Socket Mobile's New Web Site Reveals Concept Mobile Devices

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.socketmobile.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.socketmobile.com/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Socket Communications, Inc. is now doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. The name change reflects Socket’s recently announced plans to expand into the systems business by introducing a line of handheld mobile computer products specifically designed to meet the business needs of mobile workers involved in small-to-medium scale deployments. Socket’s unique, solutions-focused mobile computing product line will be unveiled in Q2. Visit here each week and see how this product was designed with the right features for business mobility."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070202-socketmobile.jpg.jpg" /><br /><br />Socket Mobile (formerly, Socket Communications) has put up a new web site following its <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=53443">announcement of its intention to roll out new mobile devices</a> running Windows Mobile 5.0. The first concept is pictured above and features an SD slot and CF slot. Additional details as well as the second concept will be revealed in a week's time. We'll keep you posted.

[kamikun]

I'm all for more players in the game... more devices with different features equals better choice and lower prices for the consumer. And I really appreciate the old school SD / CF combo - lots of add on device options come in that kind of package.

But Socket isn't really knocking us over with details or anything here. A flash (literally) of a PPC "concept" image that looks like it was whipped up on a Widcom tablet in four minutes or so? No dates... no specs... no target audience... no corporate vision beyond "we want a ppc that'll run our add-ons?"

Guys, are you offering a phone, a PPC phone, a UMPC-style thing with phone opts, a UMPC-style device aimed at vertical, enterprise or field computing?? I mean, throw us a bone here.

[Stik]

I'm all for more players in the game...

As the PocketPC world turns, wouldn't it be ironic if the Socket PPC is the last true standalone PPC that comes to market? Hey Jason, you'll have to add Socket PPC as a category in the device forums!

Who would'a thought? :|

a PPC "concept" image that looks like it was whipped up on a Widcom tablet in four minutes or so?

Widcomm tablet? Maybe but doubtful. Socket is a purveyor of their own brand of bluetooth module &amp; stacks. Widcomm is an ' enemy ' :devilboy:

Guys, are you offering a phone, a PPC phone, a UMPC-style thing with phone opts, a UMPC-style device

No, no, no and no.

aimed at vertical, enterprise or field computing??

Yes, yes and yes. The market that it's not aimed at is the consumer market.

No dates... no specs... no target audience... no corporate vision beyond "we want a ppc that'll run our add-ons?"

Actually kamikun, I don't think that Socket management needs much more of a vision than the one you've layed out. If you only knew of the compatibility issues Socket has had over the past several years with other PPC handheld manufacturers I think you'd understand why! :wink:

Planned release is Socket's second quarter, somewhere in the April-JUne timeframe.

Specs? Your correct, very little information. When Socket's CEO Kevin Mills was questioned by Mr. Eric Kritsky of Acosta Sales and Marketing about memory, basic memory on the device, the CEO's response was...

" Lots."

Can't take it further than that, will have to wait and see. Or, when I've put questions directly to Socket management in the past that they didn't want answered at the time the pat response was always, " Stay tuned. "

Thats an inside joke amongst some of us that have followed Socket over the years.

The target audience are the ones you've listed above... vertical, enterprise and field computing markets.

I provided this link in the earlier News release that Darius posted, but you may have not seen it. Its a Conference Call transcript that Socket made on the date they announced Socket was going to get into the ' mobile computing ' end of the business, and goes just a bit further into the what and why's Socket is trying to accomplish by offering handheld devices if your interested or so inclined.

http://www.mkr-group.com/SCKT/media/Man_Call_Trans1.16.07.pdf

[kamikun]

...a whole bunch of stuff...

Stik, interesting points all and thanks for taking the time to write them out. I assume 'cause you've got a dog in this fight (i.e. vested) you want to promote Socket as much as possible.

Cool. I want Socket to succeed because I love the PPC concept and loathe the baggage and redirection in the industry the phone converagnce markets have been dictating.

I can't help but note however how much that concept picture looks like my e800 with 5800 mAh battery. That thing may be a brick... but man does she get used.

pic for reference: http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1479/mugene8xx5800mahyl5.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mugene8xx5800mahyl5.jpg) click for bigger.

[Stik]

Stik, interesting points all and thanks for taking the time to write them out. I assume 'cause you've got a dog in this fight (i.e. vested) you want to promote Socket as much as possible.

I'm that transparent, eh? :lol:

Is true, I DO have a dog in this fight, and its been a very difficult fight in lieu of the decline of the PPC market. I share your feelings implicitly...

I love the PPC concept and loathe the baggage and redirection in the industry the phone converagnce markets have been dictating.

I abhor the marketing and promotion ( or lack of ) that everyone in the PPC industry, from Microsoft, HP, Dell and others have done ( or not ) over the years. It was like a grand experiment! Unfortunately I feel those same companies have just used and treated their customers and handheld users as nothing more than beta testing fodder that has led the way to the emergence of small screen converged devices that, at least in the US, is nothing more than pandering and kowtowing to the ever powerful telcos.

I celebrate and have the highest respect for Jason Dunn and staff, and all the PPC evangelists like this team that have done their upmost best to promote and help users in the PPC handheld domain. I also celebrate the PocketPCThoughts community that have given me so much insight over the years. :way to go:

Back to Socket and their PPC. While its true that I may be guilty of promoting in instances, I can also be one of Socket's harshest critics!

I would think Socket has all the revelant information on the devices their going to bring to market, and it totally irks me that they haven't released ALL this information publicly instead of playing this GAME their now playing.

If I may be so bold as to suggest thats its just a way ( maybe smart and calculated? ) to keep the INVESTMENT COMMUNITY interested in their company and to make cover for poor quarterly earnings until their handheld products do make it to market. Just a thought, and I don't feel I'm far offbase with these assumptions.

I truly hope this is a successful venture for Socket...

... and my own at risk capital :wink:

I just don't care for the means in the ways their going about accomplishing it. :?

[TOCA]

A new PPC with both Standard SD and CF slots 8O

This can only mean one thing: All thing good comes to he who waits :D 8)

Now, add a VGA screen, superior new battery technology, and I'm all in for this device, Dell needs some competition, to get their x51v updated :wink:

[Stik]

A new PPC with both Standard SD and CF slots 8O

This can only mean one thing: All thing good comes to he who waits :D 8)

Slipping back into my ' Sybil ' and promoter mode, I'd be remiss to not state that whatever ' mobile computing device ( s)' Socket brings to market, they will be of solid build and quality products whatever the final specs turn out to be. 0X

[Len M.]

There are many PDA peripherals that need a CF and/or a full-sized SD card slot (including our PDAudio-CF card). So Socket has my vote on their new PDA.

[Stik]

Concept #2 is now available...

http://www.socketmobile.com/

VoIP Ready? That confused me. :oops:

How does one talk on a handheld that isin't a smartphone? I contacted Socket's CFO for an explanation and he kindly tolerates my technology shortcomings and replied...
_____________________________________________________________

Socket's handheld device will be VoIP ready, which means that a user may install VoIP software and use the device as that software enables it to do, including its use as a phone. We are not working with a carrier. VoIP software may be used anywhere where there is a wireless LAN connection such as a corporate network or internet hotspot.

Further to your inquiry, Socket's Wireless LAN software includes fast roaming which allows a device to move from access point to access point seamlessly without dropping the connection. This capability is particularly important when a user is moving around a facility and needs to maintain a connection. Many handheld devices today are designed to work with single access points and will drop and require a reconnection when access points change, thus dropping a call or losing the ability of the device to function over a wireless LAN network until the reconnection has been completed. Solving the roaming problem has been one of the most asked for features from our business customers.

Best regards,

Dave

David W. Dunlap
Chief Financial Officer
Socket Communications, Inc.
dba Socket Mobile, Inc.
_____________________________________________________________

Alright, I researched a bit and learned of the VoIP softphones and its software concepts. What I still don't grasp is what one would talk into to hold a conversation with another using this device with VoIP software? :oops: :roll: :oops:

If anyone could further my education in that regard it would be sincerely appreciated. :)

Edit

Never mind. I again contacted Socket asking if Skype service and a bluetooth headset would work in making this handheld a VoIP workable device and received back this reply...

Skype software and a Bluetooth headset would be a logical configuration. Our mobile handheld computer will have a microphone and a speaker which will also work, just not as well as a headset.

Best regards,

Dave

David W. Dunlap
Chief Financial Officer
Socket Mobile, Inc.
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Since Socket's CFO gives me liberty to share email responses to my questions, sort of a conduit if you will, I've decided to add this response if anyone is interested.

Hi Dave,

One final question ( alright, 2 ) that's not related if you'd be so kind.

Microsoft just announced Windows Mobile 6.0...

Windows Mobile 6.0 to get Office News - PC Advisor

Will Socket's handhelds be upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6.0 and future OS releases?

( I'm assuming they will )

Since Socket's handheld computer products won't be available until 2nd quarter, why not just use the WM6.0 OS in the kickoff of the devices?

Thanks once again!

Best Always,

Stik

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Stik,

Windows Mobile 5.0 running on our new handheld device, combined with Socket's wireless and data collection software, provides the capabilities needed by most businesses today, hence the decision to go with Windows Mobile 5.0. When and how we introduce Windows Mobile 6.0 in the future will be a decision made jointly by our marketing folks and our customers, but customers selecting Windows Mobile 5.0 will be able to continue to use that operating system for an extended life cycle of three to five years.

Best regards,

Dave

David W. Dunlap
Chief Financial Officer
Socket Communications, Inc.
dba Socket Mobile, Inc.


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