Pager card upgrades PalmPilot to Palm III functionality
Synapse(TM) Pager Card Introduces Wireless Messaging Connectivity to the PalmPilot(TM) Organizer
PR Newswire - July 06, 1998 09:22
Pager card upgrades PalmPilot to Palm III functionality
DALLAS, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- PageMart Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: PMWI) has begun initial shipments of the much-anticipated Synapse Pager Card, the first integrated device that adds wireless messaging capability to the 3Com PalmPilot organizer. The market research firm Creative Strategies estimates there are currently 1.6 million PalmPilots in the market. The Synapse Pager Card, developed by PageMart, 3Com (Nasdaq: COMS) and Motorola (NYSE: MOT), fits inside the PalmPilot and re-defines what it means to have a handheld organizer that is truly connected.
"With the Synapse card inside, this marvelous organizer just got significantly more powerful," said John D. Beletic, chairman and CEO of PageMart Wireless. "Any PC in the office or home that is connected to the Internet can now send wireless messages to the PalmPilot."
"Wireless messaging is becoming increasingly important to a large percentage of our customers. Many already carry a pager in addition to their PalmPilot organizer, and want to combine the functionality of the two," said Ed Colligan, vice president of marketing for Palm Computing, a 3Com company. "PageMart's Synapse Pager Card gives these customers an easy and affordable way to stay more connected with important information when they're on the go."
The Synapse Pager Card, branded by PageMart Wireless, upgrades all Pilot, PalmPilot and IBM WorkPad(TM) models (Pilot 1000, Pilot 5000, PalmPilot Personal, PalmPilot Professional and IBM WorkPads) to the functionality of the Palm III, except for the infrared capability. It includes 2 MB of RAM as well as the new Palm OS(TM) 3.0 operating system and the paging application in FLASH memory.
Motorola has begun initial shipments of the Synapse Pager Card to PageMart, and the product is currently available through PageMart and 3Com direct sales channels. PageMart expects commercial volumes of the device to be available in the second half of July. To order, customers can contact PageMart at 888-318-2010 or via the Internet at www.pagemart.com or visit Palm Computing's web site at www.palm.com. The Synapse Pager Card is priced at $169.
This new class of product offers advanced features beyond traditional paging. New messaging features include sender ID, wireless schedule updates and missed message alerts. Upon arrival, numeric pages are cross-referenced to phone numbers in the PalmPilot Address Book to identify the sender. In addition, schedule updates can be sent via the Internet, adding Date Book appointments on the fly. Since PageMart sequentially numbers all incoming messages, the PalmPilot software keeps track of this order and alerts the user if a message is missed.
Additionally, customers can view their messages and save them in user- defined categories, copy and paste message content into other PalmPilot applications, or perform key-word searches. The Synapse-equipped PalmPilot can handle messages up to 300 characters in length -- ideal for short messaging applications such as wireless helpdesk, dispatching and mobile customer service technicians. Finally, each Synapse Pager Card is pre- assigned with an email address to enable web-based and email-originated messaging.
With the largest nationwide one-way coverage footprint, and its North, Central and South American paging network, PageMart offers multiple coverage and service options. Nationwide roaming coverage is available for $19.95 per month and includes voice mail. Users activate their paging service by calling PageMart Wireless and can chose from a wide variety of service options and value-added features. The entire installation and activation process can be completed in less than 15 minutes.
Motorola's Developer's Kit is now available for extending the functionality of the Synapse Pager Card for enterprise and niche applications. PalmPilot developers will be able to use Motorola's Applications Programming Interfaces to create custom applications and features. The Developer Kits will be initially offered for purchase through an independent distributor, Fourth Dimension Industry. To order the Pager Card Developer Kits call Fourth Dimension Industry at 1-800-378-0348 or email the company at fdi@ix.netcom.com.
Company Background
PageMart Wireless, Inc. is a leading NAFTA and beyond provider of wireless messaging services. The Dallas-based company provides numeric and word messaging services in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. PageMart currently serves approximately 2.7 million customers via its own 900 MHz nationwide frequencies. The company is constructing a nationwide narrowband PCS network. PageMart, which employs approximately 2,400 people, sells its products and services through its own direct sales force, strategic alliances, leading U.S. retailers and selected resellers. For further information, visit PageMart's web site at www.pagemart.com.
Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems, components, and services. Major equipment businesses include paging and data communications, cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Motorola semiconductors power communication devices, computers and millions of other products. Motorola's 1997 sales were $29.8 billion. For further information, please visit Motorola's World Wide Web site at motorola.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changes in manufacturing schedules, and the other risks detailed from time to time in PageMart's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements represent PageMart's judgment as of the date of this release. PageMart disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
PageMart, the PageMart logo and Synapse are trademarks of PageMart Wireless.
Palm Computing is a registered trademark, and PalmPilot and Palm III are trademarks of 3COM Corp. or its subsidiaries.
Motorola and FLEX are trademarks of Motorola.
SOURCE PageMart Wireless, Inc.
/CONTACT: Public Relations: James Florez of PageMart Wireless,
972-480-8383, Allen Bush of A&R Partners, 650-363-0982, for Palm Computing, or
Blair Ciecko, of PR 21, 312-240-2690, for Motorola LinkWorks; or Bridget
Cavanaugh, 214-765-3797, bridgetc@pagemart.com, or Warren Henry, Investor
Relations, 214-765-4553, whenry@corp2.pagemart.com, both of PageMart Wireless,
Inc./
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804,
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/Web site: palm.com
/Web site: motorola.com
/Web site: pagemart.com
(PMWI MOT COMS)
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