| Rugged, wireless handheld runs Windows Mobile 5.0 |
Mar. 09, 2007
 Socket Mobile Inc. is readying the first in a new family of rugged wireless handheld computers aimed at mobile workers. The Windows Mobile 5.0-based SoMo 650 features touchscreen input, both WiFi and Bluetooth wireless, and both CompactFlash and SDIO expansion, according to the company.
(Click here for larger image of the SoMo 650)
Socket Mobile is aiming the new SoMo 650 handheld at a niche between ordinary consumer PDAs and ruggedized "industrial devices." According to Socket Mobile CEO Kevin Mills, "Mobile computing systems available today do not meet the mobility needs of small- to medium-sized companies or many business units within larger enterprises. Currently companies need to choose between devices that are often too costly and over featured or inexpensive and under featured, which results in mobility solutions being overly difficult to justify and deploy. The SoMo 650 is designed to change all of that, since it's designed and developed for the currently underserved business mobility market."
The unit's SDIO and CompactFlash sockets make it easy to customize the device by adding a variety of peripherals and interfaces, the company points out. Conveniently, parent company Socket Communications is a well-known supplier of SD and CF expansion modules for 802.11 wireless, barcode scanning, Bluetooth, modem, and GPS functions.
Socket Mobile says it plans to work with its parent company's existing network of over 100 partners to promote the SoMo 650 to customers in the healthcare, automotive, life sciences, and retail markets, for use in inventory control, sales force automation, patient tracking, asset management, and merchandising applications.
Key features and specifications of the SoMo 650, as listed by the manufacturer, include:- Processor -- Intel PXA270, clocked at 624 MHz
- Memory -- 128MB SDRAM; 256MB flash
- Expansion slots -- "reinforced" CompactFlash and SDIO slots
- Wireless:
- 802.11 b/g WiFi with internal antenna
- Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR Class 2; profiles supported include HID, GAP, DUN, SDP, A2DP, GOEP, HFP, SPP, HSP, OPP, and PAN
- Display -- 3.5-inch QVGA (240 x 320) 5K-color TFT LCD
- Input method:
- Buttons -- 4 programmable soft keys; 5 navigation keys; 2 programmable action keys; reset switch; control-lock switch; power on/off button
- Analog resistive touchscreen with stylus
- Input/output interfaces:
- USB 1.1 host and client
- Serial RS-232
- Audio -- built-in microphone and speaker; headset jack
- Size -- 5.00 x 2.94 x 0.81 inches (127 x 74.60 x 20.6 mm)
- Weight --6.3 oz (178.60 g) with standard battery and stylus
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 50 degrees C (32 to 120 F)
- Ruggedization -- multiple 1 meter drops to concrete; +/- 8kV ESC
- Battery -- 3.7v 1200 mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable
From a software perspective, the device is based on Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium Edition, and it comes with a full suite of Windows Mobile applications, including "Pocket" versions of IE, Outlook, Word, Windows Media Player 10.2, and so on. Additionally, the device ships with a set of device configuration apps for WiFi, I/O port, and other configuration requirements.
David Krebs, director of VDC's Mobile & Wireless Practice, commented: "The business mobility market represents approximately 10.9 million organizations and 69 million mobile workers. However, with penetration of mobility solutions at only 25 percent, most organizations still rely on manual, paper-based systems that contribute to greater error frequency and highly inefficient processes."
This first Socket Mobile handheld computer is expected to be available in limited quantities in April, with mass production scheduled for May. Further details are available from Socket Mobile's website.
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