New Names Enter Handheld MarketNew Names Enter Handheld Market

On the tails of Monday's release of Windows Mobile, a new version of Microsoft's operating system for handheld computers, a number of prominent vendors have revealed new hardware that run the system.

Beginning in July, Gateway Inc. will launch its first branded PDA, the 100x, which will retail for around $350. The device, which will be geared toward business professionals, will also be included in Gateway's bundled mobility solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Later in the year, Gateway plans to launch other PDA models, including a low-priced consumer version.

Electronics company JVC has also disclosed plans to enter the handheld market. The new JVC iO Pocket PC line of PDAs emphasizes the audio-visual capabilities of Windows Mobile, promising to provide advanced multimedia support, including integration with JVC's digital camcorders. The MP-PV131 and MP-PV331 iO Pocket PCs will be in stores in September, at list prices of $499 and $599, respectively.

Hewlett-Packard has plans to expand its popular line of iPaq PDAs. New models include the h1940, a low-end, slim-bodied model that retails for $299; the h2210, which HP claims is the smallest PDA on the market to include dual expansion slots, retailing for $400; the h5150, a high-end model for business use, which includes support for Bluetooth wireless technology and retails for $549; and the top-of-the-line h5550, which incorporates a thermal biometric fingerprint reader to ensure data protection.