palmOne expands accessory lineup with GPS kits

palmOne says that accessory sales for its products have shown growth in the past year as customers have been personalizing and expanding the functionality of their handhelds. The company is building on this market by announcing additions to its accessory lineup, including two global-positioning system (GPS) navigation solutions, designer cases and customized accessories from partner companies.

The palmOne GPS Car Kit features an integrated GPS receiver that mounts to a car windshield or dashboard and holds a Tungsten E2 or Tungsten T5 handheld in place, while a vehicle power adaptor provides power to the GPS receiver and the handheld. The included customized TomTom Navigator 5 software works with the GPS receiver cradle, and a built-in speaker makes voice-guided directions audible over road noise. The palmOne GPS Car Kit is scheduled to be available in August for US$249.99.

The palmOne GPS Navigator is being redesigned and soon will be available for use with the LifeDrive mobile manager, Treo 650 smartphone, and Tungsten E2 and Tungsten T5 handhelds. The GPS Navigator's Bluetooth enabled receiver is suited for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for use in vehicles. This product also uses TomTom Navigator 5 software plus Tele Atlas map data to provide real-time location information, turn-by-turn directions, maps in 2-D and 3-D, and millions of points of interest. The palmOne GPS Navigator is scheduled to be available in July for US$249.99.

Other new accessories from palmOne include an aluminum hard case designed to fit a Tungsten E2 handheld with a palmOne Wi-Fi Card in use. The case also provides secure storage for the Wi-Fi Card when not in use. For the new LifeDrive mobile manager, an aluminum hard case, a protective leather case and a travel charger are now available.