Palm has opened a Research and Development Centre at Swords, Co. Dublin, with the support of Industrial Development Agency Ireland.

The centre will develop custom software applications for Palm® Treo™ smartphones for the mobile operators in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

Due to the differences in global wireless-communications systems, Palm believes mobile solutions are best delivered with targeted R&D activities and close collaboration with European mobile operators.

The new European Engineering Centre will choose and develop core, leading-edge technologies, such as 3G/UMTS, to help Palm accelerate the delivery of next-generation smartphones to European mobile operators and their customers and will implement radio technology and mobile operator-specific services and applications. The Centre will also support the mobile operators in their certification processes and helping field – qualification teams.

“We are delighted to open this centre in Europe, a significant step up for our R&D function. This move reflects our intention to accelerate the delivery of next-generation smartphones to European mobile operators and their customers,” said Ed Colligan, president and chief executive officer of Palm.