Samsung Electronics, a global leader in wireless telecommunications, and Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), the world's leading supplier of handheld computers, today announced that Samsung has licensed the Palm OS(R) platform for use in wireless intelligent terminals. This agreement will allow Samsung to develop a family of handheld smartphones that are wholly compatible with all Palm OS based applications. The first product, a CDMA handset, is expected to be available in North America in the second quarter of 2001.
This relationship allows the companies to capitalize on the growing demand for enterprise applications tailored for Palm's operating system, as well as the trend toward wireless technology convergence. To date, the 125,000 Palm OS developers have created more than 7,000 software applications including applications that support database management, financial calculation, e-reading, entertainment and other functions for corporations and consumers.
Samsung is the largest manufacturer of CDMA handsets shipped in the U.S and according to industry analysts, Dataquest, Inc., Samsung led the top five wireless manufacturers with a 276 percent increase in the total number of phone sales to 17.7 million units worldwide in 1999.
"The global growth of mobile telephony during the past several years has been nothing short of extraordinary," said Bryan Prohm, senior analyst for Mobile Communications with Dataquest.
"Today's voice-centric mobile terminals are rapidly evolving into multi-faceted platforms for enhanced data communication. By leveraging collective resources, companies will be able to bring products to market more quickly, while simultaneously stimulating the development of compelling applications and services for enterprise and consumer markets alike."
"To better manage personal and business information on-the-go, many consumers want products with mobile multimedia capabilities," said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president of Samsung Telecommunication America's wireless division. "This agreement will allow Samsung to provide consumers with a product that combines the communication capabilities of wireless phones and the full data management functionality of a PDA."
"Wireless data access and a range of handheld solutions are priorities for Palm, and today we welcome Samsung, with its leadership in developing converged wireless products, to the Palm Economy," said Alan Kessler, chief operating officer for Platform and Products at Palm, Inc. "When Samsung releases its first Palm Powered(TM) product next year, we are confident that customers will enjoy a quality integrated handheld option that combines the strength of the Palm OS platform and innovative wireless services with the telephonic accessibility of Samsung products."
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