Product Updates

By MICHELLE MAN
Published: December 20, 2007

HERE IS A QUICK SUMMARY of the recent updates that have been released for Socket Mobile products. More updates are scheduled for early next year, so be sure to check the Socket Mobile website in 2008.

CF Connection Kit Upgrades to Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rates (EDR)

In November, Socket Mobile updated the chipset in the Cordless Card™, so that the CF Connection Kit is now Bluetooth 2.0 certified with Enhanced Data Rates. This provides three times faster transmission speed — up to 10 times faster in some cases — with data rates up to 3 Mbps. Additionally, a reduced duty cycle helps to minimize power consumption, and bit error rate performance is improved for better signal quality. The upgrade also makes it easy to connect up to seven devices simultaneously, with full piconet and scatternet support and more available bandwitdth.

For more information, please view the datasheet at: http://www.socketmobile.com/pdf/bluetooth/bluetooth-wireless-technology_ds.pdf

Serial I/O Cards Compatible with Windows Vista

In November, the Socket Mobile Serial I/O product family became the first to offer Windows Vista support. The Single, Dual and Quad Serial I/O Card versions now all work with Windows Vista, and have also been optimized for CoreDuo and other multi-processor CPU's. Additionally, the Hi-Speed CoM Tools software utility has a new and improved user interface. There are also scalable icons in the Windows Vista control panel. For detailed information about all the changes, be sure to check out the README file that comes with the software.

Besides for people using Windows Vista, this software update is also recommended if you have a Core Duo computer.

Download the drivers free from: http://www.socketmobile.com/support/downloads/serial/

Note: If you previously installed an older version of our Serial drivers, Windows will not fully uninstall them. Installation of a new driver can fail unless you completely remove the old driver. Please refer to the Release Notes for more information.

SocketScan™ SDK for Windows CE

This month, the SocketScan SDK for Windows CE got a makeover with several new features. It has been modified to be more consistent with industry-standard SDK's. Also, it is now easier to target SocketScan for a particular Socket Mobile data collection device, convenient for device-specific deployments. Lastly, it includes sample code that demonstrates its functionality with the C++ and C# programming languages.

The $500 cost of Socket Mobile SDK's covers 20 hours of free priority technical support from Socket Mobile Development Services, with most queries receiving a response within 24 hours. Additionally, you get access to the latest SDK updates for one year, become enrolled in our Developer Program, and are given unlimited deployment once development is complete (i.e., no licensing fees).

For more information about the SocketScan SDK for Windows CE, please visit: http://www.socketmobile.com/products/sdk/data-collection/

New Rubber Collars for CF Scan Card Series 5 and CF RFID Reader Card Series 6

To complement the Socket Mobile SoMo 650™ handheld computer, our CompactFlash bar code scanning and RFID plug-in cards now come with a custom rubber collar designed to fit perfectly when inserted into a SoMo 650. The rubber collar covers the entire groove normally protected by the built-in slot cover of the SoMo 650. If you plan to always use your SoMo 650 with the CF Scan Card or CF RFID Reader Card inserted, you may want to completely remove the built-in slot cover and just use the custom rubber collar.

The plug-in cards also come with a regular rubber collar, with a straight edge on the bottom, which will fit well with mobile computers from other manufacturers.