Wacom Technology and A.T. Cross Announce New Penabled Executive Pens for Tablet PCs.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2002 Wacom Technology, the world's leading maker of computer graphics tablets and electronic pens, and A.T. Cross Company (ASE-ATX), a leading manufacturer of fine writing instruments, have partnered for the first time in the development of two executive pens for the Tablet PC (1) A tablet computer environment from Microsoft that is based on an enhanced version of Windows XP. Designed to function more like a portable writing tablet than previous tablet-based computers, it includes handwriting recognition as well as the ability to retain handwritten words . The pens are for use with any of the Penabled(TM) Tablet PCs announced at Microsoft's launch of the Tablet PC platform. Tablet PCs provide the functionality of notebook computers while offering natural pen-based computing See gesture recognition and tablet PC. capabilities. Penabled Tablet PCs use patented Wacom technology that allows the pens to be cordless and batteryless, provide 256 levels of pressure and have optional electronic erasers. The Tablet PCs shown to date include the Acer Travelmate C100, the Fujitsu and Fujitsu Siemens Computers Fujitsu Siemens Computers is a Japanese and German IT vendor, selling consumer and business computing products in the markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (products marketed elsewhere are sold under the Fujitsu brand). Stylistic ST Series Tablet PC, the Motion Computing Motion Computing is a Tablet PC company located in Austin, Texas. All computers produced by Motion are in the slate form factor; current products include LS800, LE1600, LE1700, and C5. M1200 Tablet PC, the Toshiba Portege 3500 Tablet PC, the Viewsonic Viewpad V1100, the WalkAbout walkabout a dummy syndrome in horses; usually pyrrolizidine alkaloses caused by crotalaria poisoning. Affected horses walk compulsively, head press, appear blind and walk into objects. They do not respond to usual external stimuli or commands. Hammerhead hammerhead, common name for a heavy-looking, heronlike bird, Scopus umbretta. Its plumage is brown with light and dark glossy, purplish streaks on the wings and body. It has short legs, partially webbed feet, and a heavy, wide, moderately long, black bill. XRT XRT A symbol used specifically upon the consolidated tape to indicate a security trading ex-rights. Notes: Typically, a stock will depreciate in price immediately after rights offering expires. , and the Xplore Genesys IIITPC. Other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to announce Penabled Tablet PCs in the future. Tablet PCs must be Penabled to use the new executive pens, and the pens are necessary for optimum pressure sensitivity and eraser functions. The two new pens have a sleek, modern metallic look. One model is with a cap and one is without a cap. The pens have a single side switch, which can be set as a right mouse button. They are capable of 256 levels of pressure so line and signature width, as well as darkness, can vary according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. hand pressure. Both have a pocket clip, and both have an electronic eraser, which is a unique feature of Wacom Penabled pens. "We are excited about working with A.T. Cross in providing new levels of quality and style for computer pens," said Joe Deal, Wacom president. "These new pens with their patented cordless, batteryless, pressure-sensitive features are ideal for use by executives and information workers with Tablet PCs for taking notes in meetings for later reference." "Tablet PCs represent the future of mobile computing Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not necessarily imply mobile computing. Fixed wireless applications use satellites, radio systems and lasers to transmit between permanent objects such as buildings , and we are delighted to be partnering with Wacom in this more natural, pen-based form of computing that blends the simplicity of pen and paper with the productivity of a notebook computer," said John Ruggieri, president of the Pen Computing See gesture recognition and tablet PC. Group at A.T. Cross. Price and Availability The two executive pens will be available for sale to OEMs and also in the Wacom and A.T. Cross retail channels during the second quarter of 2003. Prices have not been announced. Tablet PC users can use the executive pens to control their PC, and they can create handwritten hand·write tr.v. hand·wrote , hand·writ·ten , hand·writ·ing, hand·writes To write by hand. [Back-formation from handwritten.] Adj. 1. documents by writing directly on the computer's LCD screen. Handwritten documents are displayed as ultrasharp vector-based digital ink objects that vary in line thickness depending on hand pressure applied, just as when using a regular ink pen "Ink pen" redirects here. For the writing instrument, see Pen. Ink Pen is a daily comic strip by Phil Dunlap that started in 2005 and is syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate. This comic strip is about an employment agency for out-of-work cartoon characters. . The Windows Tablet PC system also allows handwritten notes to be stored, searched and reviewed. Documents can be annotated and handwritten notes converted for repurposing into other work documents. How Penabled Technology Works Wacom Penabled pens operate without batteries or connecting cords by taking advantage of an electro-magnetic signal sent from a sensor board under the LCD to the pen and returned for analysis. A grid of wires in the sensor board alternates between transmit and receive modes about every 20 microseconds. In transmit mode, the sensor board's signal stimulates oscillation in a coil-and-capacitor resonant circuit in the pen. In receive mode, the energy of the resonant circuit oscillations oscillations See Cortical oscillations. in the pen is detected by the sensor board's antenna grid and analyzed for position, pressure and other information. A Penabled pen also has the ability to "hover," allowing it to move the cursor without actually touching the LCD screen. Another advantage is that the sensor board is embedded so it is located not above but beneath the LCD panel, which allows a clearer, richer display. About A.T. Cross A.T. Cross Company is headquartered in Lincoln, RI, and is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of fine writing instruments with distribution in major markets around the world. The company also designs and markets time pieces and manufactures pen computing products. Its Pen Computing Group was established to develop and market pen-based products that facilitate electronic communications. For more information contact John Ruggieri, A.T. Cross Company, One Albion Road, Lincoln, RI 02865; phone 401/335-8470; email jruggieri@cross.com. The company's website is: http://www.cross.com. About Wacom Wacom is best known for having introduced the world's first cordless, batteryless, pressure-sensitive pen in America in 1989. Wacom Co., Ltd., a worldwide corporation, is headquartered in Japan. It operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries 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. : Wacom Technology Corp., Vancouver, WA; Wacom Europe GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany; and Wacom Components of Europe, Cambridge, UK. For more information contact Steve Sedaker, Wacom Technology Corp., 1311 SE Cardinal Court, Vancouver, WA 98683; phone 800/922-6613 x136; website: http://www.wacom.com. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995 (including but not limited to statements related to the timing of the introduction of the executive pens, the expected reception by potential users of the executive pens, and the expected technical performance of the executive pens). In addition, words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks associated with the manufacture, distribution and introduction of new products and customer and consumer support for new products and technology. The information contained in this document is as of November 7, 2002. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments. Additional discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations is contained in the A.T. Cross Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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