide-scale deployment.”

Randy Parker, president of NoteSystems, a mobile computing consulting company, has been working with a number of large health care providers on their plans for deploying thousands of mobile computing devices. “aha! InkWriter for Windows is one of those applications that you use day after day with complete satisfaction,” said Parker. “Taking notes is fundamental to most wide-scale field automation projects. That’s why we’re recommending InkWriter as part of the solution for our major customers. There’s nothing better for taking and editing notes and sketches in the field.”

With aha!’s revolutionary SmartInk technology, users can write and draw, concentrating on the content of their work, without constantly switching modes. The only technology of its kind, SmartInk automatically recognizes when users are writing paragraphs, making lists, marking up, drawing, or editing. InkWriter automatically provides the appropriate editing and formatting options for each type of writing. For example, deleting a word from a paragraph will “word wrap” the result, as would be desired. Yet deleting a word from a list will not cause the list items to wrap into a para-graph — the items maintain their list structure and don’t wrap, also as desired.

Pricing, Availability and Support

aha! InkWriter’s for Windows is available now and has a suggested list price of $199. InkWriter can be ordered direct by calling 800/AHA-SOFT (800/242-7638), and is also available to resellers via Merisel. Direct orders placed before Aug. 1, 1994 will be honored at an introductory price of $149. Free customer support is available to all registered users.

About aha! software corporation

aha! software is an applications software company dedicated to making people more productive and capable, wherever they are. The company, founded in early 1991, designs, develops and markets top-quality software products that assist mobile professionals in creating, organizing and communicating information. aha! is privately held and based in Mountain View, Calif.

Note to Editors: aha! aha! software, InkWriter, InkFinder, SmartInk are trademarks or registered trademarks of aha! software corporation. Other trademarks may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT:
aha! software corp.
Gregory Stikeleather, 415/988-2080
Access Public Relations
Sharon Miller, 415/904-7070, ext. 272