Socket and Sprint To Develop Bluetooth Solutions for Mobile Web Access
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NEWARK, Calif. & KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2000--
Bluetooth Software Will Simplify Connecting Mobile Phones to Windows-based PDAs or Notebooks on the Sprint PCS Nationwide Network
Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCKT, PSE:SOK) today announced a joint development agreement with Sprint PCS (NYSE:PCS) to create software that will make it easy to use Bluetooth wireless technology to connect Windows-based handheld computers and notebooks to future Bluetooth-enabled wireless phones. When the cable-free connectivity solution becomes available, mobile computer users who subscribe to the Sprint PCS all-digital nationwide network will be able to use their Bluetooth-enabled phones as wireless modems to access the Internet or their corporate networks for mobile Web browsing, e-mail, streaming video or file updates.
"Bluetooth wireless technology will redefine the way mobile computers and mobile phones interact," said Kevin Mills, president and CEO of Socket. "We are excited to partner with Sprint PCS in bringing Bluetooth to the forefront of an ongoing convergence of mobile computing and wireless data communications."
Bluetooth is the codename for a widely accepted specification for a small, low-cost short-range radio link that can replace the cables ordinarily used to connect electronic devices. The range for a Bluetooth radio is 10 meters, or about 30 feet. Cahners In-Stat, a market research group, predicts that by 2005 there will be more than 670 million Bluetooth-enabled devices worldwide.
"Socket has a proven track record developing technology that allows handheld computers and notebooks to take advantage of mobile phones for wireless data access," said Phil Garrison, vice president and general manager, subscriber equipment, Sprint PCS. "We are pleased to work with Socket in preparing to offer another innovative connectivity option for our customers to access the Internet or their corporate network on their laptops anywhere on the Sprint PCS nationwide network. Bluetooth wireless technology will eliminate the need to buy, connect and carry a data cable in order to use wireless data. This is especially appealing if you are a frequent or heavy user of wireless data."
A key component of the cable-free solution for Sprint PCS customers is Socket's Personal Network Card, a CompactFlash Type I plug-in card with an integrated Bluetooth radio. The card fits in the industry standard CompactFlash expansion slot of a Windows Powered Pocket PC or, via an adapter, in the PC Card slot of a Windows CE-based handheld PC or pen tablet, or a Windows notebook. Expected to be commercially available in the first half of 2001, the card will make it possible for Windows-based mobile computers to communicate wirelessly with a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices including mobile phones, Ethernet gateways, Internet appliances, and other computers.
About Sprint PCS
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 270 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at www.sprintpcs.com.
Sprint PCS is a wholly-owned tracking group of Sprint Corporation trading on the NYSE under the symbol "PCS." Sprint is a global communications company - at the forefront of integrating long-distance, local and wireless communications services, and a large carrier of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $20 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 20 million business and residential customers.
About Socket Communications
Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells connection products for Windows-based computers and other devices. Socket's products include the Battery Friendly(R) family of plug-in cards for enhancing mobile computers by adding wireless Internet connectivity, local area networking, bar code scanning, and data communication. Socket's products incorporate the company's energy-efficient chip technology, making them ideal for battery-operated mobile computers. Socket is an Associate Member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and is developing products that will add Bluetooth wireless technology to handheld computers, notebooks and other electronic appliances. For information about Socket's complete range of products, visit socketcom.com.
Socket and Battery Friendly are registered trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. BLUETOOTH is a trademark owned by Aktiebolaget LM Ericsson and licensed to Socket. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.(c)2000, Socket Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
CONTACT:
Socket Communications
Jerry Houston, 510/744-2740
jerry@socketcom.com
or
Sprint PCS
Suzanne Lammers, 816/559-1787
slamme01@sprintspectrum.com
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