PC Expo '97, Booth #4810 Jacob Javits Convention Center Sharp Simplifies internet set-up, adds value for SE-500 users with ISP agreement Setups for Five National Internet Service Providers Pre-Loaded into Sharp SE-500 Mobile Organizer; Users Receive Special Money-Saving Offers NEW YORK, June 17, 1997 -- Sharp Electronics Corporation has partnered with five Internet Service Providers (ISPs), offering pre-loaded configurations for its new SE-500 Mobile Organizer for “seamless” Internet e-mail access. Sharp users are also entitled to a variety of money-saving offers from the ISPs. The SE-500 is Sharp’s new keyboardless, modem-equipped, pocket-sized organizer, meeting the needs of mobile professionals who need to keep in touch via Internet e-mail, and want powerful Personal Information Management (PIM) functions with PC Synchronization. It includes a built-in, low-power 14.4 Kbps Modem to send and receive Internet e-mail from any analog phone line, docking station, and an integrated protective screen cover. PC Link and Synchronization software with support for three popular PIMs is included. The SE-500 is pre-loaded with setup information for Earthlink, Affordable Access, 1.800eMail, Delphi, and Concentric. This eliminates the time-consuming and confusing step of entering DNS numbers, IP addresses, and dial-up scripts, and greatly simplifies the task of choosing an ISP. To activate an account, users simply call the ISP, get an account, and enter the local access number and password into the SE-500. All five ISPs have a national calling network, so users on the road need only enter in a new local access number to send and retrieve e-mail without paying long distance phone charges. “For the average user, it can be very difficult to set up a log-on script and enter configuration information for a new Internet account,” said John Brandewie, product marketing manager, Sharp Consumer Business Products Group. “This unique agreement gives SE-500 users the ability to send and receive Internet e-mail almost immediately, while adding value to the product through special offers from the service providers.” SE-500 users who sign up with their choice of the five ISPs are entitled to special offers, such as free service time or reduced rates. Sharp Zaurus users can take advantage of the offers as well. Sharp has also added a new area common to both the SE-500 and Zaurus sections of its Web page (www.sharp-usa.com). Visitors get hyperlinks to home pages for each of the five ISPs participating in the agreement, and can pick the offer which best meets their needs. The SE-500 e-mail software is POP3 and SMTP compatible. Users can write “sticky note” messages on the touch-sensitive screen in their own handwriting, and e-mail the notes as bitmap attachments. In addition, the SE-500 comes standard with 1 MB of memory, an IrDA Infrared Port, 240 x 159 Pixel LCD Touch Screen and Backlight Illuminated Display for easy viewing in low light situations. It measures 5.9” x 3.5” x 0.7”, weighs 6.5 oz., and runs on two AA batteries. The SE-500 is expected to be available through retail channels in mid-Summer, 1997. For more information on Sharp’s full line of portable computing devices and accessories, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Consumer Business Products Group, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07430 or call 1-800-BE-SHARP. For on-line product information, visit Sharp's Web Site at http://www.sharp-usa.com. To contact Earthlink, call 1-800-395-8425; Affordable Access, 1-888-PDA-1COM; 1.800eMail, 1-800-419-0093; Delphi, 1-800-225-4129; Concentric, 1-800-939-4262. # # # Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in the emerging era of multimedia. A leader in liquid crystal display (LCD), optoelectronics, infrared and semiconductors, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, business products and electronic components. It has developed innovative, consumer-focused products such as the VIEWCAM™ LCD camcorder, the Zaurus™ PC Companion and multimedia notebook computers. To support its more than 50 product lines, Sharp Electronics employs approximately 2,300 people nationwide.