Lotus Development Corp tapped Hewlett-Packard Co on the shoulder and said how about applying your scientific calculator skills to designing a pocket MS-DOS computer – and while you’re about it, how about bundling a version of 1-2-3 with it. Great idea was the response, and yesterday the concept was launched as the HP-95LX at $700. Looking like an advanced calculator with hinged lid that houses the liquid crystal diode display, it weighs 10.6 oz and measures 6.3 by 3.4 by 1. Hardly appropriate for word processing it has a tiny keyboard for writing memos and entering data. It was also announced in the UK yesterday, but the US version will also receive messages and data via a new Motorola Inc paging system. It also has an infra-red communication system that allows users to transfer data from one of the palmtops to another. The screen puts up 16 lines of 40 characters, and as well as 1-2-3 and the text editor, built-in software includes financial calculator and address and phone directories. Running for up to two months on two AA batteries, it is to be available during the current quarter.
