Palm, Inc. today announced that it’s selling a new Palm PDA called the m105. The new m105 is similar to Palm’s entry-level m100 model, but includes Internet software, extra memory, and a cradle.
The US$199 handheld computer incorporates four times as much memory as its m100 sibling — 8MB. The m105 also includes Palm’s Mobile Internet Kit connectivity software, making it possible for users with compatible mobile phones to check their e-mail, surf the Web, and check news wirelessly. Like the m100, the m105 can be customized using removable faceplates.
Palm Consumer Markets Group VP Byron Connell said that the m100 is the fastest-selling product in Palm’s history.
“The m105 builds on that foundation and lets customers stay up-to-date with news, email and the more than 550 available web clipping applications,” said Connell.
The m105’s software package includes MultiMail, a POP3/IMAP4-compatible e-mail software application, as well as AOL for Palm OS, which includes access to AOL Mail, AOL Instant Messenger and personalized buddy lists. The Mobile Internet Kit will not be included with m105 units sold in Japan.
Accessories for the m105 include more than a dozen new removable faceplates, ranging in colors from Blue Boa to Burl Wood. The 14 new faceplates join five original colors first developed for the m100 model.
While the m100 featured a simple HotSync cable that enabled users to connect the PDA to their desktop PCs and Macs (with the addition of the PalmConnect USB Kit, available separately for $39.95), the m105 now sports its own HotSync cradle. Like the m100, the m105 incorporates an infrared port suitable for beaming information or applications to other PalmOS-based PDA users.
The m105 runs PalmOS version 3.5, and is compatible with any third-party software designed to run on such systems. A variety of hardware accessories are available as well. Palm also reported that Shinei International is planning to issue several products for the Palm m100 series, including the porteson MP3 Player and the clipmodem 56K modem. The MP3 will be available in April and the modem will be available in March.
The Palm m105 is available now in the United States. Palm, Inc. expects the m105 to be available worldwide in mid-March. Users can choose from six languages — English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese.