The New Palm Pre
 

Hmm, looks very nice from the CES blogs.

Physical keyboard plus big screen is great. Not sure about being exclusive to Sprint.

Any info, reactions, thoughts?

No thoughts from the techies and geeks here? Thing was the buzz of CES.

The GSM/3G version will be out soon, for the rest of us.

It Looks great. I really like the form factor and it matches exactly the way I would use my phone.

BUT...The biggest problem I have is they abandoned the Palm developed software. Do we need ANOTHER competing, incompatible, OS?

I abandoned PalmOS because the writing was on the wall. I went to Windows Mobile 6 because it has the largest base of software. I expect that Palm will make a WM6 version of this phone, just like they have with most of the recent phones.

As far as why they brought it out on the Sprint network first? Probably because they were able to get an agreement with Sprint the easiest. AT&T is not likely to bring out a Palm phone to compete with the iPhone. T-Mobile would be a very good place to go, but T-Mobile's 3G uses a different frequency than the rest of the world.

If the phone can be setup to be VOIP in a wifi hotspot, like T-Mobile has with the curve, I think they will have a serious winner.

First off, I think its awesome that Sprint got the pre first!



Jon Rubenstein now heading up PALM had a big part in creating the iMac and the iPod. I think the Palm Pre is very apple esque. Looks like a sweet phone to me!

Does T-Mo even have 3G ?

There was a buzz at CES? It sounded more like a death rattle to me.

Ian

Yep, they brought it out about 9 months ago. But it uses a different RF band so you need a phone designed for it.

cool.

"Sprint only" = deal killer. Next.

Sorry dude SmileWavy

Why, is it NOT Sprint only? Sprint blows.

This model is Sprint only. There are 2 Centros, a Sprint and a GSM version. There will be 2 Pre models, one for Sprint, one for GSM. I expect they were able to get the licensing deal with Sprint quicker than anybody else.

I left Sprint 8 years ago due to poor coverage. Have heard their coverage still not the best.

However, data on Sprint 3G network (e.g. if use a datacard) is reportedly signif faster than VZ EVDO rev a - I looked into this because in past year my VZ datacard has been almost useless at events where lots of EVDO users.

And they do seem to be farther along w/ 4G/WiMAX than the other carriers (unless somethings' changed in past few months, not been keeping current) so a future WiMAX-equipped smartphone could be pretty interesting on the Sprint network.

Awesome phone, IMHO.

If Palm can somehow remain relevant and solvent until the Pre is released, the Pre may have a chance.

I agree with most of the opinion here:
http://counternotions.com/2009/01/12/pre/

FWIW.

Best,

I just picked up a Palm PRO. It's basically an updated Treo in an iPhone form-factor (much slimmer than the Treo 750 it replaced). Great phone so far, especially if you prefer an NON-slide out keyboard, and the Windows Mobile platform (this one came with WM 6.1). I believe it's also their first completely "unlocked" phone and works with any GSM network. I have ATT, and just popped in my SIM card and was good to go. It's got all the normal Treo smart-phone/Windows Mobile bells and whistles, as well as wi-fi, GPS, 3G, etc...

http://www.palm.com/us/products/phones/treopro/

Eric, Did you have to pat full price, or did you find a discount somewhere?

I think Sprint is awesome!

So there

Snow Tires

Palm will definitely be solvent for long enough. Should have appx $325MM cash in bank after latest infusion, only buring about $20-30MM/qtr.

More info, pretty detailed, w/ links to more:
http://palmaddict.typepad.com/palmaddicts/2009/01/little-things-a.html
http://i.gizmodo.com/5126870/in-a-nutshell-palm-pre-vs-iphone-vs-g1
http://technologizer.com/2009/01/09/palm-pre-vs-apple-iphone-3g/

Sounds like not going to be exclusive to Sprint for too long (6 months?). Doubt VZ adopts it in 09 (they're always so slow on new hardware), imagine T sticks w/ iPhone, but T-Mobile needs a cool phone too?

The WebOS sounds very slick and looks very pretty. Might pressure Apple to allowing third-party apps to have background processing or push. I'm not sure why Apple has taken so long to add cut/paste, but I guess they'll do it soon now. The screen looks smaller than the iPhone's, I'd prefer larger as many webpages are just too hard to read even w/ pinch/zoom. I like the curved look and really like a physical keyboard.

I predict the pre is exclusive to Sprint for 6 to 12 months. IMO when the GSM version come out I would bet it will be an unlocked phone. T-Mobile just released the G1 and in 6 or 12 months there will be something newer out.... I wont get rid of my nextel phone because I use the PTT too much but I have been thinking about getting smart phone for a while. Weather you like Sprint or not (I like them and think everyone should get Sprint;) the real winner here is Palm! I thought they might go bk and I am super impressed!

I was about to pay full price, but lucked out and found a new one for sale locally for $425 so I jumped on it (guy won it in a corporate raffle, and had no use for it).

Since then I have seen a couple others pop up on craigs and fleabay, and the prices seem to be coming down.

FYI: If you are looking for one, it's internal name is 850, so you might include that in your search.

SmileWavy

I had a chance to handle a Pre today and watch as the owner demo'd it.

I'm really impressed. The phone feels great, nice curved surface and weighty sliding action then a positive click. The keys are good, not quite as wide as a fullsize blackberry though. It is definitely a lust worthy device.

My take so far is that there are two big things the Pre has that my iPhone lacks. The physical keyboard, obviously. And the multi tasking OS, which is a big deal - this may spur Apple to unlock background processing for third party apps. And since it will be offered with Sprint's unlimited everything plan (no limit to minutes, data, or testing) it might drive ATT to better pricing too.

The iPhone's larger screen and onscreen keys do give it some advantages, like easier multilanguage support.

Anyway, I think it's going to be a great device. I'm locked in to ATT now, and wish I had waited.