Cross Pen Computing Group Ships the CrossPad, the World’s First Portable Digital Notepad
Co-developed with IBM, the new CrossPad transforms how users store, organize and share notes by instantly capturing handwriting for transfer to a PC
LINCOLN, R.I (March 31, 1998) – The Pen Computing Group of A.T. Cross Company (AMEX:ATX.A) today announced its innovative CrossPad portable digital notepad (PDN), which bridges the gap between paper and the PC. The CrossPad is now available at major computer retail outlets nationwide.
CrossPad transforms how users store, organize and share notes by writing in ink on a standard pad and uploading their handwriting directly to the PC. As a PC file, the user’s “digital notes” can be filed, reorganized, faxed, e-mailed or printed in handwritten form or converted to standard ASCII text for use in virtually all Windows® 95 applications.
“The Cross Pen Computing Group and our technology partner, IBM (NYSE:IBM), are extremely pleased to have reached this important milestone with the introduction of a new product category, the portable digital notepad,” states Robert Byrnes, CEO of the Cross Pen Computing Group. “For A.T. Cross, it is the most important to date in our line of pen-based computing products that combine the simplicity of the pen with the power of the PC. Consumers will find the CrossPad is a powerful note management tool that lets them write naturally on a pad.”
“As computing plays a more predominant role in our daily lives, it is imperative that the industry make it easier for people to interact with technology,” said W. S. (Ozzie) Osborne, general manager of IBM Speech and Pen Systems. “In partnership with A.T. Cross, IBM is bringing cutting-edge technology from its research labs to the public in the form of unique, natural interface products like the CrossPad.”
The CrossPad will be available, beginning in mid-April, for $399 at major computer retail stores and catalogues including Staples, Comp USA, Computer City, MicroCenter, Computer Discount Warehouse, Micro Warehouse, and PC Connection.
Take Notes On Standard Paper
Using a specially designed Cross digital pen equipped with a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, users take notes, naturally, on a standard 8.5″ x 11″ notepad affixed to the CrossPad’s digital notepad. Simultaneously, signals from the digital pen are stored as digital notes in the memory of the pad. The keyword feature enables users to circle a word, press the “keyword” button, and search for the word later as a simple and convenient way to retrieve their notes. Changing digital pages by pressing the “page change” button is as easy as flipping the page over. The CrossPad stores up to 50 pages of handwritten notes.
Source: IBM