LOS GATOS, Calif.-Metricom Inc. announced it expanded its Ricochet line of products, which provide unlimited wireless access to the Internet, intranets, e-mail and other online services.
The Ricochet SX modem provides fast, affordable wireless connectivity to all portable and fixed location computers and optimizes the capabilities of new handheld personal computers, said Metricom.
AirTouch Paging plans to resell the Ricochet wireless modem and Internet service in the greater San Francisco Bay area.
“By establishing a strategic business partnership with an industry leader like AirTouch Paging, Metricom strengthens its marketing reach to businesses and individuals in need of `anytime, anywhere’ access to the Internet, intranets and e-mail,” said Don Wood, Metricom president.
With Ricochet, subscribers can access the Internet and their intranets, send and receive e-mail, trade stocks and access any online service. With AirTouch Paging, they can receive nationwide local, or regional paging service, a range of information services and Internet e-mail messages, said the companies.
Metricom said the new unit is a flat, lightweight external modem that attaches to the serial port of most handheld PCs, laptop and desktop computers.
With six hours of battery life, the Ricochet SX will not drain batteries in handheld PCs as will a PCMCIA card traditionally used for Cellular Digital Packet Data and other wireless networks, said Metricom.
The Ricochet SX is compatible with Macintosh, PC and Windows CE 2.0 operation systems, and may be used with the HP 300/320 LX, Casio’s Cassiopeia, the Compaq PC Companion, Philips Electronics’ Velo 1 and the Apple Newton 2000.
The Ricochet SX may be purchased for $350, with a one-time activation fee of $45.
Ricochet’s basic service plan for $30 per month offers subscribers unlimited Internet access, a POP e-mail account and Web browser software, said the Los Gatos, Calif.-company.
