Socket to Support World's Smallest Plug-in Card for Mobile Connectivity; Socket
Will Work with Microsoft, Palm, SanDisk and Others to Implement New SD I/O
Standard
Business Editors
NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2000--Socket
Communications Inc. (OTC: Bulletin Board SCKT; Pacific Stock Exchange
SOK) today announced that the company will work with leaders in the
mobile computing industry to define and implement the SD I/O Card, a
new standard for plug-in connectivity cards based on an extension of
the SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card specification. SD I/O Cards will
make it easy to add input/output capability such as Bluetooth wireless
networking and Ethernet connectivity to future handheld computers,
Internet appliances and other portable electronic devices. Socket
expects the SD I/O specification to be approved this year and plans to
offer compatible plug-in cards in 2001.
Approximately the size of a postage stamp, SD I/O Cards will have
the same dimensions as SD Memory Cards. The miniature plug-in cards
will work in expansion slots that will also accept SD Memory Cards or
MultiMediaCards, flash memory storage modules currently used in
Internet music players, mobile phones, digital cameras, handheld
computers, and other electronic devices. Socket is a member of the SD
Association (SDA), a trade association established in January 2000 to
set industry standards for SD Cards and promote their wide acceptance.
Socket participates in the SDA's I/O working group, which is actively
engaged in the incorporation of input/output functions, such as
Bluetooth, into the SD Memory Card format. Other SDA member companies
include Casio, Compaq, Hewlett Packard, LG Electronics, NEC, Palm,
Samsung, SanDisk, Sharp and Toshiba.
"Standards-based expandability adds to the attractiveness of a
handheld computer by offering users a wider range of enhancements than
are possible with a proprietary scheme," said Byron Connell, vice
president, consumer markets group, for Palm, Inc. "We are pleased that
Socket is committed to making SD I/O a standard and we believe our
customers will benefit from having access to Socket's innovative
plug-in cards."
"Pocket PCs are already the most expandable device on the market
today, and Socket is a key supplier of Compact Flash expansion options
for the Pocket PC," said Rogers Weed, Marketing Director of the Mobile
Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "Looking into the future, we are
excited to be working with Socket in supporting SD for both IO and
storage to offer our customers even smaller expansion standards to
make the most of their Pocket PC."
"The SD Card, which SanDisk co-invented, is poised to become the
next standard for adding memory and connectivity to a wide variety of
portable devices," said Nelson Chan, senior vice president of
worldwide marketing for SanDisk Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK). "As the
world's largest supplier of flash memory cards, we expect that SanDisk
SD cards will be purchased as a key accessory product by the many
users of new cell phones, Internet music players, camcorders, digital
cameras, handheld computers and other popular portable products. We
are happy to work with Socket and other industry leaders to help
define the SD I/O specification as a platform-independent standard."
"As handheld computers become slimmer, plug-in connectivity cards
will have to slim down as well," said Kevin Mills, president and CEO
of Socket Communications. "We are excited about the possibilities for
SD I/O cards and pleased to take a leading role making this technology
an accepted standard."
Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells connection products
for Windows-powered 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, networking,
bar code scanning, and data communication. Socket's products utilize
the Company's low power 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. Information about Socket's
complete range of products is available on the Company's web site at
www.socketcom.com.
Note to Editors: Socket and Battery Friendly are registered
trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. BLUETOOTH is a trademark
owned by Aktiebolaget LM Ericsson and licensed to Socket. Palm is a
trademark of Palm Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other product and
company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
--30--mi/sf*
CONTACT: Socket Communications:
Jerry Houston, 510/744-2740
jerry@socketcom.com
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