ARDIS and Apple Revolutionize Mobile Computing with Two-Way Wireless Network

Strategic Insights -

ARDIS, in partnership with Apple, has made history by launching the first two-way wireless network in the US, enabling mobile computing for Apple MessagePad users. This innovative service allows users to send and receive electronic mail, send faxes, and access applications and information wirelessly, anywhere and anytime. The ARDIS network, operated in conjunction with Motorola's Personal Messenger 100D PCMCIA wireless modem card, provides automatic roaming capabilities, enabling users to stay connected with their office and manage business from remote locations.

Key Takeaways:

  • ARDIS is the first two-way wireless network in the US to provide wireless data communications services for Apple MessagePad 120 using the Newton 2.0 operating system.
  • The ARDIS network enables users to wirelessly send and receive electronic mail, send faxes, and access applications and information, enabling true mobile computing.
  • To access the ARDIS network, Newton PDAs can be equipped with ARDIS communications software for the Newton 2.0 operating system, used with Motorola's Personal Messenger 100D PCMCIA wireless modem card.
  • ARDIS offers a Wireless Software Developer Program, providing dramatically lower network air time costs for software applications providers, including a promotion capping air time costs at $40.00 per month per development hardware unit through the end of 1995.
  • ARDIS operates the first and largest nationwide wireless data network, serving the top 410 metro areas in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, covering more than 80 percent of the population and 90 percent of the business activity in the United States.
  • The service enables executives and mobile workers to access their corporate information systems or communicate instantaneously with their peers from virtually any location.

Statistics:

  • ARDIS network covers over 80 percent of the population and 90 percent of the business activity in the United States.
  • The network operates in 410 major metro areas across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
  • The service offers automatic roaming capabilities, enabling users to stay connected with their office and manage business from remote locations.
  • The ARDIS Wireless Software Developer Program provides access to dramatically lower network air time costs, capped at $40.00 per month per development hardware unit through the end of 1995.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, "ARDIS: First Two-Way Wireless Network," 1995.
  • ARDIS Company materials via the ARDIS home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.ardis.com).
  • Apple Computer, Inc., Press Releases, 1995.
  • Motorola, Personal Messenger 100D PCMCIA wireless modem card, product specifications, 1995.