Socket Mobile introduces low-cost barcode scanner for Apple devices

Socket Mobile, Inc., provider of mobile productivity solutions, has announced the upcoming availability of the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) 7Ci, a low-cost barcode scanner for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The CHS 7Ci expands upon Socket Mobile's popular CHS Series 7 line of barcode scanners by providing an affordable option for reading 1D barcodes into Apple devices that is also backed by an optional software development kit.

The Socket CHS 7Ci is a 1D imager-based barcode reader that can decode both printed barcodes and barcodes displayed on device screens. It features a special authentication chip to enable two-way communications with Apple devices, making SDK support for Apple iOS possible.

"For sales force automation or field service, most of our customers only need to scan 1D barcodes," said Lasse Styner Rostock, CEO of nSales, a mobile software developer that has deployed iOS applications with a 2D version of the CHS. "We welcome the new Socket CHS 7Ci as an economical option that will enable more of our customers to optimize their deployment of our iPad applications with high-performance barcode scanning."

"Apple developers need a barcode scanner that supports two-way communications with iOS devices in order to enable data parsing, binary data, and other advanced features in their applications," said Mike Gifford, executive vice president at Socket Mobile. "With the new Socket CHS 7Ci barcode scanner and our updated SocketScan 10 Software Development Kit, Apple developers can better target the vast majority of business barcode applications, which only involve 1D barcodes, while also offering a lower cost solution."

Besides Apple iOS, the CHS 7Ci is also compatible with the Android, BlackBerry and Windows operating systems. Developers who want to customize an iOS application for the CHS 7Ci must use version 10.0.8 or later of the SocketScan 10 SDK.