Socket Creates Antibacterial Handheld Computer

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.socketmobile.com/about/news-and-events/press-releases/read.asp?ID=266' target='_blank'>http://www.socketmobile.com/about/n...read.asp?ID=266</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT), dba Socket Mobile, Inc., an innovative provider of mobile productivity solutions, today announced a new line of products to be built with an antibacterial plastic targeted toward healthcare and other markets that involve hygiene-sensitive environments. The first product combination to debut in the new line is the SoMo™ 650 handheld computer and docking cradle, which will be on display at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition in the Socket Mobile booth #1312. SoMo 650 handheld computer product demonstrations will also be taking place in the Cisco booth #6251 in conjunction with its recently attained Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) 4.0 certification."</i><br /><br />We've posted on rugged computers, but this is the first time I've seen a computer designed for rugged cleanliness! With the fact that I've been sick twice in the last month, perhaps I should look into one of these! All kidding aside, Socket's solution looks like it may be a nice addition to a hospital IT department near you.

[Stik]

Socket's solution looks like it may be a nice addition to a hospital IT department near you.

Every little bit helps I guess in what has become a serious issue in US hospitals.

" Infections contracted in hospitals are the fourth largest killer in America. Every year in this country, two million patients' contract infections in hospitals, and an estimated 103,000 die as a result "

http://www.hospitalinfection.org/essentialfacts.shtml

This is the second new version of SoMo650 Socket has announced. While I'm assuming ( guessing! :mrgreen: ) this SoMo 650's plastic casing is batched with antibacterial nano-silver plastic granules that sterilizes over 99% of colon bacteria, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus albus and molds. This unit is directed to the healthcare industry. The SoMo650 ( HS )Socket announced last December ( '07 ) actually took certain elements out instead of adding them! :idea:

" Socket Communications announced a high-security (HS) version of its SoMo 650 handheld computer without built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio capabilities. Designed specifically for the public sector and other private sector market segments where security takes precedence over real-time data transmission, or a batch-only Windows Mobile device is required, the new configuration of the SoMo 650 offers durability and scalability while maintaining specific non-radio regulatory compliance. "

http://news.morningstar.com/newsnet/printNews.aspx?article=/MWR/0338951_univ.xml

Socket's definitely not going after the consumer market but rather vertical business markets such as...

http://www.socketmobile.com/solutions/vertical-markets/

This is the only way Socket can survive ( imo ) considering the depths the standalone PDA market has fallen over the last 5 years! :(

" Handheld Devices Sink 53.2% During Fourth Quarter "

" The handheld device market, already in the throes of unit decline, failed to post a seasonal sequential increase in shipments during the fourth quarter. According to IDC's Worldwide Handheld QView, vendors shipped a total of 683,004 units in the fourth quarter, marking a 53.2% decrease from the same quarter a year ago and a 6.0% decrease from the previous quarter. For the full year, vendors shipped a total of 3.0 million units worldwide, down 44.3% from the 5.5 million units shipped during all of 2006. "

http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp;jsessionid=A2OTYZJSYFWQMCQJAFDCFEYKBEAVAIWD?containerId=prUS21083408

Ouch!! :roll: