3:10 PM -- News of Palm Inc. 's long-awaited new device leaked a little early today, and, at first glance, it appears to be closest in form and function to that most maligned of mobile computing devices -- the tablet PC.

The Linux-based device, which has a large screen and full-sized keyboard, is intended to work in Tandem with the firm's Treo Palm OS- and Windows Mobile-based smartphones and allow users to view and edit email and office documents residing on a smartphone. "Foleo and its paired smartphone stay synchronized throughout the day or at the touch of a button," the company says in a statement.

I'm kind of surprised that Palm decided to try and develop such a companion device. It may well work wonderfully. This style of gadget, however, hasn't exactly been welcomed with open arms by users. Most seem to prefer to stick with laptops for serious business and smartphones for simple connectivity and messaging.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung