Symbol Technologies Handheld Computing Family to Run New Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Mobile Platform

Business Wire, Sept 6, 2001

Business and Technology Editors

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2001

Symbol Technologies (NYSE: SBL), world leader in wireless mobile computing, announced today that its family of rugged, wireless mobile computing products will support the new Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 mobile platform, Microsoft Corp.'s next generation software for personal digital assistants, that was introduced this morning.

Designed for the growing mobile workforce which demands anywhere-anytime information, the Symbol PDT 8100 and the PPT 2800 handheld computer lines, which feature the Intel(R) StrongArm SA 1110 Processor, the fastest processor for Pocket PC today, are perfect tools for the enterprise professional, and for a number of vertical market applications such as field service, route accounting, postal and package tracking.

The highly functional Symbol PDT 8100 and the PPT 2800 Pocket PC handheld computers support the Pocket PC 2002 mobile platform, and feature new capabilities for users to deploy the most secure, reliable and robust mobile solutions with improved communications and connectivity. From workers in warehouses tracking inventory, to office executives using PDAs for wireless Internet connectivity, Symbol provides Pocket PC users with the technology to wirelessly view and manage data all along the supply chain.

"Microsoft's commitment to creating mobile PDA platforms to meet evolving customer needs, and Symbol's expertise in designing rugged, application-specific devices built around wireless technologies, is a powerful combination of complementary technologies," said Tomo Razmilovic, President and CEO, Symbol Technologies. "We see a long relationship with Microsoft as it continues to revolutionize handheld computing platforms, and as Symbol continues to service the largest customer base in the world for vertical application devices."

"Symbol is a pioneer and world leader in application-specific mobile computing solutions. The software upgrade being offered for its existing family of handheld mobile computing and wireless networking devices broadens the reach of Pocket PC 2002 into the enterprise, across vertical markets and into the most challenging environments" said Scott Gode, Director of Marketing for the Mobility Group at Microsoft Corp. "Symbol Pocket PC users will enjoy the flexibility, functionality and ruggedness of its high performing devices."

Symbol's Pocket PC-Based Devices

Fully integrated with core technologies including bar code scanning and WLAN and WWAN data communications, the PDT 8100 and PPT 2800 blend functionality and ruggedness. Both feature the Intel(R) StrongArm SA 1110 Processor @ 206 Mhz and 32 MB RAM/32 MB ROM. Sealed to IP54 standards, the devices are rugged, durable and designed to withstand real-world usage, including multiple four-foot drops to concrete and harsh environments. The VGA, digitally optimized displays on both the PDT 8100 and PPT 2800, are highly responsive touch-screens for data entry, and the PDT 8100 also offers the convenience of an integrated, backlit keyboard to support the data management demands of various vertical markets and applications. The PDT 8100 and PPT 2800 provide robust wireless communication with either WWAN connectivity to a subscriber network, which allows users to send and receive mission-critical data from any location; or Symbol Spectrum24(R) WLAN connectivity, allowing users to share data with a host system when in range of a standard 802.11 or 802.11b (Wi-Fi(TM)) wireless LAN.

In addition to feature-rich, rugged Pocket PC products, Symbol offers an extensive line of peripherals and accessories to provide complete mobile solutions for customers in virtually every market. Symbol also provides enterprise-level software and services expertise in planning, developing, implementing and supporting Pocket PC-based solutions for mobile computing and wireless networking through its SymbolCare(SM) Services organization. This enables customers to source Symbol as a single provider for large-scale wireless mobile computing implementations. Software upgrades for current PDT 8100 and PPT 2800 customers will be made available.

About Symbol Technologies

Symbol Technologies, Inc., winner of the National Medal of Technology, is a global leader in mobile data transaction systems, providing innovative customer solutions based on wireless local area networking for data and voice, application-specific mobile computing and bar code data capture. Symbol's wireless information appliances connect the physical world of people on the move, packages, paper and shipping pallets, to information systems and the Internet. Today, some 10 million Symbol bar code scanners, mobile computers and wireless LANs are utilized worldwide in markets ranging from retailing to transportation and distribution logistics, manufacturing, parcel and postal delivery, government, healthcare and education. Symbol's systems and products are used to increase productivity from the factory floor to the retail store, to the enterprise and out to the home. Information about Symbol is available at www.symbol.com and 1-800-722-6234.