Comeback Kid's Power Play: Palm Drops the Pre

[jlo mein]

Originally Posted by Mancini

With turn-by-turn gps coming to the iphone, along with the other updates in 3.0, I'm beginning to wonder how well the pre will fare. The only thing remaining on my personal wish list is native skype, which the pre may or may not get.

There's also talk that AT&T will offer contract free iphones ($599 for 8GB / $699 for 16 GB). If Rogers follows suit then the decision comes down to price.

Hopefully the pre can be purchased new and unlocked for around $500 USD. I'm eager to see what unfolds in the next few months.

I feel the same. During the Palm Pre demos they really played up several features that the Pre has and iPhone doesn't, like copy/paste, universal search, A2DP stereo bluetooth, HSDPA tethering, and more. Now the iPhone 3.0 software seems to have added at least half the features the Pre was showcasing.

I have a feeling that the Pre's early announcement in January caused Apple to step up and provide these features, so Palm really shot itself in the foot with having the announcement and release date so far apart. I guess it was necessary on Palm's part since they needed some media buzz and investors, but the outlook for the Pre has certainly changed. Anyone who believes that the iPhone 3.0 software won't have a significant effect on the Pre is kidding themselves.

[Mancini]

Native Skype for iphone is here:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/16217...e_tuesday.html

I've been holding out for turn-by-turn gps and native skype on an intuitive, large(ish) screen device. Now those apps are finally and formally arriving - and doing so prior to the arrival of the Pre.

I would still consider opting for the Pre, if it were here, but it no longer has any particular draw for me. I suspect that the Pre will make an initial splash and quickly sink, although I hope I'm wrong. The best bet may be to short Palm's stock at some point this year.

[+Kardboard+]

Palm itself is shaping up to be a good acquisition, if anything. They're in no shape to duke it out with the big boys from Cupertino and Taiwan and Waterloo*, but there is that rumour that Dell might consider gobbling them up to compliment their own smartphone dreams (Android devices, etc.).

If that comes into fruition that would be very sad, being a Palm fanboy since back in the day. But then, at least the company and its amazing legacy will stay active.

I want the Pre, now, because of its emphasis on one-handed navigation. I went to my now toilet-dunked S22HT and it was a pain to use. Hated Windows Mobile, hated having to slide out the keyboard to really type anything, and no T9 on the numpad or even the option to type a "space" as it was a JDM phone. Grr. Went back to the E71 due to necessity and Nokia's emphasis on one-handed use was a breath of fresh air after suffocating in an airtight room of atomic fart. The Pre should be much the same, but better, as it's got the big-ass touchy screen.














*Apple, HTC, RIM

[jlo mein]

Palm website is reporting the Pre is coming to Bell Canada for the second half of 2009. If my stupid iPhone had copy/paste I would be able to post the link...

[+Kardboard+]

http://pre.bell.ca/palm-pre-features

[+Kardboard+]

http://www.prethinking.com/home/2009...e-amazing.html

First Pre review. Someone's getting in trouble for breaking the NDA hahahahaha

[jlo mein]

Just came across this engadget release which states that Sprint is officially releasing the Pre on June 6 for $199 (after $100 mail in rebate and on 2 year contract). I can't wait to see how the consumers and the market will respond.

All things considered, I'll probably get a new iPhone if its released this summer since I'm on Fido. Not going to switch to Bell just for the Pre...

[J____]

i want this damn phoneee!!! fuking beelllll!!! cdma should go to hell. lol

[Simplex123]

Review from BGR
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/...lm-pre-review/

[Mancini]

As much as I was hoping for a GSM Pre I don't think it will do terribly well in the long run. It needed to be released sooner in order to develop a substantial user base while there were still more gaps in the iphone experience.

The iphone now does, or will soon do, everything I've wanted...and more.

There was some allure in getting a highly capable phone that was not an Apple product, but the iphone development and support has become overwhelming. I've all but lost interest in the Pre and I'm probably not the only one.

[threezero]

OMFG WIRELESS CHARGING. THE FUTURE IS HERE

if palm comes out with nam 3g version i just might be tempt to bench my beloved iphone3g.


can't wait to see apple's comeback on the next iphone, better also have wireless charging

[+Kardboard+]

Wireless charging isn't new, not induction charging, anyway. Think of your electric toothbrush, some water kettles. It's slow too lol

[jlo mein]

Originally Posted by Mancini

There was some allure in getting a highly capable phone that was not an Apple product, but the iphone development and support has become overwhelming. I've all but lost interest in the Pre and I'm probably not the only one.

100% agree. I've grown accustomed to my iPhone 3G, and the 3.0 upgrade will provide most of the features that its lacking. The Pre is a hard sell right now with its sparse app store. I've also heard performance/speed on the Pre is lacking and the multiple card app setup with cards running in the background doesn't work as well as suspected.

[6insomnia9]

Eh, I'm planning to see how capable the Pre Palm is before I start thinking about investing in one but I don't think I would get a Palm until they release new devices, this one is too.. fat.

[+Kardboard+]

Bummer, can't embed it, but both Optimus and Megatron agree that the Pre > iPhone.

http://gizmodo.com/5303249/autobots-...ulz-iphone-sux