MOBILE DIARY


(Mobile Communications Report; 12/29/97)

Nortel licensed handwriting recognition technology for wireless Internet access handset, called Orbiter, to be launched as GSM unit in Europe next summer, with U.S. rollout planned later, company said Dec. 17. Agreement with Communications Intelligence involves its pen input technology that converts handwriting into typescript on screen. Software, known as Jot, is expected to increase ease of use for speed dial and short message entry, Nortel said. It has been working on Orbiter for almost 5 years, revealing prototypes at trade shows earlier this year. Device operates as mobile phone with visible keypad, which covers touchscreen and other Internet access tools. Nokia has similar unit, called 9000 Communicator, that houses keypad on flip cover that covers Internet tools.