The PowerPlay III PDA is manufactured in Taiwan and sold online by Empower Technologies, a vendor of Embedded Linux for intelligent appliances. The device is claimed to be Palm IIIxe compatible, from a hardware perspective. But unlike Palm's PDAs, the PowerPlay III runs Empower Technologies' Linux DA O/S… implementation of Embedded Linux for the Dragonball processor.

Another big difference from Palm's PDAs is price: the PowerPlay III is being sold for $99 online, with an introductory price of just $89.

Summary of features . . .

• Palm IIIxe Compatible
  
• Supplied with Linux DA O/S for PowerPlay III
  
• Screen: 240 x 320 pixels, monochrome touch screen
  
• Processor: Motorola Dragonball, 16 MHz clock rate
  
• 8 MB RAM
  
• 2 MB Flash (upgradeable)
  
• Serial port for connection to PC
  
• Expansion slot(s): none
  
• Battery: non-rechargeable AAA cells
  
• Color Available: “Galaxy Grey”
  
• 15 Days technical support by email
  
• 6 month Linux DA O/S software upgrade
  
• One year warranty
  
• Includes: Carrying Case, 2 AAA Batteries, PC Sync Cable, CD with PC Sync Program, Quick-Start Manual, Handwriting Guide, Warranty Card, Registration Card

The Linux DA O/S includes fifteen application programs, including the following: Menu, Address Book, Calculator, Clock, CPU Speed, Expense, Memo, Paint, To Do, Schedule. Screen shots of these apps are available here. A description of the Linux DA operating system is available here.

The device is available for purchase beginning September 24, 2001 via Empower Technologies' website, according to Paul Leung, the company's CEO.

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