NEC America Inc. introduced what it believes to be the first in a new class of pagers: The Beacon data pager.
The device is a one-way FLEX pager that uses wireless data exchange software from Microsoft Corp. to transfer and coordinate information with Windows-based personal computers, said NEC.
“The product represents a new series of pagers. First we had numeric and then alphanumeric, and now we have data pagers, which the Beacon represents the first one, that allow you to send objects that are application specific,” said Ted Pielemeier, business development manager for NEC.
NEC said the data pager, featuring an oversized 8-line screen, can store schedules, address books and other personal information that is typically stored in PCs. The software enables the data pager to move Personal Information Manager (PIM) or other application-based information back and forth between Windows-based PCs or between Beacon pagers through a bi-directional infrared communications link built into the pager.
Microsoft’s software includes a data manager for the desktop which allows users to select important information such as phone numbers, addresses or personal lists, and put the information in ranking order, said NEC. Beacon users also can prioritize incoming pages for future transfer back to their PCs by infrared link. The device can save up to 170 messages, said the company.
Paging service providers can offer value-added information services by programing the pagers to build specialized viewers that can display information such as stock prices, weather and traffic information, said NEC.
The company said service providers Arch Communications Group Inc., Paging Network Inc. and SkyTel Corp. will test beta versions of the Beacon. NEC expects the product to become commercially available early next year.
Pielemeier said the product will most likely be marketed directly to businesses with a quick migration of the product into computer superstores and other retail outlets. The device will be priced slightly above the price of an alphanumeric pager, he added.
“This creates opportunities for paging carriers to open their markets to new distribution” because they have the ability to address more PC users, he said.
