By DPA
Munich : Smartphones can now enjoy plus size screens and keyboards thanks to a new gadget from Palm.
The Foleo Mobile Companion synchronizes with the phone via Bluetooth, letting it access a larger screen and an extended keyboard.
The company says the extension lets users view and write e-mails and other office documents on the phone, making it more like a personal computer.
According to Palm, the Foleo is also a computer using the Linux operating system. It has a USB port, a video connection, a port for headphones and a slot for SD and compact flash cards for increased memory.
The Foleo will be available in the US this summer and in Europe later in the year for $499.
The Companion is compatible with Palm's Treo Smartphones, which use either Palm OS or Windows Mobile systems. Preliminary tests have also shown that even non-Palm smartphones using Windows Mobile systems can swap data with the Foleo after minimal or, in some cases, zero upgrades.
Palm has already said that other Smartphones using the Symbian system and special software should be able to work with Foleo.