For further details on the Palm OS version 3.5, including technical details and color-enabled emulators, please visit http://www.palm.com/devzone. We are delighted to assist you in order to make your color applications successful.

Sincerely,

Gabriel Acosta-Lopez
Director Platform Development Services

Who's the licensee?
Palm Computing has several hardware licensees. They include IBM, Sony, Handspring, and TRG. But do any of them have a color device in the works? No one is willing to say, but News.com published a story (at http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-1529292.html?tag=st.ne.1002.) saying that Palm Computing, not another licensee, is going to release the new color device. That device, according to News.com, is to be called the Palm IIIc.

The report also says that coinciding with the launch of the Palm IIIc is the launch of the Palm IIIxe (an 8MB version of the Palm IIIe).

Rumors from the distribution channel
There are also numerous reports stating that CompUSA has the devices in its inventory management system. While we haven't been able verify the rumors, the reports list the Palm IIIc at $449 and the Palm IIIxe at $249. While we haven't been able to verify these rumors, it would make sense for the 8MB unit to be priced at $249 since that's what the 8MB Handspring device is listed at.

Here's another report we saw on the MacInTouch site (at http://www.macintouch.com/newsrecent.shtml -- be aware that URLs do shift on this site). A reader sent an email to them which says:

I work at Best Buy, and I've seen the specs on these new models. The Palm IIIc does indeed have a color screen, 8MB of memory, and will sell for $449.99. The new Palm IIIxe has the shell of a the III series, typical III-series screen, but will also have 8MB of RAM and a price of $249.99...I'm assuming that this is to directly compete with the Handspring Visor...Best Buy's approximate in-stock date is 2/20/00, though it could show up anytime near that date...

Final thoughts
So what does this all mean? It means that Palm's finally doing something about color -- or so it seems. They always said that they won't come out with a color screen until the technology is ready. Is the technology ready? I have a feeling we'll find out very, very soon. Stay tuned to my news reports, available on a daily basis at http://www.palmpower.com/news/news.html, for the latest inside scoop.

Claire Pieterek is a long-time Palm handheld user. On a mission to ditch her Franklin Planner, she bought her first--a Pilot 5000--in May, 1996. She currently owns a Japanese-language Sony Clie 650C, a Sony Clie 710C, and a Palm Zire 71, among others. She is most at home in Chicago and Kyoto, and is a student of life, the universe, and Japanese.