Exhibit 99.1

        SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES ADVERSE RULING IN SMART MEDIA CASE
                              SYMBOL TO FILE APPEAL

     HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. - May 6, 2004 - Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL) today
announced that a judgment has been entered in the Smart Media case against its
wholly owned subsidiary, Telxon, in favor of Smart Media in the amount of
approximately $218 million plus statutory interest from September 17, 2003--the
date of the verdict. This amount includes an award of approximately $6 million
to an individual. The Court also granted the individual's motion to add Symbol
as an additional counterclaim defendant. The Court denied Telxon's motions for
judgment notwithstanding the verdict, for a new trial and for reduction in the
verdict. The Court also denied Telxon's motion to stay execution of the
judgment.

     The Court denied Smart Media's and the individual's request for prejudgment
interest. The Court did not set a bond amount for appeal.

     Symbol and Telxon intend to appeal the judgment, and will also seek to stay
execution of the judgment pending appeal. Symbol and Telxon will post a bond if
required to stay execution of the judgment pending appeal.

     Telxon believes there are a number of bases to challenge the judgment,
including that the jury's verdicts were based upon inadmissible evidence being
improperly provided to the jury during its deliberations; that the absence of
liability on the part of Telxon was conclusively established by the




documents in evidence; and that the amounts awarded to Smart Media were based on
legally irrelevant projections, and are wildly speculative, particularly given
that Smart Media never had any revenue or profits. In addition, Telxon believes
that the verdicts incorrectly awarded damages more than once for the same
alleged injury by adding together two separate awards for lost profits, and by
improperly combining different measures of damages. Symbol believes that the
court improperly applied the de facto merger doctrine in adding it as an
additional counterclaim defendant.

     In 1999, Smart Media and certain of its principals filed claims against
Telxon alleging that after discussions between the two companies, Telxon did not
form a business alliance with Smart Media or provide financial support to
develop the "Smart handle" product, resulting in financial losses for Smart
Media.

     Telxon was acquired by Symbol Technologies in 2000 through a merger of
Telxon with one of Symbol's wholly owned subsidiaries. The Smart Media claims
against Telxon were brought prior to Symbol's acquisition of Telxon.

     Symbol will host a teleconference at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, May 7 to discuss
this development. Those interested in participating in the conference call
should dial 719-457-2649, access code # 384711 at least 10 minutes prior to
commencement of the call.

ABOUT SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES

Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company(TM), is a recognized
worldwide leader in delivering products and solutions that capture, move and
manage information in real time to and from the point of business activity.
Symbol enterprise mobility solutions integrate advanced data capture technology,
mobile computing




platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software and Symbol Enterprise
Mobility Services. Symbol's end-to-end, real-time enterprise mobility solutions
are proven to increase workforce productivity, reduce operating costs, drive
operational efficiencies and uncover competitive advantages. Symbol is a trusted
advisor to the world's leading retailers, transportation and logistics
companies, manufacturers, public sector and government agencies, as well as
healthcare, hospitality and security providers. More information is available at
www.symbol.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current
expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks
and uncertainties include price and product competition, dependence on new
product development, reliance on major customers, customer demand for our
products and services, control of costs and expenses, international growth,
general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and
international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange
rate fluctuations. For a further list and description of such risks and
uncertainties, see the reports filed by Symbol with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Symbol disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.

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FOR MEDIA INFORMATION:

Patricia Hall
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
631-738-5636
hallp@symbol.com
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FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Nancy Tully
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
631-738-5050
tullyn@symbol.com
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