For more information, call 1-800-BE-SHARP. For online product information, visit Sharp's Web Page at http://www.sharp-usa.com. SHARP BEGINS SHIPPING THREE ZAURUS PDAs WITH IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS AND PC CONNECTIVITY Units Feature Spreadsheet, Backlight, CompuServeÆ Companion and Paging Software MAHWAH, N.J., March 1996 -- Sharp Electronics Corporation introduces three new Zaurus( keyboard-enhanced personal digital assistants (K-PDAs) with expanded online communications and connectivity to personal computers. With the new additions, Sharp now offers the industry's broadest line of K-PDAs. With a suite of pre-loaded communications software, the new Zaurus models, ZR-5700, ZR-5800 and ZR-5800FX, offer expanded access to information in your PC, to other Zaurus users, to on-line data and to the Internet. "Anyone on the go who needs to retrieve data from a PC, manage information or communicate electronically will find that the new Zaurus is the ultimate productivity tool," said Mary Repke, director of marketing, Sharp Consumer Business Products Group. "Whether at work, home or play, the enhanced communications and PC connectivity make the new Zaurus models the perfect companion to a PC." All three Zaurus models include the PenCell( spreadsheet that is compatible with Microsoft ExcelÆ, the most popular spreadsheet software in use today. With this application, mobile users can create financial spreadsheets using the pen or keyboard input operations of the Zaurus. The spreadsheet is designed to be highly pen-centric, allowing users to drag and drop cells to easily manipulate data. Users can access Excel files while away from their PCs and load them into the Zaurus, thanks to the Microsoft Excel 4.0 native file format that simplifies the exchange of spreadsheet data with the PC. Enhancements have been made to the design and functionality of the Zaurus units. Among these, Sharp has incorporated a backlight in models ZR-5800 and ZR-5800FX, for improved screen readability in low-light environments, such as a darkened car, airplane or meeting room. Expanded Communications and Powerful Software Responding to the applications and features people on-the-go need most in a mobile computing device, Sharp has pre-loaded CompuServe( Companion for Zaurus, AT&T Mail and Pager Access software. In addition, built-in messaging software and optional PC-based Microsoft Mail( or Lotus cc:Mail( access software gives users the ability to send, retrieve, reply or forward electronic mail from a Zaurus using a modem, infrared or cable connection. Users can also send or retrieve attached documents with the Zaurus. With CompuServe Companion for Zaurus, users can send and receive CompuServe or Internet electronic mail, review news and participate in CompuServe on-line forums from any location. CompuServe's executive news services can also be retrieved and customized, so Zaurus users can receive only the news and information they need. Pager Access software lets users stay in-touch from anywhere by sending wireless messages to a Motorola NewsCard(. With the pre-loaded pager access software and a subscription to a paging service, the Zaurus doubles as a wireless pager and more. Users can send or receive appointment updates or items for their 'to do' lists, and pager messages can be converted into Zaurus documents. For example, last minute changes on a proposal or letter can be sent via the pager. Zaurus now delivers even more fax and e-mail options through AT&T Easy Link Services. With it, users can send faxes and exchange electronic mail around the world through the global AT&T network over most public mail networks, including the Internet. AT&T Easy Link even lets Zaurus users send telexes around the world. The new units are also compatible with Microsoft Word( through a built-in rich text format (RTF) two-way conversion. This feature eliminates the need to reformat Zaurus word processing documents after transferring them to a PC. When sent to the PC, documents -- such as a letter with a company logo and signature -- retain all drawings, graphics and text. The ZR-5800 and ZR-5800FX have two megabytes of memory. The ZR-5700 has one megabyte of memory. Connectivity to Personal Computers Zaurus users have access to data on their personal computers through optional PC-based software applications that make the Zaurus the ideal connectivity peripheral to the PC. These include: Zaurus Applications Partner, a software and infrared adapter bundle that eliminates the often complicated procedures associated with sharing files between a PDA and a PC. Zaurus Application Partner quickly and easily transfers Zaurus data to a Windows-based PC application. By identifying an entry in the Zaurus and pressing the infrared Send button, the information is instantly transmitted by infrared beam to the Actisys Infrared receiver connected to the Windows PC. Sending files from a PC to the Zaurus is just as simple. Flexible import and export options allow users to load files or records from their favorite Personal Information Manager (PIM) software directly to the Zaurus. IntelliSync( data synchronization PC software from IntelliLink Corp. ensures that Zaurus/PC shared data is consistent and that most recent changes in any file data are reflected in both the PC and the Zaurus. A Zaurus user, for example, may maintain his or her calendar through a group scheduler on the desktop PC, yet need to take this same information on the road. The user can easily download the schedule from the PC to the Zaurus and be confident that the data is synchronized between the two applications, even if changes are entered in either application. Available now, Sharp expects retailers and resellers to sell the Zaurus ZR-5700, ZR-5800 and ZR-5800FX for about $549.00, $649.00 and $729.00, respectively. # # # Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, business products and electronic components. With U.S. sales of $3.4 billion, the company has achieved double-digit sales growth in each of the past three years. Sharp is the world leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and has developed innovative, consumer-focused products such as VIEWCAM( LCD camcorders, Zaurus( keyboard-enhanced personal digital assistant, fully featured notebook computers, SharpVision( LCD projection systems, WizardÆ electronic organizers, audio and video systems, appliances and office automation products. To support its more than 50 product lines, Sharp Electronics employs approximately 2,300 people nationwide.