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Bridging the Gap between Concept & Execution
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EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT • MARKET STRATEGY • VENTURE CAPITAL • CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT • MARKET STRATEGY • VENTURE CAPITAL • CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
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PDAs the Next Generation
The first generation of personal digital assistants (PDA) has given way to units that are more functional, more compact, more integrated and less costly than ever before. But is it really worth the investment to incorporate PDA technology into your firm's business practices? And will you be able to successfully integrate that technology with your corporate network? We spent weeks running the Apple Computer, Inc. Newton MessagePad 110, BellSouth Corp. Simon, Motorola, Inc. Envoy and Marco, Sharp Electronics Corp. Zaurus K-PDA and Sony Electronics, Inc. Magic Link through everyday business chores. We focused on wireless features, electronic mail capabilities, LAN connectivity and modem features - all typical enterprise network tasks. The bottom line: Each device tested had some significant advantages and disadvantages, and was somewhat limited in its abilities to integrate with the corporate network. APPLE NEWTON Despite its inauspicious beginning, Apple's Newton is currently one of the most versatile PDAs available. We reviewed the MessagePad 110, since the MessagePad 120 - released in late January - was not yet available for testing at the beginning of our trial. The features matrix shown on page 64 shows the new MessagePad 120 specifications; all the third-party applications that work with the 110 work with the 120, as well. We found the Newton MessagePad 110 to be a solid performer. The Newton operating system is reliable, intuitive and worked well with the third-party applications that we loaded onto the system. Newton's biggest strength is its breadth of third-party support, both in terms of available software and a steadily increasing number of hardware attachments. These make the Newton extremely flexible and let users tailor a unit to their needs. Configuring the Newton was quick and required only some personal information input, such as name and address. Navigating the Newton operating system is simple and mainly entails using a stylus to open and close dialog boxes, to engage or disengage various parameters with check marks, and to scroll through notes. These notes can be written in electronic ink - an LCD bitmap representation of the user's handwriting - or translated into text through handwriting recognition. Standard information management features include a calendar, to-do list, a contact manager and an electronic note pad. The Newton also offers a "soft" keyboard, which is a graphical representation on the Newton screen. We found it awkward to "type" with this since one is forced to hunt and peck with the stylus. Our evaluation unit came with a Newton Fax Modem PCMCIA card that supports 2.4K bit/sec data and 9.6K bit/sec fax transmissions. There is also an external modem available to let users keep the Newton's PCMCIA slot free for other cards, such as a 2M-byte flash memory card or various applications cards. The Newton Fax Modem card does not employ any error-correction protocols for cellular transmissions, although it can easily be connected to a cellular phone via an adapter. Newton-compatible, high-speed wire-line and cellular PCMCIA modems running at 14.4K bit/sec or better are available from Apex Data, Inc., AT&T Paradyne, Megahertz Corp. and Motorola. We were unable to test with any of these modems, but past experience shows that using such modems significantly shortens battery life. Faxing from the Newton was simple. Faxes provide the recipient a copy of what's visible on the Newton's LCD screen, including the calendar, to-do list or notes in electronic ink. However, the Newton cannot receive faxes. To transmit a fax, we connected the fax modem to a standard phone line, tapped an icon that allows for printing, beaming or faxing of information, and selected "fax." After inputting the fax number and cover page information, the modem dialed and transmitted the fax. Data transmission at 2.4K bit/sec was reliable yet slow. We installed Ex Machina, Inc.'s PocketCall software onto the Newton. PocketCall is a low-end communications program that allows users to dial in to any bulletin board system and, through some straightforward scripting, connect to on-line services such as CompuServe. This package provided very basic emulation, allowing access to text-based host computers. It does not support any other emulations or any binary file-transfer protocols. The Newton comes with a built-in NewtonMail capability, allowing the user to access an Apple-operated E-mail service for the Newton. This service permits E-mail access to the Internet and other on-line services. CE Software, Inc. also provides a Newton application, called EnRoute, that permits a Newton to interface with CE Software's QuickMail E-mail servers. We used EnRoute to send E-mail to and from our QuickMail server (see Figure 1, page 66). With a 2.4K bit/sec PCMCIA modem to dial in to the server, EnRoute allows users to selectively download specific E-mails to reduce call times. As for on-line services, users have several options. Black Labs, Inc., for example, recently released CIS Retriever, a CompuServe interface for the Newton. Users can expect to see more interfaces for other popular on-line services. THE WIRELESS NEWTON Several options also exist for connecting Newton to LANs, particularly in the wireless arena. We tested the Digital Ocean, Inc. Grouper 100LT and 100MP wireless LAN connectivity products. Both have a base transmitter/receiver that resides on a LocalTalk LAN (Grouper has no Ethernet attachment option) and a transmitter/receiver that piggybacks onto the Newton. Installation of the Grouper was the epitome of plug-and-play ease of use. We installed and charged some batteries, connected the 100LT base unit to a LocalTalk zone of our corporate LAN and attached the 100MP transmitter/receiver to the back of the Newton. Finally, we connected the 100MP to the Newton's serial port via a mini LocalTalk cable. That let us print hard copies of Newton screens on networked printers, install disk-based Newton software from a desktop Macintosh and easily synchronize files between a Newton and desktop Macintosh - all without a wire between the Newton and the network. Communication speed was acceptable. The Grouper has an indoor range of about 800 feet. We pushed the device to its limit by taking it for a walk outside our labs and found it still worked quite well. It can integrate multiple Newtons to create wireless workgroup networks. Dayna Communications, Inc. sells a similar PCMCIA-based wireless LAN solution for the Newton, called the DaynaComm PCMCIA Roamer. For connecting to the desktop, Apple provides Newton connections kits for both Macintosh and Windows/DOS environments for backup and synchronization of data between the Newton and desktop computers. Newton has considerably more third-party vertical application software than any of the other PDAs we reviewed. Applications range from bird-watching programs, to warehouse inventories, to hospital support systems. Some areas in which Newton is already being used include inventory management, database management and even health care information distribution. As more applications develop, this list will expand. ETE, Inc.'s Communicator is another Newton wireless solution. Instead of offering LAN connectivity, the Communicator allows Newton users to access the RAM Mobile Data and ARDIS Co. radio networks and analog land-line and cellular networks. This hardware makes Newton's wireless capabilities comparable to Motorola's Marco. Additionally, Communicator offers wireless tracking via a global positioning transceiver. An Apple Newton outfitted with what we feel a typical enterprise worker needs - PocketCall and cellular modem - runs about $900 to $1,200 retail per unit. SONY MAGIC LINK Sony's Magic Link offers users the ease of the Magic Cap operating system with E-mail capabilities provided only through several on-line services. The unit is portable and comfortable but lacks a full complement of third-party applications. It does not currently support E-mail interfaces or gateways to popular E-mail packages. Released in late 1994, Magic Link was the first PDA to support the Magic Cap operating system. We found that this innovative operating system virtually eliminated the learning curve for Magic Link - and also for Motorola's Envoy, which supports the same operating system. The Magic Cap operating system is a graphical user interface (GUI) that attempts to parallel an office environment. Information management functions are located in a virtual office that has icons for in-boxes and out-boxes, a desk, Rolodex, phone and other typical office objects. This approach even extends to a virtual street, with buildings marked with the names of Magic Cap's integrated GUI interfaces for America Online (AOL) and AT&T PersonaLink services. Magic Link offers an integrated 2.4K bit/sec data and 9.6K bit/sec wire-line fax modem to access these services. This modem does not, however, support any cellular transmission enhancement protocols. The AOL and AT&T PersonaLink interfaces are the sole avenues for Magic Link E-mail communication. We connected the Magic Link to a standard phone line via its RJ-11 port, signed onto AOL and PersonaLink, and were soon able to send and exchange E-mail on the Internet. Additionally, the Magic Cap AOL interface allows users to download the latest stock quotes or a daily news summary. Magic Link also supports an optional attachable keyboard and a PCMCIA slot with which users can employ an optional 2M-byte RAM card, which costs $250 to $300. Even though the Magic Link comes with expense manager and spreadsheet software, there are few third-party applications; and applications are what makes these devices worth the investment. Magic Link retails for $995.95 and requires that users subscribe to on-line services for E-mail capabilities. We recommend adding a 1M- or 2M-byte static RAM card to round out the product. That makes the cost per user about $1,200 to $1,400. Although some vertical market applications are in development, such as a wireless prescription management system by Med-E-Systems Corp., or currently available, such as Advanced Resources Partners' Mobile MLS real estate software, users considering purchasing Magic Link now may find it short on vertical market solutions. Magic Link does, however, come with PenWare, Inc.'s PenCell Spreadsheet program as well as Intuit, Inc.'s Pocket Quicken expense manager. Other applications are available, such as a forms-based database by Software Partners, Inc. and Berlitz speaking translator by Sony Software Corp. Motorola's Envoy, which supports these applications and also wireless E-mail, may be a better bet. MOTOROLA ENVOY AND MARCO For users that prefer a no-frills environment, we liked the Motorola Marco best. Its Newton operating system is easy to use and rich in features, and supports an array of third-party applications. With its integrated wireless capability, this PDA clearly outshines the rest. The Motorola Envoy's Magic Cap operating system is much more graphically pleasing and even easier to learn than the Newton operating system, but a significant lack of third-party support may disappoint users. These Motorola PDAs offer a distinct advantage over the standard Newton MessagePad and Sony Magic Link: They are outfitted with integrated wireless modems that allow for quick and easy access to the ARDIS or RAM Mobile radio networks. Marco and Envoy come in a book-like design that is radically different from the Newton and Magic Link, a design guaranteed to keep LCD screens safe - and turn heads, as well. We found that the LCD screens on these PDAs were substantially clearer and easier to read than those on the Newton and Magic Link. The most visible difference between the Newton and Marco operating systems is a radio modem control panel dialog box that appears when the Marco is activated. This screen gives the user visible signal strength and activation information. Another dialog box alerts the user to incoming messages. Marco also sports a newer, more powerful E-mail manager than Newton. Our Marco review unit came with a RadioMail account. What Marco does for the Newton operating system, Envoy does for the Magic Cap operating system. Envoy also enjoys a RadioMail account that accesses the RAM Mobile network for the sending and delivery of E-mail. E-mail management is a snap with a simple in-box and out-box. Like the Newton, the Envoy sports a soft keyboard for typing messages; however, this keyboard allows touch-typing directly with your fingers. Still, the keyboard is pretty cramped, leading to numerous typing errors. The Envoy also comes loaded with Intuit's Pocket Quicken software for tracking personal and business expenses. We found the Envoy and Marco products to be the most useful on the road because of the integrated wireless capabilities. While we were unable to access the RAM Mobile network from all of our test sites - due to the network's coverage limitations - both systems allowed us to bring our LAN-based E-mail, address book and scheduler functions to our pockets on the road. The Marco costs from $400 to $700 more than an Apple Newton, thanks in large part to its integrated wireless modem. Depending on configuration, the Envoy can be equal in price or as much as $500 more than Magic Link. If users are looking for wireless E-mail capabilities, it makes sense to purchase one of these Motorola products. BELLSOUTH SIMON BellSouth took an innovative approach in designing its personal communicator - it incorporated cellular phone technology into its Simon product. Simon is the most voice-oriented PDA of the bunch. The integration of fax, E-mail and voice into one unit is admirable, but Simon suffers from the lack of more extensive application support. Users may prefer to carry both a more functional mail- and fax-enabled PDA and a cellular phone. The Simon looks much like a bulky mid-1980s portable telephone but, in fact, is leading-edge technology, with onboard personal information manager (PIM) computer software. While Simon has many of the standard information management options one would expect of a PDA, its backlit screen and integrated cellular telephone are unique among today's PDAs. Activating Simon causes the LCD screen to light up and display a touch-sensitive numeric keypad. Users can dial phone numbers either by hand or by using a stylus. Simon supports other common cellular phone functions, such as redial, one-touch 911 dialing and quick dialing. Simon also supports a unique paging feature that eliminates the need for a separate pager and subscription to a paging service. Additionally, users can employ standard analog phone lines to cut cellular costs by using an optional RJ-11 attachment. Simon's cellular phone capabilities are typical, but the device cannot be easily used in a moving vehicle. The flat LCD screen keypad offers no tactile indication of numbers, so you cannot dial without taking your eyes off the road. Users can bring up a GUI menu environment by tapping an icon on the main keypad screen. An icon-filled menu appears from which a user can enter various standard PIM features such as a calendar, to-do list, E-mail and faxing. Faxing to and from Simon was easy and painless. Notes written in electronic ink as well as contacts or other data from its information management functions can be faxed in only a few stylus taps. Speed of fax transmissions depends on cellular signal strength. Simon measures the cellular signal and presents it on-screen so users can change locations for faster transmission. Faxes received on the Simon can be displayed on-screen, magnified for better viewing and saved to Simon's memory. Unfortunately, to get hard copy means another phone call to send the document to a standard fax machine. For E-mail, Simon currently has a built-in Lotus Development Corp. cc:Mail interface. We were able to access our labs' cc:Mail post office without difficulty. Currently, Simon supports no other E-mail packages. PC-CK, a personal connectivity kit manufactured by IBM for BellSouth, supports data transfers between the Simon and a PC or HP-100 palmtop computer. The only third-party application we found for Simon at the moment is DispatchIt, a PCMCIA-based field service application developed by PDA Dimensions, Inc. This package allows technicians to enter work orders and other relevant information into a Windows PC client, from which they can be transmitted to field service technicians. Technicians can then use Simon's wireless capabilities to transmit information back to the client PC. While BellSouth is evangelizing the Simon, and IBM, creator of the Simon, is opening the Simon operating system to developers, the fact remains that there are no other third-party applications for Simon other than DispatchIt and PC-CK. According to BellSouth, however, solutions are being developed for other E-mail applications, on-line services support and wireless LAN connectivity. SHARP ZAURUS At first glance, Zaurus looks much like a Hewlett-Packard Co. palmtop or Sharp Wizard electronic organizer. The unit has a flip-up touchscreen with an integrated keyboard that allows for touch-typing. The screen is among the best we've seen for such organizers. The Zaurus boasts a speedy GUI powered by a 16-bit, low-power-consumption processor that allows the unit to be powered for 60 hours on two AA batteries. The operating system is also simple and easy for Windows or Macintosh users to learn. Users can jump from one information management mode to the next using keystrokes or stylus taps. Zaurus' powerful features include information linking among various modes, such as database and contact manager mode; a word processor with multiple fonts and spell checker; and a fully customizable database that allows users to create their own schemas for vertical applications. Although there is no integrated modem, an optional externally attachable 2.4K bit/sec data and 9.6K bit/sec fax wire-line modem can be attached to the unit. This modem does not support any cellular protocols. With this fax modem installed, users can send - but not receive - faxes from various modes and use the unit's data capabilities, such as its built-in terminal mode that offers teletypewriter terminal and VT-100 terminal emulation. Additionally, clients are available for both AT&T EasyLink mail and CompuServe. Zaurus has built-in support for PCMCIA modems from AT&T Paradyne, Megahertz and Motorola. Thus, cellular transmissions from the Zaurus are possible by using a cellular phone and compatible PCMCIA cellular modem. ZaurusMail is an E-mail solution that allows multiple Zaurus users within a firm to communicate. The ZaurusMail software resides on a dedicated central E-mail server with a connected modem and lets Zaurus users dial in to send and receive E-mail. This limited solution is designed primarily for small businesses without a LAN and is not currently compatible with any other popular E-mail software. No gateways are currently available. Third-party applications currently available include Zaurus-to-PC data transfer and synchronization software by IntelliLink Corp. and Rupp Technology Corp. Rupp also offers a time and expense manager, mobile project manager and game software. Some third-party applications for the Zaurus are already in development for vertical markets. Sharp plans on releasing a developer's tool kit this year. Zaurus is priced at $750 for the base unit or $850 when bundled with a modem.
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Bridging the Gap between Concept & Execution
Copyright 2003. All Rights Reserved. TVG | RLP | EPN | SCD Site Revised: 05/30/05. |
