Palm licencee gears up to introduce its slimline PDA with extra memory and new expansion slot

Handspring is expected to launch its latest PDA on Monday -- the Visor Edge, a slim, metal-encased handheld. The new model, which has the same amount of memory and processing power as the Visor Platinum, has a new, smaller expansion slot but can also use modules designed for older Visors via an add-on backpack, according to sources familiar with Handspring's plans.

There has been very little word of Handspring's new model until this week, when several online retailers, including Staples, mentioned the new device on their Web site. The only real hint before that came late last year, when Handspring registered the Visoredge.com Web address.

"Palm and Handspring have each taken a bit of each other's strategy," IDC analyst Kevin Burden said of the new models. "Handspring looked at Palm and said, 'We need that kind of form factor.' Palm (looked at Handspring) and said, 'We need that expansion.'"

The result, Burden said, is that both companies have products that could drive existing handheld owners to upgrade.

"It's been awhile since users have had a reason to upgrade their device," Burden said. "That will change."

The Visor Edge is expected to sell for $399 (£271), sources say.

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