Samsung has been making integrated phone PDAs for nearly three years but they have yet to release a standard PDA in the US. This may change by 2005 as Samsung is preparing the Nexio XP30 based on CE.NET. The XP30 also features a WVGA TFT screen (800 x 480 pixels).

Here are the specs as announced by Samsung:
| Operating System: | Microsoft Windows CE .NET |
| Processor: | Intel 400MHz PXA255 |
| Wireless: | 802.11b |
| Memory: | 64MB of flash memory, 128MB of SDRAM |
| Expansion Slot: | Compact Flash, USB |
| Battery Type: | 1500mAh Li-Polymer |
| Audio Out: | Speaker, stereo headphone jack |
| Audio In: | Microphone |
| Display: | TFT |
| Graphics Card: | No |
| Viewable Image: | 5 inches |
| Resolution: | WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) |
| Handwriting Recognition: | Yes |
| Digital Camera: | No |
The XP30 is actually an updated version of the Nexio S160, which was announced two years ago. The XP30 has real promise to threaten the ultraportable notebook world. While not the same thing, the widescreen will allow for a reasonable web browsing experience. Built-in WiFi is a welcome addition and the USB host port for keyboard or mouse will make mobile life a lot easier. For a device of this functionality, it would have been nice to offer two expansion slots, as a number of road warriors will want to use the CF slot for Bluetooth, file storage, GPS and more; often at the same time.
The XP30 is expected to go on sale in South Korea by the end of April for roughly $675 US. The intentions are to then take the same unit to Hong Kong toward 3Q and to the US and Europe by early 2005. By then the specs will probably not stand up to well against US competition, but by that timeframe it's reasonable to expect a refreshed unit with faster processor and other upgraded hardware.
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