Dell Inc. on Wednesday announced two Bluetooth-compatible accessories for its Axim X30 handheld computer: a GPS navigation unit and a QWERTY keyboard.
The GPS unit includes Navteq maps of North America and software for voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions. It costs $249.
The keyboard, priced at $99, is a rebranded Think Outside Inc. Stowaway Portable Keyboard. Think Outside sells the keyboard for $149.99. The keyboard weighs about 8 ounces and can fold up to fit in the palm of your hand. It comes with a detachable stand that can hold a handheld in either landscape or portrait mode.
The Axim X30 supports Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, allowing users to send e-mail on the keyboard while connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Dell, of Round Rock, Texas, rolled out the Axim X30 in May. The handheld runs Microsoft Corp.s Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software for Pocket PC and is fueled by an Intel PXA270 XScale processor. Users can choose from two processor speeds: 624MHz, for $349, or 312MHz, for $249 (after a $30 rebate). Both have 64MB of memory.
A lower-end model, for $199, has 32MB of RAM/ROM memory and no wireless support.
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