In March, 2001, Socket Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT; PSE: SOK) demonstrated for the first time a Windows Powered Pocket PC, using Bluetooth wireless technology to send and receive email by making a cable-free connection to a DENSO Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone on the Sprint PCS wireless data network.
"Socket has again shown the advantage of the Pocket PC's standards-based expansion capability," said Rogers Weed, a general manager of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "Socket's CompactFlash Bluetooth card will help usher in an exciting new era of wireless connectivity options for the Pocket PC."
The Socket's Bluetooth Personal Network Card is a CompactFlash card that fits in the expansion slot of a Windows Powered Pocket PC. It also fits, via an adapter, the PC Card slot of a Windows CE-based handheld or notebook PC. Two Bluetooth cards and adapters plus software for the Microsoft Windows CE operating system are included in the Socket's Bluetooth Personal Network Card Evaluation Kit.
"Giving a Pocket PC cordless access to a mobile phone for dial-up networking on the Sprint PCS wireless network is a major milestone for Socket," said Peter Phillips, a director of product marketing for Socket. "We have worked closely with Sprint PCS, DENSO and Microsoft to create a virtual single-body solution - an Internet-connected Pocket PC that offers the convenience of an embedded wireless modem, but that takes an advantage of Socket's low-power, a general-purpose Bluetooth card, to communicate with a mobile phone that could be stored out of the way in your pocket or purse."
Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells connection products for mobile computers and other devices, including a Battery Friendly® family of plug-in cards for enhancing mobile computers, adding wireless Internet connectivity, networking, bar code scanning and data communication. Utilizing the company's low-power chip technology; Socket's products are ideal for battery-operated mobile computers. Being an Associate member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the company develops products that will add the Bluetooth wireless technology to handheld computers, notebooks and other electronic appliances.
Operating the largest hundred percent digital, hundred percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, Sprint PCS provides a wide range of personal communication services. Sprint PCS wireless provider offers various service plans that would suite both: businesses and consumers. Sprint PCS Fair & Flexible Family Plans allow customers to share minutes between two Sprint PCS phones. Sprint PCS Fair and Flexible America Plans contain adjustable anytime minutes with no roaming charges and no huge overages on the country's largest network, Sprint PCS Free & Clear Area Wide Plans suite those, who call around the country more than most people call locally, with Sprint PCS Free Incoming, all incoming calls are free while on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Wireless Network.