----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PocketCall 1.0 Demo
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to the world of truly mobile communications!

PocketCall is the intelligent communications assistant for all personal digital assistants and personal communicators based on Newton technology from Apple computer.  PocketCall 1.0 will run on any Newton device, including the original Newton Message Pad from Apple, the Sharp ExpertPad 2000, Apple's Newton Message Pad 100 and the new Message Pad 110.

As a full-featured communications application for Newton, PocketCall will allow you to use any Hayes compatible modem (including both external and PCMCIA-internal devices) to dial into any text-based online system.  PocketCall allows you to set up multiple 'service' files, storing communications settings, logon sequences and scripts for each one.  TTY terminal emulation with with a virtual 80 column screen lets you function with your Newton in the same way as you would with a desktop terminal or communications program, and support for built-in Newton functions allows you to exchange data with the notepad, print and fax data and use Newton intelligence with other applications. Forthcoming PocketPacks will work with PocketCall to provide streamlined access to specific host systems.

This demonstration version will give you a feel for what PocketCall looks like, and how most of its features operate.  However, this version will NOT actually connect to another system, nor will it allow you to create service settings files (including scripts).  These features are, of course, available in the full version which is distributed by Apple's StarCore division, and available from most retail and mail order sources that carry Newtons.

For more information, please call Ex Machina, Inc.  at	(800) 238-4738 toll free, (718) 965-0309 voice or (718) 832-5465 fax. We are available online at EXMAC.INFO (AppleLink) or 76004,3427 (CompuServe). Internet users can reach us at exmac.info@applelink.apple.com.  Ex Machina maintains support forums on Compuserve in the Newton Forum (Section 13 - SPOTLITE:PocketCall) and the Macintosh A Vendor Forum (Section 11 - Ex Machina).  We also maintain a support icon on Applelink under the Mobile Systems/Hardware & Software icon.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequently Asked Questions about PocketCall
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WILL POCKETCALL WORK ON MY NEWTON?

Yes. PocketCall will work on all devices based on Newton Technology.  It has been tested on the Newton MessagePad, MP100, MP110 and Sharp ExpertPad 200.

HOW MUCH MEMORY DOES IT TAKE UP?

PocketCall 1.0 comes in two separate parts, so that it can work even with PCMCIA modems on an original Newton Message Pad -- the tightest possible memory configuration.  Additional memory, however, (such as on an MP110) will make life much easier.  To install the main PocketCall application you will need 110K of available RAM. This can be in internal memory or on a PCMCIA RAM card.  To install both PocketCall and the Services Setup application at the same time, you will need 165K free. 

WILL POCKETCALL WORK WITH MY EXTERNAL MODEM?

Almost certainly.  Unlike the built-in communications applications on the Newton, PocketCall is not limited to certain modems.  We have yet to find a single Hayes-compatible external modem with which PocketCall will not work. As part of both PocketCall's basic settings you have the ability to enter custom setup strings for your particular modem, if necessary.

HOW ABOUT MY PCMCIA MODEM CARD?

Yes, if your PCMCIA modem is Newton-compatible.  That is, if your Newton can recognize the modem as a communications card, then PocketCall will work with it.  A simple test is to send a fax with your modem card; if it works for that, it should work with PocketCall. The program has been tested extensively with the PCMCIA FaxModem card from Apple.

HOW DO I GET POCKETCALL INTO MY NEWTON?

PocketCall ships in a package with 3.5" disks for both the Macintosh and MS Windows versions of the Newton Connection Kit.  You will use one of these, together with a Mac or PC, to download PocketCall into your PDA.  If you have neither computer and no way to get access to one, you may send Ex Machina a flash RAM card (call for authorization first) and for a small handling charge we will download PocketCall onto your card for you, and then return it to you along with the standard disks for backup.  PocketCall will be released on PCMCIA cards later this year.

WILL POCKETCALL BE ABLE TO CALL INTO MY TEXT-BASED SERVICE?

Yes.  PocketCall can be used just like any other TTY terminal or communications program. It can call into any of the thousands of services that use plain text to send and receive information.  Some of these include Compuserve, GEnie, Delphi, MCI Mail, Dialog, Lexis/Nexis and virtually all local bulletin board systems.

WILL POCKETCALL BE ABLE TO CALL INTO PROPRIETARY SERVICES?

No. PocketCall cannot be used to call into services that use private binary data protocols for access.  These include America OnLine, Applelink, Prodigy, and eWorld. Each of these systems requires special proprietary software.  As of May, 1994, none of the above services has released Newton access software.

HOW ABOUT ACCESSING THE INTERNET?

Yes, through any of the many Internet providers (such as Delphi and Panix) who offer text-based dial-up access. PocketCall 1.0 does not, however, provide direct TCP/IP access to Unix-based services.

WHAT KIND OF TERMINAL EMULATION DOES POCKETCALL PROVIDE?

PocketCall emulates a basic TTY (teletypewriter) terminal. We have had many requests for VT100 and other terminal emulations, and while these are not supported in version 1.0, they will definitely be available in a future release of PocketCall.

AT WHAT BAUD RATES CAN POCKETCALL OPERATE?

PocketCall is limited only by the speed and power of the underlying device on which it is being run.  Although you can connect to a remote system at any speed you like (including 9600 or 14.4K bps), effective throughput is limited by the hardware of the first generation Newton devices.  We have found that PocketCall on an original Newton Message Pad can keep up with text scrolling at about 2400 bps.  An MP110 will run PocketCall about 10-20% faster.

WHAT IS THE BUILT-IN SCRIPTING LIKE?

PocketCall comes with an easy-to-use built-in scripting capability (not available in this demonstration version) to automate logons to all your services, carry out frequently used command sequences, and save you time typing standard text.  You may set up an unlimited number of Services (dependent only on the amount of storage space your Newton has available) and for each service you may create up to sixteen separate scripts.  Scripts are assembled by simply tapping choices on the Newton's screen. Each script can have an unlimited number of commands, and each command consists of two optional parts: Wait and Type. You may Wait for a specified period of time to pass, or for certain text to arrive from the system to which you are connected. You may then Type specified text, certain pre-stored variables (including your User ID and Password) or end the script.  Thus, a typical logon script for Compuserve might have the following four entries:

		WAIT for 2 seconds	TYPE ^C
		WAIT for "ID:"	TYPE UserID <CR>
		WAIT for "Password:"	TYPE Password <CR>
		WAIT for "!"	TYPE "Go Newton" <CR>

CAN I SET POCKETCALL TO AUTOMATICALLY CONNECT AT A CERTAIN TIME?

Yes, using a really nifty commercial Newton utility program called "Chron 1.1" by Greg Christie, from theObject Partnership. (Telephone: 203-567-4547; Compuserve: 73311,2366; Applelink: G.Christie) Chron automates a wide range of actions from all the applications on your Newton, including PocketCall, using Newton intelligence.  It will let you set up a script to be automatically run at a later date and time, so that (for example) you can wake up to a Newton containing your morning's mail. Neat!

WHAT ARE POCKETPACKS?

PocketCall by itself lets you access the vast power of the online world. By adding specialized PocketPacks from Ex Machina you will be able to have completely customized, easy-to-use interfaces to specific host systems.  PocketPacks, which will be available later in 1994, are software modules which drop into PocketCall to provide specialized front ends for offline access to popular systems.  These PocketPacks will be available for both commercial services (such as Compuserve, MCI Mail and Lexis/Nexis) as well as for LAN-based email systems and current and forthcoming wireless messaging systems.

CAN POCKETCALL COMMUNICATIONS BE USED BY OTHER NEWTON DEVELOPERS?

Yes.  There will be several routes for third party Newton software developers to make use of PocketCall's advanced communications capability.  These range from the immediate use of Newton intelligence (as is done by the utility Chron) all the way up to full-fledged PocketPack development (available to developers in the 4Q1994.) Interested developers should call Ex Machina's Developer Relations department for more information.

IS POCKETCALL AVAILABLE ON OTHER PLATFORMS?

Yes. PocketCall is currently shipping for the Newton, and was announced and demonstrated at the introduction of the Magic Cap operating system from General Magic. It will also be available for other portable and mobile platforms.

WILL POCKETCALL SUPPORT TELESCRIPT?

Yes. Ex Machina is working closely with General Magic, and a future release of PocketCall will support intelligent communications agents through Telescript.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POCKETCALL?

Call Ex Machina, Inc. at (800) 238-4738 and we will be pleased to answer your questions.

OH YES, HOW MUCH DOES POCKETCALL COST?

The suggested retail price for PocketCall is $149. You may order it for that price directly from Ex Machina.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PocketCall 1.0 Demo Instructions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Download PocketCall Demo into your Newton's internal memory, or onto a flash RAM memory card, using either the Macintosh or Windows verions of the Newton Connection Kit. Now, tap the PocketCall Demo icon which appears in your Extras drawer.

PocketCall is a full-screen application. The screen has four major areas:

TITLE AREA
including the information icon, current Service name, and the PocketPack and Action icons.

The top of the PocketCall screen displays the application name. Tapping on the word PocketCall displays the About... screen. The next line of the title area displays an information icon. Tapping on the information icon displays the Current status (Connected or Not Connected), the number of lines of text and the approximate number of bytes of data currently in the terminal window. Next to the information icon is the name of the currently selected service.

The action icon at the far right pops up a list that gives you options that act on the currently selected text in the terminal window or, if no text is selected, all the text currently in the terminal window buffer. You can print, fax, or mail any of that text. This pop-up list also lets you go directly to the top or bottom of the terminal window buffer, or clear the buffer. You can also copy selected text (or all text) to the built-in Notes application. If you have a RAM card, you can select an option to move the terminal window buffer to or from your RAM card. You can add up to 500 characters to the keyboard buffer by selecting Append to Input. That feature is particularly useful when quoting material for use in replies.

TERMINAL WINDOW
where information appears as its received from the host system.

The terminal window is the heart of PocketCall. PocketCall emulates a basic TTY (teletype) terminal, and as text comes in, the terminal window scrolls up just like a sheet of paper would out of a teletype. The terminal window acts like a window onto the virtual sheet of teletype paper. The paper can be 40, 80, or 132 columns wide. However, the terminal window will only display 40 characters across. If the remote service you connect to is set to send lines of 80 or 132 characters, you must use the small diamond-shaped scrolling control to scroll left and right. You can also use the scrolling control to scroll up and down one line at a time, or the Newton up and down scrolling arrows next to the Extras button to scroll up and down one screen at a time. Text in the terminal window can be selected, and you can use the action icon in the title area to act on the text, as described above in The Title Area.

TEXT ENTRY AREA
where you write, tap or paste the information to be sent to the other system.

Directly under the terminal window is a text-entry area, which functions like a Keyboard buffer or text accumulator. By default, this area displays one line of text, but by grabbing the divider between it and the terminal window, you can make this area larger or smaller. A larger area makes handwriting recognition easier by allowing you to write larger words. It also helps in entering long messages. You can write in this area with the stylus, or you can tap the keyboard icon below it and then tap your messages on the keyboard.

STATUS BAR
for controlling PocketCall's actions.

The bottom of the PocketCall screen is a status bar. From left to right, the status bar consists of the clock, the keyboard icon, the Command button, the Script button, and the close box. Tapping on the keyboard icon pops up the PocketCall keyboard. Note that this keyboard is an improved version of the normal Newton pop-up keyboard. It has a Control key (ctrl)and an Escape key (esc), which are commonly used in communications.
Tapping the Command button button displays a pop-up list that allows you to Connect (or Hang Up if youre currently connected) or Wait for Call if you want the Newton to answer the phone to start a connection. The Command pop-up list also lets you show or hide the small scrolling control at the lower right of the terminal window. Direct Keyboard toggles the keyboard to its direct from its buffered mode. Its what you see if the default buffered keyboard is active. If the direct keyboard is active, this line is replaced by Buffered Keyboard. Choose Setup Services to switch to Services (if youre using a RAM card). Choose PocketCall Settings to change communications or terminal settings without having to run Services. When you select Show Notepad you jump to the Newtons built-in Notes application. A small floating PocketCall icon appears. Tap it to jump immediately back to the PocketCall terminal window. To choose another Service, tap Command, then Connect, then Services. Select your new Service from the pop-up list. 

CONNECTING
	1	Tap Extras (if the Extras drawer is not already open).
	2	Tap PocketCall.
	3	Tap the Command button.
	4	Tap Connect on the pop-up list.
	5	If this were the full application, tapping the Service button would pop up a list of all defined Services (this demo does not allow services).
	6	Tap the Service you want on the pop-up list.
	7	Change the phone number (if needed).
	8	Set any required dialing prefixes or access codes by tapping Options and entering the local dialing information.
	9	When ready to connect, tap Connect.
	10	PocketCall will set up the modem and dial the phone number, at the same time displaying status information in the Connect box. (this demo does not allow connection).
	11	Once connected, PocketCall will run the Auto-Logon script and automatically log you on. You should see your services prompts and your logon script responses.
	12	Whenever youre on-line, tapping on the information icon in the title area will display the word Connected, the date and time, and how many lines and characters are in the terminal window buffer.
	13	While connected, the Command pop-up list changes, with Hang Up replacing Connect. In addition, you can use this list to send a Break by using the Send Break command. Breaks are sometimes required to get the attention of the remote system, or to get a session that is truly bogged down moving again. Dont be too quick to send a break if communications slow to a crawl, though. Keep in mind that the MessagePad can be a slow communicator.

FAST CONNECTION
You can start PocketCall and initiate a connection at any time by tapping the Assist button and selecting connect from the pop-up list. Then tap Do. This sequence opens PocketCall to its Connect box. You can specify the Service you want to connect with by writing the full name of the Service after you select connect. 

WORKING ON-LINE
Once youre connected to a remote service, you must respond in the form that the remote service expects. Your responses will be text commands. If, for example, the remote service sends you a list or menu of numbered items, you must write or use the keyboard to tap your response into the text-entry area and then Send it. Tapping on the list on the screen in the terminal area will not do anything at all. Similarly, to navigate around the remote service, you must enter the appropriate remote service navigation commands in the text-entry area and Send them.

When disconnecting from the remote service, enter the appropriate command (typically BYE, OFF,  or EXIT) in the text-entry area and Send it. The Hang Up command in the Command pop-up list should only be used if there is no exit command for the remote service (for example, if you are connected to another user running a regular terminal program).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Legal Stuff
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This manual and the software described herein are copyrighted, with all rights reserved by Ex Machina, Inc. The program and documentation may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of Ex Machina, Inc. 
Copyright 1994 Ex Machina, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby given for the copying and distribution of the PocketCall 1.0 Demo, providing that no fee is charged for such distribution (other than standard on-line connect charges or actual cost-of-media charges) and that this unaltered documentation is distributed with the software.

PocketCall and PocketPacks are trademarks of Ex Machina, Inc.
Newton and MessagePad are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
All other product names used in this document are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Ex Machina, Inc.
45 East 89th St., Suite 39A
New York City, NY 10128-1232
(800) 238-4738
