Available? (BillRodSA)

HalfBaked@aol.com
XXX, 19 Aug 1993 01:13:55 -0400 (EDT)

I looks like no one has addressed your questions directly. While I don't
profess to be an expert (yet, hehe), I've been actively studying as much as I
can about the Zoomer. So I'll take a stab at some of your questions.

<<<How come the Zoomer OS and Apps don't run from ROM (like the HP Omnibook)
and save that precious RAM?>>>

It's my understanding that the GEOS kernel (the "OS") does run from directly
from ROM. The kernel is actually a whole collection of resources that the
applications use collectively--one of the benefits of a system that is truly
object oriented in design, like GEOS.

<<<Can Zoomer translate ink to text and then run the spell checker on the new
text?>>>

I don't know if there's a spellchecker, as such, built into the Zoomer.
Perhaps someone who knows better will address this question.

<<<I know from experience that my Psion does close to 100 hours. I change
the two AA batteries about once every four months. I don't see why Zoomer
can't match that.>>>

If I can believe what I'm hearing and reading (and I have no reason to
disbelieve it), 100 hours is about the expected battery life of the "Zoomer"
device.

<<<In the Zoomer NotePad, are text and graphics interchangeable or do you
have to toggle to a new mode for graphics?>>>

You can use both on the same page. You do click... er, excuse me..."tap" on
an icon to switch from one to the other.

<<<Does it have drawing tools?>>>

Yes, pen, eraser, select box, copy, paste, zoom, etc...

<<<Are graphics objects or bit maps?>>>

Someone who knows more about the technical side of the ink will have to
answer that. I'm not sure.

<<<Does Zoomer "clean up" the graphics like the Newton or leave them as
drawn?>>>

I'm not aware of the Zoomer "modifying" your graphics, except to "shrink"
them when appropriate, but I haven't examined all the applications in detail.

<<<Does Zoomer still have a cover over the screen?>>>

As far as I know, yes.

<<<Will there be future upgrades available (like the Sharp 9600 II) when
improvements to the original Zoomer come out?----Will Zoomer connect to a
MAC?>>>

Those questions are out of my league. Maybe others will address them.

HalfBakedSubj: Zoomer development