Keep It Simple Software Introduces Innovative Solar Panel Charging
Units/Carrying Cases For Newton or PowerBook Computers

Advanced Flexible Amophous Silicon Panels Allow Users On The Go To Harvest
The Power Of The Sun

Helena, Montana--Feb. 11th, 1994-- Keep It Simple Software, developer of
innovative software and hardware for Macintosh & other computers today
announced that they are shipping there new product line "SunPackx". 

The promise of solar technology has existed for decades. Science ficton
writers have often told us about solar power uses of the future. One of
the uses envisioned has often been the ability to run a personal computer
and many other electronic devices using just the power of the Sun.
Recently, a small company from Montana opened the door to those
possibilities. CreateCo, of Helena, Montana this month began shipping
three products based on thin-film amorphus silicon technology that may
revoultionize the way we look at using portable and hand-held computers.

The three products provide solar power (and/or re-charging) for Apple's
PowerBook portable or Newton handheld computers. They accomplish this feat
by using solar panels which are sewn into a carrying case for the Newton
Message Pad, or built into a flexible panel that will fit inside most
breifcases or computer bags. The panels are state-of-the-art, thin film,
flexible solar panels. According to Jerry Spencer, company president,
"These panels are extremely tough. Because of the patented process used to
construct them, these panels are as rugged as a piece of plexiglass. They
will hold up to being bent, banged, and scratched. You could practically
dance on the panels without hurting them." The panels are sewn into a
tough cordura nylon carrying case for the Newton, or small fold up panels
for the PowerBook. Spencer says, "We've all heard at one time or another
that solar power is the wave of the future and that one day we would get
virtually all of the power we need from good old Sol. But despite the best
efforts of science and the great advances that have been made in the solar
panel industry these last few years, we still see very little evidence of
solar power meeting our day-to-day needs. With the SunPack line we're out
to change that". 

The folks at CreateCo are also proud of the environmental help that the
SunPack will provide. "By using  this product to increase the life of
batteries, a Newton or PowerBook owner can help reduce the strain on our
landfills," according to Spencer.  One of the major challenges facing
muncipal landfills today is how to safely dispose of batteries that
contain toxic chemicals. The SunPack will not eliminate the need to
dispose of batteries, but could reduce the number of batteries used in a
year by the average Newton or PowerBook user by as much as 75%. "Battery
manufacturers and electric companies will hate to hear me say this, but
with this product it can be possible for a Newton user with rechargeable
batteries to run for an entire year with only one set of batteries, and
never plug into the power grid".

Besides the obvious environmental and economical advantages that are
derived by powering your computer from the sun, Spencer pointed out the
"freedom factor". "One of the great advantages of a portable computer like
the PowerBook has always been that as long as your battery holds up, you
can compute anywhere. With the SunPack line we've changed that to as long
as there is good sunlight you can compute anywhere. This means that a
seven day trek into the wilderness or a five day sailing excursion does
not mean toting along loads of extra batteries. It also means that the
frequent traveler, the salesperson who drives a lot, or the writer who
composes in a cabin in the woods only needs six to eight hours of good
sunlight each day to be able to run their computer at any time."

Product Descriptions:

The SunPack:  Designed as a handy way to carry an Apple MessagePad (or
Sharp Expert Pad) and accessories (fax modem, PCMCIA cards, power adapter
if needed), plus papers, and other items that a business traveler needs,
the SunPack serves triple duty as a Newton carrying case, a briefcase, and
a solar power station.

This light weight device weighs only 20 ounces and measures 16" long by
11.5" tall. To charge up your Newton's ni-cad batteries, or to run the
Newton from the sun, simply place the solar panel in good direct sunlight
(windows do not effect the panel's performance in most situations), and
plug the adapter into the Newton. When you are using the SunPack to charge
or run a MesagePad (or Sharp Expert Pad), the Newton may be stored in one
of the pockets of the device, or the solar panel may be detached from the
carrying case and placed in the sun.  Because of  the six foot cord
included, the panel may be placed in a sunny location while the user sits
in the shade. In order to protect a stored MessagePad and the solar panel
while traveling, the entire device folds "inside out" for more protected
storage, and additional security. The SunPack carries a suggested retail
price of $199. It is available direct from CreateCo for $149. 

The SunPack Jr.

This contains the same solar panel and charging capability of the regular
SunPack, but does not provide a way to carry the Message Pad or provide
any storage space.

The SunPack Jr. is basically just a flexible solar panel that is capable of
charging or running a Newton. It weighs only 16 ounces, and measures 15.5"
long by 8.75" tall This size fits easily inside a briefcase or traveling
bag, making it ideal for travelling Newton users who already carry a
briefcase or other such device. The SunPack Jr. also includes a six foot
cord for remote charging. The SunPack Jr. carries a suggested retail price
of $159. It is available direct from CreateCo for $119.

The SunPack PB 

This solar panel technology is built for the Apple's PowerBook computers.
This product consists of two of the solar panels instead of the single
panel used for the Newton products. These two panels combined provide
enough juice to run any of the "all-in-one" PowerBooks (model numbers 100,
140, 145, 160, 165, 165c, 170, 180 & 180c).

This product is also designed to be carried easily in a briefcase or
computer carrying case. It also provides a six foot cord, and is capable
of running a PowerBook in full sunlight, or re-charging a PowerBook under
cloudy skies. The SunPack PB has a suggested retail price of $229. It is
available direct from CreateCo for $189.

Technical Specifications:

The technology used in the SunPack line is "flexible amorphous silicon"
style solar panels. Each panel is capable of outputting 5.75 to 7.5 volts
DC at .45 amps of current. Thus, a single panel is capable of running or
charging an Apple MessagePad, and two panels combined in parrellel are
capable of running or charging a PowerBook. 

The solar panels and all the SunPack products carry a full one year
warranty, plus a thirty-day satisfaction guarentee. If the user is not
completely staisfied with the performance of the SunPack they may return
it for a full refund.

The SunPack & SunPack Jr. come with a reply card which, when returned, will
bring the purchaser software designed to help gauge the amount of power
currently in the Newton's batteries and the percent of charge those
batteries have. In addition, the Windows or Mac disk that a purchaser
receives contains more than twenty helpful public domain or shareware
utilities for the Newton. The SunPack PB is also accompanied by free
software to help monitor the charge in the PowerBook, plus a great deal on
a very popular PowerBook utility, Connectix PowerBook Utilities (available
for only $49 with the coupon included with every SunPack PB). 

All solar panels operate best in full sunlight. They will RUN the various
computers (Apple Message Pad, Sharp Expert Pad, or PowerBook) with good,
direct, full sunlight. They will CHARGE the various computers with less
than full sunlight. The rate of charging depends upon the amount of sun
available to the panels. In full sunlight the panels charge the computers
at a rate that is equal to the AC wall adapters that come with the
computers. The panels are equipped with diodes and resistors which
regulate the amount of power being sent to the computers and prevent
battery drain or battery overload.

Keep It Simple Software
32 S. Ewing, Ste. #211
Helena, MT 59601
Sales: 800-FAR OUT 2 (327-6882)
Service: (406) 442-3434
Fax (406) 442-1316
Apple Link: KIS.SOFTWARE;  America On Line: KISS4
InterNet: KISS4@AOL.COMM

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