Kim here is one (SCKT) getting interest like HMAT ... took a few days for the news to get absorded
Socket Announces Plug-in Card That Brings Bar Code Laser Scanning to
Windows CE-based Palm-size PCs
DENVER, Jun 7, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE via COMTEX) -- Socket
Communications Inc. (OTC: Bulletin Board SCKT and SCKTW; Pacific Stock
Exchange SOK) today unveiled the Socket(R) CompactFlash Laser Scanner
Card(TM), a plug-in card designed for Windows CE operating system-based
mobile computers that features a new low-power bar code laser scanner
engine from Symbol Technologies (NYSE:SBL) that is their smallest,
lightest and brightest scan engine available today.
Socket's card is the first bar code laser scanner plug-in card to work
with the new generation of Windows CE-based Palm-size PCs. These
pocket-size computers offer features especially attractive to corporate
and professional users: high-resolution color displays, large memory
storage, rechargeable batteries, expandable I/O, and the availability
of Windows development tools. Socket has worked closely with
Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) to ensure compatibility with the HP
Jornada 420 palm-size PC.
Applications for the CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card include asset
accounting, shipping/receiving, inventory management, patient tracking,
clinical control, route delivery, field inspection, market research,
and other mobile data collection activities that can benefit from
single-handed operation and point-of-capture computing. The card is
being demonstrated by Socket, Symbol, HP and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:
MSFT) at the Windows CE Developers Conference, June 6-9, in Denver, CO.
HP and Socket will jointly promote solutions that combine the
CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card(TM) with the Jornada 420Palm-sizePC.
The CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card is part of Socket's Battery
Friendly(TM) line of add-in cards designed to conserve battery life.
Powered by its host Palm-size PC, the card achieves exceptional energy
efficiency by combining Socket's proprietary interface chip with
Symbol's new low-power SE 923 scanner engine. Because the scanner is
integrated directly onto Socket's CompactFlash CF+ card, users of
Palm-size PCs can scan bar codes with one hand. No interconnect cable
is required. The industry standard CompactFlash CF+ interface also
protects the investment of owners who upgrade their Palm-size PC in the
future. The system comes with Socket's ScanWizard(TM) software, which
includes a virtual keyboard function that sends bar code data to any
Windows-based program as though it had been typed on akeyboard. This
simplifies the development of custom applications.
"The CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card is a milestone for Socket because
it allows us to offer our first solution for single-handed bar code
scanning and our first laser scanner compatible with Palm-size PCs,"
said Kevin Mills, COO for Socket Communications. "Also, thanks to
Symbol's breakthrough laser technology, we've been able to expand our
Battery Friendly product line with a device that sets a new standard
for energy efficient laser scanning."
"Socket has used the low-power Symbol SE 923 engine to open up an
important new market for bar code laser scanning," said Chuck Furedy,
vice president of OEM sales for Symbol. "The ability to plug a laser
scanner card into a general-purpose Palm-size PC based on Windows CE
gives VARs and corporate users unprecedented flexibility for creating
custom bar code scanning applications."
"Microsoft salutes the result of Socket and Symbol's latest teaming
effort - another very useful Windows CE-based solution for mobile
professionals," said Roger Gulrajani, group product manager, Windows
CE, Microsoft. "By combining a CompactFlash-mounted laser with the
intrinsic advantages of the latest Palm-size PCs powered by Windows CE,
mission-critical applications are further enabled by key Windows CE
capabilities such as bar-code scanning, forms entry and wireless data."
"We have worked closely with Socket to ensure compatibility between the
HP Jornada family and the CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card and Socket's
other products in its Battery Friendly line of add-in products," said
Dennis Hamann, worldwide marketing manager for HP's Asia Pacific PC
Division. "Socket's CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card is an exciting new
tool for integrating HP Jornada 420 palm-size PCs into powerful
business solutions."
The CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card will be available in July through
Socket's worldwide network of resellers. For details about Socket's
complete product family and a list of Socket's dealers, visit Socket's
web site at www.socketcom.com or call Socket at 1-800-552-3300.
Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells connection products for
Windows CE-based computers and other devices. Socket's products include
the Battery Friendly(TM) family of plug-in adapters for enhancing
Windows CE-based computers by adding networking, bar code scanning,
data communication, and wireless Internet connectivity. Socket's
products utilize the company's low power chiptechnology, making them
ideal for battery-operated mobile computers.
Socket, Battery Friendly, CompactFlash Laser Scanner Card and
ScanWizard are registered trademarks or trademarks of Socket
Communications, Inc. All other product and company names herein may be
trademarks of their respective owners. (c) 1999, Socket Communications,
Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright (C) 1999 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
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CONTACT: Socket Communications
Peter Phillips, 510/744-2767
peter@socketcom.com
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