Tandy Corp. Announces Intent to Create New Family of Personal Information Processors
FORT WORTH, Texas — May 27, 1992 — Signaling a major advance in the next generation of personal, portable information devices, Tandy announced Wednesday that it has agreed in principle with Casio Computer Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan to work together to design, develop, manufacture, market and distribute a new family of ''Personal Information Processors.''
Tandy and Casio expect to set the pace for the emerging market of hand-held portable information devices, by combining the extensive technology and distribution systems of two of the world's leaders in consumer and computer products.
''This cooperation is an important milestone in the emerging market for small, pocket-sized processors,'' said John Roach, chairman and CEO of Tandy Corp. ''Access to information wherever you go is not only desirable, but will soon be indispensible. Tandy intends to create a broad range of products throughout the 1990's to meet this need.
''We specifically chose to base these products on an open software environment, while not compromising on the necessary technology required to implement low power, small and lightweight systems at consumer price levels.''
Two leaders in the emerging field of software environments for small, low power, nomadic devices will participate as well. Tandy and Casio will be joined by GeoWorks which will supply its GEOS(R) operating system and Palm Computing, Inc., which will supply applications software. GEOS is an open-architecture, object-oriented, graphical operating system which supports a wide range of input devices, including the pen.
Because of its efficient design, small code size and real-time power management, GEOS is an ideal operating environment for this new family of devices. Palm Computing provides extensive expertise in easy to use, pen-based systems. The PalmPrint handwriting recognizer, developed for GRiD Systems' GRiDPAD(R) computer, will be used for this project.
Tandy and Casio began discussions last year on how the two companies could combine their respective strengths. Tandy is not only a leader in personal computers, but is America's largest consumer elecronics manufacturer and retailer. Casio provides extensive expertise in the design and manufacture of miniature, highly-integrated electronic technology consumer products.
In recent years, Tandy has expanded both its technology base and its lead in electronics and computer retailing. Tandy's GRiD Systems subsidiary is the leader in pen-based computing. GRiD recently introduced PalmPAD(TM), the first ''wearable'' pen-based computer.
Tandy is also a leader in multimedia technology. Its award winning Multimedia Personal Computers provide solutions for the business and education marketplaces. ''This is our 15th year in the PC business," said Howard Elias, vice president of Tandy Computers, who is leading Tandy's push into multimedia and personal systems.
''As digital technologies combine with state of the art software to make consumer products more interesting and compelling, Tandy will be there with innovative and cost effective products.''
GeoWorks, of Berkeley, Calif., is the developer and publisher of the acclaimed GEOS graphical operating system and GeoWorks(R) Pro applications software. GeoWorks has invested in highly integrated and efficient real-time operating system technology that is well suited for small, portable environments. Using GEOS, software developers, content providers and other third party suppliers can develop products for this open platform.
Palm Computing is a software developer and marketer focusing exclusively on the emerging market for consumer palmtop computers. Its founder, Jeff Hawkins, was formerly vice president of research at GRiD Systems Corporation. Palm Computing is a Silicon Valley startup, funded primarily by venture capital. Palm Computing also intends to market add-on products created by Palm and other companies.
''There has been quite a bit of discussion lately about consumer companies wanting to be more computer like, and computer companies wanting to be more involved in the consumer electronics business,'' stated Elias.
''Tandy is inherently both. We've been in consumer electronics for 65 years, and in the PC industry since it was born 15 years ago. We are already America's largest consumer electronics manufacturer and retailer. This gives us a unique understanding of the technology, the distribution channels and the customer.''
No dollar value was attributed to the agreement. Specific products and timetables were not revealed, however the first products resulting from the arrangement are expected in 1993.
NOTE: GRiD and GRiDPAD are registered trademarks of GRiD Systems Corporation. PalmPAD is a trademark of GRiD Systems Corporation. GEOS and GeoWorks are registered trademarks or GeoWorks.
CONTACT:
Tandy Corp., Fort Worth
Howard Elias, 817/390-3999
or
Ed Juge, 817/390-3549
or
GeoWorks, San Francisco
Lee Llevano, 510/486-8655
or
Palm Computing Inc., San Francisco
Jeff Hawkins, 415/854-8600