Palm OS Based Gaming Device Nears Release

Sokie writes "During the past few weeks Tapwave, a startup founded by a couple former Palm employees, has been slowly unveiling the features of their upcoming Helix (Flash heavy link) handheld gaming device. So far, the specs include a 480x320 16-bit color display, dual Secure Digital (SD) slots, Bluetooth connectivity for wireless multiplayer (Wi-Fi available through SDIO), multiple analog controls including triggers, ATI Imageon graphics, and dual rechargable lithium ion batteries (no word yet on battery life). In addition to some cool sounding hardware, several prominent game companies are already signed on to develop games for the Helix, including Activision and Midway. It will also run traditional Palm apps like Calendar and Address Book. Tapwave will continue to unveil a new feature each week for the next few weeks, and the product is supposed to launch in September or October and retail for about $299. PC World has some additional info."

Comments

Every possible iteration of an idea.

[lifebouy]

First there was the gameboy advance with its PIM cartridge. Now there is a palm device that plays games. Why oh why cant they all just get along?

great! Now I know what to do in meetings

[civilengineer]

Just play on it and act like I'm taking notes. Nod occasionally when I win or lose a game to let the speaker know I'm hearing.

So..

[bmantz65]

its basically a Palm without the 'productivity' software?

Late 2003 eh?

[LordoftheFrings]

The website says that it will be released in Late 2003, meanwhile, the site itself is not complete (many links say In Two Weeks, etc) AND there are no pictures of the device at all. The good news is, I hear it's shipping with Duke Nukem Forever.

oh for shame on them...

[reiggin]

Now I am forced to upgrade AGAIN just after I poured all this money into my color Zire so I could finally play Giraffe and Minesweeper like I thought they were meant to be played. But now they're telling me that I can play Tetris multiplayer and be the envy of all my Clie lovin' friends?!? Well, hell yeah, I'll buy it!

What's that? Something about a GBA for 1/3 the price?? LALALALALALALALALALALA!!!!! I can't hear you! lalalalalalalala...........

Whoo-hoo!

[taped2thedesk]

Now I can play Giraffe with a controller!!

Fugly

[acxr is wasted]

Tapwave is bordering on winning the "Most Useless Website Award For A Company Trying To Break-In To An Oligopolistic Market."

Oooo, who will take home the "Crappie?"

Re:This sounds really cool and all...

[los furtive]

The advantages of having 2 discrete devices far outweights the benefits of convergence in this case.

The advantages of having 2 empty pockets far outweighs the disadvantage of having your pants around your ankles because you're carrying too many freakin' 'discrete' devices.