Sony Electronics today announced its latest handhelds, the CLIE PEG-NX70V and PEG-NX60, the first Palm OS five and 200MHz ARM processor devices to be officially unveiled.

Sony said the CLIE PEG-NX70V, available in gun metal grey and silver, and PEG-NX60, silver only, models enable users to take photos and record video clips, record voice memos, and wirelessly browse the Internet on a Wi-Fi (802.11b) network with an optional Sony wireless LAN card, in addition to playing MP3 audio files and video games.

The new handhelds have the highest resolution color LCD screen (320 x 480 pixels) available for a Palm OS device, the flip-and-twist LCD screen design found in the PEG-NR70V, an integrated MP3 player, a built-in AV remote controller application, a Jog Dial navigator and a Memory Stick removable media slot.

While the CLIE PEG-NX70V features an integrated camera like the PEG-NR70V, its camera is capable of capturing both still images and video clips. Located on the hinge connecting the screen and keyboard with a maximum effective resolution of 310,000 pixels, the CLIE PEG-NX70V model's digital camera features 2X digital zoom, and can take VGA size images (640 x 480 pixels) and record MPEG4 compression video clips. On a 128MB Memory Stick media card, users can store up to 60 minutes of continuous video (160 x 112 pixels).

Wireless Internet connectivity makes its Sony debut on the CLIE NX-series handhelds in the form of an integrated communications slot that accommodates the optional PEGA-WL100 Wi-Fi (802.11b) modem card. The company said the card is capable of transferring information at a maximum of 11 megabits per second, enabling users to browse the Internet, send and receive e-mail (POP3), and wirelessly HotSync.

The models in the CLIE NX-series also offer a built-in voice recorder that enables users to record up to 535 minutes of thoughts and ideas on a 128MB Memory Stick media card (Long Play mode). Stored in ADPCM (adaptive differential pause code modulation) format, these voice memos can be played back on a CLIE handheld or transferred to a PC to be played later.

The new CLIE PEG-NX70V and PEG-NX60 handheld models are slated to be available at retailers nationwide next month for about $600 and $500, respectively. The PEGA-WL100 Wi-Fi modem card will be available for about $150. Sony is accepting pre-orders on its website.

Palm Boulevard will make detailed specifications of the new devices available as we receive them. In the meantime, you can share your thoughts on the new CLIE's at our new CLIE NX Series message board.