As expected, Palm introduced two new enterprise models today, the Tungsten T ($499US) and Tungsten W ($549US). The T is the first handheld to use Palm OS 5 and an ARM processor (144 Mhz). Specs include Bluetooth, 320x320 TFT color screen and an iPaq-like 5 way navigation control. The W sports GSM/GPRS and a Blackberry-like keyboard, but is based on the older Palm OS 4.11 and 33Mhz Motorola DragonBall VZ processor. I think the Handspring Treo 300 is still the best combo PDA/phone to date.
Some highlights from around the web:
ZDNet offers a First Look.
Wired on Design : "The T is very cool. It's got a great look"
InfoWorld on Pricing: ""With a $500 price point, I think [Tungsten] is in trouble. Dell is going to reset the market expectations for PDA pricing. I think the Tungsten product was conceived during a time when Dell's entry was not anticipated."
Internet.com on Branding: "The Tungsten 'T' and the Tungsten 'W' are part of Palm's revised marketing shift from numeric identities like the Palm i705 or the Palm m500 into more marketable names like Zire and now Tungsten."
Dow Jones on Wireless Partners: "Palm will be partnering with AT&T Wireless Services Inc. (AWE) in the U.S., Vodafone Group PLC (VOD) in Europe, and SingTel in Asia." (to sell the Tungsten W wireless model)
Computerworld on Microsoft Threat: David Christopher, senior director of product management for Palm's hardware group, claimed that feature gives the Tungsten devices an advantage over Pocket PC handhelds. "We actually do Microsoft better than Microsoft."
SF Chronicle on Microsoft PocketPC: Ed Suwanjindar, product manager at Microsoft: "We had to be patient in the battle for broader consumer acceptance. The primary obstacle has been price, and that's changing now....the price of PocketPC PDAs had dropped by half in the last year."
