Palm, MobileOne and Microsoft have announced the first Asian availability of the new Palm Treo 750v, bringing for the first time to Asia the Palm bramding experience on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 over a wireless 3G/UMTS network.

The new Treo 750v will be available next month through M1, Vodafone's network partner in Singapore.

Only an estimated 3 percent of business email inboxes worldwide are accessed via mobile, according to market research firm The Radicati Group. The new Treo 750v will allow Palm to target this large market with push email platforms such as Microsoft's Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP), which includes Direct Push Technology and enhanced security features free out of the box, when used with a compatible Microsoft Exchange Server.

The Treo 750v combines a multifeatured mobile phone with email, messaging, web browsing and organization software all in a new compact design. Unique to the Treo smartphone on Windows Mobile 5.0 is a suite of software enhancements developed by Palm that underscores its brand promise of fast access, ease of use and simplicity.

These exclusive features include Today screen enhancements, which feature the ability to "dial by name" with a few keystrokes on the keyboard, perform a web search directly from the Today Screen and perform one-touch dialing with personalized photo speed dials; ability to manage a call directly from the Today Screen and stay on top of voicemail with on-screen, VCR-like icons, such as rewind, delete and fast-forward controls for easy navigation; the ability to ignore a call and quickly compose a text message, such as "In a meeting" or "Can't talk"; and dedicated messaging application for SMS/MMS that is organized in a "chat thread" so users can reference prior messages and use emoticons for a personal touch.