MobileAccess Phone From Mitsubishi Wireless Doubles as Wireless Modem for PalmPilots.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1998--To address the ever-increasing demand of mobile workers who need convenient access to the Internet, e-mail and corporate data from anywhere at anytime, the Personal Mobile Communications (PMC) Division of Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc., Wednesday launched a new low-cost accessory kit that enables wireless communications for 3Com's PalmPilot(TM) via a Mitsubishi MobileAccess(TM) 100 Series cellular smartphone.

The PalmPilot Connection Kit provides configuration software that walks users through the setup of a PalmPilot to enable a MobileAccess phone to act as a wireless modem. The kit includes a serial cable for connecting the phone to a PalmPilot's serial port, thus alleviating the need for a landline modem connection or single-purpose, single-network modem.

To ease the installation process, the PalmPilot Connection Kit provides a wireless modem wizard that automatically installs modem drivers for the MobileAccess phone on the PalmPilot, then guides a user step-by-step through the configuration procedures for establishing network communications, including a service carrier's DNS (directory name server) settings.

For added value and wireless accessibility, the PalmPilot Connection Kit bundles two applications from Smartcode Software to facilitate e-mail and Web browsing. HandMAIL(TM) is the leading POP3 e-mail client for the PalmPilot, while the complementary HandWEB(TM) provides a Web browsing utility.

"By including HandMAIL and HandWEB, the PalmPilot Connection Kit provides added value for PalmPilot users who need fast and easy access to mission-critical information," said Stephane Bussat, vice president of marketing for Smartcode Software. "This wireless solution from Mitsubishi offers everything a PalmPilot user needs to be productive on the road."

The MobileAccess phone is a wireless integrated voice/data smartphone that not only offers Internet/intranet access, fax/modem functionality and e-mail capability, but full voice features as well. It is the only phone of its kind that provides voice, data and dual voice/data support for both circuit-switched and wireless IP networks.

"Many mobile workers depend on their electronic personal companions -- such as PalmPilots -- for their contacts, notes and to-do lists, but they have to synchronize back in the office," said Joy Maguire, director product marketing and management for the PMC Division. "With our MobileAccess Phone and PalmPilot Connection Kit, they have an inexpensive and hassle-free method for uploading and downloading files, faxes and e-mail messages as well as synchronizing contact database information, wherever they are located, employing the same phone they use to make voice calls."

In Mitsubishi's complete wireless mobile solution, the MobileAccess phone is a wireless replacement for a standard landline modem and, in its CDPD (cellular digital packet data) mode, a mobile replacement for a wired Internet connection. The PalmPilot Connection Kit software provides the modem command and control functions to link the PalmPilot to either type of phone connection.

"The PalmPilot kit further demonstrates our ongoing strategy to provide universal wireless connectivity solutions for any mobile computing device -- not just PalmPilots and laptops, for which we released a similar connection kit last September, but soon Windows CE devices as well," Maguire added. "The smartphone acts as a universal wireless modem, providing high-quality, untethered access to the Internet, e-mail and corporate networks."

For complete wireless coverage, the phone supports both the traditional AMPS (analog mobile phone service) phone network as well as CDPD technology, meaning it works anywhere in the United States where there is phone service. According to Maguire, this one-of-a-kind flexibility is a critical differentiator from competitive solutions. "The MobileAccess Phone is the only true smartphone because it is capable of using a circuit-switched data service over a voice network when users cannot access a packet data service over a CDPD network," she noted.

A full-featured cellular smartphone, the MobileAccess 120 integrates the latest version (2.0) of Unwired Planet's(TM) thin client with the MobileAccess 100 Series, which has voice, data and dual-mode (voice/data) capabilities. In addition, both packet data (19.2 Kbps CDPD modem) and circuit-switched data (14.4 Kbps V.32 bis modem) are supported. Pricing for the MobileAccess Phone varies by carrier.

The PalmPilot Connection Kit has a MSRP of $110. The product will be available beginning in September through select carriers such as AT&T Wireless, GTE Wireless, Bell Atlantic Mobile and wireless service provider GoAmerica Communications.

The Personal Mobile Communications (PMC) Division, established by Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. (MWCI), develops, manufactures and markets wireless integrated voice/data telecommunications products and advanced mobile communications applications and services. The PMC Division licensed application infrastructure technology from Unwired Planet, enabling users to access information on a company network or the Internet. It is located at 1050 East Arques Ave., Sunnyvale, Calif., 94086. (http://www.mobileaccessphone.com.)

MobileAccess is a trademark of Personal Mobile Communications Division, Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. All other names are trademarks of their respective companies.

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