So Where Are the New Axims?

Late last year, even before announcing its Axim X5 models, executives at Dell spoke of a couple of other exciting handheld models it planned to release in 2003. But with the midpoint of the year rapidly approaching, many industry followers are beginning to wonder when, and if, these new models will arrive.

Using statements from its executives, a rough sketch of Dell’s plans for future models can be pieced together. At this point, it appears there will be two models released at some point this year. According to rumor, these will be called the Axim X3 and the Axim X7.

Axim X3

On November 1, 2002 Anthony Bonadero, director of worldwide mobile products for Dell, told The Toronto Globe and Mail that his company plans to release a model with a color screen some time this year that will cost less than $150.

Unfortunately, there are no other details available on this model. Especially, it is not known how Dell will go about meeting this price point. There certainly isn’t $100 of profit margin in the X5, which has a list price of $250. The company will have quite a challenge creating a model that will cost significantly less and still offer a reasonable experience for the user.

At the very least, it shows that Dell is working to continue to turn up the heat on its competitors by producing handhelds that cost less than anyone believed possible.

Axim X7

On November 5, 2002, Steve Macon, another Dell executive, told InfoWorld.com that his company was working on a handheld that will focus on wireless capabilities. This device will offer both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in. To solve the problem of interference between these two wireless networking standards, they will not be able to operate simultaneously.

According to Mr. Macon, this model will be released this fall. He didn’t say how much it would cost, though, it being a Dell product, it will certainly be aggressively priced.

Axim X9?

This won’t be the company’s only wireless handheld. Dell recently announced that it will be working with Good Technologies to develop a Pocket PC that can access 2.5G cellular networks and use the GoodLink email server software.

If the rumors about the names for the other models are correct, perhaps this handheld will be named the Axim X9.

Another comment Anthony Bonadero made last year was that his company wanted to have 25 percent of the handheld market by the end of 2003. It's questionable whether Dell will reach this aggresive goal, but if these new handhelds should appear soon it will certainly help it gain additional marketshare.