Socket Announces First Battery-Powered Cordless Modem for PDAs and Notebooks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

2004 International CES

NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2004

Will Showcase New Modem with Broad Line of Mobile Connection Products

at Consumer Electronics Show - Booth #20308 - South Hall 4

Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCKT)(PSE:SOK), the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, today announced the first battery-powered cordless 56K modem for PDAs. The Socket Cordless 56K Modem with Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology allows users the freedom and mobility to access the Internet or email through a telephone from any Bluetooth enabled device that supports a Dial-Up Networking (DUN) profile, such as Pocket PCs, Windows notebooks, and Palm devices - without having to be tethered to an analog phone line and electrical outlet.

"Our growing family of cordless products enables mobile professionals to communicate with handheld devices without cords, wires or cables," said Vanessa Lindsay, Socket product marketing manager. "The new cordless modem offers hassle-free access from a Palm, Pocket PC, or Windows Notebook from anywhere within 330 feet of an analog telephone line."

The Cordless 56K Modem with Bluetooth Wireless Technology comes with a rechargeable, removable Lithium-ion battery that supplies a minimum of three hours of use. It uses an internal antenna and is a class 1, Bluetooth 1.1-compliant device providing 330 feet of wireless freedom. The Cordless Modem is also V.92 hardware ready, giving users the option to add call waiting, get online quicker and download files faster. The modem is certified to work in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

The new modem supports the Bluetooth General Access Protocol, Service Discovery Protocol, Dial-up Networking Gateway and FAX Gateway, and features LEDs that provide instant information on Bluetooth link status, data activity and charging status. It supports any Bluetooth enabled device that supports a DUN Client profile including Palm, Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, and Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP. Compact and lightweight, the Cordless Modem includes Socket's Get Connected! Wizard for easy dial-up connection setup. Also, Socket's WhereAreYou? software enables users to easily program the modem for use in different countries.

Pricing and Availability

Socket's Cordless 56K Modem with Bluetooth Wireless Technology can be ordered through Socket's website (www.socketcom.com) and the company's worldwide distribution channels for an expected US street price of $129. Volume shipping will begin the end of Q1, 2004.

Socket Connectivity Products to be Showcased at CES

Cordless:   Socket features Bluetooth Wireless Technology in
            its Cordless Product Family. This wireless technology does
            more than simply provide point-to-point cable replacement.
            Rather, each Bluetooth enabled device represents a
            "personal communications bubble" that supports on-the-fly,
            invisible networking wherever a user needs it - in the
            car, at a desk, in an industrial laboratory, at home or in
            a hotel. Products include the battery-powered Cordless 56K
            Modem, the Cordless Serial Adapter, the GPS Nav Kit, and
            Secure Digital I/O (SDIO) and CompactFlash (CF) cards.

Wireless:   Socket offers two ways to access the Internet,
            check email and exchange files and information with
            802.11b Wi-Fi wireless LAN systems. Socket's Low Power
            Wireless LAN Cards are available in either CompactFlash or
            SD formats for the ultimate in mobile WLAN connectivity.

Wired:      Socket's Mobility Friendly(TM) products are the top
            connectivity devices for mobile professionals, and they're
            unmatched for energy efficiency, ruggedness, and ease of
            use. Products include a Digital Phone Card (DPC), Low
            Power Ethernet (LPE) cards in both CompactFlash and PC
            Card solutions, a 56K CF Modem, Serial I/O Cards, and Bar
            Code Scanners.

About Socket

Socket Communications, Inc., the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, provides the broadest range of connectivity products for Windows Powered computers, focusing on handhelds including Pocket PCs, Windows CE devices, Palm PDAs and mobile phones. Socket's Mobility Friendly(TM) products are feature-rich while promoting ease of use and lead the market with the smallest footprint and the most Battery Friendly(R) power consumption in their class. Socket's Embedded Systems Group provides solutions using mobilityIC(TM) interface chips, KwikBlue(TM) modules with embedded Bluetooth wireless technology and a family of bar code scanning products. Socket is headquartered in Newark, California and can be reached at 510-744-2700 or www.socketcom.com.

Socket and Battery Friendly are registered trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. The Mobile Connection Company, Mobility Friendly and KwikBlue are trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Socket Communications, Inc. is under license. All other trademarks and trade names contained herein are those of their respective owners. (C) 2004, Socket Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.