O2 has begun the marketing campaign for the Palm Pre a little bit early. The phone network has started adding information about the handset to the bottom of its customer support emails.

A Pocket-lint reader forwarded us a message he was sent regarding account administration with the following text at the bottom: "Have you heard about our latest Palm Pre phone that's in sync with your life? You can find out more about this phone by using the link below".

Unfortunately, the link provided takes you to a page about the iPhone instead, suggesting a screwup somewhere along the line. However - it also suggests that the network is close to beginning sales of the handset, which has until now only had a UK release date of "before Christmas".

The Palm Pre has had a rapturous reception in the USA, and is set - alongside the HTC Hero - to provide some much-needed competition for Apple's iPhone in the UK when it launches. Some have criticised the Pre's App Catalog as being underpopulated compared to the iPhone and the Android platforms, but Palm recently announced that it's taking steps to rectify that.

We've contacted O2 for further clarification about when the Palm Pre is out and will update when we hear back.

• News - O2 confirms it'll be selling the Palm Pre
• Link - O2's Palm Pre page

Recommended articles