Palm introduces Foleo smartphone companion

Worldwide Computer Products News, May 31, 2007

Worldwide Computer Products News-31 May 2007-Palm introduces Foleo smartphone companion(C)1995-2007 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com

The Foleo smartphone companion, which converts a smartphone into a thin client laptop computer, has been introduced by mobile device manufacturer Palm Inc.

Palm said that edits made on Foleo are reflected automatically on the paired smartphone, and vice versa, with both devices remaining synchronised via Bluetooth wireless technology. Foleo uses its Wi-Fi radio or the smartphone's radio for general Internet connectivity and offers applications such as e-mail, full-screen web browser and editors or viewers for business documents such as Word, Excel, PDF and PowerPoint files.

Palm claimed that while Foleo was designed mainly as a mobile phone companion, it also serves as a computer on its own, incorporating a Linux-based operating system and Wi-Fi radio. It also features a USB port, video-out port, slots for SD and CF flash cards and a headphone jack, offers quick navigation and up to five hours battery use and is expected to retail for USD499 after an introductory USD100 rebate.

Foleo works with Palm's Treo smartphones and should also work with most smartphones based on Windows Mobile, with little or no modification required, while RIM, Apple and Symbian systems may work with software assistance, Palm said.

((Comments on this story may be sent to info@m2.com))