Say it with Pictures with iSketch

Motorola has released iSketch, which lets users handwrite notes and make sketches then send them with an infrared or other wireless connection. The messages are also compressed and encrypted. Craig Peddle, General Manager of Motorola's Lexicus Division, said the company is in talks with with Palm to preinstall iSketch on its PDAs. It is available now for $10.

Thumbnail views provide for image review. It includes pen, line, and eraser tools. Images can be given titles and placed in categories.

"Sometimes a text message just doesn't fit the need," said Mr. Peddie. "Imagine a commuter rushing through an airport, or sitting on a noisy train, who needs to send a quick note but cannot open his laptop to initiate an e-mail. Or someone who wants to write and save a quick note to himself as a reminder that he will refer to later. This technology adds real value to wireless devices by expanding the ways they can be incorporated into the communication setting."

"iSketch is the foundation for lightweight multimedia capabilities suitable for PDAs with limited bandwidth. Messaging is the introductory capability allowing consumers to communicate more effectively through short messages," Mr. Peddle said.

Motorola says that the compression/decompression technology in iSketch uses no-loss compression techniques, which could allow the system to be used with signature verification technology at a later time.

A next version is already being developed and will be available before 2002. Peddle said it will include animated clips.

BugMe! Messenger from ElectricPocket can also do many of these same functions but costs $40.