Palm intros Wi-Fi enabled, low-cost color handhelds

Palm today introduced a new affordable Wi-Fi-based handheld as well as sub-$100 color organizer. The wireless-enabled Palm TX (pictured at right) delivers integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technologies; a large, high-resolution 320x480 color screen; 128MB of memory, and other Wi-Fi experience improvements, including the ability for the device to scan for available networks, better connection logic to automatically connect to available compatible networks, and a 3-step process to set-up new network connections. The new handheld also includes a free 30-day subscription to all T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots and new mobile applications optimized for use over Wi-Fi. The $300 Palm TX includes an expansion card slot for MultiMediaCard, SD and SDIO formats and is available now. Palm also announced its compact color handheld built for the mass market: the Palm Z22 organizer.

Dubbed as the most affordable color handheld from Palm, the $100 stylish handheld can hold thousands of contacts, years of appointments, birthdays and photos. Palm also said that the device uses special memory technology to keep information safe, even if the user forgets to charge the device. The device is designed to help users to transition to electronic planners and includes features and tutorials to assist users.

"The Palm Z22 organizer offers paper-planner users -- as well as others -- an extremely simple and fun way to stay organized. New users will find the three-step set-up process for the organizer incredibly easy. Users also will find that keeping track of their to-do lists, busy schedules, family and friends' contact information, shopping lists and birthdays all in one small place is useful and simple. To ease the transition from paper planners to the Palm Z22 organizer, Palm includes an organizational booklet with tips and vignettes on how to be more organized."

The Palm Z22 weighs just over 3 ounces and is about the same size as a deck of playing cards, the Palm Z22 organizer is compact and stylish, featuring a white front and translucent blue backing. The company says it is small enough to fit into any purse, backpack or back pocket and that it boasts a bright, color display, making it easy for users to read names and addresses. Users can color-code appointments as well as view and carry photos.

"The Palm Z22 organizer was built on the success of the original Zire(TM) handheld, which sold more than 1 million units in its first seven months on the market," said Ken Wirt, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Palm, Inc. "It's perfect for first-time users and students, who can now throw away their paper planners, replacing scratched-out pages and dozens of sticky notes with all the information they need in one little place."
It includes key software applications, such as Calendar, Contacts, Memos, Tasks, Note Pad, Expense, Calculator, World Clock and Photos. It also includes a new game, Crazy Daisy, made by Astraware. The Palm Z22 organizer comes with AddIt, a program that includes a variety of applications such as CheckSplit, Chess, Carb Counter and Solitaire. The software CD, included with the organizer, has an eBook reader with three books and a dictionary; the powerOne Calculator, perfect for basic and advanced mathematics; and SplashShopper, a helpful shopping list application.

The Palm Z22 organizer has an estimated U.S. street price of $100 and is available today.

Filed under: industry