(Click here for larger image of the E500)The P500 supports an automatic power saving mode that balances battery life and throughput speed, according to Socket. An LED on the card shows WLAN connection status. The device supports "enterprise class robust security" including AES, WPA2-Enterprise, and CCX v1/v2 (certification pending).
Socket points out the 802.11g standard is backward compatible to 802.11b, allowing an 802.11g card such as the P500 to talk to an 802.11b access point, and vice versa.
The P500 is supplied with Socket's
Wi-Fi Companion software utility that enables users to connect to Wi-Fi networks with "three simple clicks," according to the company. Wi-Fi Companion finds available networks and performs advanced features such as network ping and trace route functions. An SDK is available to help third party developers create and integrate specialized Wi-Fi applications.
The Go Wi-Fi! P500 is expected to be available in early February 2006, priced around $100.
Related stories:
