In a financial earnings conference call, Palm chief executive Ed Colligan revealed that wireless carriers as well as software developers are holding devices with the new Palm 'Nova' OS - the company's Linux-based, mobile OS platform. Colligan touted the revamped 'Nova' OS platform as being integral to the company's return to profitability in 2010.

Extremely pleased at the positive reaction from its carrier partners about the new platform, Palm has also brought some existing software developers into the fold, to ensure the new platform launches with third-party software already available.

Palm is widely expected to debut the Nova OS at CES trade show in Las Vegas on January 8, 2009.

Regarding the launch of Nova, Colligan said: "Our first next generation phone is set for launch in the first half of calendar year 2009 as planned. It's early in this space, and there's an enormous amount of opportunity left" for new handheld OS and device entrants. Colligan added that existing developers had been briefed, so that a robust set of applications is ensured as the product is launched.

Alongside the launch of Nova, Palm will also continue to develop Windows Mobile products. Colligan said that the new OS will be targeted more towards consumer applications, where "Windows Mobile will continue to be the company's platform of choice for enterprise devices."

In addition, Colligan also said that over the next quarter, the Palm Treo Pro - currently available through limited AT&T and T-Mobile channels - will be launched "in partnership with a major US carrier."