Umax scanner aims for simplicity

From...

by Dan Littman

(IDG) -- Umax is releasing on Monday the AstraNet iA101, a $129 scanner that streamlines tasks for one-button operation.

Each of the unit's four buttons is linked to a specific function, or series of functions, in the software that operates the scanner.For example, when you put a document on the glass and press the OCR button, the VistaAccess driver software pops up on your screen and prompts you to choose word processor or spreadsheet. When you select one, the scanner captures the document, converts it into live text, and saves it in the proper format for your word processing or spreadsheet program.

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Other buttons send scans to a modem or e-mail, to a printer for making copies, or to a page on an Internet site.

The AstraNet iA101 scans at 600 by 1200 dpi and can capture color at a disk-drowning 42 bits of color. The driver can recognize and straighten documents that are crooked on the glass, and can also determine whether to scan in black, gray-scale or color. It connects to the PC via "hot-pluggable" Universal Serial Bus--you can attach or detach it without shutting down your system.

Umax bundles fax and optical character recognition software with the scanner, as well as a copy of MGI's Photo Suite III SE for photo editing. You also get 50MB of free storage for one year on ImageOL.com, which lets you upload photos to a Web page without saving them on your system; the service also allows you to send invitations to friends to look at your photo gallery. Included as well is an offer for free Internet access through NetZero, which offers the service in exchange for demographic information about you that helps the company target on-screen ads that appear while you surf. (See "Can You Afford a Free ISP?" link below)

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