Sharp Introduces New Color Zaurus Personal Information Tool Note to Readers: The MI-10 color Zaurus product is currently only available in Japan. Watch this Web site for exciting information pertaining to a U.S. version of the color Zaurus targeted for release by the end of first quarter, 1997. Internet Ready Units Feature Digital Image and Audio Capture OSAKA, JAPAN, May 9, 1996 -- Sharp Corporation, a major comprehensive electronics manufacturer, will introduce into the Japanese market a new version of its popular Zaurus personal information tool. The MI-10 Color Zaurus is a next-generation model featuring a bright, clear, 5-inch color TFT LCD screen capable of displaying over 65,000 colors. A companion model, the MI-10DC, comes bundled with a digital camera, adding multimedia capabilities. Both models offer versatile communications features for networks and multimedia, such as a built-in personal information manager (PIM), Internet access, the ability to capture sound and still video images, as well as data link capabilities with personal computers. As is evident from the rapid spread of personal computers, the rapid evolution of global networks typified by the Internet as well as in-house intranets, and the development and expansion of mobile data communications infrastructures based on portable digital telephones and the PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a new information-oriented society is evolving in which information traverses the globe instantly. Sharp, based on its Pi2T*1 concept, has developed the Zaurus as a new personal information tool that casts the individual in the starring role in terms of information. The Zaurus enables individuals to capture the latest information simply and easily, anyplace, anytime, as well as create new information and disseminate the information in any manner desired. The new MI-10 Color Zaurus is a new personal information tool designed for the new world of multimedia communications that is broadening the horizons of the new information-oriented society. The Zaurus dramatically increases and enhances the power of the individual to gather, manipulate, and disseminate information. Further, Sharp is aiming at creating a more open platform that will make the MI-10 Color Zaurus a standard for personal information tools, and is strongly promoting application and system development, including implementing a software development environment that will encourage development of software across a broad range of application areas, building in the means to access the Internet to provide diverse types of information, and providing links to existing electronic mail environments. 1. Bright, clear, 5-inch TFT LCD displays over 65,000 colors The MI-10/10DC uses a 5-inch, bright, clear color TFT LCD (with backlight) that displays both photographs and graphic images in bright, clear color. It offers unprecedented readability and ease of use for the Zaurus' personal information manager features (PIM), including creating and making use of schedules and address book data. 2. Pen-based interface makes Internet access simple and easy -- global information in the palm of your hand The MI-10/10-DC features built-in browser software for the Internet's WWW (World Wide Web), eliminating the need to do troublesome set-up, such as running an installation routine. With a simple stroke of the pen stylus, users can access the Internet easily to gather multimedia information, as desired, when desired. Of course, users can also send and receive electronic mail*2. 3. Video capture using the Digital Camera Card The optional CE-AG02 Digital Camera Card (comes bundled with the MI-10DC)allows digital still-image photography. Users can capture images of scenery or bus schedules, as well as take close-ups of documents and business cards. Images can be stored in main memory, or transmitted by multimedia mail*3. 4. More powerful links to personal computers Digital images shot with the MI-10 can be stored and edited on personal computers. In addition, Sharp has dramatically expanded the scope of data transfer applications to allow personal information to be exchanged with personal computers even more simply and easily*4. 5. An expanded repertoire of basic Zaurus features The MI-10/10DC Zaurus is equipped with a diverse range of enhanced software and upgraded hardware features designed to provide robust support for personal information activities in this era of networks: A PIM (Personal Information Manager) that is even more readable and easier to use, including a Daily Planner that provides an overview of the tasks for the day at a single glance. Ink-Pen WP feature with a "Clean Copy" function that can produce editable text data from handwritten characters, etc. Fax Send/Receive capability that allows a user to both send and receive faxes when away from the home or office. Multimedia Mail that can send digital images and audio via electronic mail. Voice Memo feature that can audibly record appointments, memos, to-dos, etc. New hardware enhancements include: High-speed 32-bit RISC CPU. 2 MB of non-volatile backup flash memory requires no battery. PC Card compatibility [PCMCIA (JEIDA) Type II] provides expansion capability for new features in the future. Built in optical (IR) communications compatibility, including the high-speed (115 Kbps) IrDA international standard and the ASK standard (9600 bps) used in previous Zaurus models. In addition, Sharp's PI-6000/7000 Access Zaurus models represent the fusion of communications with compact size and lighter weight. These models will also be evolving in the future with greater capabilities and more sophisticated features. *1 Pi2T (Personal Information and Intelligent Tools) concept This development concept for information tools is embodied in a wide variety of software based on the engine of the computer, and is designed to foster new applications for a new information-oriented society characterized by multimedia access in a global network environment. *2 For accessing the Internet, Sharp recommends the use of an optional high-speed modem card available from commercial vendors. *3 Transferring information to personal computers requires optional software, an IR optical interface, and a cable. *4 Sending and receiving data from personal computers requires optional software. MI-10 Color Zaurus Outstanding Features 1. The Zaurus goes color! 5-inch TFT LCD displays 65,000 colors The MI-10/10DC uses a bright, clear, 5-inch TFT color LCD display that displays both photographs and graphic images with high clarity and in brilliant color. This large-format, high-resolution, back-lit screen offers 320 x 240-dot resolution and can display over 65,000 colors. Of course, pen-based operation simply by touching the screen as well as handwritten character recognition features already familiar to users from previous Zaurus models are now available in color. The result is even greater readability and ease of use. The MI-10 marks the birth of a new personal information tool befitting this new multimedia age. 2. Pen-Based interface makes Internet access simple and easy The MI-10/10DC features built-in browser software for the Internet (WWW)customized for the Zaurus. By installing a high-speed modem card*1 available from commercial vendors and connecting to the regular public switched telephone network, a user can gain access to information around the world from the Zaurus resting in the palm of his or her hand. Users can take advantage of a wide range of applications, including information gathering, shopping, making plane and hotel reservations, etc. Pen-based operation makes the Zaurus super-easy to operate just by touching the screen for the information desired. Users can direct the browser software to store the information in the Zaurus for later use. No installation is required; no difficult set-up is necessary. Anyone can gain access to the Internet simply and easily. The MI-10 Color Zaurus also features Auto-Surfing and Off-Line Browsing functions that allow users to automatically gather information from a specified information source (server), and after logging off, check the information while off-line. For example, in the morning, a user could download information such as today's newspaper before heading to the office and read the information while commuting on the train to work. To provide a wide range of data and services that work with the MI-10, Sharp is providing a method for on-line sign-up that can be accomplished simply and easily using the MI-10 for Fujitsu's InfoWeb, a popular Internet service provider (ISP). (It is also possible to access other ISPs to whom one is currently subscribed.)*2 Electronic mail conforms to the Internet-standard MIME* format. Users can exchange multimedia electronic mail that includes attached image (photograph) or audio files with personal computers or other MI-10's. *MIME = Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions 3. Video Capture with the Digital Camera Card Using the optional CE-AG02 Digital Camera Card (bundled with the MI-10DC)allows digital still-image photography. Captured images can be displayed on the MI-10's screen immediately and stored in main memory. In addition, the lens portion of the Digital Camera Card can be rotated, allowing the lens angle to be adjusted to match the subject, and even allowing self-portraits while facing the camera. Further, the Close-Up Photography feature greatly expands applications, such as being able to take a wide variety of shots, including photographing documents. (If main memory is used only to store photographs, the MI-10 can store a maximum of 90 images.) 4. More Powerful Links to Personal Computers Using optional PC Link Software makes sending and receiving data to personal computers even easier than before, dramatically expanding the breadth of data applications. Computer Link SoftwareOverview"Power PIMM" Color Zaurus-PC Data Link SoftwareThis software provides a seamless IR data link between the MI-10 Color Zaurus and personal computers, allowing users to operate the MI-10 remotely from the PC, for tasks such as synchronizing data within PIM applications."MI-ZC1 Zaurus Connection" Still-Image Transfer softwareThis application allows users to manage, store and transfer still images shot with the MI-10 to personal computers with the sense of organizing photographs in a photo album. Users can also transfer image data manipulated using a personal computer to the MI-10.(Compatible PCs: i486SX [at least 66 Mhz] CPU running Mircosoft Windows95-J.)*3 5. Zaurus basic features now even more readable and easier to use1) Personal Information ManagerThe Zaurus' popular PIM (Personal Information Manager) software has evolvedinto an even more readable and easier-to-use application thanks to colordisplay capabilities, a larger screen, and new features. Major FeatureOverviewDaily PlannerA "Document List" for the day can be displayed on a single screen while accessing the Report feature, including a monthly Calendar, daily Schedule by date, an Action List showing the tasks that must be dine today in order of priority, an a Contact Manager that shows the people the user must meet with or telephone today. The user can check today's tasks with a single glance as soon as the MI-10 is turned on. Data FilingThis new information filing feature enables the user to organize data into a single file, including related schedule and address data, reports, memos, photos, audio notes, etc. Operation as simple and easy as taking a book down from a shelf and putting it back makes managing and searching for information even more convenient.Photo MemoryThe ability to add color to text data has dramatically improved the display capabilities of the Zaurus' Photo Memory feature that manages photographs and handwritten memos.Other featuresFeatures that users are familiar with from previous Zaurus models have been made even more readable with the color and the MI-10's large screen. These include the Scheduler, Address Book, Action List, Report & Scratchpad, and integrated package of four dictionaries developed by Gakushu Kenkyusha (Japanese-English, English-Japanese, Japanese-Japanese, and kanji lookup), calculator, and world clock, In addition, existing data from previous Zaurus models can be conveniently moved to the MI-10 simply and easily using the IR optical interface or data transfer cable.(Note: Add-on software and IR optical mail for previous Zaurus modelscannot be used with the MI-10. When attempting to move data from an MI-10to an older model Zaurus, data cannot be sent to features not supported bythe older model Zaurus.)2) Ink-Pen WP with new "Clean Copy" capabilities for handwritten textThe "Ink-Pen WP" feature, which is designed to instantly capture an image of data written in your own handwriting, has been improved to offer "Clean Copy" capability. The MI-10 firstquickly captures the memo in the user's own handwriting and then displays the entire memo for checking. Quickly scribbled notes can be converted to editable text data ("clean copy") for later use in various Zaurus applications. Even if a misrecognized character is discovered in the text, the user can touch the character in question and the MI-10 will display a number of correction suggestions. The user then merely touches the correct character and the MI-10 instantly makes the correction in the text. Text can also be displayed in color, providing a significantly improved display capabilities for document creation. 3) Communications features 1] Fax send and receive capability allows users to receive faxes even when away from the office The MI-10 now has the capability to receive faxes in addition to originating faxes. The Zaurus fax application has been significantly expanded to include the ability to receive faxed documents that a user might need in a hurry when away from the office. The received fax can be displayed on the screen in a scrollable window for easy checking, and the entire document can also be displayed in a reduced size for an overview. 2] Multimedia Mail allows users to send still images and sound along with documents Users can send electronic mail and attach still images taken with the MI-10 or audio data recorded with the MI-10. This convenient feature provides quick, accurate communications, for example, when making a report from an exhibition site or from the factory floor. The MI-10's Multimedia Mail feature conforms to the standard Internet MIME format. Users can exchange electronic mail including attached still-image or audio files not only with other MI-10 users, but also with personal computer users. Note: When browsing image data via Internet access or when exchanging electronic mail with attached image and/or audio files, Sharp recommends the use of an optional high-speed modem card available from commercial vendors. Note: There are restrictions on the format of data that can be exchanged between the MI-10 and personal computers. When using a personal computer to receive multimedia mail sent from an MI-10, some data may not be able to be displayed on the personal computer. Sharp will be making the software necessary to display this image data available as freeware on various on-line networks over the next several months. 3] PC Communications features makes NiftyServe access simple and easy The MI-10 provides the same convenient access to NiftyServe and other on-line information services made popular in earlier Zaurus models simply by touching the appropriate icon. The new larger screen size of the MI-10 provides a full "40-column kanji display", improving the readability and ease of use. Other on-line information services can also be accessed using the MI-10 Color Zaurus. 4] Voice Memo feature takes audio notes The MI-10 features a built-in Voice Memo function that allows users to create audio notes. Users can audibly record a memo instantly using voice or sound. This feature is ideal for times when one's hands are not free, or when one wants the sense of presence provided by actual speech such as the atmosphere in a conference hall. Captured audio data can be forwarded by electronic mail. (Each memo can last up 20 seconds, and a maximum of 50 audio memos can be stored when memory is used for audio data only.) 5] "Slide Show" feature provides presentation capabilities Photographs taken with the MI-10's Digital Camera Card, handwritten memos, or graphic data downloaded to the MI-10 from a personal computer can be displayed full-screen in slide format, and then presented in sequence one slide at a time. This feature gives sales personnel the ability to carry around sales information in the MI-10 and make visual data presentations to important clients. (Downloading image data from a personal computer to the MI-10 requires optional PC software and the MI-ZC1 Zaurus Connection software and the CE-IR5 IR Communications Interface or a data transfer cable.) 6. "MORE" feature lets users run additional applications The "MORE" feature allows users to download software applications not bundled with the MI-10, including business, hobby and game programs. Users can download the software directly from the Internet or transfer the data from a floppy disk mounted in a personal computer. This feature is designed to dramatically expand the range of available application software. In addition, Sharp is aggressively promoting third-party software development for the MI-10 by disclosing pertinent information on the Zaurus development environment to software houses and providing development support for a wide range of new Zaurus applications. 7. Hardware enhancements 32-bit RISC CPU The MI-10 Color Zaurus now sports a high-speed, 32-bit, low-power-consumption design, RISC CPU, delivering high performance in a compact package. 2 MB flash memory The MI-10 is now equipped with 2 MB of flash memory which retains its contents even when the power is turned off (user area: approximately 1.6 MB). This large-capacity design allows storage of image and audio data which require a large memory capacity. In addition, memory capacity can be expanded using optional Flash Memory Cards (CD-AF02/AF03/AF06), sold separately. PC Card compatibility The MI-10 includes one PC Card slot conforming to the personal computer industry's standard specifications (PCMCIA [JEIDA] Type II). This expansion capability allows users to select an optional Digital Camera Card, Flash Memory Expansion Card, Data/Fax Modem Card, etc., or other features to be available in the future. (Some restrictions apply to the PC Cards that can be used.) IR Optical Communications capable of handling both the worldwide high-speed IrDA standard and the ASK format used in previous Zaurus models. The MI-10 is capable of handling two IR optical communications formats: the high-speed IrDA (115 kbps) worldwide standard and the ASK (9,600 bps) format adopted for use in previous model Zaurus units. Users can exchange information with personal computers or other MI-10 units using high-speed IR optical communications based on the IrDA format, or with older Zaurus models using the ASK format. (Requires software and an interface card in the personal computer. Some restrictions apply to data exchange with previous Zaurus models.) Sharp's Mebius (Color LCD Notebook Computer) series is equipped with an IrDA IR interface, and so can communicate with the MI-10 at high data rates (115 kbps). (Optional software is required.) Built-in fax modem and portable digital telephone capability The MI-10 features a built-in fax/data modem (fax transmission speed: 9,600 bps; data transfer rate: 2,400 bps) that is convenient for sending and receiving faxes when away from the office, accessing on-line information services, and exchanging electronic mail. In addition, communications is also possible using the optional CE-DA3 Digital Mobile Telephone Adapter*4. (When viewing image data downloaded from the Internet or exchanging email with attached image or audio files, Sharp recommends that a high-speed modem card available from commercial vendors be used. Some restrictions apply on the types of portable digital telephones that can be used.) Rechargeable lithium-ion battery The rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack provides up to 8 hours of continuous use (when used for display only) and recharges in a fast 2.5 hours (when the battery is placed in the AC Power Adapter). The AC Power Adapter included with the MI-10 doubles as a battery charger. Compact, lightweight design The MI-10 takes full advantage of Sharp's LCD, ASIC, and high-density mounting technologies nurtured in the development of the Zaurus family since its inception. The result is an even more compact, lightweight design measuring just 175 (W) x 104 (H) x 30 (D) mm (6.8" x 4.1" x 1.2") and weighing just 490 grams (including rechargeable battery). # # #