PalmOne to Roll Out New Zires

PalmOne Inc. is expected to release two new models of its Zire handheld computer this week, including the companys first Zire to offer Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

PalmOne officials confirmed the releases but would not disclose details of the new handhelds.

Sources said the new models are the Palm Zire 72, which adds Bluetooth support, and the Palm Zire 31.

The Zire 72 adds 32MB of memory (twice that of its predecessor, the Zire 71) and a 1.2 megapixel built-in camera, an upgrade from the 640×480 version in the Zire 71, said sources. Like the Zire 71, the 72 has an MP3 player and a 320×320 color screen.

The lower-end Palm Zire 31, which is an upgrade from the Zire 21, doubles memory to 16MB and adds an expansion card slot, an MP3 player, and a 160×160 color display, said sources.

Both handhelds will run the Palm OS 5.2, said sources.

/zimages/6/28571.gifClick here to read analyst Rob Enderles take on why the Zire has been so successful.

PalmOne officials, in Milpitas, Calif., would not comment on pricing, but New York-based retailer Datavision Computer Video Inc. on Thursday advertised on its Web site the Zire 72 for $298 and the Zire 31 handheld for $148.

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