Palm, MobileOne and Microsoft today announced the first Asian availability of the new Palm Treo 750v smartphone, bringing for the first time to Asia the hallmark Palm experience on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 over a wireless 3G/UMTS network. The new Treo 750v will be available next month through M1, Vodafone's network partner in Singapore.

Today, only an estimated 3 percent of business E-Mail inboxes worldwide are accessed via mobile, according to market research firm The Radicati Group. The new Treo 750v will allow Palm to target this large, untapped market with push E-Mail platforms such as Microsoft's Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP), which includes Direct Push Technology and enhanced security features free out of the box. This business-ready solution addresses the need for a robust push-E-Mail platform that can be deployed easily by small businesses to global enterprises. In June this year, M1 was the first network in Singapore to offer the Windows Mobile E-Mail solution.

"Global expansion is a key part of Palm's growth strategy, so I am pleased to announce our Vodafone relationship now extends into Asia Pacific," said John Hartnett, Palm senior vice president, global markets. "With Vodafone in Europe and now M1 in Singapore providing the Treo 750v smartphone, we can deliver a robust, business-ready device featuring the Palm experience, accelerating our momentum in the enterprise market."

The Treo 750v combines the hallmark Palm experience of a multifeatured mobile phone with E-Mail, messaging, web browsing and organization software all in a new compact design. Unique to the Treo smartphone on Windows Mobile 5.0 is a suite of software enhancements developed by Palm that underscores its brand promise of fast access, ease of use and simplicity. Examples include the following:

"M1 is committed to helping our business customers increase productivity and make the most of their business and personal time," said P. Subramaniam, M1's director of Enterprise and Alliances. "We are privileged to be the first telco and Vodafone network partner in Asia Pacific to launch the new Treo 750v with Palm and Microsoft. The unparalleled ease of use offered by the new Treo 750v, together with M1's high-speed 3G network, will provide a compelling mobile-computing solution to M1 customers."

"Mobility today means far more than reading E-Mail outside the office. People need to be able to access Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, organize themselves by managing their calendars and contacts, listen to music, watch videos and do much more with a single device," said Barney Lau, managing director, Microsoft Singapore. "The Palm Treo 750v builds on the power and flexibility of Windows Mobile, Palm's innovative design and user experience, and M1's fast 3G network to deliver a winning solution for professionals seeking to enhance their digital lifestyle."

Without a contract, the Treo 750v is expected to retail for around S$ 1,268/US$ 798.

Cheers ~ Arne