We just sat down with Palm for a more in-depth look at the
Pre, and here are our takeaways. First off, the software and hardware they're showing right now aren't the final versions. They're updating and tweaking as we speak, so some of the features haven't been implemented yet. Our take? Check it all out after the break, along with video, a full spec rundown... and in case you're wondering... it rhymes with Tree!
Software
The UI is incredibly well thought out and smooth. Animations going in and out of apps, and all of the menus and switching are done with a grace and simplicity that we rarely see on any device. The UI outclasses most of its competition on a number of levels, and actually may be quite a bit more revolutionary than the iPhone. Multitasking works like a charm, and reps say you can push it quite hard before you'll need to close applications. One of the most fascinating components of the UI is that when you're zoomed out to cards, the data is still active in the previews.
There are all sorts of little perks to the OS that make things easy and convenient. For instance, when viewing an email you can click on the sender and view their contact card, which is populated with traditional info like phone and email, but also includes statuses for different services like GoogleTalk and Facebook -- another tap and you're chatting with them.
The browser is based on WebKit, though it's actually faster at rendering, displaying and scrolling through pages than any of its competitors, including Mobile Safari. If you're on a web page you can flip the display around and it will automatically reorient.
We're told that the OS is based on Linux, and is in some way an extension of what they've been crafting for a while now, but on top of that Linux core is a display layer that is basically WebKit: all of the apps, including Palms own, are built in HTML, CSS and Javascript, and can make calls deeper into the OS for certain functionalities. That means almost any web developer can build an app for the phone, but there are limitations. 3D gaming, for instance, won't be possible, at least with version 1.0 of the OS -- though Palm might add a different, more powerful display layer in the future. Palm has confirmed that there will be an app store and an SDK which will be available to anyone.
The device features copy and paste, which is implemented by holding a thumb on the gesture area and grabbing the text you want with your other thumb or a finger -- there's also a dropdown menu that lets your move through a number of editing options.
Hardware
We were playing with prototype versions of the phone, but it's certainly all there, other than a bit of a rough slider mechanism that will certainly (hopefully) be worked out before the device goes to market.
The phone is very light and surprisingly thin, though it doesn't feel like a "toy." There are buttons and ports around the edges, but everything's fairly flush with the device -- and almost impossible to spot in the dark room we were checking it out in. The most notable protrusion is the ball / button, which feels a lot like a ball bearing -- if the OS relied on it more it might be a bit too small, but with plenty of swipes and gestures to do on-screen, it's probably just about right.
The screen is encased in the rounded shell of the device, but comes through incredibly bright and sharp, with zero trouble with viewing angle. Glare might be an issue outdoors, but it's not too bad otherwise. Touching the screen is responsive and precise, we never felt like it was "glitching out" on us, and with a few exceptions everything in the OS was large enough to be tapped on the first try with our gargantuan fingers.
The keyboard is reminiscent of the Centro or Treo Pro, but closer to the Pro in that the keys are spread out and somewhat larger. The key presses are about as shallow as the keys on the G1, but the rubberyness makes that forgivable. At a glance, it doesn't seem quite as robust as something like the Bold's clicky keyboard, but we didn't really get much time to play with it, so we'll hold our official statement. It's definitely useable, and we're looking forward to logging a few hours with it.
You can charge the phone over that wireless Touchstone accessory or over the microUSB plug... or by replacing the battery, as Palm was happy to point out.
The camera takes decent pictures, and that LED flash certainly helps, but it's not a particular strong suit of the phone.
On the Sprint end of things, they'll be pushing their "Everything" plans, and there'll only be a black version of the phone to start. There's no global roaming (of course), though Palm does have plans for a UMTS handset.
Here's a quick rundown of everything you need to know spec-wise:
- High-speed wireless (EV-DO Rev. A or HSDPA, depending on version)
- 802.11b / g WiFi
- Integrated GPS
- 3.1-inch 24-bit color 480 x 320 display
- Dedicated gesture area below display
- Slide-out portrait QWERTY keyboard
- Exchange email support in addition to POP and IMAP
- IM, MMS, and SMS messaging
- High-performance browser
- 3-megapixel camera with LED flash and "extended depth of field"
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP
- 8GB of internal storage
- USB mass storage mode
- MicroUSB connectivity with USB 2.0
- Proximity sensor for detecting when phone is near face
- Light sensor to automatically dim display
- Ringer mute switch
- Removable rechargeable battery
- 59.57 x 100.53 x 16.95mm closed
- 4.76 ounces
posted January 8th 2009 7:20PM
as soon as its available i"m getting one. all they have to do is make a virtual machine so it can read all the other great palm apps they will b ok. as far as camera is concerned it is a big deal. camera phones are the number 1 way photos r being loaded to photo sites and social networking sites. the lens is what makes the difference not megapixels. and expansion memory slot would b nice. if the pro can do 32 gigs this should at least b half or the same not a fourth. also being able to support flash based sites is probably the most important function in a phone. whoever get that right will have a real winner.
I hope there will be a convenient way to import my data from my old Palm/Palm Desktop. That's the main reason I don't want to switch to a non-Palm right now.
And here I was about to finally pull the trigger and buy an iPhone today. I am going to wait.
Nowhere can I discover if the Pre's OS is compatible with the standard Palm OS, which it'll need to be if I'm going to buy one.
Any takers?
Mark, apps will not work from the old OS, this is a new OS built from the ground up based on Webkits so no they wont work. But apps can be built easily really if your a web developer and thus there will be plenty made in no time at all.
@BearhawkBoston
Battery stuff has not been announced, But assume it will be roughly the same amount of time as most other modern devices doing similar of not a bit better being a new device using newer tech.
There is stereo bluetooth.
Not to much on the sync software? But going on it being based on webkits and web based code constructs I can not see why it should not be running under Linux as well as virtually all OS's.
I am sure there will be some graffiti or graphic apps being made but it will be from your finger so probably not all that good but if someone makes a good reader for your letter gestures then I am sure people will use it but I do not see why you would, just type on the keyboard?
Watch the video's and other articles about the phone like on here to know about the keyboard, it is a slight improvement most people are saying compared to the old palm ones. It has a rubber type feel and raised.
It does not need a mirror because it has a semi decent flash and depth perception technology BUT if you use the slide the finish on the back is mirror so you could use that if need be.
"what is the charge connector like? is there a cradle?"
go look up about the touchstone and again watch the videos on here. Touchstone is basically a puck on an angled base which will micro stick to just about any surface so it is not going to move about. With a new back for the Palm Pre you just put it on this thing and magnets hold it in place and it will charge without any cables and sync without any cables. The thing that comes with the box is just a Usb Cable. The touchstone acts like a cradle as well since it can be horizontal and vertical and will cleverly work on it. If you get a phone call it will turn on the speaker phone so you do not need to pick it up.
As for the service, Companies will be careful about the service and the phone, soon as they see people want it you will have a few trying to sign up with palm to use it.
I'm an old palm user, I used palm as calendar and for contact, it was lightspeeded in searching through thousands of entries in the past and in the future. Later, I bought a phone WM6 based device, from Htc. Nice the GPS, ugly the phone utility but S L O W like hell. A phone M U S T be fast. 4 seconds using "search" not 1 minutes. Calendar must allow events in color, and a good week view. PalmOS for this was great. I hope this device, though based on a different OS, includes meaningful calendar and is fast enough. Like my old Tungsten T3.
It's just an hope.
This is EXACTLY what I've been waiting for from Palm. I've been using Palm devices since the first Palm Pilot, and the Treo devices since the Treo 650. I have a personal Treo 680, and a Treo 750 for work. The Palm OS is behind the times when it comes to functionality compared to Windows Mobile and Apple's iPhone OS. This new webOS looks to be the OS that Palm NEEDS to stay afloat.
The Palm Pre looks to have all of the functionality I was looking for in the iPhone, including an actual keyboard instead of the on-screen keyboard (iPhone, Blackberry Storm). I was ready to get the 3G iPhone when it was released, but once I tested out the on-screen keyboard at an AT&T store, I decided I hated the on-screen keyboard. I do a lot of fast typing whether it's email or text messaging, and iPhone's on-screen keyboard is not responsive enough for me. The size of the Palm Pre is just right (from what I can see in pix), and they keyboard has the same layout I love with the Treo/Centro. We just need a GSM/AT&T model, and I'm ready to buy it.
On the video they typed the message using the slide out keyboard but i'm a fan of doing everything on the touchscreen, does it have that capability as well that I can typing on a virtual keyboard?
honestly everyone has or has used an iphone...it lost some of its appeal. i'd rather have something new that draws peoples attention. when i see someone with an iphone all i think is wow thats original..not. If your looking to be new and original the palm pre is the way to go
Flash and Mobile is very interesting, People just do not want it to crash their devices for one thing which you can very easily do in a flash application. Secondly you can make applications in Flash and people want you to make applications through there services and software to make money and/or to just be able to verify them for stability and function and legal. And with the Legal element they do not really want to much flash streaming video of movies going on. They have not finalised flash support or not and I think it will be the same as the iphone, Adobe and MS (silverlight) for that matter need to have a chat with companies making mobile devices and develop (which I am sure they are already) mobile flash and silverlight which can do the stuff people would like flash support for like youtube but have the limitations people want to prevent full flash applications functioning. This will be a challenge as you have flash forms etc on websites you may wish to use.
At the end of the day though your not going to be full on with the web as you are at home so a basic flash is what you will probably just need and I am sure we will see a mobile flash soon.
As for applications and development as with the OS it will be open to any web developer since it will be xml, css, (x)html and Javascript and if your in the industry like I am you know you can do more and more with Javascript all the time to create some great function and even replicate a lot of fancy flash visuals as well. Developing apps on this should be straight forward.
Games: It is not going to be games and to be fair Mobile games are not all that. Iphone certanly can do some cool stuff and it is fun to mess with them but gaming on the move has only really been made a success on the DS. Nintendo seem to be the ones who can do this well and it should stay with those companies. The psp which I have is great but I hardly use it because your out and about and if I am watching a movie on a plane its with the planes video's or my laptop and if you have a phone like this or the Iphone your someone who probably has a laptop as well and you need something that complements your other devices.
People always say and strive for everything in one device and I want that but we have to face facts, we are miles away from those goals still and your going to have a few devices still. I will still use my ipod for my music for my music and If I am running that is what I will have and probably not my phone. If I am out, going out and everything else I will have my phone and a bit of music on it will get me by if I am bored out and about but I am probably doing stuff. In terms of business or a busy life the calender the gps, the wifi, the internet, bluetooth and any application that helps time management, business or social aspects then this and the iphone and like are great and that is what you want and then sync them ok with laptop or pc/mac.
In 2009 your social, business and technology hub are a merge of each other and linking this things together in the technology world we will still have a number of devices. You got your pc/mac at home and your mobile computing through your notebook/laptop and you have your mobile device which is your tool and your phone.
Your going to have extra things still to do certain jobs well, your music player for one. You just want the ability for all these to communicate and interact well, that for me is most important, I want cars to have USB ports to hook up my music player and the capability to charge my devices and doc them and so on.
Things like the palm's charger removing the cable element especially in a car and so on.
Lets take the Iphone and Ipod apps - be honest here how many of us have installed all manner of games and apps and tried them out and then not used them and have had them sit there for ages using up space an nothing else or just whip them out to show people or mess with for 2 minutes when very bored?
Think about what you actually do and use, for me the ones I use the most are just the really well built ones that have actual use such as the very well made facebook app.
That leads to applications. We are going to have more and more of these types of phones with their own form of application use. It would be nice if we got to the point that on different mobile OS's an app will work the same because its already becoming a real pain for mobile application developers to work with all these different SDK's. BUT that is not going to be very likely any time soon so the best we can hope for is that it is at least not to hard to port things. I want to see people Like Palm at least look at the Apple SDK and incorporate features and abilities to make it easy for a developer to take their iphone app and convert it for their devices. Using languages such as html, css, javascript, xml, sql/sqllite, ruby on rails and python should be the way to go and trying to keep to just a few of these or the option to use multiple ones should be the best way about things.
09 will see less random apps and more competition for more refined ones but still a growth in this area will occur.
In terms of a new phone I think I am going for this one as it already looks for what I realistically want from a new phone AND actually USE! and still have that wow factor for people looking at you using it :P
@Dre, Go to youtube, actually a few people here. Watch more videos about this phone to see more apps and more features. There is no on screen keyboard.
Just to jump in, people on Engadget are smarter then many on youtube of course but just to make sure people remember, also while on youtube refresh your memory by searching for - "TED multi-touch" And perhaps look at old palm products back in the day as well and just remember apple do not invent everything or do things first. What apple do and what they do well is get an industry area to push and become popular. They do well because they use technology that is there or concepts that already exist and do them in the way that people have wanted or would like and do it in a way that appeals to people thus becoming popular even if it is not the best. What this in turn does in the industry is get other companies to wake up, some of which who have perhaps been lazy and actually go produce new products based on these concepts and approaches and then produce better products.
Problem is of course you then get the fan boys and not so bright people thinking other things are just a rip off of ipod products ^^
It will always be the case that something popular comes along others will use the concepts and ideas and what people like and do the same or similar within the legality and intellectual property rights. It would be daft not to, why do something different when people like it?
Does it do push email for POP/IMAP?
Does anyone have an idea as to the most cost-effective way to dump an Instinct for this Pre?
Seems like thr phone/pda for me. I was on the verge of getting the Treo 800. Only one deal-breaker: will PRE sync well with my MS Outlook files?
I have a Palm Centro and I love it. I love that I can use and manipulate word docs and store them on my phone to email if I like. It have Vcard which if you know how to implement is way cool. I am exctited about the Pre. It does seem that most phones seem to fall down somewhere in the process. To have a device that LITERALLY works as a mini laptop (photos, music, vidoes, office programs) and has a good camera is un heard of. Usually the camera is great but the mp3 player sucks. One of the features I liked best on the LG Fusic was the FM Transmitter. (not all cars are equipped with jacks) To not have to have a memory card is pretty cool but the option to add more memory/storage is always nice. The touchstone is an amazing idea, i mean crap if that darn AC adapter doesn't seem to go missing if you are on the go alot. Now if we can just replace the auto charging in the same manner! oh buddy lol. Like I said I love my Centro, it is like a mini office. The only feature it didn't have that the blackberry had was actuall windows programs, and the blackberry you have to pay extra for service outside of carrier service. WHAT? I am stoked about the Pre. It will be nice to have options outside of the iphone. The only problem I see is versatility cause with my Centro you have to us Palm OS programs and games, LG and Samsung games won't work. A good music player with good sound even without headphones is a plus. I wish I could say I would wait til generation 2 comes so any bugs would be worked out.... yeah.. not gonna happen, can't wait to get my hands on the PRE!!!!!!!
"Pre’s introduction, website, technology packaging, industrial design, UI, product naming and positioning…down to the flow of its CES presentation were pointedly, but perhaps not surprisingly, Apple-like. Of all the current iPhone competitors, Pre clearly captures the “soul” of the iPhone as much as any product not-from-Cupertino can. Whatever Pre “borrows” from the iPhone, it does so not with the brazen indifference of recent iPhone-killers, but with care and purpose."
However:
"Palm is clearly late to iPhone’s party. By the time the first Pre is sold, the iPhone will likely have 30 million users in 70+ countries, 15,000 apps, a huge developer and peripherals ecosystem, perhaps a third of the market share and 40% of smartphone revenues. And that’s before the next generation iPhone device and OS are introduced."
I explored Pre's chances in:
Strategic shortcomings of Pre in the post-iPhone era
http://counternotions.com/2009/01/12/pre/
Sprint only? SPRINT ONLY?? GRRR!!! VERIZON WILL NEVER OFFER A DECENT PHONE EVER!
What an amaizing device. The only thing I'm left wishing for, it's a slightly bigger screen; One as large as the iphone would've been perfect. I love all the other features though, specially the ability to run multiple applications. I'm also a fan of the combination of the slide-out keyboard with a large touch screen. I find virtual keyboards much less intuitive.
For all those people who are not happy with the Palm Pre is going to Sprint, let me tell you, I've been with Sprint for exactly four years and I don't remember ever having a dropped call or loss of service (including internet). But, because of the lure of the iphone and the roll-over minutes, I was ready to switch to ATT...So, a couple of days ago, before learning of the Palm Pre, I called Sprint to cancel my account and becasue they wanted to keep me, they offered me free unlimited intenet for both of my phone lines. No expiration date on their offer and best of all, no new contract. That's an amazing offer worth 30 bucks a month from Sprint, ATT or Verizon.
Needless to say, I'm glad I don't have a new two year contract with ATT and a 30 dollar monthly charge for the privillage of owning an iphone.
If the Palm Pre is priced around 200 green ones and it doesn't come with a mandatory data plan, that would make it truely revolutionary.
Based on the videos, pics, and specs it seems like this is exactly the answer all frustrated i-phone 3g users such as myself have been looking for. Everything on it makes sense. It has everything the Iphone has but better and includes all that is missing. It also makes sense not to have a landscape pullout keyboard because it would be used primarily for one hand typing which i feel is very useful for anyone who's tried that on the iphone.
key features that stand out for me:
fastest browser, user friendly GUI, touch screen, SDK, app store, pull out keyboard, wireless charging, removable battery, COPY & PASTE, LED flash, MULTITASKING programs. 8GB memory, wifi.
oh man.. this thing's gonna be a killer!
- conrad @
http://www.deftune.com
Yeah... I'm also fishing to see if Adobe Flash is going to be supported... Flash video has become somewhat of a backbone of the Internet, but I really just want to flaunt my SmugMug slideshows fullscreen!
Any idea if and when Verizon might offer the Pre?
My question is..
Will this phone need the same plan just like the Instict needs in order to someone to have the phone working?
or You will be able to use with any plan you want to?
Thanks For your time
most important question of all...
does the browser support flash???
It is a good phone. Looks cute. I saw another artice with many more videos in another site. Take a look at it if you want to know more:-
http://www.kanbal.com/index.php?/Electronics/palm-pre-the-iphone-rival.html
The Pre seems like a nice phone, but certainly doesn't seem as nice as the iPhone, which is a fantastically engineered product with (admittedly) some problems. My biggest complaints re iPhone are 1. proprietary software 2. no cut & paste and 3. difficult keyboard 4. slow internet connection on Edge and 5. special battery replacement needs. Some of these are more annoing than others. Nevertheless, I do not think that this plasticky soap-dish from Palm is gong to be much better. For starters, as a former owner of multiple Palm products, I am completely convinced that there is about a 95% chance this is a piece of junk. Certain keys on the keyboard will likely fail, its OS will probably crash regularly - losing data and dropping calls. Unless the thing comes in at 3/4 MSRP of the least powerful iPhones on the market, it will not take off due to inferior design. On the flipside, iPhone will continue to be a sort of "status symbol" of youth and artistic culture and its price tag also makes it have the bling appeal to lower-income buyers. No one is gonna get their Pre gold-plated, but plenty do it to the iPhone -- not my thing, but others are into it and who am I to judge their taste? Getting back to the point, the iPhone is a classic, beautiful object. The Pre, on the other hand, is, unfortuntely, just another gadget that'll get chucked in the bin after a year or two.
I used to be a Palm fan, back when I had a m185. But Palm had slipped behind, Win Moble had caught up, and Windows Mobile never exactly caught on fire. The the iPhone came out of nowhere and gave people what they wanted.
I was thinking of saying "too little to late", but I'm really impressed, and don't know which smartphone to lust after. I'm wondering how long they took to design this. It could have been half baked when the iPhone came out, they created feature parody to the iPhone with incredible polish.
It's going to be interesting to watch...
hallo
i can't wait for it!!
Hi everyone my name is Blain. I am a big Palm user. I have had all models from the Palm Pilot all the way up to the Centro. I will not touch a Palm with Windows Mobile. True fans are those with PalmOS or the new Palm WebOS. I have a Facebook group called The Palm Pre. Come by and join, and lets talk about this exciting new newness that we have all been waiting for.
http://www.PalmPreForum.org
Can't wait to meet ya.
Two unanswered questions:
Does it make loud, clear calls, & does the damn phone shoot video? (yes I am the one person who uses my phone to take video)
I'm curious if they will require a data plan for the phone because the reason i didnt get the iPhone was the data plan itself.
Hi,
I have a Palm Treo 755p, that I love, but the big reason I have not been more tempted to get an iphone is that i tether my treo to my mac as a modem when I can't get to wireless. Does anyone know if this will be able to do that as well?
Thanks
look at this design, made in 2005:
http://www.prodlab.com/forschung/material/led/IO_fish_bill.html
very similar ;)
Looks pretty cool...and looks to have a well thought out implementation. I'm impressed, especially considering Palm's dismal development history in years of late.
But to be fair, it's always been easier to copy and improve upon someone else idea. Wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't so similar to a certain other device...almost as if it were someone else's take on the next iteration. No love for the iPhone here...just an objective observation. Also, wouldn't be as big of a deal if Palm wasn't so easily throwing around the word 'innovation.' They did a good job, but I think innovation is a bit too strong of a word for what they've done.
The Pre look's awesome..but to be fair the iPhone set the bar and it's working off two year old hardware with no major software upgrades. The iPhone has pushed the smartphone market to the forefront, heck my mom own's one. I think Palm will build on what iPhone started. And like always Apple will one up the field again. Sure the iPhone is missing a few key things the pro's out number the con's it has truly change the game. But it's always great to have a few players in the game to spur some innovation.
I predict WebOS is going to rise above the rest in terms of functionality and usability. On the hardware side, I am praying that Palm takes a page from the HTC Touch Pro 2 and offers a "landscape" form factor with a full keyboard and bigger screen. Now that would be a match made in heaven.
PR
I love iPhone competition. Keeps Apple on their toes, and will make my next iPhone even better than the one I love. This--and it's my opinion only (before you flame me)--is not an interface I am wowed by like I was when Jobs showed the iPhone, it's not a form factor that looks cutting edge to me, and it's death knell is Sprint.
All those things will keep me with an iPhone that I mostly love, sometimes scream at, and overall gets better with every app developed for it.
Apologies to the paid evangelists from Sprint and Palm here pretending (badly) to be wowed by it just by these pictures.