The newest Pocket PC licensee is JVC, a company that is better know for its audio electronics products, such as CD players and receivers, than anything having to do with PDAs. With that in mind, the company's new PDAs will leverage JVC's history in the audio and visual market.

"JVC iO Pocket PCs are for mobile professionals with a need for advanced audio and video capabilities, whether for entertainment or business applications," said Al Levene, Vice President, New Products/Special Markets, JVC Company of America. "We've incorporated some powerful and unique capabilities that reflect JVC's expertise in audio/video technologies and set our PDAs apart from competing units."

According to JVC, the new JVC iO Pocket PC line will include two models powered by Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs, Microsoft's next-generation software for PDAs, and a 400 MHz PXA255 processor. Both the JVC MP-PV131 and MP-PV331 also include a JVC AV player that supports a wide variety of compressed audio and video files, including MPEG4. In addition, the MP-PV331 includes built-in MPEG4 video capture and can stream MPEG4 video when used with compatible JVC Mini DV digital camcorders. Moreover, video streaming can be done wirelessly using the MP-PV331's built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b) capability.

The bundled JVC AV player also has a graphic equalizer for customizing the sound's tonal quality, a sound position expander that creates a broad soundfield when listening through headphones, and a Compression Compensation Converter that expands digital signals to improve fidelity. The latest Microsoft Windows Media Player is also included.

Other shared features include 128MB of RAM, 32MB of flash ROM, CompactFlash Type II slot, Secure Digital slot, 3.5-inch transflective color display, USB client port and a Lithium-polymer 1100mAH battery. The MP-PV331 adds MPEG4 video capture, MPEG4 video streaming, built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b), USB host/client port, digital still capture from video camcorders, and remote digital video camcorder control (focus, zoom, play, pause, stop, fast forward, rewind). The black and silver handhelds measure 5.20 x 2.99 x 0.65-inches and weigh six ounces.

Optional accessories available for both JVC Pocket PCs include a 3000mAh expansion battery pack, headphone with remote control, a desktop cradle with built-in powered stereo speakers, LCD cover and matching stylus in a choice of colors, USB sync cable and carrying case.

The JVC MP-PV131 and MP-PV331 iO Pocket PCs are slated to be available in September for $499.95 and $599.95.