Palm Opens European Smartphone R&D Centre

Minister Martin, speaking at the official opening of the new centre, welcomed the investment. "The impact of attracting an R&D investment to Ireland from a company such as Palm, a high-profile brand leader with a reputation for innovation in wireless and communications, underlines this country's ability to successfully attract high-end R&D projects," he said. "Palm represents an important addition to the emerging wireless sector in this country, a key target area for IDA Ireland. It also is an ideal fit with IDA's strategy of adding higher-value knowledge-intensive activities and strategic mandates to existing operations here."

A smartphone is a single device for wireless voice and data communication. Palm Treo smartphones are known for excellent phone functionality plus email, web browsing, messaging and organization capabilities.(1) Due to the differences in global wireless-communications systems, Palm believes mobile solutions are best delivered with targeted R&D activities and close collaboration with European mobile operators.

The new European Engineering Centre is responsible for the following:

• choosing and developing 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;
• supporting the mobile operators in their certification processes and helping field-qualification teams;
• implementing radio technology and mobile operator-specific services and applications; and
• focusing on quality assurance across the complex European networks and infrastructures.

"We are delighted to open this centre in Europe, a significant step up for our R&D function. This move reflects our intention to accelerate the delivery of next-generation smartphones to European mobile operators and their customers," Colligan said. "After careful consideration of alternatives, we were convinced by the IDA and our own analysis that the specific R&D skills crucial to the success of this centre are readily available in Ireland."

The centre is located at Airside Business Park in Swords, alongside Palm's existing European Operations and Supply Chain Group, which has been based in Ireland since 1999.

About Palm
Palm, Inc., a leader in mobile computing, strives to put the power of computing in people's hands so they can access and share their most important information. The company's products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm(R) handheld computers, Palm Treo(TM) smartphones, Palm LifeDrive(TM) mobile managers, as well as software, services and accessories.

Palm(R) products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world, and at Palm Retail Stores and Palm online stores (www.palm.com/store).

More information about Palm, Inc. is available at www.palm.com.

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(1) Requires carrier activation. Within wireless service coverage area only. Availability and coverage depends upon carrier and the geographic scope of international roaming agreements. Email, messaging and web access requires data services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost.

Palm, Treo and LifeDrive are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.

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