NEW YORK, April 19, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. and Think Outside Inc. today announced a keyboard solution for Microsoft’s new Pocket PC platform. Think Outside’s Stowaway TM portable keyboard for the Pocket PC is a full-size keyboard that allows users to take full advantage of the Pocket PC’s native support for Microsoft® Word, Microsoft Excel and the Outlook® messaging and collaboration client while on the road. The Stowaway portable keyboard will work with Casio and Hewlett-Packard products that are based on the Pocket PC platform. Think Outside’s keyboards for Pocket PCs are due to be available in the third quarter of 2000.
“By providing the first full-size, foldable keyboard for the Pocket PC, we’re helping computing professionals be truly mobile,”
said Bob Olodort, CEO and co-founder of Think Outside.
“Judging from the tremendous response that the keyboard has received already from end users, we expect that Pocket PC users will find this to be the ultimate mobile computing solution.”
“The Pocket PC is one of the most functional, flexible and expandable office companions ever delivered on a personal digital assistant,”
said Rogers Weed, director of marketing for the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft.
“Think Outside’s folding keyboard is a great expansion option that enables you to take notes and respond to e-mail as if you were sitting at your desk.”
Pocket PC Manufacturers Support Stowaway Keyboard
“We’re very excited to bring the power of portable keyboard computing to the Pocket PC platform,”
said Kok-Khoon Lim, general manager of Hewlett Packard Co.’s Asia-Pacific PC Division.
“The Stowaway keyboard’s innovative design, combined with the functionality of the HP Jornada 540 series, gives users the ultimate on-the-go productivity tool.”
“Besides being a tremendously desirable accessory for our Pocket PC devices, the Stowaway portable keyboard offers an innovative design that users really enjoy,”
said Gary Schultz, director of product marketing, Casio Computer Corp.
“The keyboard gives users the flexibility of being able to input text and numbers in a more traditional way, yet it is a very portable lightweight way to travel. We want the CASSIOPEIA to be the most desirable handheld device for the mobile business professional.”
Pocket PC and Stowaway Portable Keyboard Make E-Mail Easier
Microsoft Windows® -powered Pocket PCs are Microsoft’s next generation of handheld devices and have been designed to let users do more than just organize their contacts and calendar. Pocket PCs deliver one of the most functional e-mail environments available on any PDA and include native, integrated support for viewing attachments, managing multiple folders, and remotely accessing corporate e-mail. As a result, the desire for a
“real,”
no-compromise keyboard for this platform is tremendous. With the Stowaway keyboard, users will be able to use Pocket PCs as desktop-like e-mail machines, so they can leave their computers at home and still do meaningful work and communicate effectively.
Targus Group International Inc. has worldwide distribution rights for the Stowaway keyboard for the Pocket PC line. Marketed under the brand Targus TM Stowaway, the keyboard, priced at $99.99, provides Pocket PC users with the ultimate portable experience: a full-size keyboard offering full-featured, comfortable typing. The keyboard will be available through Targus’ distribution channels in the United States and worldwide in the third quarter of this year.
The Stowaway keyboard for the Pocket PC folds up to about the size of a Pocket PC handheld computer. Weighing in at less than half a pound, it enhances the Pocket PC’s capabilities by enabling a user to quickly and comfortably type e-mail, take notes and enter data.
About Pocket PC
Windows-powered Pocket PCs, the next-generation PDAs from Microsoft and industry partners, offer customers the best way to connect to their most essential information while away from their desk, yet are versatile enough to satisfy the personal needs of today’s busy mobile lifestyle. Pocket PCs include a broad range of native business, personal productivity and entertainment applications, yet can easily be expanded to adapt to each customer’s changing needs through a continually growing number of industry-standard hardware and software expansion options.
About Think Outside
Think Outside Inc., founded in 1998, invents, engineers and manufactures very compelling products for use in mobile computing and wireless communication. Think Outside’s first product is the award-winning Stowaway portable keyboard, the world’s first portable, collapsible, no-compromise keyboard, for Palm and Handspring handheld computers and the new Windows-powered Pocket PC products. The privately held company is headquartered in Solana Beach, Calif. For more information on Think Outside and its products, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.thinkoutside.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
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