Socket Enables International Wireless Messaging for Apple MessagePad 130
FREMONT, Calif. — March 18, 1996 — Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ SmallCap: SCKT, SCKTW; PSE: SOK) today announced the availability of wireless messaging software that allows Socket's PageCard data pager to operate with Apple's new MessagePad 130.
The software, compatible with the Newton 2.0 operating system, makes it possible for MessagePad 130 users to send text messages via modem to any alphanumeric pager, and to download wireless messages from Socket's PageCard directly to the MessagePad inbox. The PageCard's PC Card interface permits MessagePad users to receive and store wireless e-mail, stock market updates, sales leads, and other types of messages anywhere, any time, without the inconvenience of setting up wireline communications.
In addition to offering PageCard software support for the MessagePad 130, Socket introduced a version of the PageCard that operates on the pan-European Euromessage wireless data network. Service in France and the United Kingdom is scheduled to begin in April 1996, and service in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy is expected to be available later this year. Versions of the PageCard are now available for operation in the United States, Canada and Europe, with others under test in Latin America and Asia.
The PageCard is the only PC Card pager with an LCD display, allowing it to be used both as a standalone alphanumeric pager and as a data pager for delivering wireless messages to a mobile computer. At 2.2 oz, the PageCard is lighter than an ordinary alphanumeric pager and can be carried in a pocket or worn on a belt. The PageCard's 128 Kbyte memory can store up to 370 messages, and its battery operates for 30 days. The PageCard's PC Card (formerly PCMCIA) interface allows it to download messages to virtually any notebook or PDA. The PageCard maximizes the battery life of a host computer by drawing only 8mA — about 5% of the power required by typical PC Card modems.
The development of the PageCard's Newton 2.0 software was jointly funded by Apple and Socket and is available to anyone who purchases the PageCard Wireless Messaging System for Apple. This system also includes software to send pages from a Mac OS system and to download PageCard messages into a PowerBook.
"The Apple MessagePad has become a premiere mobile computing platform for vertical applications and represents an important part of our narrowband PCS initiative," said Socket's CEO Martin Levetin. "Socket continues to work with Apple and with Newton software developers to create wireless messaging applications and development tools. By introducing the Euromessage version of the PageCard, we have dramatically expanded the market for Newton software vendors and solutions providers who focus on wireless connectivity."
Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells data communications solutions for the mobile computer market. Socket's products include PC Card hardware and software for wireless messaging. Socket's PageCard is a PC Card alphanumeric pager that can download wireless data to a mobile computer. The PageSoft messaging library includes development tools and middleware, send and receive applications, plus rules-based e-mail forwarding agents. Socket Wireless Messaging Services (SWiMS) include operator dispatch, paging gateways for Internet and the World Wide Web, plus voice mail and fax forwarding with automatic wireless notification. Other Socket products include Serial PC Cards, wired Ethernet PC Cards and a Global Positioning System PC Card.
Note to Editors: Socket Communications, Inc., PageCard, PageCard Wireless Messaging System, SWiMS and PageSoft are registered trademarks, trademarks or service marks of Socket Communications, Inc.
CONTACT:
Socket Communications
Gerald Houston, 510/744-2740
or
A&R Partners
Jennifer Hwang, 415/363-0982