CEBIT, HANNOVER, Germany, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PalmSource, Inc., provider of the world's most popular operating system for handhelds and smart phones, and the Palm OS subsidiary of Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), and Samsung Electronics, today introduced the Mobile Information Terminals (MITs) SGH-i500, the world's first GSM-based next generation smart phone running on Palm OS(R) 5.

Samsung's state of the art MITs SGH-i500 is the first Palm OS 5 smart phone that provides users superior multi-media and wireless capabilities, in a portable clamshell form factor. In addition to the classic features of Palm OS, the MITs SGH-i500 from Samsung provides innovative functionality with features that include an MMS Client and WAP 2.0 web browser for fast and convenient wireless Web access. The GPRS tri-band phone also boasts a 330,000 pixel CMOS digital camera supporting a 65,000 color TFT-LCD screen display, and a media pack for video, audio and imaging.

"By combining our strength in building superior phones with the powerful Palm OS 5, we are setting a new standard for innovative, easy to use and compelling smart phones," said Mr. H. Woo Kim, vice president of Mobile Communication Division at Samsung Electronics. "The MITs SGH-i500 provides users a sleek, compact communication device that delivers one of a kind integrated voice, multi-media and data capabilities."

"Combining Samsung's world leadership in the handset market with the power and flexibility of the Palm OS, has enabled the development of innovative and easy to use smart phones like the MITs SGH-i500," said David Nagel, president and chief executive officer of PalmSource. "The MITs SGH-i500 delivers superior telephony design, with powerful smart phone, multimedia and data capabilities for GSM users."

Palm OS 5 brings the flexibility, innovation and ease of use of the Palm OS platform to a new generation of mobile devices through powerful ARM-compliant processors. In addition, the operating system delivers a superior user interface that enables increased security and enhanced multimedia and wireless networking, as well as compatibility with existing Palm OS applications. The Palm OS platform is designed with an open, modular architecture that allows licensees and developers to create innovative products in a variety of sizes and form factors that deliver compelling user experiences. With more than 25 million hardware products worldwide, Palm OS has also given rise to a community of over 250,000 mobile application developers and a library of more than 16,000 mobile software programs.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, and digital convergence technology. Samsung Electronics employs approximately 64,000 people in 89 offices in 47 countries. The company is the world's largest producer of memory chips, TFT-LCDs, CDMA mobile phones, monitors and VCRs. Samsung Electronics consists of four main business units: Digital Media Network, Device Solution Network, Telecommunication Network and Digital Appliance Network Businesses. For more information, please visit http://www.samsungelectronics.com.

About PalmSource, Inc.

PalmSource is the company behind Palm OS, the world's most popular operating system for handhelds and smart phones. Licensed by industry leaders -- including Acer, AlphaSmart, Fossil, Garmin, GSL, Handera, Handspring, HuneTec, Kyocera, Legend, Palm, Samsung, Sony, Symbol, and Palm OS Ready Partners including ATI, Intel, MediaQ, Motorola, Samsung, Texas Instruments -- Palm OS has been shipped on more than 25 million handhelds and smart phones, and given rise to a huge community of users, enterprises, developers and manufacturers, who together make up the Palm Economy. PalmSource's new headquarters are located at 1240 Crossman Ave. in Sunnyvale, Calif. PalmSource is a subsidiary of Palm, Inc. More information about PalmSource, Inc., is available at www.palmsource.com.

NOTE: Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm Powered is a trademark of PalmSource, Inc. a subsidiary of Palm, Inc. Other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE PalmSource, Inc.