(SOK) Socket's Wireless Web Solutions Help Launch the New Windows-powered Pocket
PC
NEW YORK, Apr 19, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
In Microsoft's Technical Demonstration, Socket's Bluetooth Card
Provides a Cordless Link Between the HP Jornada 540 Series
Color Pocket PC and an Ericsson Mobile Phone
Socket Communications Inc. (OTC BB: SCKT and SCKTW; Pacific Stock Exchange SOK),
a leading supplier of mobile connectivity products, today unveiled wireless and
Bluetooth Internet access solutions for the new Windows-powered Pocket PCs at
the Microsoft Pocket PC launch event at Grand Central Station.
Socket's Personal Network Card was featured in a technology demonstration in
which a pre-release version of Socket's Bluetooth adapter provided a cordless
link between Hewlett-Packard Company's HP Jornada 540 Series Color Pocket PC and
an Ericsson mobile phone. At the same event, Socket demonstrated how the
company's Digital Phone Card could be used to connect a Pocket PC to a
data-capable mobile phone for wireless web browsing, email, and remote network
access.
Bluetooth is a worldwide technology standard that uses short-range radio signals
to connect multiple intelligent devices that can be up to 10 meters (30 feet)
apart. Socket's Personal Network Card, expected to be available in the second
half of 2000, is a CompactFlash-size plug-in card that allows Windows-powered
mobile computers to communicate wirelessly with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Socket is a member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), which
currently has more than 1700 member companies. For more information on
Bluetooth, visit the Bluetooth SIG's web site at www.bluetooth.com.
Socket's Digital Phone Card, currently available through Socket's worldwide
distribution network, is a CompactFlash-size plug-in card that includes an
integrated cable for connecting any Windows-based mobile computer to a variety
of data-capable mobile phones made by Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Qualcomm,
Siemens and others, and to use these phones for wireless Internet access. Socket
demonstrated how the Digital Phone Card could attach a Pocket PC to a mobile
phone connected to Sprint's nationwide PCS wireless network. Socket used this
wireless connection to run America On-Line's new client software for the Pocket
PC. Several of Socket's partners who attended the launch event also used the
Digital Phone Card to demonstrate wireless applications for the Pocket PC. These
included 724 Solutions, Ansyr Technology, BSQUARE Corporation, Odyssey Software,
and PacketVideo.
"The Pocket PC is the first palm-size computer that includes all the critical
features a mobile professional needs for wireless Internet access," said Kevin
Mills, Socket's president and chief executive officer. "Innovations such as an
integrated web browser and full-featured e-mail, combined with a CompactFlash
expansion slot, make the Pocket PC an ideal host platform for our plug-in
solutions for wireless networking."
"Socket's focus on wireless Internet solutions has resulted in some exciting
options for allowing Pocket PC users to stay connected," said Rogers Weed,
director of marketing for the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft Corp.
"Socket's Digital Phone Card and Personal Network Card are great examples of how
the Pocket PC's standards-based expandability can bring major benefits to the
end user."
"HP and Socket are working closely together to bring the power of wireless
communication to the HP Jornada family of PC companions," said Kok-Khoon Lim,
general manager of HP's Asia Pacific PC Division. "Today's demonstration of the
Socket Bluetooth card communicating through the HP Jornada 540 Series Color
Pocket PC to a mobile phone was an important milestone for Bluetooth technology
and mobile computing."
Socket Communications, Inc. sells connection products for Windows-powered mobile
computers and other intelligent appliances. Socket's products include the
Battery Friendly(TM) family of plug-in cards for enhancing mobile computers by
adding wireless Internet connectivity, networking, bar code scanning,
synchronization and data communication. Socket's products utilize the company's
low power chip technology, making them ideal for battery-operated mobile
computers. Information about Socket's complete range of products is available on
the company's web site at www.socketcom.com.
Distributed via COMTEX.
Copyright (C) 2000 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
-0-
CONTACT: Socket Communications
Jerry Houston, 408/258-5186
jerry@socketcom.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INTERNET
SOFTWARE
NETWORKING
PRODUCT
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