Socket Expands Market-Leading Portfolio of Data Collection Products; Delivers New Level of Convenience, Accuracy and Portability to Mobile Data Collection.

NEWARK, Calif. -- Socket Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCKT), the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, today announced enhancements to its family of data collection products, including the launch of three new Series 5 CompactFlash Scan Cards (CFSC) -- the 5E (Entry Level), 5M (Mid Range) and 5P (Performance). In addition, Socket also announced a new positioning structure for its entire data collection line, offering simplicity, flexibility and better value to Socket's customers.

The new Series 5 products feature a sleeker, more rugged housing with a Type II CF Card, replacing the original Type I In-Hand Scan Card, a Socket mainstay since 1999. The Entry Level CFSC 5E model uses the CMOS linear imaging engine from Socket's popular SD Scan Card, and scans most popular linear (1D) bar code symbologies. The 5M and 5P models are based on new Class 1 and Class 2 laser engines featuring Fuzzy Logic for reading damaged, poorly printed or hard to read bar code labels and extended bar code symbologies support, such as RSS-14 and RSS-Composite. The new CFSC Series 5 products deliver a new level of convenience, performance and durability to mobile data collection.

New CFSC Series 5 Features Include:

--The new Series 5E, 5M and 5P bar code scanners are fully compatible with existing SocketScan or Socket SDK based applications with no modifications required.

--Integrated Type II CF card and scanner that plugs into the Type II CompactFlash slot of Windows Powered Pocket PCs for a more rugged combined device.

--Best-in-class SE-824 laser scanner engine from Symbol Technologies.

--Automatic decoding of most popular bar code symbologies including UPC/EAN, Code 39, Code 128, I 2 of 5, MSI/Plessey, Codabar and RSS-14/RSS Composite Stacked. Other symbologies are available via the SocketScan Symbology selector.

--SE-824 laser engine incorporates Fuzzy Logic for scanning and decoding damaged, poor quality or hard-to-read (e.g. thru glass, mylar or in daylight) bar code labels.

Benefits of Socket's Data Collection Products Include:

--One-hand operation improves efficiency.

--Socket's SocketScan software for Windows converts scanned bar code characters into virtual keystrokes so that any Windows application treats the characters as though they were typed on a keyboard.

--SocketScan enables the creation of prefixes and suffixes, such as Tab or Carriage Return, to further eliminate keystrokes in the data collection process.

--No extra batteries or special power adapter required. The CFSC Series 5 gets power from the host mobile device.

--Compatibility with Windows-based development tools enables users to easily create custom applications.

"With these new products, we're increasing Socket's ability to deliver a wide range of high performance scanners with advanced features that increase readability and make scanning easier," said Peter Phillips, vice president of marketing at Socket Communications. "Our entire portfolio of data collection products leverages Socket's core strength to integrate software, small form factor hardware and scanning technology, allowing us to deliver a family of solutions to meet our customer needs with the best price-performance ratio on the market."

Socket offers the most comprehensive line of plug-in and cordless data collection products to meet a wide range of application requirements and make mobile scanning convenient and simple. Socket bar code scanning products include integrated CompactFlash Scan Cards, Secure Digital Scan Cards, Wand Scanners, Gun Scanners and Cordless Hand Scanners with Bluetooth. Socket's technologies include CMOS, Laser (Class 1 and Class 2), Bluetooth, 2D scanning and RFID to improve data collection processes. All Socket data collection products are supported by a universal SocketScan keyboard wedge application and Software Development Kit (SDK).

Socket will host a Webinar on Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at 11:00AM PDT titled, "Socket's New Data Collection Product Family -- Launch & Positioning."

Who: Calvin Nguyen, Senior Product Manager, Data Collection Products -- Socket Communications

What: "Socket's New Data Collection Products Family -- Launch & Positioning"

When: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 11:00AM PDT

Register: http://www.socketcom.com/about/event.asp#Webinar

Pricing and Availability

The new positioning structure for Socket's data collection products differentiates products based on series, performance and price. For pricing information, please visit www.socketcom.com/product/bar.asp.

All of Socket's data collection products are available for purchase now through Socket's worldwide distribution channels, or directly from the Socket website at: www.socketcom.com.

About Socket

Socket Communications, Inc., the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, provides a broad range of connectivity and data collection products for mobile devices using Microsoft's Windows Mobile, CE, XP, and Palm, RIM, and Symbian-based operating systems. These mobile devices include PDAs, Smartphones, Tablet PCs and notebooks that support standard expansion mechanisms. 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 Development Services team provides hardware developers with solutions using mobilityIC(TM) interface chips, KwikBlue(TM) modules with embedded Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology, as well as other technologies implemented in Socket's wide range of 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, MyNavigator 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. Wi-Fi(R) is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance All other trademarks and trade names contained herein may be those of their respective owners. (C) 2005, Socket Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.