Palm - About Palm - Handspring Press Release Archive
www.palm.com


 < Home  < About Palm  < Press Room
Handspring Press Release Archive

2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | Palm PR Contacts

HANDSPRING AND ORANGE SA PARTNER TO DEVELOP FUTURE SMARTPHONES

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. and LONDON (April 16, 2003) —Handspring (NASDAQ: HAND), a leading innovator in personal communications products, and Orange SA, one of the world's largest communications companies, said today they have signed an agreement to work together in the development of future smartphones for Orange customers throughout Europe.

The companies are working closely together to develop advanced business and personal smartphone solutions that will tie seamlessly into Orange back-end network systems to make wireless data applications easy to use right out of the box. Handspring and Orange plan to leverage their respective expertise in mobile user interface design and robust wireless service offerings to bring new smartphone solutions to the European market.

"Working with established leaders like Orange is the ideal way for Handspring to help deliver the best possible smartphone solutions to European customers." said Ed Colligan, president and chief operating officer of Handspring, Inc. "By customizing Handspring's advanced wireless applications and intuitive user interface for Orange's services and back-end systems, together we can deliver solutions that will make a difference in people's lives. We look forward to building a strong position together in this category."

Richard Brennan, Executive Vice-President, OrangeWorld and Brand at Orange, said, "We are pleased to be working with Handspring, who has proven to be one of the leading innovators in smartphones. Together we can create a superior customer experience for Orange customers. We are dedicated to delivering compelling services to our customers, and making the experience of accessing wireless services an easy and enjoyable one."

Chris Jones, senior analyst and director at European research firm Canalys, commented, "In Europe, we expect shipments of smart phones to exceed those of handhelds in 2003. But for vendors to succeed they need to develop good relationships with mobile network operators, in as many countries as possible. The leading phone handset brands already have these and this is a positive move on Handspring's part."

ABOUT HANDSPRING
Handspring is a leading innovator in personal communications and handheld computing. The company's products include the Treo wireless communicators and Treo 90 organizer, the Visor expandable handheld computers, and client and server software for fast Web access from handheld devices and mobile phones. Today Handspring sells its products and accessories at and through select Internet, retail and carrier partners in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada Middle East, and Mexico/Latin America.

ABOUT ORANGE
The Orange group is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies, with operations in 20 countries across Europe and beyond. It provides a broad range of personal communications services, including Orange GSM1800 services and other digital cellular telephone services. The Orange brand operates in the UK, France, Switzerland, Romania, Denmark, Slovakia, Thailand, the Ivory Coast, the Dominican Republic and the Cameroon. The Orange group also has controlled operations in Belgium (Mobistar), the Netherlands (Dutchtone), Botswana (Vista Cellular) and Madagascar (SMM) and intends to launch Orange UMTS operations in Luxembourg. The Orange group has a joint controlling interest in Egypt (MobiNil) and minority interests in Italy (Wind), Portugal (Optimus), Austria (Connect Austria) and Mumbai/India (BPL Mobile). As at the end of December 2002, Orange was the largest mobile operator in both the UK with 13.3 million active customers, and France with 18.8 million active customers. Orange has 44.4 million controlled customers worldwide. Further information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to: Orange's and Handspring's ability to develop smartphones that will tie seamlessly into Orange back-end network systems, create a superior customer experience and make a difference in people's lives; the two companies' plans to deliver the best possible smartphone solutions for European customers and build a strong position in the smartphone category; and the projection that shipments of smart phones will exceed those of handhelds in 2003. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors including, among others: Handspring's ability to develop and deliver innovative wireless smartphone products that meet Orange's specifications and expected delivery dates; customer acceptance of and demand for smartphones in general and Handspring's products in particular; the degree to which Orange will facilitate the introduction of Handspring's wireless products and the pricing and terms of rate plans that they will offer for use with such products; and the rapid pace of technological change and competitive developments in the wireless communications industry. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described in Handspring's most recent SEC filings. Handspring assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Orange is a trademark of Orange PCS. Handspring, the Handspring logo, Treo, the Treo logo, and Visor are trademarks of Handspring, Inc. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.




© Copyright 2007 Palm, Inc. All rights reserved.