Handspring's Treo enters second market

Handspring on Thursday launched its Treo handheld/cell phone combination device in Singapore, the second market in the world where the product has appeared.

The Treo made its first market foray Tuesday in Hong Kong. Handspring is expected to introduce the handheld in the United States next month as a component shortage recedes.

Announced in October, the Treo uses Palm's operating system and comes in two versions. The Treo 180 has a built-in keyboard, while the 180g uses Palm's Graffiti text-recognition software for data input.

The devices will sell in Singapore for about $525 ($968 Singapore) with a two-year service plan. Singapore Telecommunications will be Handspring's exclusive mobile partner there.

Handspring said earlier this month that Treo's U.S. launch was delayed by the shortage of a key component, but it has not identified the component in question. The company is producing two versions of the device, one for Europe and Asia and the other for the United States.

Ernest Khoo reported from Singapore.