Socket Delivers Enhanced Bluetooth Software

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040504005402&newsLang=en' target='_blank'>http://home.businesswire.com/portal...402&newsLang=en</a><br /><br /></div>"Socket Communications Inc., the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, today announced the availability of its enhanced cordless solution for laptops, notebooks and desktop computer systems running Windows 98SE, Me, 2K and XP. Socket's new BlueSoleil(TM) software allows Bluetooth(R) wireless technology to be installed on tablets, laptops, notebooks and desktop systems, and then communicate cordlessly with Socket's growing family of external cordless peripheral products -- award winning Global Positioning System (GPS), 56K Modem, Cordless Serial Adapter (CSA), and the forthcoming bar code reading Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS). The software is easy-to-use and simplifies many of the technical issues for end users to set-up and operate Bluetooth wireless technology."<br /><br />This is good news, assuming that the desktop software has a better user interface than what they had before. The Bluetooth software on the Pocket PC is amazing - very easy to use, with step by step procedures for everything. I was able to get a Dell Axim X5 connected to a Nokia Bluetooth phone in about five minutes, with no problems. Their desktop software was another story - I had a lot of trouble with it. The user interface was very poor and illogical - I hope this new BlueSoleil (that's BlueSun for you French-challenged types) is a vast improvement.

[cptpoland]

I just hope they don't make me buy the whole connection kit. I already have the Socket CF BT card, and it works great with my Fujitsu P5020D, in the CF slot. It doesn't stick out and it's better on the batteries than the PC card from Belkin. The current software has a lot to be desired, missing very important pieces. It works though.

Sent an email to Socket requesting more info on obtaining the latest software..... we'll see what they say.

CP

[brianchris]

I just hope they don't make me buy the whole connection kit. I already have the Socket CF BT card, and it works great with my Fujitsu P5020D, in the CF slot. It doesn't stick out and it's better on the batteries than the PC card from Belkin. The current software has a lot to be desired, missing very important pieces. It works though.

Sent an email to Socket requesting more info on obtaining the latest software..... we'll see what they say.

CP

PLEASE keep us posted in this thread. It sounds like the three of us are in the same boat (we all have the Socket BT CF card AND are using it in a Fujitsu P5020D).

What version of the Windows XP drivers are you guys currently running? (I agree the older WinXP drivers left a LOT to be desired).

If interested, I posted a great deal of my questions on Socket's Forum (here's my specific post: http://www.socketforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2622 ). Who knows, perhaps you two, or others in this thread, know the answers to some of my questions in my post on Socket's site? A lot of confusion, little answers. Its ashame, becuase in the end, Socket makes good products.

[cptpoland]

Since I never bought the whole connection kit, it took me a while to find the drivers. I'm not sure it this is legal or not, but I found the drivers you are talking about on another support site (I believe it was Expansys). They worked for my BT gps, but I could not transfer files from my SE t616. That's why I switched to the belkin pc card. Now with the new software from socket, I'm willing to try it. I won't mind paying for it (although I think paying for drivers is a bit strange to say the least). I'll keep you posted here on what I hear, if anything, from socket.

BTW.... just visited the Expansys site, and the windows drivers for the socket BT card are still available.....

CP

[johncruise]

I was able to get a Dell Axim X5 connected to a Nokia Bluetooth phone in about five minutes, with no problems.

I'd believe that if I hear it from Ed. :lol: Hahahaha... sorry Ed, I'm just kidding here. peace!

[Jason Dunn]

I'd believe that if I hear it from Ed. :lol: Hahahaha... sorry Ed, I'm just kidding here. peace!

Yeah, well, before you get too excited, I have a 50% success rate with Bluetooth. I've tried to implement it in six different scenarios and I've failed three times. :roll:

[cptpoland]

Socket was pretty fast to respond to my email inquiry. Here is the reply I got from Susan Osorio:

Thank you for contacting Socket Communications, Inc. Our Product Manager
will be email blasting the all Socket Registered Bluetooth Customers in
the next 7-10 business days on how to obtain these new drivers. If you
have not done so already, please register your card on our website at
http://www.socketcom.com/prodreg/.

Please feel free to contact me if you should need any additional
assistance.

Kindest Regards,

Susan Osorio
Socket Communications, Inc.
37400 Central Court
Newark, CA 94560-3444
(510) 744-2711
[email protected] 8)

Well I'm going there to register my card...... I wanna be blasted :lol:

[brianchris]

Socket was pretty fast to respond to my email inquiry. Here is the reply I got from Susan Osorio:

Thank you for contacting Socket Communications, Inc. Our Product Manager
will be email blasting the all Socket Registered Bluetooth Customers in
the next 7-10 business days on how to obtain these new drivers. If you
have not done so already, please register your card on our website at
http://www.socketcom.com/prodreg/.

Please feel free to contact me if you should need any additional
assistance.

Kindest Regards,

Susan Osorio
Socket Communications, Inc.
37400 Central Court
Newark, CA 94560-3444
(510) 744-2711
[email protected] 8)

Well I'm going there to register my card...... I wanna be blasted :lol:

That is great they replied so fast, and on the surface, its good news. The problem is, she may be refring to only one or two specific Socket Bluetooth card models (or SKU's), and NOT the model (or SKU) you purchased.

Since my Bluetooth card is registered (and has been for some time), I look forward that email from them. BUT, I also won't be surprised if I don't get that email becuase they determined the Bluetooth card I bought isn't eligible (or even technically capable.....card has to have G firmware or higher).

[brianchris]

I'm sorry, as I hate to be the skeptic, but this is not looking good.

It is known that the CF card has to have a firmware revision of "G" or higher (check the sticker on the back of your card). The bad news is, its starting to appear that we can't upgrade the cards to "G" firmware, we have to purchase new cards at "special" upgrade pricing of $79.95 (for the CF card with windows XP driver compatability). Don't believe me? Check this link: http://www.socketcom.com/support/note_upgradebluetooth.htm (the enhanced software is the BlueSoliel software)....there's even a PDF order form there with the "special" upgrade pricing for previous card owners. :evil:

I'd REALLY like someone at Socket to confirm or deny some of this, but Susan has not replied to my email I sent her earlier this morning as fast as she replied to cptpoland's email :cry:

[gohtor]

bluetooth software drivers has always been quite a hassle to set up. Under simple scenarios it may be straight forward but I have quite a demanding scenario.

For example I have found no work around to getting bluetooth network access to work when internet connection sharing has already been granted to a different adapter other than the bluetooth.

Before the new widcomm drivers I've actually had better luck getting the setup working but the new one has redefined the way profiles are added for better compatiblity with other new bluetooth devices.

Just my personal rant. I'd like to see how socket's hardware and software combinations turn out.

[cptpoland]

I finally had the time to find my socket cf bt card....... it's revision F :cry:
Blast!
I'm not about to shell out more money just to have a CF BT card in my laptop with proper drivers. Unless Socket can come up with a process of updating the firmware on the card, I'm not going to "upgrade" my hardware. I'll just stick to the Belkin pc card. Yes it sticks out.... yes it has an ugly green light on it, yes it uses up more juice..... but it works and it works great. Covers all my needs.

One thing for sure..... I'll be very carefull when buying Socket products from now on.

I just checked some prices..... Socket "special" upgrade will be 104.95 (including shipping to Canada)..... that's 143 in Canadian. Now Tek n Toys is selling the Connection Kit (CF + PC card adapter) for 162 in Canadian funds. Now I ask where is the "special" upgrade..... 20 bucks???? Give me a break. :evil:

[brianchris]

One thing for sure..... I'll be very carefull when buying Socket products from now on.

Exactly.

While its true Socket generally makes good products, the have a history of charging for driver updates (through complicated schemes such as this).

[GSmith]

I bought the Socket CF Kit about six months ago. With the old drivers on my Fujitsu 5010D, my computer would lock up and require either shutdown (with several "End Now" responses) or forced off (hardware button). This happened when my bluetooth phone dropped its bluetooth connection (whichhappened when it dropped the GPRS connection).

The drivers were, in a word, abysmal.

So bad, that I bought a D-Link USB with Widcomm drivers and stuck the Socket CF in the drawer (a month or two ago, when I learned new drivers were coming).

I received the email blast, which offered the first 2000 people to download the updated drivers for free.

The BlueSoliel driver for the Socket CF does offer more profiles (which I don't really use), but offered two important things to me:

Stable (so far), and desktop two-click access to GPRS connection. (It should be one click, but the "prompt for phone number" and "prompt for name password" don't seem to stick.)

My D-Link is now in the drawer.

[brianchris]

I bought the Socket CF Kit about six months ago. With the old drivers on my Fujitsu 5010D, my computer would lock up and require either shutdown (with several "End Now" responses) or forced off (hardware button). This happened when my bluetooth phone dropped its bluetooth connection (whichhappened when it dropped the GPRS connection).

The drivers were, in a word, abysmal.

So bad, that I bought a D-Link USB with Widcomm drivers and stuck the Socket CF in the drawer (a month or two ago, when I learned new drivers were coming).

I received the email blast, which offered the first 2000 people to download the updated drivers for free.

The BlueSoliel driver for the Socket CF does offer more profiles (which I don't really use), but offered two important things to me:

Stable (so far), and desktop two-click access to GPRS connection. (It should be one click, but the "prompt for phone number" and "prompt for name password" don't seem to stick.)

My D-Link is now in the drawer.

Thanks for posting!

Wait, you have the NEW drivers? Are you a beta tester? Are they the final drivers? More info please (don't know if you can tell, but I have NOT recieved such an email yet :( )

[GSmith]

I bought the Socket CF Kit about six months ago. With the old drivers on my Fujitsu 5010D, my computer would lock up and require either shutdown (with several "End Now" responses) or forced off (hardware button). This happened when my bluetooth phone dropped its bluetooth connection (whichhappened when it dropped the GPRS connection).

The drivers were, in a word, abysmal.

So bad, that I bought a D-Link USB with Widcomm drivers and stuck the Socket CF in the drawer (a month or two ago, when I learned new drivers were coming).

I received the email blast, which offered the first 2000 people to download the updated drivers for free.

The BlueSoliel driver for the Socket CF does offer more profiles (which I don't really use), but offered two important things to me:

Stable (so far), and desktop two-click access to GPRS connection. (It should be one click, but the "prompt for phone number" and "prompt for name password" don't seem to stick.)

My D-Link is now in the drawer.

Thanks for posting!

Wait, you have the NEW drivers? Are you a beta tester? Are they the final drivers? More info please (don't know if you can tell, but I have NOT recieved such an email yet :( )

I am not a beta tester (as far as I know). I received the email on May 6, 2004 about the BlueSoleil drivers I think as a result of being registered. Are you registered? I was communicating with Socket Support about my prior problems when they sent me the email. I don't know for sure whether it's for public consumption yet, but it sure is formatted that way.

BlueSoleil
Copyight (C) 2002 by IVT Corporation.

Product Version: BTP-1.4.7-98SE/ME/2K/XP-04.04.26
Stack Version : 04.03.02.20040426.

Looks suspiciously like a compile or release date from IVT of April 26, 2004.

http://www.socketforum.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2622

[GSmith]

A word of caution, though, the new driver only appears to support COM 12 and COM 13 for serial connection.

According to the help screen:

Some applications only allow you to use a limited range of COM port numbers. If the application does not allow you to use a COM port number assigned by BlueSoleil, you will not be able to use BlueSoleil with your application.

This is a problem because ActiveSync currently only supports COM 3-9.

I have (just) notified Socket about this problem.

[GSmith]

I just received what appears to be an official announcement of the general availability of the BlueSoliel Socket Drivers, email dated May 27. I would presume that if you are registered with Socket, you will have received this email, too.