Socket, Intermec and O'Neil Team Partner to Develop the First PDA-to-Mobile Printer Embedded Bluetooth Solution

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Wireless Developer Network - Daily News

Socket, Intermec and O'Neil Team Partner to Develop the First PDA-to-Mobile Printer Embedded Bluetooth Solution

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 10, 2001--Socket Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:SCKT) (PSE:SOK), has teamed with Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. company (NYSE:UNA), and O'Neil Product Development to develop the first integrated PDA-to-mobile printer embedded Bluetooth(TM) solution. This rugged, cordless mobile printing system is ideal for delivery service companies who must print transaction records and other delivery data in the field.

Plans to deploy the system to a delivery service company for testing in the field are currently underway. Participants in this trial program will provide feedback before release of the final product, expected prior to year-end.

The integrated system uses Intermec's 700 Series Pocket PC handheld computer and 781T mobile belt-clip printers. O'Neil supplies the 781T mobile printer to Intermec under a separate agreement. Socket provides Bluetooth modules and software to both Intermec and O'Neil.

Bluetooth is a high-speed, low-power microwave wireless link technology, designed to easily connect phones, laptops, PDAs and other portable equipment.

"During the trial program, delivery drivers' standard equipment will be replaced with a handheld computer from Intermec and an O'Neil ruggedized mobile printer, both equipped with Bluetooth modules and software from Socket. This cordless mobile printing system is designed to remove the tangle of cables delivery drivers typically face when processing, transmitting, and printing delivery data for their customers," said Mike Colwell, Intermec vice president of Solutions Marketing.

Without the need to connect cables to various pieces of equipment throughout a workday, drivers will be able to improve efficiency during each delivery. Using a Bluetooth-enabled delivery and receipt system, drivers can complete an order, then transmit the order and delivery information to a Bluetooth printer, offering customers a transaction record on the spot.

"We believe the cordless mobile printing business is going to be big," said O'Neil Chief Executive Tim O'Neil. "The planned trial program is just the beginning. We anticipate implementing Bluetooth into a number of our future mobile printers."

"A PDA-to-mobile printer Bluetooth solution is a good use of our Bluetooth technology, as both devices remain in close proximity to each other. We teamed with Intermec and O'Neil, both leaders in their fields, to leverage each company's respective technical and market strengths," said Len Ott, Chief Technical Officer at Socket.

For more information on embedded Bluetooth or mobile printing, visit www.socketcom.com, www.intermec.com, or www.oneilinc.com.

About Intermec

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag(R) RFID (radio frequency identification), mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service. To learn more about Intermec, visit www.intermec.com.

About O'Neil, Inc.

Established in 1981, O'Neil Product Development has earned its reputation as the world leader in rugged portable printers. With its focus on the design, engineering and manufacture of portable printers for OEM, O'Neil has been consistently first to introduce innovations to the industry. O'Neil designs and manufactures all of its printers on site in its Irvine, Calif., headquarters. To learn more about O'Neil, Inc., visit www.oneilinc.com.

About Socket

Socket Communications, Inc., offers the world's largest selection of plug-in products to expand the functionality of handheld computer and other devices, including mobile data, local area networking, bar code scanning and serial connectivity. Socket's products incorporate the company's energy-efficient chip technology and utilize custom drivers, making our products ideal for battery-operated mobile computers. In addition, Socket offers Bluetooth modules, design services and several software developer kits (SDKs) to help developers incorporate Bluetooth into future devices and applications. Socket is committed to form factor standardization, and plays a key role in such standards-defining bodies as the CompactFlash Association, SD Association and Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). For information about Socket and its complete range of products, visit www.socketcom.com.

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