Information & Technology News

Handspring CEO sees bright times for phone PDAs

IDG) -- On the eve of the retail launch of a mobile phone module, Visor phone, for its Visor handheld computer, Handspring's President and CEO, Donna Dubinsky predicted explosive growth for the sector.
The Visor phone, which plugs into the back of a Visor handheld computer, went on sale in the U.S. at the end of last year through the company's web site for $299. In Europe, it will be available by the end of June, said Julie Staska, a spokeswoman for Handspring.
Dubinsky, in Tokyo for the Japanese launch of the company's Visor Edge personal digital assistant (PDA), confidently stated that the future of the handheld computer is bright because it's the most personal of all personal computers. Handspring launched the Visor Edge in the U.S. last month.
Handspring's sales have been climbing rapidly in line with the fast expanding market, although global economic worries are expected to result in quarter on quarter growth of 3.5 percent in the three months just ended. This is in contrast to growth of 64 percent recorded in the previous quarter.
Visor Edge, which was launched in the U.S. earlier this month, will be on sale in Japan on April 6 for 44,800 yen ($358). Handspring first launched its Visor PDA in Japan in June last year.