A Look Ahead at Upcoming Handhelds and Smart Phones

By Ed Hardy, Brighthand Editor | | 108930 Reads

A number of handheld and smart phone models are expected to debut in the coming months. While some of these are anticipated in the next few weeks, not all of these will hit shelves in the near future. For example, palmOne's models aren't expected until March or even April.

Though this list is fairly extensive, there are also a number of handhelds that should be released in the coming months that, as yet, nothing is known about. For example, the first models running Palm OS 6 are anticipated in early spring, but no details have leaked out about them yet. The same is true of the Windows Mobile 2004 models coming in late spring or early summer.

ASUS
MyPal A716	Source: PROportable	Release Date: Mid-February	Price: $450
The MyPal A716 will be the first model from ASUS to offer both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking. It will also include an SD/MMC slot and a CompactFlash slot. This model will run Windows Mobile 2003 on a 400 MHz XScale PXA255 processor. It will have 64MB of RAM and a 240-by-320-pixel display.			More Information

MyPal A8100	Source: Company	Release Date: Unknown	Price: Unknown
The MyPal A8100 will run the Phone Edition of Windows Mobile 2003 and will include a hardware keypad like a smart phone. It is also expected to include an SD/MMC slot, Bluetooth, and a 240-by-320-pixel display. It is not known if ASUS plans to release this model in the U.S. or not.			More Information

Dell
Axim X3i	Source: FCC	Release Date: Unknown	Price: Unknown
The Wi-Fi-enabled Axim X3i is already on the market but, last month, the FCC approved a version that also offers Bluetooth.			More Information

HP
iPAQ h6300	Source: Rumor	Release Date: Unknown	Price: $600
The iPAQ h6300 will be a cellular-wireless handheld that runs on GSM/GPRS networks. It will also offer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless networking. This device will run the Phone Edition of Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC on a TI OMAP processor. It will reportedly include 64 MB of RAM and a 240-by-320-pixel screen.			More Information

Motorola
MPx220	Source: Rumor	Release Date: June	Price: Unknown
The MPx220 will offer both Bluetooth and a VGA camera. In addition, the MPx220 will have 10 MB of RAM and an SD card slot, which is expected to support SDIO. Its 16-bit color screen will have a resolution of 176 by 220 pixels.			More Information

palmOne
Treo 610	Source: Rumor	Release Date: Unknown	Price: Unknown
Supposedly, the Treo 610 will be very similar to the Treo 600, except that it will have a 320-by-320-pixel screen and Bluetooth wireless networking.			More Information

Tungsten E2	Source: Rumor	Release Date: Spring	Price: Unknown
Details are very sketchy on this model. It will supposedly offer a 320-by-480 pixel screen and Bluetooth but little else is known.			More Information

Zire 31	Source: Rumor	Release Date: Spring	Price: About $100
The Zire 31 will reportedly be the replacement for the current Zire 21. Like its predecessor, this PDA will include a 160-by-160-pixel screen; however, this will be color. It will run some version of the Palm OS on a 200 MHz XScale processor. It will use the same general design as the Zire 21.			More Information

Samsung
SGH-i505	Source: FCC	Release Date: Unknown	Price: Unknown
The SGH-i505 will run Palm OS 5.2.1 on a 200 MHz Motorola MX1 processor. It will have 32 MB of RAM. This GSM/GPRS smart phone will have a clamshell design, with a screen and application buttons on one side, and a keypad and D-pad on the other. Its display will have a resolution of 160 by 176 pixels, with the extra height being used for some icons displaying phone status.			More Information

Sharp
Zaurus SL-6000	Source: Sharp	Release Date: First Quarter	Price: Unknown
Zaurus SL-6000 series includes three models, two of which will have built-in Wi-Fi and one with Bluetooth. All have a built-in keyboard and a VGA screen. These are available in Japan now and Sharp is expected to begin offering them in the U.S. soon.			More Information

Sierra Wireless
Voq	Source: Sierra Wireless	Release Date: Unknown	Price: Unknown
The Voq line of GSM/GPRS smart phones will feature both a phone keypad and unique flip-open QWERTY thumbpad. It will use a 200 MHz XScale processor and include 16MB of available RAM and 20 MB of additional Flash memory. It will have a 176-by-220-pixel screen and an SD slot.			More Information

Sony
Clie TH55	Source: FCC	Release Date: Soon	Price: Unknown
The TH55 will be the first Sony Handheld with a hi-res+ screen that uses the traditional tablet design. It will include Wi-Fi wireless networking. This model will run Palm OS 5.2 on Sony's 123 MHz Handheld Engine and have 32 MB of RAM.			More Information

Clie TJ37	Source: FCC	Release Date: Soon	Price: Unknown
The TJ37 is expected to be Sony's first mid-range model with Wi-Fi. It will run Palm OS 5.2 on a 200 MHz Motorola i.MXL processor. It will have 32 MB of RAM, a 320-by-320 pixel screen and a VGA camera.			More Information

Clie TJ27	Source: FCC	Release Date: Soon	Price: Unknown
The TJ27 will be quite similar to the TJ37, but it will lack the other model's wireless networking and multimedia capabilities. It will, however, have the 320-by-320-pixel screen and a VGA camera.			More Information