Fossil Unveils Palm-Powered PDA Watch

Modern watch designer Fossil Inc. introduced a Palm OS-powered wristwatch with 8MB memory and infrared linkage to Windows and Mac operating systems. Called the Wrist PDA, the watch with a 160 x 160 pixel LCD backlight touch screen was unveiled Wednesday.

Data can be entered into the Fossil Wrist PDA through customizable touch screen watch faces. The device's IRDA infrared port supports USB speeds. Fossil said a stylus is integrated into the watch buckle and a 3-way Rocker switch and Back button enables users to navigate through the device's various functions and features.

A lithium-ion rechargeable battery lasts for three to four days, depending on the conditions of use. An AC adapter charges the battery. The watch carries suggested retail prices for models ranging between $199 and $250.

The announcement of the wristwatch during the CES Show comes exactly two years after Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates unveiled the Microsoft SPOT (smart personal objects technology) wristwatch at CES two years ago. At the time, three watch makers " Fossil, Citizen and Suunto " designed watches for use with Microsoft's SPOT platform.