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Rumors have been circulating since before Dell even released the Axim X5 line that it also also had plans for a second line, to be called the Axim X3. Now, Pocket PC Italia is reporting that the company will release its next Pocket PCs this November. It goes on to say Dell's first wireless model will be available soon after.

According to the site, there will be two versions of the X3. A Basic one will have a 300 MHz processor and an Advanced one will have a 400 MHz processor. Both will have of 64 MB of RAM and 48 MB of ROM. They will both include SDIO compatible expansion slots and run Windows Mobile 2003.

Pocket PC Italia is saying the X3 models will run an Intel XScale PXA26x processor. This contradicts an earlier rumor that these handhelds would be based on a concept design created by Samsung and Microsoft that is powered by a Samsung ARM9-based S3C2410 processor.

The Pocket PC Italia rumor doesn't include any information about what the Axim X3 line will cost. However, late last year a high-level Dell executive said that his company plans to release a model with a color screen some time this year that will cost less than $150.

Wireless Model

In November 2002, Steve Macon, another Dell executive, told InfoWorld.com that his company was working on a handheld that will offer both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. To solve the problem of interference between these two wireless networking standards, they will not be able to operate simultaneously.

Recently, Dell told News.com it still plans to offer a model with integrated 802.11b before the end of this year. The Pocket PC Italia rumor says this will be out about a month after the release of the X3.

Related Links

• RumorMill™: Dell Axim X3 Based on Samsung Design
• Upcoming Axim to Offer Multiple Wireless Options