Today 3Com extended its range of Palm handheld devices, introducing a colour Palm for the first time.
The Palm IIIc is, according to Sean Hayes, Palm product manager, 3Com SA, the lightest and smallest full-function handheld currently on the market.
"We kept colour back from the Palm line-up as we were waiting for the power technology to catch up with the devices," says Hayes. The IIIc`s battery life is an impressive two weeks. Rather than the normal batteries that Palm III users will be familiar with, this palmtop takes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that recharges in its cradle. Car and aeroplane recharge kits are also available.
A hefty 8MB of memory is included with the device, catering for the expected larger colour applications that third-party ISVs will be developing for it. It will retail for R3 999.
Another change in the Palm range is the Palm IIIe, shipping in the same form factor as the III, but with a clear casing to make it more appealing to the younger market. At R1 399, the price also aims to make it more appealing.
A new high-contrast display will also make the IIIe more readable in adverse light conditions. It takes AAA batteries, which Hayes says will be another draw-card for students and the younger user.
3Com also unveiled its Vx, which maintains its predecessor`s form factor, but now features 8MB of memory compared to the previous 2MB. A faster HotSync will cut down on synchronising data between the PC and palmtop.
All products feature IR beaming, and the Vx and IIIc both ship with OS 3.5. The Palm IIIe comes with Palm OS 3.1. Hayes says that an integrated GSM network connection can be expected for the European and SA market, but it will not be in the Palm VII as it stands. He also mentioned that the company is working on Bluetooth, but most likely a third-party vendor will offer a Bluetooth connection first.
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