Alps Electric Introduces Macintosh Compatible Keyboard With Embedded GlidePoint Touchpad; Includes Erase-Eaze Backspace Key and Contoured Wrist Rest.BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 1995--Alps Electric (USA), Inc., a leading manufacturer of peripherals, keyboards and pointing devices, today introduced the Alps GlidePoint(R) Keyboard, a Macintosh compatible premium mechanical keyboard A keyboard that uses an individual switch for each key. Earlier computer keyboards were built this way as well as premium keyboards today. Mechanical keyboards are very much appreciated by fast typists, because they have a springiness and feel that is not the same as the standard membrane with an embedded Inserted into. See embedded system. Alps GlidePoint touchpad A stationary pointing device that provides a small, flat surface that you slide your finger over using the same movements as you would a mouse. You can tap on the pad's surface as an alternate to pressing one of the touchpad keys. See mouse, trackball and pointing stick. . The keyboard, which will begin shipping in November, includes an ergonomic ergonomic - Concerning ergonomics or exhibitting good ergonimics. Erase-Eaze(R) backspace (1) To move the screen cursor one column to the left, deleting the character that was in that position. A backspace to the printer moves the print head one column to the left. (2) To move to the previous block on a magnetic tape. key and a contoured wrist rest A platform used to raise the wrist above keyboard level for typing. The correct height for a wrist rest is several inches higher than the keyboard (even though almost none of them are). The arms and wrist should be level, and the fingers should be pointing down towards the keyboard. . Alps will also release a PC version of the Alps GlidePoint Keyboard in September. The Alps GlidePoint Keyboard features a 106-key layout and Alps' premium mechanical keyswitches for a solid feel and long life. For fast and easy backspacing and deleting, an ergonomic Erase-Eaze backspace key is located on the left side of a split spacebar. The spacebar is divided into two parts -- the right side is used by the right thumb for normal spacing, and the left side (Erase-Eaze key) is used by the left thumb to backspace and delete. The user's eyes and hands never need to leave their standard position, making backspacing and deleting more comfortable and efficient. With the supplied software, the function of the spacebar and Erase-Eaze keys can be swapped, or both can be used as a spacebar. The Alps GlidePoint Keyboard also includes the standard backspace key located above the Enter key. "Because most people typically use their right thumb to hit the spacebar, nothing is lost, but there is exceptional benefit to having the backspace key in such a convenient location," said Dennis Steele, senior channel product manager for Alps. "Users no longer need to stretch to reach one of the most commonly used keys." The Alps GlidePoint Keyboard comes with enhanced control panel software for customized programming of the GlidePoint buttons and Erase-Eaze key. It also comes with a 6 foot cable with an ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) A low-speed serial bus for connecting keyboards, mice and other input devices on Apple IIgs and Macintosh computers. Starting with the iMac in 1998, the ADB was superseded by USB. connector. "We're pleased to combine our high-quality keyboard with our state-of-the-art GlidePoint in such a sophisticated, sleek design," said Steele. "Now users can comfortably type and control the cursor from one integrated platform. No more reaching for a mouse, or clearing desk space for an add-on pointing device. The addition of the Erase-Eaze backspace key allows users even greater control and comfort, resulting in faster, more efficient computing." The Alps GlidePoint touchpad is a truly intuitive pointing device for controlling a cursor. Simply gliding a finger across the GlidePoint surface moves the cursor on the screen. Ease of use, and a sleek, compact design, make GlidePoint the perfect replacement for a mouse or trackball A stationary pointing device that contains a movable ball rotated with the fingers or palm. From one to three keys are located in various positions depending on the unit. Years ago, Kensington Microware popularized the trackball with its Turbo Mouse for the Macintosh. . With an innovative feature called "taps," selecting text and objects with Alps GlidePoint is also intuitive -- simply tapping a finger lightly on the GlidePoint surface is just like clicking a mouse. If users would rather click than tap, Alps GlidePoint has three programmable buttons. Two of the buttons are initially set up like the button on a mouse, but all three can be programmed for specific functions. The Alps GlidePoint features 400 dpi resolution, and works with System 6.0.4 and above. Although GlidePoint works with standard mouse software, for the best performance, Alps provides software optimized for GlidePoint. With the GlidePoint software, users can change cursor speed and sensitivity, orientation, and program any of the three buttons to perform specific functions, such as "double clicking." GlidePoint's design also makes it exceptionally reliable. With solid state construction and almost no moving parts Moving parts are the components of a device that undergo continuous or frequent motion, most commonly rotation. "Parts" only include the mechanical components which does not include fuel, or any other gas or liquid. (only the buttons), there is very little wear, and contamination from dirt is virtually eliminated. Pricing And Availability The Alps GlidePoint Keyboard has a suggested list price $159.95, and comes with a lifetime warranty. It will be available in November through national distributors, large computer chain stores and computer superstores. The Alps GlidePoint Keyboard is one of several in a family of Alps GlidePoint products. The complete line, with PC and Macintosh versions of each, includes: the Alps GlidePoint Keyboard, the Alps Desktop GlidePoint, the Alps GlidePoint Keypad A small keyboard or supplementary keyboard keys; for example, the keys on a calculator or the number/cursor cluster on a computer keyboard. See programmable keypad. , and the Alps Portable GlidePoint that was announced last October. Alps Electric (USA), Inc., located in San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , Calif., manufactures and markets peripherals, including pointing devices and keyboards, floppy drives, and other electronic components for the computer market through OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and , reseller, government, and direct channels. Alps Electric (USA), Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of Alps Electric Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo. Alps Electric Co., Ltd. is an almost $4 billion Fortune International 500 company. For more information, contact Alps Electric (USA), Inc. at 800/825-2577 Alps GlidePoint Technology Alps GlidePoint works its magic through a technique known as field distortion sensing, a form of capacitance-sensing technology. Under GlidePoint's sealed surface are two layers of fine electrical conductors, arranged in a grid pattern. This grid of conductors creates an electrical field over GlidePoint's surface. When a fingertip fin·ger·tip n. The extreme end or tip of a finger. touches the GlidePoint surface, the fingertip distorts the electrical field at that spot. By scanning the grid and sensing the strength of the distortion on each conductor, GlidePoint precisely locates the position of the fingertip. As the fingertip moves across the pad, GlidePoint tracks the motion by following the changes in the electrical field, detecting even very small movements (400 points per inch). Note that this technology depends on the interaction between a finger and the electrical field over GlidePoint's surface. If the pad is touched with the eraser end of a pencil, for example, GlidePoint won't sense it. Also, the surface is not pressure-sensitive -- it detects touch but not the strength of a touch -- so a light touch is all that is necessary. -0- Note to Editors: GlidePoint is a registered trade mark of Cirque Corporation Cirque Corporation is a Salt Lake City, Utah-based company which developed and commercialized the first successful capacitive touchpad, now widely used in notebook computers. . All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Alps Electric (USA), Inc. Dennis Steele, 408/432-6000 or De Anda Communications Jennifer De Anda, 408/253-7924 e-mail: 74654.3571@compuserve.com |
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