Palm today unveiled a brand new mobile platform called webOS, built from the ground up. Palm Pre will be the first mobile device based on the new platform.

Here are some of the key features of Palm WebOS:

Linked contacts - With Synergy, you have a single view that links your contacts from a variety of sources. For example, if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook, Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they’re the same person and links the information, presenting it to you as one listing. And if you update a contact on your webOS device, it also will be updated in your various accounts, whether on a personal computer or on the web.

Layered calendars - Your calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view, combining work, family, friends, sports teams, or other interests. You can toggle to look at one calendar at a time, or see them all at a glance.

Combined messaging - Synergy lets you see all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with text messaging. You can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

Web applications - Applications are seamlessly connected to the web and always active

Run multiple applications at the same time - It lets you keep multiple applications open and instantly flip from one to another

Instinctive user interface - With its multi-touch interface, webOS lets you move easily between activities like flipping through a deck of cards and rearrange items simply by dragging them; when you are done with something, just throw it away. And finding what you need is easy with universal search - as you type what you’re looking for, the OS narrows your search and offers results from both your device and the web.

Intuitive notifications - When important things come up or new updates arrive, you’ll receive unobtrusive notifications. For example, if you receive a text message or email, a scrolling notifications bar at the bottom of your screen lets you address it right away or leave until later.

Palm Pre is scheduled to be available in the first half of 2009.