Jason Dunn
10-17-2002, 11:51 PM
<a href="http://www.socketcom.com/about/press/read.asp?ID=64">http://www.socketcom.com/about/press/read.asp?ID=64</a><br /><br />Does anyone else wish press releases always included pictures? For those of you who have been waiting for a company other than Toshiba to release a Bluetooth SD cards, Socket has come to the rescue. I'm not sure of the dimensions, so I don't know if the Socket SD card sticks out as much as the Toshiba BT card does. I'll see if I can get a picture out of Socket. In the meantime, here's the press release from Socket on this product - MSRP is expected to be $159.<br /><br />"Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT, PSE: SOK), the Mobile Connection™ Company, today announced its Bluetooth SDIO Connection Kit, which includes Socket’s easy-to-use software and a new SD form factor card. The card allows anyone with a Pocket PC that has a Secure Digital (SD) I/O slot to communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. For example, with a Bluetooth-enabled phone users can quickly, easily, and cost-effectively access email, the Internet and a corporate network via a cable-free connection. The card works in devices running BSQUARE Corporation’s SDIO Now! software, ensuring compatibility with devices via this standard."<!><br /><br />“Socket is demonstrating clear industry leadership in the emerging SDIO market by being one of the first companies to introduce a product with SDIO Now! drivers,” said Mark Sage, Senior Product Manager, SDIO, BSQUARE. “Mobile professionals want to use small form factor devices that are compatible with one another. By using SDIO Now! drivers with its new SDIO Bluetooth Card, Socket is offering a solution that will work with products from other industry leaders, such as Pocket PCs from HP, NEC and others.”<br /><br />“This new SD form factor is the smallest available for Pocket PCs and will enable even more devices to add Bluetooth technology. As more people become part of the mobile workforce, they will need an easy and cost-effective way to access email, browse the Internet, fax, and print when away from their desks,” said Patti Cassalia, product marketing manager for Socket. “Our Bluetooth SDIO Card meets this need by offering a connection solution that will easily work with devices from leading manufacturers which include the SDIO Now! software with their products.”<br /><br />Socket provides a unique Get Connected! Wizard which makes establishing a connection to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone quick and easy, while hiding the more technical aspects of the process from the user. The printing application mirrors desktop printing functionality, making it simple to use. In addition, a dialer application can dial any phone number in the contact database from the Bluetooth phone with “tap/hold and select”.<br /><br />Socket supports connections to Bluetooth-enabled phones from Ericsson, Nokia, Sony, Motorola and NTT DoComo and works on CDMA, GSM and GPRS networks. GPRS networks use packet data technology and allow users higher speeds (throughput is 30-40 Kbps) without higher costs. The Bluetooth SDIO Card also allows a user to print to a Bluetooth-enabled printer, access a network via a LAN Access point, and ActiveSync with their Bluetooth-enabled desktop or notebook.<br /><br /><b>Pricing and Availability</b><br />Socket’s SDIO Bluetooth Connection Kit is scheduled for availability in December through Socket’s website (<a href="www.socketcom.com">www.socketcom.com</a>) and through Socket’s worldwide distribution channels for a suggested retail price of U.S. $159."