Telefónica, O2’s parent company, said it has struck a deal with Palm to exclusively distribute the new Palm Pre in Ireland, Spain, the UK and Germany when the device hits Europe later this year.
“We are fast becoming the home of the smart phone with the addition of the hotly-anticipated Palm Pre to our already extensive portfolio,” said Matthew Key, chairman and chief executive officer, Telefónica Europe.
“Our customers will be the first outside of North America to experience one of the most successful mobile devices of the year,” Key added.
Palm Pre, the first phone based on the new Palm webOS mobile platform, brings your information from the many places it resides – on your phone, at work or on the web – into one simple, integrated view.
Palm Pre introduces a breakthrough user interface and hardware design that makes it one of the most integrated and user-friendly mobile phones on the market.
Featuring a smooth, elegantly rounded ergonomic design and a physical keyboard that slides out only when needed, Palm Pre is engineered to feel natural in your hand and comfortably small in your pocket.
When closed, Palm Pre is ideal for phone calls, web browsing, music, photos and videos; when open, Palm Pre is optimised for email and text messaging. It provides an exceptional experience for phone calls, whether held to your ear, over speakerphone or via Bluetooth.
“Europe continues to be an important region for Palm, and we’re proud to work with O2 and Movistar to spread the excitement Palm Pre has already ignited in North America,” said Jon Rubinstein, Palm chairman and chief executive officer.
“Since we showed Palm Pre at the Mobile World Congress in February, there’s been a great deal of anticipation for an announcement about European availability, and that day is here.”
O2 has told customers that if they register, they will receive additional information about the Palm Pre and will be notified when it will be available.
By John Kennedy
