According to DigiTimes in China, Copal Communications has received ODM orders for “several models of smartphones from Palm” with order volumes likely to top 5 million units. The report also points to Palm’s order volume being a significant growth driver for the company in 2009. While there have been rumors of a Treo 850, numbers like this suggest a combination of a new Centro device and possibly a new Palm OS 2.0 smartphone.

For many Palm OS faithful, the options have been rather limited. The last Palm OS powered Treo smartphone was the Treo 755p. While the Centro has been a success for Palm, it’s due in large part to ease of use found in the Palm OS and the pocket friendly form factor. The Treo smartphone has been regarded as a power-users smartphone and this group has been left in somewhat of a lurch. They either jump to Windows, the diminutive Centro or a competitor’s phone. This is crucial demographic for Palm and one might argue their core audience. Palm, not unlike Apple, has tremendous brand loyalty. The company has done a great job in expanding their market with the Centro smartphone and Windows Mobile powered devices, but it’s the release of a Palm OS 2.0 powered smartphone that will fill the void in the current product lineup.

via DigiTimes