Miouse Systems Corp. Enters Pen Computing Market with PenMate

June 17, 1992 — Just as it revolutionized the desktop marketplace in 1982 with the introduction of the first mouse for the IBM PC, Mouse Systems Corp. has again set a new standard in the alternative device arena with the debut of PenMate.

Combining a sleek pen stylus with an active desktop “work pad”, PenMate provides an intuitive pen interface and pointing system that turns any desktop computer into a pen-based system. PenMate will retail for $349 and is avalable now through Mouse Systems’ distributors and resellers.

Mouse Systems will bundle Microsoft Windows for Pen Computing with PenMate through an agreement with Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash.  Windows for Pen Computing adds the pen interface to Windows 3.1 and provides handwriting recognition capabilities and other pen-based applications. Additionally, Mouse Systems will bundle it own command strip utility software with PenMate for easy interaction with frequently used Windows commands. Fully Microsoft Mouse-compatible, PenMate connects to the serial port of a desktop computer for easy “plug and play” use.

Defined as portable systems that utilize a stylus or “pen” to input data, pen-based computers are widely viewed as a new computing frontier due to their intuitive nature and ease of use. The market for pen-based systems is expected to reach sales of 200,000 units in the United States in 1992 as opposed to 50,000 units in 1991 according to Dream Machines Inc., a Massachusetts-based market research firm.

However, the vast majority of pen-based computers have prohibitive price tags in the $4,000-6,000 range. Mouse Systems President John Murphy believes that PenMate will provide an affordable bridge to take pen-based computing to a much broader audience.

“Many end users would love to try pen-based computing but aren’t willing to give up the comfort level surrounding their current desktop system or don’t want to pay the high price associated with today’s pen systems,” said Murphy. “The combination of PenMate and Windows for Pen Computing answers both of these concerns.”

“We are bringing a new generation of affordable technology to a very large installed base of computer users and we’re very pleased that Microsoft has joined the effort. In many instances, PenMate could have the same impact on today’s desktop computers as our original mouse did in the early 1980s.”

System requirements for PenMate are Windows 3.1, DOS version 3.3 or later and any 286, 386 or 486-based computer.

Mouse Systems Corp., 47505 Seabridge Drive, Fremont, Calif., 94538, 510/656-1117, is a leading designer and manufacturer of microcomputer-based optical and opto-mechanical input devices for the worldwide end user, retail, distribution and OEM marketplace. Founded in 1982, Mouse Systems Corp.’s products supprt IBM and Apple microcomputers and Sun Microsystems- and UNIX-based platforms.

CONTACT:
McGrath/Power West, Santa Clara, Calif.
Jodi Guilbault, Lara Kaplinsky, Jonathan Bloom,
408/727-0351