Palm looks for Orange aid

PalmSource signs deal with Orange for mobile operator to develop Palm-powered smartphones

PalmSource, the Palm spin-off responsible for developing Palm's operating system (OS), has signed a deal with Orange that will see the mobile operator developing Palm-powered smartphones.

The move strengthens PalmSource's position as it faces increased competition from Microsoft and the Nokia-led Symbian consortium.

Nick Evans, business manager for mobility and Microsoft at reseller IT Partnerships, said: "It would be good to see an Orange-Palm device, but adoption depends on quality.

"PalmSource also has a very good partnering programme involving VARs, vendors and developers."

Orange joins Palm's development programme: the Palm Powered Mobile World.

Richard Hanscott, vice-president of business development and partnerships at the Orange Group, pointed to Orange's successful Palm OS-based Treo 600 as an example of how the two firms could work together.

"We look forward to leveraging PalmSource's strength in key market segments to enhance our smartphones with the widest offerings of Palm OS applications," he said in a statement.