Prestodigitizer, an 8-bit input graphics tablet available for several micros, will soon be ready for your ZX80. According to Dave Thornburg, president of Innovision, you can expect the new peripheral almost simultaneously with Sinclair’s 8K BASIC ROM.
Using this device, you write on the pad and standard characters appear on the screen. You can also do simple stroke graphics on the screen. Handicapped users and children find this input mode especially useful.
For printed character input, you’ll need at least a 3K memory expansion to contain the learning, recognition and stroke dictionary routines. Straight graphics input will work with only 1K.
Thornburg expects to offer the ZX80 tablet with a parallel input card for about $70. He plans to offer the card–capable of recognizing any 8 switch closures–separately for $20, but these prices are not firm.
EXHIBITIONS–A listing of shows feauring personal computers and Z-80 based hardware and software
30 October-1 November 1980–National Small Computer Show, New York Coliseum, New York City.
20-23 November 1980–Northeast Computer Show, Hynes Auditorium, Boston.
8-11 January 1981–Winter Consumer Electronics Show, Jockey Club, Las Vegas.
Sinclair Research will attend the Boston and Las Vegas shows.
Nigel Searle will talk to The Amateur Computer Group of New Jersey on 12 December 1980. The location is not set. Here’s a good chance for Jersey area ZX80 users to see and talk to the top US Sinclair representative.