Palm's recently unveiled Windows Mobile Treo will presumably be prominent among the targeted smartphones.
Due to differences in global wireless communications systems, "mobile solutions are best delivered with targeted R&D activities and close collaboration with European mobile operators," Palm said. To that end, the company says its new research center, located in Dublin, will:
- Choose and develop core, leading-edge technologies, such as 3G/UMTS, to help Palm accelerate the delivery of next-generation smartphones to European mobile operators and their customers
- Support the mobile operators in their certification processes and helping field-qualification teams
- Implement radio technology and mobile operator-specific services and applications
- Focus on quality assurance across the complex European networks and infrastructures.
When the
Windows Mobile Treo was jointly unveiled last month by Palm, Microsoft, and Verizon, Palm CEO Ed Colligan said the device was designed to work on Verizon's US cellular network, and that it would initially be marketed exclusively by Verizon. Release for production was slated for "early 2006." So far, no dates have been announced for its release in the EMEA region.
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