The Logitech io Unites Pen, Paper and PC

September 18 /PR Newswire/ -- Logitech (NASDAQ:LOGI) (Switzerland:LOGN, LOGZ) today announced its entry into a new market -- digital writing -- with the launch of the Logitech io, a personal digital pen, at IDG's DEMOMobile 2002 Conference in La Jolla, Calif.

With the Logitech io pen, users can easily share, store, organize and retrieve their handwritten information by simply writing with ink on paper the way they have for thousands of years. An optical sensor embedded in the pen captures the handwritten images, storing up to 40 pages in memory. This captured digital information can then be transferred into the PC by synching the pen via a USB cradle. The Logitech io solution offers total mobility, since all that is necessary to carry is the pen and a digital paper notebook.

Available in November in the U.S. and select countries in Europe, the Logitech io uses functionality developed by Anoto, a company whose pen-and-paper technology is emerging as a new standard for digital writing. The pen itself is the key component of an ecosystem that includes leading paper manufacturers -- Mead Cambridge Notebooks from MeadWestvaco, Post-it Notes from 3M and productivity tools from FranklinCovey in the U.S., and the Groupe Hamelin in Europe -- combined with Logitech's proprietary software. Suggested U.S. retail price for the complete system starter kit is $199.

"Logitech is taking a very different approach to digital writing for the PC," said David Henry, senior vice president and general manager of Logitech's Control Devices Business Unit. "While other attempts at pen input have started with the PC, with the goal of making the PC more friendly, our point of departure is pen and paper, with the goal of making these elements more effective in the digital world.

"With the Logitech io, there's no need to change the way you work, or to lug your PC to meetings," Mr. Henry continued. "We believe this product will be well received by today's mobile workforce, as well as consumers who are looking to be more effective and creative with their note taking."

The digital paper that enables the capture of handwritten notes contains patented pre- printed tiny dots, which form a light screen effect. This pattern is read by an optical sensor embedded in the pen, which then stores the information in non-volatile memory until the pen is docked in its USB cradle.

Upon docking the Logitech io pen, users can export their handwritten information to popular applications such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Illustrator and calendaring tools including Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, or any MAPI-supported email application. They can also create Post-it Note reminders on their PC desktop. Note takers can also categorize and search their handwritten documents through the support of limited handwriting recognition by means of ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) fields.

"The myth of the paperless office has not come true," said Christer Fahraeus, founder and chief executive officer of Anoto. "People everywhere are still using pen and paper in the majority of note taking situations, struggling with how best to merge the information that they want to have available in their PC with their everyday habits."

At launch, the Logitech io retail package will include the pen, a rapid-charging USB cradle, Logitech io Software, one Mead Cambridge Limited Digital Notebook, Post-it Software Notes-Lite and one pocketbook of Post-it Notes for Digital Pens from 3M, an AC adaptor and five ink refills. Later this year, FranklinCovey will also introduce FranklinCovey iScribe Digital Planning Pages for use with the Logitech io pen.

System requirements for the Logitech io pen include a PC running Windows 98 or higher, a 90 MHz or higher processor, 64 MB RAM (minimum 128 MB recommended), Internet access, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later and Microsoft .net framework (both included on CD in the retail package), an available USB port, CD ROM drive and pre-printed paper (initial supply included). Email support requires a MAPI-compatible email client such as Lotus Notes or Microsoft Outlook.

Source: Logitech