Palm Gets Cute, Targets Women And Students

by , 12:00 PM EDT, August 7th, 2000

Feeling the heat from other companies building fully featured Palm OS based devices, like Visor and Sony, Palm computing has raised the stakes by introducing a new US$149 model specifically targeted at women and students. The Palm m100 is the company's new entry level device, reportedly featuring a new form factor and changeable colored face plates. According to Palm:

Palm, Inc. today announced four innovative handheld computer products designed to reach new users and aficionados alike, all featuring enhancements that further leverage Palm's ease-of-use design philosophy. The new products include the Palm™ m100 handheld with intuitive new applications and fashionable casing that is customizable with multicolored faceplate accessories; the Palm VIIx handheld, an updated version of Palm's built-in wireless product with more memory and wireless content available right out of the box; and two sleek limited edition Palm Vx products, offered with "millennium blue" and "champagne" metallic finishes.

Each of the new products premieres alongside a suite of accessories and hardware snap-ons that personalize the look or tailor the functionality of the Palm handheld into a specialized tool. In addition, customers who purchase new products between now and Sept. 30 are eligible to receive a free "Road Scholar" CD, featuring a selection of 11 research and educational applications that make a Palm handheld an integral learning tool.

The Palm m100 handheld is Palm's new entry-level product, featuring a contemporary, customizable design and a new Note Pad application, for jotting quick freehand notes, maps or drawings. Debuting at an estimated street price of $149, it is the company's lowest introductory price point to date.

"Our fall lineup is a treat for new and experienced Palm handheld users, and extends our suite of solutions," said Alan Kessler, chief operating officer of platform and products for Palm, Inc. "People have come to understand and appreciate that the handheld computer is a fundamental support tool for managing their professional and personal lives more efficiently. This new lineup of products addresses the needs of an even broader spectrum of users and further rounds out the family of Palm handhelds - all with Palm's signature simplicity and elegance."

Palm is also pleased to announce additional third-party peripheral support of the m100 handheld from companies such as Kodak, Northstar Systems and Singapore Shinei Sangyo Pte Ltd.

Actual availability of the new Palm m100 was not made available to The Mac Observer. However, the product was not yet available at the Palm Store at publication time. You can find more information at the Palm Computing web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

This type of tit-for-tat competition between the two largest manufactures of the wildly popular Palm OS products will lead to better, less expensive devices for consumers.

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