Go Corp, Foster City, California yesterday previewed its PenPoint operating system for stylus-controlled notebook personal computers, saying that the production version will be ready by the end of the year. But, reports the New York Times, Microsoft Corp will be previewing its rival Pen Windows version of Windows 3 next month, also with a year-end target delivery date. Go is nevertheless off to a good start with the backing of IBM Corp, NCR Corp and Grid Systems Corp, although many manufacturers are expected to genuflect to both systems to start with, and let the market decide. The software from both companies will require machines using the 80386 and up. The PenPoint software recognises only block capitals, but can store cursive writing in uneditable form – the idea is more to use the pen to manipulate previously entered text than as a copious data entry device. And Slate Corp announced PenApps, an application development system for the PenPoint operating system, designed to enable software developers to create vertical applications for mobile professionals to capture and display data. It will be available to developers at $2,500 next month, when the developer’s version of PenPoint is due.
