iNabling launches iStation

BANGALORE: iNabling Technologies Ltd. (ITL), a Bangalore-based start-up

promoted by BV Jagadeesh, founder of US-based Exodus Communications, has

launched a smart e-mail service device. The device, iStation, will enable users

to e-mail anytime from anywhere without a PC.

A laptop lookalike, iStation has 256kb memory, embedded modem, and is a

compact plug-and-play device with battery back-up as well as an LCD-based easy

readability screen. Priced at Rs 6,990, it weighs about 700 grams.

The iStation service will initially be available in the Bangalore telecom

district. Later, it will be extended to about 40 towns and cities across

Karnataka by the year-end. iStation will be showcased in Bangalore IT.Com2000,

Asia’s largest IT event.

Speaking about the new product, BV Jagadeesh said, "Besides providing

low connectivity cost to send and receive e-mails, iStation offers off-line

composing and reading of text-based messages with PC uplink facility and printer

compatibility. Though the keyboard will have only English alphanumeric signs,

specially built software called Engathi enables the transliteration. The

software can be easily downloaded onto iStation. The company plans to come out

with more regional language software later to facilitate the use of Tamil,

Telugu, Gujarati and Marathi."

The subscription cost for the service ranges from Rs 100 per month to Rs

1,000 per annum, depending on the type of service and category of the user. The

device also boasts of multiple user option. Up to 5 members can share the

iStation with individual personal e-mail IDs, and a capacity to store about 250

addresses per individual ID.

The smart device also has a multi-lingual option. To begin with, ITL will

offer the service in Kannada and Hindi.

Designed and developed in Bangalore, iStation will be manufactured in Mysore

by Rangsons Electronics Ltd. as an OEM supplier under license from ITL, which

holds the propriety for the software technology. The company is targeting a

subscriber base of 15,000 by the end of the current financial year (2000-01).