UNTIL now, two related features of notebooks and PDAs (personal digital assistant) have had an adverse effect on the inherent advantages of mobile technology.
Firstly, the absence of high performance capacity/modems in otherwise sound models. Secondly, the limited number of quality products available on the market to support mobile communications for PDAs.
Netcomm saw the need for palmsize PDAs and notebooks to provide greater communication capabilities and high speed internet access - wherever the user and whatever the time.
The result is NetComm's CompactFlash 56K modem, designed to maximise data communication capabilities, for messaging and internet browsing, as well as enabling faxes to be sent and received directly to or from a mobile device.
The NetComm CompactFlash Modem offers a premium 56k, V90 data throughput that provides enough power to support mobile video conferencing, plus a full Class I and II, (to 14.4kbps) fax function.
Better still, by simply using the inclusive 50-pin to 69-pin adapter, the CompactFlash FaxModem converts into a standard PC card (PCMCIA) for notebook use.
The only requirements for PDA use is a CompactFlash slot, telephone line and Windows CE 2.0 or 3.0, or with the PCMCIA adapter, a notebook PC with free PCMCIA slot, running Windows 9x, ME, NT or 2000.
The significance of NetComm's CompactFlash Modem will soon see it become a pre-requisite for mobile professionals, according to NetComm general manager Robert Roughton.
"It doesn't take a computer-wizz to realise that this new slot-in modem will effectively double the value of any mobile PC device," he said. NetComm 02 9424 2000.