Palm is continuing to support both Windows Mobile and Palm OS with the launch of its Treo 680 smartphone.

Following the release of the Windows-powered Treo 750v earlier this year, the 680 sees the company supporting the OS it originally developed.

The device supports email, web browsing and messaging in addition to mobile phone functionality.

The latest EMEA research from Canalys shows that year-on-year market growth for converged smart mobile devices (smart phones and wireless handhelds) in Q1 and Q2 2006 was 26 per cent.

Annual shipments will exceed 77 million units by 2009, compared to 26.5 million units shipped between Q4 2005 and Q3 2006 inclusive, according to forecasts from the analyst firm.

Roy Bedlow, Palm vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said: "The device provides a broader demographic access to advanced functionality on the move."

The Treo 680 smartphone is available today from the Palm e-store, at a recommended retail price in the UK of £299.