Axim X3i with Bluetooth Coming Next Year

Though Dell originally intended to include Bluetooth in its Axim X3i, it was removed late in the development process. Today there is word that there will eventually be a version of this Pocket PC that does offer Bluetooth.

It doesn't take a detective to deduce that the original design of the X3i sported Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi. When Dell submitted the Axim X3i to the FCC for approval, the device had Bluetooth. In fact, the units that are in consumers' hands now have a Bluetooth logo on their antenna, despite the fact that this short-range wireless networking standard isn't part of this model.

A Dell spokesperson said her company decided to cut Bluetooth out of this design during user testing, as people felt the integrated Wi-Fi was good enough. The cost of adding both wireless networking standards was also a factor.

However, this isn't the end of the story. Dell intends to release a model with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth by the middle of next year.

More About the Axim X3i

The Axim X3i has a 400 MHz processor, 64 MB of RAM, 64M bytes of ROM, and Wi-Fi wireless networking.

It runs Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, and includes an SD/MMC slot that offers SDIO support. It comes with a cradle and is available now for $379.

Related Links

• Dell Launches Axim X3 Series
• The Reports of Bluetooth's Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated