MEX

An anonymous source has given CliéSource the description of a pair of future Sony handhelds called the NX series. These will have the same form factor as the NR series, including the clamshell shape and built-in keyboard. They will run Palm OS 5 on an Intel XScale processor. Like the NR series, they will use a 320 by 480 screen.

There will be one model in the NX series with a camera and one without. The one with the camera will be capable of taking video in MPEG4 format at 640 by 480. They will have a CompactFlash slot, though this won’t work with memory cards, only Sony-branded 802.11 cards.

It will have a built-in microphone and still have the same MP3 playback ability as the NR series. It will use Sony’s standard HotSync port, the same one used on the current NR series.

On the software side, this source reports that the NX series will ship with a web browser, presumably the one PalmSource announced recently. The built-in apps have been re-written to take advantage of the virtual Graffiti area. It will use the standard application Launcher, which has hi-res+ support, but the user will also have the option of a new view of applications which has been designed to make the device easy to use for first-time handheld buyers.

According to this source, the NX series will be announced next week and will be available at the end of October. The version without the camera will cost USD 500 and the one with it will be USD 600.