SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 2005-- Superior Menu Systems, User Interface, Display, Style and Design Draw U.S. Consumers

According to global research and consulting company Strategy Analytics, the Palm(R) Treo(TM) 650 smartphone from Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) is the highest-rated converged device in the United States. The Treo 650's "Best in Class" performance rating comes from a head-to-head consumer test against the RIM BlackBerry 7100, the Samsung SCH-i730 and the UTStarcomm PPC6600. These results come from hands-on consumer testing by the Strategy Analytics Advanced Wireless User Panel.

"More mobile professionals these days are choosing their device based on look, feel and ease of use," said Kevin Nolan, director of the Advanced Wireless Laboratory at Strategy Analytics. "The Treo 650's small form factor and stylish design blended with Palm's hallmark user experience make it more appealing than other converged devices on the market today. Participants struggled with the BlackBerry 7100's steep out-of-the-box learning curve."

With carrier activation, the Palm Treo 650 smartphone combines a compact, full-featured mobile phone with email, a Palm OS(R) organizer, messaging, web access and digital camera, letting users organize and simplify their business and personal lives all in one device.(1) The Treo 650 builds on the award-winning design of the Treo 600 with new and improved features, including a high-resolution screen; expanded multimedia capabilities, such as an MP3 player and video capture and playback(2); removable battery; non-volatile memory; and Bluetooth(R) wireless technology.

"We've set out to change the way people work, live and play," said Ken Wirt, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Palm. "Customers tell us the Treo smartphone is the right form factor with the right integration of software and hardware to make using a phone, managing email and staying on top of all your important information and meetings easy. The Strategy Analytics study further validates that customers regard the Treo 650 as one of the best converged devices on the market."

Institutions interested in reviewing the Strategy Analytics converged device benchmark report "Blackberry Learning Curve Too Steep for Consumers as Palm Treo Sets New Usability Standard" should contact Kevin Nolan, director of the Advanced Wireless Laboratory at Strategy Analytics, at +44 1908 423609 (UK).

NOTE: The information presented in the Strategy Analytics report is based primarily on surveys and interviews and therefore is subject to fluctuation. Strategy Analytics and Palm take no responsibility for any incorrect information supplied to them by end users.