Palm to swipe market with low-cost PDA

Palm has unveiled a low-cost version of its hand-held device in an attempt to broaden its user base.

Palm has unveiled a low-cost version of its hand-held device in an attempt to broaden its user base.

The Palm m100, priced at £130, also marks a step up in the vendor's battle with HandSpring, which also makes a low-cost device using the Palm operating system.

The m100 includes a new NotePad that allows users to jot down quick notes in their own handwriting on the screen and Datebook, Addressbook, MemoPad and infrared beaming applications.

It also has a clock and a HotSync cable for connecting and sharing data between a desktop PC and a hand-held.

Catherine Pennington, a senior analyst at researcher IDC, said: "The m100 appears to be targeted at school children and students, although £130 is a lot of money for a device for children. I think it will do well with students, but Palm will need to keep the price down."