Notable Technologies Unveils the First True Communications-Based Software Applications for Mobile Computing

November 16, 1992 — Notable Technologies Inc., the leading developer of communications software for a new generation of mobile computing devices, Monday introduced their first two communications applications for GO Corp.’s PenPoint operating system, running on both the AT&T Hobbit and Intel processors.

Included in today’s introduction were Mobile Access, a powerful telecommunications package that links mobile users with various host environments, and Shared Whiteboard, an innovative application that facilitates remote collaboration in the creation and revision of shared images on a real-time basis.

Mobile Access and Shared Whiteboard are featured with three additional Notable software titles for PenPoint at GO’s Center for Mobile Computing, in Conference Room N110A and AT&T’s booth No. 3020, at COMDEX. Scheduled to ship in Q1 1993, Mobile Access has a suggested list price of $195. Shared Whiteboard is priced at $99 and will ship in the same time frame.

“The real potential of pen-based computing can only be realized through communications. We believe that Notable’s products empower users with new tools that enhance their ability to interact with and access data, bringing important information closer to the point of decision making,” said Ronald J. Brown, president and chief executive officer of No-table Technologies Inc.

“Notable was the first company to recognize the importance of communications functionality. We have created a soft-ware category that brings actual productivity gains by enhancing the freedom and mobility of a new class of computing hardware.”

“Mobile Access and Shared Whiteboard provide the missing links that allow mobile computing to realize its full potential. Mobile Access facilitates data transfer and file exchange from the field to the host environment. Shared White-board, the first remote sketch pad, allows for real-time collaborative creation and revision of graphical images,” added Brown.

Mobile Access enhances productivity by facilitating the remote link between mobile computer and desktop- or main-frame-based applications. Acting as a terminal emulator, Mobile Access provides for point-to-point communications through use of the existing telecommunications and local and wide area network technology.

Mobile Access fully capitalizes on the PenPoint operating system, offering users an easy-to-use graphical interface with gestures for common actions and menu commands for less common ones.

Mobile Access offers handwriting recognition on the pen-based device and captures incoming text from a host or another mobile computer. A handy snippets list gives users instant access to frequently used terminal commands and minimizes the need for handwriting.

Mobile Access further eases the process of establishing a connection and sending or receiving documents with easy-to-use “drag and drop” interfaces. Document transfer protocols include Text/ASCII, X-, Y- and Z-MODEM, and Kermit. Terminal emulations include TTY, VT52, and VT100, each with on-screen terminal keypads.

Shared Whiteboard is the first software product that allows users to graphically communicate with a real-time connection, to create and annotate document images simultaneously.
Shared Whiteboard lets users add to or edit an image, or even superimpose new ink on top of other images. Document images and pen strokes are transmitted instantly from one Shared Whiteboard device to another, so both device users see the same thing.

Each Shared Whiteboard user has complete control over all the ink on the screen, allowing all users to add or erase. Shared Whiteboard also includes a map of where other whiteboards are drawing, to notify users of ink being drawn beyond the screen boundary.

Like Mobile Access, Shared Whiteboard supports PenPoint’s graphical user interface and standard gestures. In addition, the product will include a floating graphical palette of easy-to-access graphical tools. Additional product functionality includes file export, cutting and pasting, zooming, and gray-scale choices.

“Shared Whiteboard makes that old ‘power elite notepad’ — the ubiquitous cocktail napkin — obsolete,” said David R. Larson, vice president of sales and marketing for Notable. “Instead of sketching out new ideas on placemats, napkins and scratch paper, business people on the go can use Shared Whiteboard to develop and share graphical documents from any point in the world using a mobile computer. Also, the whiteboard metaphor provides a full, interactive and visual support element to business meetings held over the phone.”

In addition to Mobile Access and Shared Whiteboard, Notable is showcasing three other titles for PenPoint:

— PenCross is an innovative adaptation of the familiar crossword puzzle. Currently bundled with PenPoint as part of GO’s “Hot Apps” promotion, PenCross has been described as “stealth training” for novice pen computer users. It incorporates the familiar challenge of solving crossword puzzles into a fun, easy-to-use pen-based software package that helps users become accustomed to the pen interface. In fact, Notable can customize PenCross puzzles for specific training and orientation needs. An additional supply of Dell Crossword Puzzles are available from Notable. Shipping now, Pen-Cross carries a suggested list price of $49.95.

— PenCrush is a compression utility designed to optimize the storage capacity of PenPoint devices. It automatically compresses and decompresses files to approximately half their original size, which will also decrease document trans-mission time and costs. Users can load additional files and minimize the investment in additional storage media. Pen-Crush will ship in Q4 1992, priced at $99.

— Notation, formerly PenLiner, is a powerful way to manage notes through intelligent outlining. Notation allows users to create outlines and sketches on a page, then organize and rearrange them, search for contents among all Notation pages, and perform arithmetic functions right on the notebook page. Notes can either be stored in digital ink format, trans-lated immediately into text, or as a combination of both. Notation will ship in Q4, priced at $99.

Notable is the leading developer of communications software for the new generation of mobile computing devices. Its communications strategies will go beyond current pen-based systems to incorporate other smaller, cheaper, portable hand-held computing devices now being designed worldwide.

With offices in Oakland and Foster City, Calif., Notable is dedicated to creating easy-to-use, easy-to-learn software to empower mobile professionals to more effectively communicate and interact, as well as access and organize information efficiently.

NOTE TO EDITORS: PenPoint is a trademark of GO Corp. “Productivity to Go,” Notation, Notable PenCross, Pen-Crush, Mobile Access and Shared Whiteboard, as well as the Notable name and logo are all trademarks of Notable Technologies Inc.
Notable Technologies Inc., Administration & Engineering, 2030 Franklin St., Fourth Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-2926. Marketing & Sales, 1065 East Hillsdale Boulevard, Suite 111, Foster City, CA 94404.

See Notable at GO’s Center for Mobile Computing — Conference Room N110A and in AT&T’s Booth No. 3020.

CONTACT:
Notable Technologies Inc.
David R. Larson, 415/312-0800