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Earlier this year, a palmOne executive sent shockwaves through the handheld world when he said the company didn't view the Palm platform "internally as religion." (see Is PalmOne Married to the Palm OS? Maybe Not)

While the thought of palmOne aiming its products at other operating systems may seem incongruous—if not downright heretical—since it separated from PalmSource at the end of last year, the company is free to pursue whatever platform it chooses. For example, another mobile device manufacturer, Samsung, hedges its bets by employing the Palm, Windows Mobile and Symbian operating systems for its smartphones.

Although today's announcement of the new multi-platform Universal Wireless Keyboard ($70) is a long way from unveiling a Pocket PC PDA or Symbian smartphone, it appears to be palmOne's opening salvo in a multi-platform strategy, at least for accessories.

Here's the story:

The new Universal Wireless Keyboard is palmOne's first accessory to support Pocket PC as well as Palm-based devices. According to palmOne's General Manager of Accessories Jim Schwabe, two factors influenced palmOne's decision to make the updated keyboard multi-platform: portability—the ability to move it from device to device—and resellers.

You see, palmOne wants to give people the chance to take their accessories with them as they upgrade to different handhelds. So if you decide your next mobile device will be a Pocket PC instead of a Palm, you can use the Universal Wireless keyboard, saving your $70 investment—and maintaining your relationship with palmOne—in the process.

As for resellers, with limited shelf space comes a fixed number of goods retailers can stock. Retailers are likelier to support products that can be used on several different types of handhelds rather than just one.

To add Pocket PC support to the Universal Wireless Keyboard, all palmOne does is bundle the correct Pocket PC drivers on a bundled CD-ROM. It plans to feature Pocket PC compatibility on the packaging as well emphasize it in advertising.

Aside from Pocket PC compatibility, palmOne's Universal Wireless Keyboard improves on the previous model by adding a fifth row of keys. That means each number gets its own key, which should make typing easier. (Anything that reduces the need for a function or FN key is good news to us.) At the same time, the new keyboard maintains the first model's svelte design and is capable of folding down to the size of a paperback.


                  palmOne's Paperback Writer

Accessories Galore
In addition the upgraded Wireless Keyboard, palmOne introduced a number of other new accessories today.

GPS Bundle
The new GPS bundle builds on a GPS upgrade kit palmOne sells for the Tungsten T3 and a number of similar packages sold in Europe.

It comes with a Zire 72 handheld, GPS (Global Positioning System) Navigator receiver, mapping software from TomTom, and a car mount for $399 after a $50 rebate. According to palmOne, this saves consumers over $200 when purchasing each component individually. For instance, the Zire 72 retails for $299 by itself.

The Zire 72 connects wirelessly to the GPS Navigator via Bluetooth. The software from TomTom offers 3D and 2D maps for United States and Canada with more than 4.5 million points of interest, such as gas stations, hotels, beaches, libraries etc. You also get voice-guided turn-by-turn instructions.

SD Cards/CD-ROMs
palmOne will start selling a 512MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card for $199. It will also offer MDM Software's Directions On-the-Go with turn-by-turn directions and maps for the United States for $40, and Zondervan NIV Study Bible for $30.

Also available is a new CD-ROM compilation of classic games, including Centipede, Tennis Addict, Mahjongg, Chess, and a CD-ROM of card and casino games called Hold'Em Poker and Casino Collection CD-ROM for $30 each.

palmOne's last new accessory is a $30 black side-loading case with a removable belt clip and a snap-closure for the Treo 600 smartphone.

All of the handheld company's new accessories should ship by the end of September or the beginning of October at the latest.