CASIO Debuts Cassiopeia Pocket Manager BE-300

By Jeff Michalski
iApplianceWeb
(06/27/01, 10:46:09 AM EDT)

Casio, Inc. debuts its Cassiopeia Pocket Manager BE-300, a 32K color PocketPC personal digital assistant (PDA). The BE-300 is packaged with an open development framework based on Windows CE 3.0. The real news, however, is that the projected pricing is under $300 retail.

Available for this device is a line of business accessories, software, and expandable features, including wireless access through optional modems and services from GoAmerica and others for remote Web access. The BE-300 features a USB/Serial Connector, a CompactFlash card slot (Type II), and optional PC Card unit that accepts a variety of expansion modules from memory to camera cards.

In conjunction with the release Casio is offering developers a software development kit (SDK) backed up by its new development portal, myCasio.com.

Specifications for the device include:

• Dimensions: 4.76 x 2.99 x 0.7 in (121 x 76 x 17.9 mm)
• Weight: 5.89 oz (167 g) (w/o hard cover)
• Processor: 166 MHz, 280 MIPS NEC VR4131(64-bit CPU)
• Display: 320 x 240-pixel STN, 3.2 inch, 32,768 color
• Operating System: Windows CE 3.0
• Memory: 16MB flash ROM, 16MB RAM
• Expansion CompactFlash card slot (Type II)
• Serial Interface: USB Serial Port (USB client support)
• Audio: Stereo headphone jack
• Power: DC Jack
• Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
• Battery Life: One week based on normal usage
• Software: PIM (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes), Mail (with HTML mail viewer), Web browser (HTML3.2, Frame support), PC Sync Connection, Calculator, Clock, etc.

Casio anticipates worldwide shipments will reach 500,000 units during the current fiscal year, and expects 1,000,000 shipments within a year. Casio will make the product generally available through its authorized dealers in September.