Palm-top computers get thumbs down, shunned by people as costly, confusing

Article Abstract:

Pocket or 'palm-top' computers are not selling as well in the US as they have in Japan, where they were originally marketed. The 'palm-top' computers often cost $250 and up, and are accompanied by instruction manuals that can run up to 212 pages. The electronic organizers contain four-line to eight-line screens and can store addresses, appointments, a calculator and a world clock. Corporations such as Casio Computer Ltd and Sharp Corp are quick to introduce add-on devices to their electronic organizers that can perform language translation and allow exchange of information with microcomputers. With each add-on device, the price of a personal organizer increases, until the price tag is similar to that of a notebook computer, which is easier to use and more versatile. Fewer than one percent of US consumers surveyed said that they would buy a pocket computer.

Market share, New products, Product introduction, New Product, Market Entry

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Hand-held computers help field staff cut paper work and harvest more data

Article Abstract:

Several major US companies are using hand-held computers to reduce paper work and improve the productivity of their workers in the field. The little computers cost between $500 and $3,000, weigh one or two pounds and have cumbersome keyboards and small displays. Nevertheless many companies are finding them invaluable for inventory control, parcel tracking and communicating with repair personnel and sales people. IBM and Motorola will announce a cooperative venture likely to make the devices even more popular; they will make portables that can exchange information with home computers via radio waves, without the use of expensive modems. The venture could break open the portables market, which is currently growing at 20 percent a year on estimated sales of between $600 and $875 million annually.

Usage, Inventory control, Market Analysis, Applications

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U.S., allies ease technology curbs on Eastern sales

Article Abstract:

The representatives of the 17 member nations of the Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM) agree to ease government regulation of technology transfer to Eastern Europe. The computer industry may export microcomputers and other common technologies without restriction once the Western allies' individual governments pass laws to implement the agreement. Restrictions on the export of machine tools, telephone systems, mainframe computers and similar sophisticated high technology products are relaxed but not eliminated. Computer manufacturers are pleased with the decision and expect technology trade to increase rapidly.

Computer industry, Laws, regulations and rules, International aspects, Economic policy, Eastern Europe, Technology transfer, Export, Government Regulation, Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls, Europe, Eastern

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