MAHWAH, N.J., October 13, 1997
-- Sharp Electronics Corporation announces Mobilon(TM), a new line of
handheld PCs using the Microsoft® Windows® CE, Version 2.0
operating system. Sharp's new Mobilon line includes a color screen
unit, digital camera option, audio record feature, seven "one-touch"
application keys and other powerful features exclusive to Sharp.
In addition to the 8MB color centerpiece of the new line (HC-4500), the new Mobilon series features two monochrome units with 16-grayscale LCD (4MB HC-4000 and 8MB HC-4100) and an optional PC card digital camera manufactured specifically for the Mobilon series. Designed to augment Sharp's existing line of Zaurus(TM) PC Companions, the SE-500 Mobile Organizer, and Wizard® and YO series electronic organizers, the Mobilon will be available in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 1997.
"Mobilon complements Sharp's comprehensive line of handheld computing products and adds to Sharp's claim as the only manufacturer to offer a unique handheld product for every user's need," said Ted Rozylowicz, vice president of Sharp's Mobile and Home Office Equipment Division. "Bringing together the best of Sharp technology with the latest Windows CE operating system gives corporations the compatibility standard that is integral for information technology management," Rozylowicz added.
Multimedia in the Palm of Your Hand
The Sharp Mobilon introduces a number of multimedia tools and
features that have never been offered in handheld products sold in the
United States. One of Mobilon's unique features is its optional digital
camera solution -- the first digital camera manufactured specifically
for a handheld product sold outside Japan. Sharp's digital camera
(CE-AG04), designed for Mobilon, advances handheld functionality to a
new level by enabling users to capture and transfer digital images from
their handheld devices to and from a PC, add voice messages and send as
a multimedia e-mail and more.
With 16.7 million colors, 640 x 480 resolution, 2X optical and 2X digital zoom, the digital camera capabilities of Mobilon will become an invaluable tool for personal or business use, as well as vertical markets such as real estate, manufacturing, security, insurance or wherever visual documentation is critical. This digital camera capability can be utilized on both color and monochrome Mobilon units. Images captured on monochrome units are stored in the same color file formats as the color unit.
In addition to the digital camera, the Sharp Mobilon line includes a number of exclusive multimedia features such as:
- Image Editor - Edit or add to images from the digital camera and other sources such as the Internet or create new drawings, such as maps.
- Voice Recorder - Record or playback voice memos. Quickly record important ideas or directions without opening and turning on the unit, store them for playback or attach them to documents.
- Multimedia e-mail - Create images with the digital camera, add voice comments and attach it to an e-mail to give communications a multimedia dimension.
Superior Design and Bundled Feature Set
Not only does the Sharp Mobilon incorporate the latest multimedia
tools, the units also include a host of functional features and
applications that are indispensable to personal as well as business
users in today's mobile world.
Prior to designing the Mobilon line, Sharp conducted research about how people use handheld devices and which features users require. Comprehensive Sharp research revealed that primary requirements are a large, bright LCD, an optimized keyboard and easily-accessed applications. As a result, the Mobilon was designed specifically to offer the features that users request for both business and personal use and offers distinct design features not found on other Windows CE devices, including:
- A large clear LCD 640 x 240 pixel touch screen with adjustable backlight VGA screen, 6.5" (diagonal measure) high-contrast LCD and keyboard-controlled contrast, (HC-4500 256 colors; models HC-4000, HC-4100 monochrome with 16 shades of gray).
- Seven one-touch "short cut" or direct access applications keys that allow users one-touch access to all major applications in the unit.
- A comfortably-spaced, optimized large keyboard for easier data input.
- A built-in 33.6/9.6 Kbps energy-saving data/fax modem on every unit in the line to keep in constant contact using both e-mail and fax.
- An IrDA infrared port to enable simple, wireless exchange of information from a Zaurus or notebook to a Mobilon.
Productivity, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, E-Mail, the Web --
Even Presentations
The Mobilon line delivers a comprehensive, fully-featured array of
applications, including the ability to make multimedia presentations. Microsoft®
Pocket PowerPoint®, which is featured in the Mobilon units'
Microsoft Windows CE operating system, allows users to create desktop
presentations and transfer them to the Mobilon for on-the-go
presentations, or to connect to an LCD projector with a VGA card for
easy presentation on a larger screen.
In addition, the Mobilon series includes bundled bFax TM Express software for sending faxes, which is a cost-effective alternative to a notebook or using a third-party faxing service. Current Zaurus and Wizard users can take advantage of the included IntelliMigrate (TM) software to transfer data to and from a Wizard or Zaurus unit. Other high-performance features include:
- Inbox- E-mail with attachment support, group scheduling support and calendar integration, desktop connectivity, data exchange with Outlookô and Exchange.
- Microsoft® Pocket Outlook(TM) - Productivity features including contact management, calendars and task with additional data views and filtering.
- Microsoft® Pocket Word® - Word processing with paragraph formatting, customizable tab settings numbering and more.
- Microsoft® Pocket Excel® - Spreadsheet creating, viewing with sorting and auto filtering.
- Microsoft® Pocket Internet Explorer® - Explore the Web from the palm of your hand.
Service and Support
Mobilon is backed by a one-year parts and labor limited warranty. In
addition, Sharp phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days
per week (including holidays) via 1-800-237-4277 (1-800-BE-SHARP).
The Mobilon HC-4000, HC-4100 and HC-4500 will be available nationwide through retail chains, Sharp's Corporate Sales Group, and indirect sales channels, including VARs.