Toshiba will today unveil a new PDA based on Intel's XScale mobile chip. The Pocket PC e740, available later this month, will also have the option of built-in Bluetooth or 802.11b wireless capability.

XScale is Intel's more powerful successor to the StrongArm processors which are used in devices such as the Compaq iPaq and HP Jornada.

The Toshiba e740 is based on Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 platform, like Toshiba's existing e570 and e310 models, but its 400MHz PXA250 XScale chip makes it one of the most powerful handhelds available.

The new handheld will come in three configurations - with integrated Bluetooth, with integrated 802.11b wireless LAN, or without wireless capability. The Bluetooth version will ship first, Toshiba said.

The Pocket PC e740 includes built-in Secure Digital (SD) and CompactFlash expansion slots, 64MB memory, and a colour screen. Prices for the e740 have not yet been announced.

Toshiba said an optional expansion pack for the e740 would feature USB and VGA ports that would allow the device to be connected to a desktop keyboard and monitor. The Toshiba e740 is compact at just 16mm thick, and weighing 185g.

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