VoIP enabled barcode scanner from Motorola

Motorola’s CA50 is the first device of its kind, allowing users to scan barcodes as well as have access to voice telephony and walkie-talkie style Push To Talk communications. The devices link to a central web server within a particular environment.

Motorola believes that the device is unique, and that it is something which is lacking from many business environments. In order to increase productivity, businesses need a device which costs little enough to give to every associate but is also small enough for every one of them to wear and use.

The delivery of the new device follows Motorola’s acquisition of Symbol Technologies in 2006. The purchase gave the company a larger footing in the industrial device market, as well as giving the Symbol business access to Motorola's voice and data communications technologies.

Motorola's expertise is with the voice and communication side of things, and Symbol as a real time mobility business is bringing the real time data capture perspective. It was thought that the logical step was to put those two core expertises together and launch a product which is low cost, and with converged voice and data capabilities.

The product has already been announced for the US market and Motorola is preparing to start production in the UK in March 2008. The UK price is predicted to be approximately £270.