Motorola Inc has introduced two new versions of its DragonBall microprocessor, best known for being the CPU at the heart of the PalmPilot range of handhelds. The 33MHz DragonBall VZ incorporates on-chip support for color LCD screens. As the DragonBall range enjoys a symbiotic relationship with PalmOS- based devices – every product that currently uses the operating system is built around a DragonBall chip – we wonder how long it will be before color handhelds start to arrive from Palm Computing and Handspring Inc. A Handspring spokesperson refused to comment but said that the company was evaluating the chip. The company says that the new chip is code compatible with existing 16MHz DragonBall processors. Motorola has also added a 20MHz CPU to its DragonBall EZ line. The DragonBall VZ is expected to be available in volume in January, priced at $11 each in 10,000 unit quantities. The 20MHz EZ is available now at $10 each in 10,000 unit quantities.
