Handspring has released a new version of its Treo Mail software, first launched in March, that it said delivers significantly improved email performance to Treo smartphone users and adds support for Lotus Notes.

Powered by Visto, Treo Mail is a personal wireless email service that provides integration with a Microsoft Outlook/Exchange, Lotus Notes/Domino or POP3 email inbox. The company said users can compose, send, receive and delete messages right from a Treo Communicator using an existing business or personal email account. Messages are formatted for the communicator display, compressed and delivered securely between Treo and the desktop.

According to Handhspring, Treo Mail 1.5 now automatically sends messages in the background when other applications are in use, and when used on high-speed 1xRTT and GPRS data networks, Treo Mail will synchronize faster and more frequently. Other improvements include direct access to URLs, email addresses and phone numbers within an email as well as several enhancements that take advantage of the color displays of the Treo 270 and 300 models.

The company claims Treo Mail's integration with other core applications on Treo is a key advantage over other email devices and solutions. Web pages can be launched, phone numbers dialed, and emails addressed by clicking the corresponding information (URL, phone number or email address) that arrives in an email.

Treo Mail is available for a free 30-day trial at Handpsring's website in two versions -- the Internet Edition, which accesses POP3 Internet email accounts, and the Corporate Desktop Edition, for Microsoft Outlook/Exchange or Lotus Notes/Domino email accounts behind a corporate firewall. Following the trial period, Treo Mail customers pay on an annual subscription basis, $49.99 for the Internet Edition and $99.99 for the Corporate Edition. Existing Treo Mail customers can upgrade to Treo Mail 1.5 at no additional cost.