Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!jarthur!jokim
From: jokim@jarthur.Claremont.EDU (John H. Kim)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: Dream Machine (Re: HP Announces New Calculator!)
Message-ID: <11566@jarthur.Claremont.EDU>
Date: 5 Apr 91 21:10:42 GMT
References: <559@lysator.liu.se>
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Lines: 38

In article <559@lysator.liu.se> howard@lysator.liu.se (MindWalker) writes:
>
>The dream machine, to me, would be something the size of an 48SX, but with
>no keys.  Right, _no_ keys.  Instead, replace everything with a large LCD
>touch sensitive display. ... Attached to the side of the
>"calculator" would be a "pen", which would be used for menu selections,
>or writing in text.  The text would be written in by writing with the pen,

I think there's already something like this in the works, although
I don't remember what company is doing it.  It uses handwriting
recognition software much as you suggest.  I saw it in a presentation
on computers in the field on cable's Mind Extension University--
caught my eye as I was flipping channels.  Since I didn't see the
whole thing, I can't say if they're really building it or it was
just a demonstration model like you might see at a show.  They did
end the presentation saying that all the technology they showed is
currently available and the only problem is polishing it off and
putting it all together.  The demonstration unit had the hardwriting
recognition stuff and a good deal of buisiness software in it.

>The "calculator"
>(hmm, a new term is going to be needed.  Pity notebook is already used),

How about "notepad"?  The unit I saw looked about 5" x 9", or larger
than a notepad, smaller than a notebook.  The way you write on it
with a pen also suggest a notepad.

>Standard RS-232C port, preferably with another connector, IR port, high
>speed port for add ons, such as HD, or local networking with other
>calcs or computers.

They mentioned a built in cellular phone so you could do file transfers
while on the road (important for the traveling businessman).  I'd hate
to know the battery life of this thing.
-- 
John H. Kim                 | (This space to be filled when I
jokim@jarthur.claremont.edu | think of something very clever 
uunet!jarthur!jokim         | to use as a disclaimer)