Socket Mobile Unveils New Handheld Computer for Business Mobility Market

NEWARK, Calif.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT), dba Socket Mobile, Inc., an innovative provider of mobile productivity products, today unveiled its new handheld mobile computer specifically designed to make essential business mobile productivity solutions possible and affordable. The company's extensive line of mobile data collection and networking connectivity peripherals combined with the new handheld make Socket a one-stop supplier of mobile computing hardware systems.

“Mobile computing systems available today do not meet the mobility needs of small- to medium-sized companies or many business units within larger enterprises”

The new Socket SoMo™ 650 is built to address the market that exists between consumer-oriented PDAs and heavy duty industrial devices. The sleek, durable device uses a touch screen and is based on the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system to ensure the highest level of mobile application compatibility and gives workers a familiar computing environment. The SoMo 650 handheld computer's flexible design enables ease of customization and integration with Socket and third party peripherals and information systems – extending the lifecycle of the product and reducing total cost of ownership. The company will launch a new extended, multi-year service warranty on the device as well as on many of its higher-end peripheral products.

“Mobile computing systems available today do not meet the mobility needs of small- to medium-sized companies or many business units within larger enterprises,” said Kevin Mills, president and chief executive officer of Socket Mobile. “Currently companies need to choose between devices that are often too costly and over featured or inexpensive and under featured, which results in mobility solutions being overly difficult to justify and deploy. The SoMo 650 is designed to change all of that, since it's designed and developed for the currently underserved business mobility market.”

Socket Mobile plans to leverage more than 100 value added reseller partners to target current and prospective customers seeking cost effective mobile computing solutions to deliver applications for inventory control, sales force automation, patient tracking, asset management and merchandising. The company's primary focus will be on the healthcare, automotive, life sciences and retail markets in which workers have a need for efficient data collection, real-time information management and applications in the field.

“The business mobility market represents approximately 10.9 million organizations and 69 million mobile workers. However, with penetration of mobility solutions at only 25 percent, most organizations still rely on manual, paper-based systems that contribute to greater error frequency and highly inefficient processes," said David Krebs, director of the Mobile & Wireless Practice, Venture Development Corporation.

“With the Windows Mobile operating system, Socket Mobile is helping its customers attain an easily deployable, manageable solution that increases mobile productivity,” said Chris Hill, group product manager at Microsoft Corp. "Windows Mobile brings a familiar experience to the small screen, helping mobile professionals stay connected to important data wherever they are."

Features and Pricing

The SoMo 650 includes the following features and applications:

Durable form factor designed specifically to withstand multiple drops from one meter onto vinyl-covered concrete

True business class 802.11b/g Wi-Fi technology provides fast roaming for superior in-building / campus environments and VoIP applications

Bluetooth™ 2.0 radio with enhanced data rate; one of the most complete libraries of Bluetooth profiles for maximum support of third party peripherals

Reinforced CompactFlash and SDIO slots that enable expandability and provide better protection for peripheral devices

More stable platform and a three to five year lifecycle to meet business needs and lower total cost of ownership

128MB SDRAM and 256MB Flash memory to enable users to work with multiple applications

Intel processor operating at 624MHz to ensure better application responsiveness

High-capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion battery to power the most demanding applications; an optional extended life battery is also available

Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system

The SoMo 650 is the first in a family of handheld computing products Socket will rollout in 2007 and is available through Socket distribution channels, resellers and vertical industry partners in the U.S. as well as selected countries in Asia Pacific and Europe with an MSRP of $648. Socket is on track to ship the SoMo 650 during the second quarter, starting with limited production in April and mass production in May. The handheld computer will be available in various packaged configurations that may include a wall charger, docking cradle and carrying case.

For more product information visit: http://www.socketmobile.com/products/handheld-computer/somo-650/.

About Socket Mobile

Socket Mobile makes mobility computing and productivity work. The company is a one-stop supplier of mobile computing hardware systems by offering a handheld mobile computer and one of the most complete portfolios of essential mobile data collection and networking connectivity peripherals that will enable mobile automation and productivity increases for small to medium deployments. The company also offers OEM partner solutions and software development programs. Socket is headquartered in Newark, Calif. and can be reached at 510-933-3000 or www.socketmobile.com.

Socket and SoMo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc., dba Socket Mobile, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names contained herein may be those of their respective owners.

For editors needing images visit: socketmobile.com/images/default.asp?Type=Handheld.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements indicating a new product introduction including details on the timing and distribution of the product and statements predicting trends, sales and market opportunities in the markets in which we sell our products. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the risk that the product introduction may be delayed or not happen as predicted, if ever, and the risk that market acceptance and sales opportunities may not happen as anticipated once the product has been introduced into the market, the risk that our integrator program and current distribution channels may not choose to distribute the product or may not be successful in doing so, the risk that acceptance of our product in vertical application markets may not happen as anticipated and that anecdotal evidence of success in those markets may not be indicative of a trend, the risk of delays in our ability to design, manufacture, market and sell the new product due to technological, market, or financial factors, including the availability of necessary working capital, and other risks described in our most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Optimized by Newsforce