Innogear, the creative force
behind the GoType! Keyboard, creates MP3 audio and low cost paging
for the Springboard expansion platform
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1999-- Innogear (formerly known as Parallel
Design), a developer of hardware accessory solutions for the Palm
Computing® Platform and the inventor/patent holder of the popular
GoType! Keyboard, announces today two new products for
Handspring's Springboard(tm) expansion slot.
The Handspring Springboard(tm)
Expansion Slot offers a convenient and elegant way to attach
hardware devices to the new Handspring Visor(tm) personal
organizer from both a mechanical and electrical standpoint.
Bob Fullerton, founder and
president of Innogear ( http://www.innogear.com
), states that "From our initial meetings with Handspring, we were
excited about the potential of the Springboard platform for the
developer community. We are pleased to be one of the first
developers to deliver this innovation to the consumers."
"Innogear's upcoming MP3 player
and pager modules are great examples of the many types of
consumer-focused handheld solutions Handspring is enabling with
the Springboard expansion platform," said Ed Colligan, vice
president of marketing and development for Handspring, Inc. "We're
glad to have Innogear as an early development partner. Their
expertise in product design and technical innovation is helping us
realize the potential of Springboard and our new Visor products."
Support for Audible Spoken Audio
"As a leader in the digital
delivery of spoken audio programming to portable devices, Audible
is excited about MiniJam for the Handspring(tm) Visor(tm) and is
working closely with Innogear to ensure that it is AudibleReady(tm)",
said Travis Millman, VP of Business Development for Audible Inc. "We
look forward to introducing Audible's Internet audio service to
Handspring and MiniJam customers."
The Products
MiniJam Digital Audio (MP3) Player
and Voice Recorder for the Handspring Visor.
Innogear's MiniJam, for the
Handspring Springboard platform is both an MP3 Player and voice
recorder. Minijam allows you to playback and listen to the popular
MP3 format and Audible's spoken audio format as well as record
voice messages. MiniJam stores the files on its internal (64
megabytes) or external memory (memory card), thus freeing up the
Visor memory. Also bundled with the product is desktop software,
which lets you manage your MP3 audio files and Audible audio files
on a desktop computer and then transfer them via the USB Visor
cradle.
The desktop software will also
allow you to create MP3 files from your favorite CDs (also known
as CD "ripping, which can then be transferred to the MiniJam for
playback. The user interface software that comes with MiniJam runs
on the Visor and provides large display file management and
playback control. Convenient buttons on top of the MiniJam provide
standard "CD Player" like control of your listening experience
(play, pause, next track, previous track, volume, etc.). A
headphone jack is also on the top for use with the provided ear
bud headphones.
MiniJam receives its power from
Visor. A power management system will insure that users do not run
down the Visor batteries. For extended play, an auxiliary DC-IN
jack will allow the user to use a variety of optional external
power sources including an AC Wall Adapter, a car cigarette
lighter adapter, and a cable for use with power jacks that are
available on the seats of many major airlines.
Other options include a convenient
carrying case that holds the Visor and the MiniJam and has easy
access to the control buttons and headphone/DC-IN jacks, as well
as a complete "car kit" which provides external power and playback
through the car audio system.
MiniJam will ship with 64
megabytes of internal memory and Price point TBA. Shipping Early
2000.
InfoMitt: The Pager for the
Springboard platform
InfoMitt, with its ultra low cost
point of $49.95 SRP, provides a very compact pager solution for
the Handspring Visor. Not only does InfoMitt receive alphanumeric
pages it also can receive email and very cool content in the form
of "electronic magazines" when the user signs up for service with
Global Access (www.gapagers.com).
The standard electronic magazines will have news, weather, sports,
etc... Other companies will be providing additional content as
well. The result is very low cost, wireless connectivity with
informative content.
The paging application that is
bundled with InfoMitt is the popular PageNOW! from Mark/Space
Software ( http://www.markspace.com
). PageNOW! provides the "inbox" for all incoming messages and
give the user the ability to reply and then send using any
Springboard Compatible wireless or landline modem. PageNOW! can
also wirelessly update the Visor Address Book or Calendar when
messages are received in the popular vCard or vCal format for
transmission of business cards and appointments.
InfoMitt will be shipping late
1999.
To find out more exciting
information about cutting edge technology by Innogear, go to
http://www.innogear.com .
For more information on
Handspring, Visor and the Springboard platform, visit http://www.handspring.com. |