Socket Bluetooth Card Wirelessly Connects Pocket PC to HP Deskjet Printer

Wireless Printing Technology Demonstration Highlights Bluetooth Interoperability

Socket Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCKT)(PSE:SOK) today demonstrated wireless printing using the Socket Bluetooth Card to enable a Windows-powered Pocket PC to connect and print wirelessly to an HP Deskjet 995c inkjet printer, Hewlett-Packard Company's first integrated Bluetooth printer.

By showing cable-free printing from a Pocket PC to an HP printer, Socket highlighted the expanding interoperability of Bluetooth wireless technology. To underscore the interoperability theme, Socket also demonstrated Bluetooth connections between a Pocket PC and a mobile phone, a LAN Access Point, a digital camera, and a notebook computer.

The Socket Bluetooth Card is a plug-in card that fits in a CompactFlash slot or, via an adapter, the PC Card slot of a mobile computer, offering a convenient way to add wireless connectivity to other Bluetooth-enabled devices within a range of 10 meters (30 feet). The Socket Bluetooth Card was nominated for the Best Bluetooth Consumer Product award by the 2001 Bluetooth Congress and was selected for inclusion in the "Ultimate Wireless Kit," a collection of mobile connectivity products offered by Microsoft Corp. Socket's card is currently available to application developers as part of Socket's Bluetooth Card Evaluation Kit.

"The HP Deskjet 995c inkjet printer adds to the momentum behind Bluetooth wireless technology," said John Doub, Bluetooth program director for Socket. "We're excited to be working with HP to bring wireless printing to the Pocket PC. HP's support for Bluetooth is another indication that the industry is moving quickly towards accepting Bluetooth as the standard for short-range wireless connectivity among a wide variety of computers, peripherals, and electronic appliances."

"The HP Deskjet 995c inkjet printer using Socket's Bluetooth Card has made wireless printing a reality for the Pocket PC," said Pat Rau, wireless communications business development manager, HP Imaging and Printing Systems. "The CompactFlash design of Socket's Bluetooth Card makes it a great way for Pocket PC developers and owners to plug into Bluetooth."


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