Socket Announces Wireless Communications and Connectivity Solutions for Windows CE
LAS VEGAS — November 18, 1996 — Socket Communications Inc. today announced a family of connectivity products compatible with the latest generation of handheld personal computers (HPCs) designed to run Microsoft Corp.'s recently introduced Windows CE operating system platform.
Socket's offerings include a new version of the PageCard Wireless Messaging System that turns an HPC into an alphanumeric pager so users can receive wireless messages, stock quotes, sales leads, calendar updates and other data directly into their Windows CE-based PMAIL inbox.
Socket also released a new version of the Serial I/O card, the top selling PC Card serial communications adapter. The improved Serial I/O card features ultra low power consumption, making it ideal for developers and end-users to connect their HPCs to a broad range of devices such as external modems, bar code readers, label printers, control devices, data collection equipment and desktop or notebook PCs.
Microsoft has awarded both the PageCard and the Serial I/O Card Certificates of Compliance for Windows CE.
The PageCard Wireless Messaging System includes everything needed to receive paged messages directly on the Windows CE-based HPC, along with software to create and send messages from desktop computers. Socket's PageCard data pager, is an alphanumeric pager receiver that operates with existing low-cost, ubiquitous paging networks.
It receives any pages, just like a conventional belt pager, plus when inserted in a Windows CE-based HPC, messages are downloaded directly into the HPCs e-mail inbox. The PageCard operates with Socket's new PageSoft software for Windows CE to provide the interface between the data pager and the HPC.
The software includes the option to activate the HPCs notification light for discreet message arrival notification. PageSoft Pro software, also included, operates on any Windows-based desktop computer for creating and sending messages via a conventional modem or network modem server to the paging network provider.
Socket's Serial I/O Card is the only RS-232 PC Card adapter with support built into the registry in Windows CE, giving users full plug-and-play capability.
Based on Socket's proprietary High Integration Serial (HIS) chip, the Serial I/O Card draws less than one tenth the power of competing serial PC Card adapters. This technology extends the battery life of the HPC so that external modems and other input devices may be used without electrical connections..
"The release of the low-cost HPC running Windows CE is a milestone in mobile computing," said Martin Levetin, president and CEO of Socket Communications.
"We have adapted our low-power consuming wireless and wired connection solutions to this new platform because we believe that the combination of a familiar interface and synchronization with the Windows 95-based desktop computers will make these devices very popular.
"The well-known Windows programming APIs have made these new computers a target for VARs creating solutions in vertical markets, he continued. We are concentrating our efforts on selected vertical markets for which Windows CE will provide the standard platform developers have been looking for in the heretofore diverse handheld arena.
"We are excited that Socket has delivered on its commitment to develop wireless communication and connectivity solutions for the Windows CE platform with todays announcement," said John Magill, director of marketing, consumer appliances group at Microsoft.
"With industry support from companies like Socket, the Windows CE platform will allow handheld computing to expand to its full potential."
Socket is demonstrating both the PageCard and the new low power consuming Serial I/O Card at COMDEX/Las Vegas in Booth E-7 in the Microsoft Windows CE pavilion, L2212. Demonstrations are also available in the Casio booth, L5216, on their new Cassiopeia Windows CE-based computer. Both products are available now from Socket dealers and retailers worldwide.
The suggested retail price for the Serial I/O Card is $ 169, and the PageCard is $ 399. The PageCard is also available from GTE bundled with paging service for as low as $ 29.95 a month.
Socket Communications Inc. develops and sells connection solutions for mobile computers, including Ethernet PC Cards, a family of Serial PC Cards, as well as PC Card hardware, software, and services for wireless messaging. The PageSoft messaging library includes development tools and middleware, send and receive applications, plus rules-based e-mail forwarding agents.
Socket's connection solutions are based on its HIS chip technology featuring extremely low power consumption, making them ideal for battery-operated mobile computers and handheld devices. Details about Socket and its products may be found on Socket's web site at http://www.socketcom.com.
Note to Editors: Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Socket Communications Inc., PageCard, PageCard Wireless Messaging System, and PageSoft and SWiMS are registered trademarks, trademarks or service marks of Socket Communications Inc. All other companies or products are the property of their respective holders.
CONTACT:
Socket Communications
Howard Case, 510/744-2762
[email protected]
or
A&R Partners
Annie Grace, 415/363-0982,
[email protected]