Neko
Supreme Overlord
Dec 30, 2003, 8:02 PM
Post #1 of 1
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Class 1 KwikBlue Module with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Expands Product Offering by Providing Extended Range to 100 Meters
Newark, CA– 12/8/2003 - Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT, PSE: SOK), the Mobile Connection™ Company, today announced that its Embedded Systems Group has expanded its KwikBlue Module family to include a Class 1 (100 meter range) offering. The extended range capabilities of the KwikBlue-1 (Class 1) Module add a 10x coverage distance over Socket’s existing KwikBlue-2 (Class 2) Module with its 10 meter range. Both the KwikBlue-1 and KwikBlue-2 Modules utilize CSR’s BC02 Bluetooth chipset.
“Intermec looks to Socket for industrial and ruggedized grade Bluetooth solutions” said Arvin Danielson, VP of R&D for Intermec Technologies. “Intermec was the first industrial grade PDA supplier to provide a complete Bluetooth solution with its Pocket PC handheld computers and portable printers. Bluetooth wireless connectivity is now a standard and essential communications method in our product offerings. Applications are being used and vertical solutions are being deployed by customers worldwide using Bluetooth wireless technology to cut the cable, providing improved reliability and a better customer experience. Socket’s KwikBlue Modules are key components to provide true mobility and ease-of-use”.
“Socket’s Bluetooth development efforts are being widely deployed in the ruggedized marketplace,” said Mike Gifford, founder and general manager of Socket Communications’ Embedded Systems Group. “Our KwikBlue-1 Class 1 modules are already designed into existing customer solutions and we’ll be incorporating them into a number of our own Bluetooth enabled products. Our Bluetooth offerings are integrated into more than 20 industrial grade PDAs representing design-wins from 13 different companies. We anticipate a number of these products to offer short and long range cordless solutions using Socket’s products in 2004 and beyond.”
Bluetooth wireless technology has been refined over the last few years with standards being revised and updated by the dedicated Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Socket’s KwikBlue-1 Class 1 modules will have v1.1 qualification by the Bluetooth Qualification Body (BQB) as well as FCC Modular Approval prior to volume production that is scheduled in early 2004. FCC Modular Approval is essentially a pre-approval of most of the required FCC testing and simplifies the FCC certification process for companies seeking to integrate Bluetooth wireless connectivity into their products.
The KwikBlue Module comes in a standard carrier module format which is a highly-integrated small footprint board-to-board connectible package. The Module is also available as a Surface Mount Device (SMD) for custom applications. The term “KwikBlue-2” refers to the Class 2 version of the carrier module, the Class 1 version is called “KwikBlue-1” and both modules utilize the BC02 chipset.
Socket offers complete design-in engineering services that can supply variations of the basic package to meet customer specifications for functionality and space limitations. Special features include Socket’s field upgradeable connectivity implementation, special purpose “Virtual Machines” (embedded customized user applications and interfaces), software configuration, power management, external antenna connections and more.
Socket’s KwikBlue Modules coupled with Socket’s field-proven software protocol stack and value-added integration services are ideal for companies who want to add Bluetooth wireless connectivity to their product solutions. Design wins already field-tested or going into production include PDAs, mobile printers, cordless serial adapters, industrial automation equipment, bar code scanning, and conference room whiteboard connectivity.
For further information on Socket’s KwikBlue Modules using Bluetooth wireless technology, visit Socket’s web site at http://www.socketcom.com/embedded/ or Socket’s Fall/Winter 2003 newsletter.
Socket Communications, Inc., the Mobile Connection™ Company, provides the broadest range of connectivity products for Windows Powered computers, focusing on handhelds including Pocket PCs, Windows CE devices, Palm PDAs and mobile phones. Socket’s Mobility Friendly™ products are feature-rich while promoting ease of use and lead the market with the smallest footprint and the most Battery Friendly® power consumption in their class. Socket's Embedded Systems Group provides solutions using mobilityIC™ interface chips, KwikBlue™ modules with embedded Bluetooth wireless technology and a family of bar code scanning products. Socket is headquartered in Newark, California and can be reached at 510-744-2700 or http://www.socketcom.com.
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