Details of the First Palm Nova Smartphone Starting to Leak Out

Palm, Inc. is expected to unveil its new operating system, and at least one smartphone running it, on Thursday. Not surprisingly, the rumor mill is already running full tilt, with the latest being a brief description of this device, which is described as "iPhone-like".

This model will have a portrait-oriented touchscreen in front of a sliding keyboard, according to TechCrunch, who cites a "trusted source" as the basis for this information.

Almost the only description of the new operating system is a single adjective: "amazing", but this source does go on to confirm that it will include some of the features everyone is expecting: email, calendar, and address book. It will also include an on-device software store.

As often happens with rumors, many details are missing, like what types of wireless networking this device will be included, which carrier(s) will offer it, when the expected release will be, and so on.

More about Nova

Nova is the code-name for the new operating system Palm Inc. has spent the last couple of years developing. Company executives have promised that the upcoming operating system will be as easy to use as the current one, and it will be able to run legacy Palm OS software.

Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein says the goal is to create a platform that appeals to people who need a smartphone for both work and fun.