MIAMI, May 3, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Today E-Rex, Inc. (OTCBB:EREX) announced that Dragonfly, the first wireless-ready handheld PC and document manager, has entered the beta testing phase. The device is a complete portable office platform with the ability to connect to the Internet, e-mail, color print on plain paper, copy, fax, and scan all from a stand alone unit about the same size and weight as a laptop computer. Dragonfly is the first portable device that integrates the Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 operating system with an Intel mobile processor and bubble jet printing technology.
Dragonfly was developed for E-Rex by Valcom Limited, a Guelph, Canada-based ISO 9001 approved and ICSD security cleared facility that performs research and development and custom design for a broad range of communications, electronics, meteorological, data acquisition and electro-mechanical, systems, equipment and components. "Now that we have completed the prototype and launched the beta program we are hoping for a positive reception when we attend the unit's first public demonstration at Planet PDA later this month," stated Paul MacPherson, Valcom's President.
"The demand for tools that enable fingertip access to information for people working outside of traditional offices is growing rapidly. The ability to manage information at the point of activity can provide companies with distinct competitive advantages. Portable printing, scanning, and faxing solutions empower the mobile worker by giving them the means to output that information when and where they need it," stated Carl Dilley, E-Rex President.
Dragonfly is designed to be compatible with a variety of networks, programs, and external devices. Dual PCMCIA slots, serial, parallel, USB, infrared ports, and a CF Type II expansion slot enable immediate compatibility with existing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GSM and CDMA expansion cards, giving users access to multiple wireless networking options. Dozens of vertical and horizontal software applications are presently available for Windows-powered devices and more are being developed every day. In addition, Dragonfly is connectable to external devices, like notebooks, PDAs, and mobile phones providing complete mobile document management capabilities for those units.
According to research firm IDC, in the U.S. the number of mobile and remote workers will reach 55 million by 2004, in Western Europe 27 million and Latin America 17.4 million. Dragonfly is aimed at this growing audience.
"The introduction of Dragonfly, E-Rex's new portable office, signifies the delivery of yet another unique, innovative Windows-powered device," said Scott Horn, director, Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group, Microsoft Corp. "By designing a solution that combines the rich Windows CE 3.0 operating system with the innovative integration of mobile and color printing technology, E-Rex is delivering to its customers access to information any time, anywhere and from any device."
The new prototype will first debut publicly at Planet PDA, a mobile industry event to be held in Boston, Mass. from May 14-16. E-Rex President Carl Dilley is an invited speaker at this year's show and will be presenting on the subjects of Expanding The Functionality Of The PDA Platform and Removable Media, Standards and Available Options.
"Now that Dragonfly has entered the beta phase, we are actively seeking a complementary manufacturing and marketing partnership to help us bring our unique solution to market," stated Carl Dilley, E-Rex President.
The All-New E-Rex.net
E-Rex, Inc. recently launched an entirely new Website at http://www.e-rex.net. The new site, designed by E-Rex Consulting, contains all of the latest information about the Company and Dragonfly.
About E-Rex, Inc.
Headquartered in Miami, E-Rex, Inc. is a technology company dedicated to designing and the future production of stand alone user-friendly portable devices and direct Internet access products targeted at mobile enterprise users.
About Dragonfly
The Dragonfly wireless-ready handheld PC and document manager combines the latest technology with the office tools today's business users require, all in a stand alone unit about the same size and weight as a laptop computer. Users can access the Internet and e-mail, color print on plain paper, copy, fax and scan, all from one portable device.
A 206 MHz Intel StrongArm processor running the Windows CE 3.0 operating system powers the Dragonfly. Onboard it has 32 MB of upgradeable SDRAM and can accommodate high-speed Flash RAM from 48 to 440 MB. The keyboard is two-thirds of a full-size keyboard, and the display is a touch-sensitive color TFT. The unit houses color-printing technology and a fully functional fax, copier, scanner and 2 PCMCIA slots, serial, parallel, USB and infrared ports.
Product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. E-Rex, Inc. assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. Certain information included herein may contain statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities as well as operating costs, capital spending, financial sources, and the effects of competition. Such forward-looking information is subject to changes and variations which are not reasonably predictable and which could significantly affect future results. Accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.