Pocket PC gets Bluetooth implant

U.S.-based Socket Communications has released a collection of Compact Flash-based communications products for handheld computers, including a Bluetooth add-on for Microsoft Windows CE-based devices.

The Bluetooth card, announced on Monday, is one of the first to appear for a PDA (personal digital assistant), taking advantage of what industry analysts say could prove a killer application for mobile devices. Bluetooth is designed to replace cables, making it simple for a PDA to connect to any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone for Internet access--a feature which until now has required an infrared connection or a special cable.

Bluetooth can also be used to connect PDAs, PCs, laptops, mobile phones and other devices to one another. Sony has launched a Bluetooth-capable laptop and Toshiba this week will be the first to release a laptop with both Bluetooth and wireless LAN (otherwise known as WiFi).

Socket is pricing its Bluetooth Connection Kit at $179. The kit is currently available in Europe, and will be launched in the U.S. in October. Socket also launched several other connectivity CF cards for Pocket PC, including a 56K modem, a 10/100 Ethernet card and several additions to its series of cards for connecting via a cable to a mobile phone. --Matthew Broersma, ZDNet UK