News | January 9, 2006

Socket Communications Unveils Go Wi-Fi! P500 — High-Speed Internet Add-On For Windows Mobile Devices

Source: Socket Mobile Inc.

Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT), an innovative provider of mobile productivity products, today announced the Go Wi-Fi! P500, an 802.11g CF Wireless LAN card for Windows Mobile 2003/SE & 5.0 Mobile based devices. The Go Wi-Fi! P500 offers superior performance, enhanced roaming capabilities and includes an intuitive graphical utility that enables users to easily find, connect and manage their favorite Wi-Fi networks.

"Socket is committed to providing the best user experience for Wi-Fi connectivity," said Peter Phillips, vice president of marketing at Socket. "The Go Wi-Fi! P500 is the fastest, most secure and easy-to-use 802.11g Wi-Fi card available. Users benefit from improved mobile productivity at work, at home, or in rapidly emerging public hot spots."

802.11g is an extension to IEEE 802.11b - the basis of most wireless LANs in existence today. 802.11g broadens 802.11b's data rates to 54 Mbps within the 2.4 GHz band. Because of backward compatibility, an 802.11g wireless card will interface directly with an 802.11b access point and vice versa.

The Go Wi-Fi! P500 Card includes Socket's highly acclaimed Wi-Fi Companion software that makes Wi-Fi connection and management extremely easy for the user. The Go Wi-Fi! P500 Card includes the following:

  • Compatible with IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g standards
  • Wi-Fi Companion enables users to connect to Wi-Fi networks with three simple clicks
  • Finds available Wi-Fi networks and performs advanced features such as network ping and trace route functions
  • Enables user to monitor signal strength for availability of network and gives easy access to Web browsing and checking emails
  • Supports voice over Wi-Fi feature with Skype software (service not included)
  • Automatic Power Saving Mode balances battery life and throughput speed
  • Supports Enterprise Class robust security - AES,WPA2-Enterprise, CCX v1/v2 (certification pending)
  • LED on the card shows WLAN connection status
  • SDK supports third party application developers to rapidly create and integrate Wi-Fi applications

Specifications
Go Wi-Fi! P500 is supported on devices running Windows Mobile 2003/SE & 5.0 with Wi-Fi Companion. The plug-in CF card will also work with Linux and RTOS operating systems based devices with a Compact Flash card slot.

Pricing and availability
The Go Wi-Fi! P500 will be available through Socket's worldwide distribution channels and the Socket website in early February 2006 with an MSRP of $99.

About Socket Communications
Socket Communications (NASDAQ: SCKT) develops and distributes a broad range of data collection and network connectivity products for mobile devices such as PDA's, Smartphones and tablet PCs. Working collaboratively with mobile solutions from leading Strategic Vertical Integrators, world-class 3rd party software developers and OEM's, Socket's Mobility Friendly® products are proven to drive operational efficiencies, increase mobile workforce productivity, boost corporate performance and improve customer satisfaction. Socket is headquartered in Newark, California and can be reached at 510-744-2700 or www.socketcom.com.