3Com Releases Spanish Language Version of the Industry-Leading Palm III Organizer
MIAMI — September 14, 1998 — 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) today announced the availability of a Spanish language version of the market-leading Palm III(TM) connected organizer, the third generation of its award-winning products based on the Palm Computing(R) platform. The product is also available in English, French and German. The Spanish version of the PalmPilot(TM) Professional Edition organizer remains available.
In addition to the pocket size, seamless desktop synchronization, ease of use and fast data access that made the Palm Computing platform the de facto open standard in the handheld market, the Palm III organizer offers infrared (IR) beaming capabilities, increased memory, an optimized user interface and a sleek new industrial design. The Palm III organizer runs on Palm OS(TM) 3.0, the newest generation of Palm Computing's highly efficient operating system for seamlessly connected handheld devices.
With the Palm III organizer's IR capability users can share records and applications wirelessly by simply "beaming" information into another user's Palm III organizer at the touch of a button. This provides new data communications opportunities both for individual users and organizations. With 2MB of RAM, users have ample room to add a wide array of applications, allowing greater expandability and customization. The Palm III organizer is flash upgradable, making it easy for users to upgrade the Palm OS software without replacing the memory card. In addition, the Palm III organizer is capable of synchronizing data over corporate Intranets and the Internet, using Palm Computing's enhanced HotSync(R) technology.
To further add to the product's utility, the Palm III organizer is bundled with the Bonus Pack from MacMillan Digital Publishing, a CD-ROM containing an extensive array of third-party applications and utilities valued at approximately U.S. $ 175. The Bonus Pack includes a financial calculator, a world clock, a Web channel manager, a drawing application, CNET Snap! Online, conduits to leading desktop personal information manager including Symantec ACT! and Microsoft Outlook 97 and an assortment of games. The Palm III organizer sets a new standard for value in the handheld computing market, with an unmatched combination of performance, functionality and ease of use at the best price point available.
"Customers around the world are delighted with the Palm III organizer because it builds on the ease-of-use, form factor, instant response, connectivity and value that made the PalmPilot products the best-selling handheld devices worldwide," said Arturo Cazares, vice president for 3Com's Latin American division. "We've had great success with the Spanish version of the PalmPilot organizer and now, with the availability of a Spanish version, we are meeting a strong demand from Latin America and other Spanish-speaking regions for this newest generation product."
To support its large and loyal customer base, 3Com offers an upgrade to the full functionality of the new Palm III organizer for users of previous versions of Palm Computing devices. The Palm 2MB Upgrade is a thin, snap-on hardware product that allows any registered user of the original Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000 organizers, or the PalmPilot Personal and PalmPilot Professional Edition products, to upgrade any of these products to the new operating system, software, IR and extended memory.
Built on the Palm Computing platform, which holds 63 percent share of the standard handheld computing market worldwide (Dataquest), the Palm III organizer maintains compatibility with the hundreds of software applications and hardware add-ons that are available from third-party vendors. With over 10,000 developers working on Palm Computing platform solutions and over 200 developers producing hardware add-ons, the Palm Computing platform offers the greatest number of handheld solutions available for both consumers and corporate customers. In addition, over one million handheld devices based on the Palm Computing platform have sold, making it the fastest adopted computing platform in history.
The Palm III organizer is now available through authorized 3Com resellers for a suggested retail price of U.S. $ 399. The PalmPilot Professional Edition organizer remains available, with a suggested retail price of U.S. $ 299.
About 3Com
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to stay more connected by communicating and sharing information and resources at anytime from anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 200 million customers worldwide. The company provides large enterprise, small and medium enterprise, carriers and network service providers, and consumers comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at http://www.3Com.com or the press site at http://www.3Com.com/pressbox.
3Com, HotSync and Palm Computing are registered trademarks and Palm III, Palm OS and PalmPilot are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the companies with which they are associated. No products mentioned herein are manufactured by Pilot Corporation or Pilot Corporation of America, manufacturers and distributors of writing instruments.
CONTACT:
3Com Corp.
Jorge Tapias, 408/326-6696
jorge_tapias@3com.com