SAN JOSE, Calif. USA, November 7, 2002 -- Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTEC), for more than two decades the company behind the global software standard at the core of hundreds of millions of PC systems and connected digital devices, has introduced the industry’s only core environment with pen enablement for the new Compaq Tablet PC from HP. Fujitsu is also adopting the Phoenix FirstBIOSTM Tablet PC ProTM for its Tablet PC hardware. Users can use the pen to access BIOS utilities – along with Phoenix FirstWareTM functions for security, recovery, diagnostics, and connection – in this newest evolution of the notebook computer.
Two years ago, Microsoft selected Phoenix to build prototype pen enablement for an early-stage Tablet PC. Now Phoenix is enabling the next generation of ultra-portable notebook computers designed especially for the mobile “knowledge workforce” so they can create documents in ordinary handwriting. This enablement at the core is one of the leading market drivers for the Tablet PC. Other drivers include digital ink, natural interface for double-byte languages (Japanese, Chinese, etc.), and convertible features that give these knowledge workers a choice of using pen, keyboard, or mouse. Coupled with Microsoft’s platform, this takes the notebook to a more sophisticated level.
“We expect a significant market demand from users who need an extremely portable computer,” said Sara Nelson, Vice President of Marketing for Fujitsu. “Typically, they don’t sit in front of an office computer all day, but they still depend on handwritten notes in meetings, courtroom, hospitals, classrooms, and on the road. Phoenix pen enablement in the BIOS is absolutely necessary because it allows users to access BIOS-based functions without requiring them to carry a keyboard, recovery disks, or other hardware.”
By its nature, the Tablet PC uses a pen as its primary input device. Users simply take notes the same way they would if using pen and paper. Phoenix provides the only way to enable core BIOS capabilities by using the pen to tap menus and buttons in a completely new graphical menu system. Phoenix xPen-2 enablement also provides an advanced out-of-the-box solution for lower cost, competitive differentiation, and faster time to market for system developers worldwide.
“One of the challenges of bringing the Tablet PC to market was enabling access to BIOS capabilities without a keyboard,” said Peter Hunt, director of Tablet PC engineering, HP Personal Systems Group. “This challenge was successfully addressed by Phoenix engineers. HP offers users the ability to enable access to BIOS capabilities such as recovery, diagnostics, and security by using the pen to tap menus and buttons.”
Along with pen enablement at the core, digital ink is expected to be another market driver. Earlier Tablet PC versions used bitmap software to record pen strokes. But digital ink is a data type, similar to keyboard text, so it can be searched, dated, and keyed with other data points. Another market driver is that people can review and annotate text documents onscreen without having to print hard copies, and they can collaborate on shared screens – working math equations, making diagrams, inserting notes, etc.
“Leading OEMs recognize that Phoenix is a key part of enabling fundamental aspects of the Tablet PC,” said Timothy D. Eades, Vice President of Marketing for Phoenix. “We’re already the longtime leader in BIOS, so our participation adds a high level of confidence at the core, which will drive adoption. This is the hottest category in the market because it’s a total revolution in natural language input.”
Several OEMs and software developers have been actively involved in taking the Tablet PC to market. Products are expected to begin shipping by December.
About Tablet PC Pro
Phoenix Tablet PC Pro is designed to address the three greatest mobility needs:
* Portability – xPen-2 enablement requires no keyboard, so users can access Phoenix FirstBIOS functions using only the pen.
* Security – Multi-level security protection is available with passwords and StrongROM technology.
* Reliability – Users can recover their Tablet PC systems quickly with Phoenix FirstWare Rescue, built into a protected part of the hard drive.
About Phoenix
Founded in 1979, Phoenix Technologies (NASDAQ: PTEC) is a global leader in device-enabling and management software products for PCs and other connected digital devices. Phoenix FirstWareTM family of “instant on” software activates, secures, connects, and recovers digital devices and is designed into many millions of industry standard desktop, notebook, server, and information appliance systems sold annually. This enables Phoenix customers – specifiers, developers, and manufacturers of user-driven microprocessor systems – to reduce costs and provide significant value-added features to their customers. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Phoenix Technologies has offices worldwide.
For more information about Phoenix Technologies, visit our website at http://www.phoenix.com/
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