Nokia unveils color version of phone-organizer

Nokia on Tuesday showed off an updated wireless gadget that looks like a cell phone on the outside but opens up into a handheld computer with a full keyboard for accessing the Web and email.

Nokia's dual-band 9210 Communicator, which supports 4,096 colors, is a new version of its 9110 model.

Support for several PC office applications makes it possible to create Microsoft Word and Excel documents and view PowerPoint slides.

The 9210 boasts high-speed data transfer at 43.2 kbps (kilobits per second). This compares with the 14.4 kbps limit of the black-and-white screen 9110.

The new device, which includes Symbian's EPOC operating system and Java support, offers 10 hours of talking time and 230 hours of standby.

Nokia expects to launch the pocket-sized device during the first half of 2001. The company did not release the price tag.

Swedish rival Ericsson has already entered the cell phone and handheld computer business with the R380. The device is already for sale in Europe and will be launched in the United States in December. It will cost just under $700.

Singapore.CNET.com's Priscilla Wong reported from Singapore.