Delphi Auto Sets Price of Palm, Cell Docking Station at $499
1/6/01 11:23:00 AM
Source: Bloomberg News
URL: cnetinvestor.com
Troy, Michigan, Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Delphi Automotive Systems Corp., the world's No. 1 auto-parts maker, set the price of its device that allows drivers hands-free use of Palm Inc. organizers and Ericsson AB cell phones at $499.
The Communiport Mobile Productivity Center, which uses voice- recognition technology, initially will be sold through Delphi's Web site. Using the device, a driver can request information such as a weather forecast or sports score and have it read back through the car's radio, spokesman John Shea.
The move comes amid growing concern about drivers being distracted while using cell phones and other devices. General Motors Corp., the world's biggest automaker, in October announced a three-year, $10 million campaign to alert people to the dangers of distractions while driving.
''The product interface is designed to allow the driver to perform his or her primary responsibility of operating the vehicle safely,'' Jeff Owens, general director of business lines and marketing for Delphi's Delphi Delco Electronics Systems division, said in a statement.
Delphi, based in Troy, Michigan, said it would develop the docking station in April. It made today's announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The company's Web site is at delphiauto.com.
The device, which plugs into a cigarette lighter or other 12- volt outlet, allows drivers to access calendars, phone lists and other functions. Users also can download weather, stocks, sports, traffic and other data from Web sites through Palm's Palm.net Internet service.
Delphi's device works with the Palm V handheld organizer and Ericsson phones. The company expects to expand the line to work with other Palm products and cell phones made by companies such as Motorola Inc.
Delphi shares fell 63 cents yesterday to $13.38. Santa Clara, California-based Palm fell $3.69 to $24.31. The U.S. shares of Sweden's Ericsson fell 19 cents to $11.31. |
