Pre Sprint Navigation app demoed on video

It's not quite a flood, but there's been a steady trickle of Pre news out of CTIA this week, and the latest is this video demo of the Sprint Navigation app. It's pretty familiar stuff if you've ever used the carrier's TeleNav-powered navigation on a device like the Samsung Instinct, but does have a nice coat of webOS interface sheen to it, and let's face it -- we'll take all the Pre demos we can get. Video after the break.

[meoyskie @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:15PM]

Sprint includes Nav with unlimited data.

[Hunter @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:20PM]

Actually, for the Instinct at least, the Simply Everything plan that you usually have to get for semi-smart phones includes this service for free. Well saying its free isn't exactly true because it's part of your bill whether you use it or not, but there's no EXTRA monthly fee to use it.

[Miguel @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:18PM]

Cool.....I dont pay monthly for my sprint Navigation because its in my plan already, so no it wouldnt make a difference...i like the turn by turn with the sprint nav. I just use Google maps for the Street view.

[Dragonfly @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:22PM]

Not too impressed by this, its pretty much just standard fare.

[KevinC @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:40PM]

Of course you aren't. Of your 40 or so comments on this site, I believe 2-3 of them did not include 'Apple, iPhone, or Steve Jobs'. Seriously guy, you've got a bit of a fixation going on.

[Taylor. Yes, Taylor. @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:49PM]

Standard fare for what? There is no nav on the iPhone or the G1, as far as i know. What is standard about this?
-Taylor

[Hamidxa @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:28PM]

"Standard fare" that your iPhone lacks and any other TRUE smart phone on the market has.

No one is buying your faux-discontent.

[Mike10010100 @ Apr 3rd 2009 8:53PM]

I believe he just means "standard fare" as in it looks just like every other implementation of that GPS software on Sprint's lineup of phones. The interface looks almost exactly the same as on my HTC Mogul.

Calm down guys, although I do agree that this is lightyears ahead of the iPhone and the G1.

[Danial @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:31PM]

My question is, are they using the same SDK as everyone else?

[Andrew @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:36PM]

Yeah - it seems like they must have some super-secret SDK. A super-secret SDK I would like to see released to the world.

[TitaniumMan @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:46PM]

I would like this to be answered because, if true it looks like smaller developers will be second-class citizens, which would be horrible.
And no, saying that they will fix this sometime in the future, isn't enough. Either give me a specific date or don't say it at all.

[Jeff Wheeler @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:59PM]

They've already confirmed several times they do use the exact same API (via the Mojo SDK) as they provide to all other developers.

[Tyler @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:33PM]

Unlimited Data = Required for Pre
Data = Unlimited GPS

...no extra fee. Dur.

[dtatgenho @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:39PM]

Actually, a data plan will be required, but an *unlimited* data plan will NOT be required.

On Palm's site, they note that for the Pre, "A data plan is also required. Unlimited usage data plan strongly recommended or additional data charges may apply."

[ai4281 @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:51PM]

Some carriers charge monthly for their own branded services.

I guess Sprint Navigator, at some point in the past, used to offer their navigator service with monthly charges. They charge monthly for Sprint TV as well, don't they?

I'm with Telus in Canada, and they charge a fee for pretty much everything that they have to offer. Navigator, TV, weather, news, stocks, etc...

Just because you have unlimited data, doesn't mean that services that require data are unlimited as well.

[meoyskie @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:58PM]

No, Sprint TV/Radio is also included with unlimited data, as is unlimted text.

[dtatgenho @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:41PM]

@Chris Are:

AMEN!

I'm all boned-up over here!

[Harley3k @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:47PM]

I really like my iPhone and I couldn't stand the thought of going back to Sprint, but gods damnit APPLE, get off your a$$es and get a decent GPS app on the phone!

The 3G w/GPS has been out almost a year now, and all I gots is craptastic GPS with Google Maps and a couple silent half-ass apps in the app-store.

[Dion @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:58PM]

turn-by-turn will be released for the iPhone with the 3.0 software. There will be plenty of turn-by-turn apps available, so no need to switch back to the shitty Sprint Network.

[Jonathan @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:26PM]

Hm, I never knew people used the word shitty for fucking awesome and superior to AT&T in service and pricing.

[Hamidxa @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:33PM]

Jonathan,

Only deluded iDiots who have been waiting for 2 years for an oft-promised but never delivered turn-by-turn GPS navigation app that have been readily available by the dozens on other platforms such as WinMo for years now.

Seriously, no reason to wait for yet another outdated feature being added to the already outdated iphone.

[phobic99 @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:52PM]

@Ham

You fail to realize that not everyone wants to use WinMo. Why the concept of "people liking different things" is so foreign to you, I'll never know.

Keep fighting the fight for MS though. I'm sure they don't care abou... I mean... I'm sure they love you dearly.

[Jason @ Apr 3rd 2009 8:24PM]

Ummm, Sprint's network is still way beyond AT&T's. I still don't get why people have bad luck with Sprint. Maybe they get payed to post on sites like this.

[Nick Catalano @ Apr 4th 2009 4:44AM]

Sprint has a better 3G network than AT&T. By leaps and bounds.

Wider coverage, better quality, etc, etc. When the iPhone 3G it was on AT&T to play catchup to Sprint & Verizon, and they still haven't matched the availability and QOS you get off the Verizon/Sprint network.

[chickenator @ Apr 7th 2009 1:22PM]

@Hamidxa,
Apple hateboy detected.

[Ali @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:48PM]

Sprint Nav is included in the Simply Everything plans.

And don't fool yourselves into thinking Sprint won't require everything plans for this phone. I'm pretty sure they're going to pull an Instinct.

[gadgetEn @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:37PM]

I know! I always thought this was total BS!!! but then again i do use all the features and would hate getting boned the other way... just the one way boning please!

[timepilot84 @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:41PM]

@TitaniumMan

As opposed to the iPhone where all developers are second class citizens.

[iphonerulez @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:49PM]

This damn Pre better be the finest handset ever made. Palm had better sell a million of these things in the first month due to it's amazing capabilities or whatever The hype behind this device is going off the charts for something that only one or two people ever used from a company that just a short while back avoided being bankrupt. I want to see Palm do well, but I wish they'd hurry and and get this thing in production so the world can sample it's greatness.

[oghowie @ Apr 3rd 2009 7:50PM]

Mypre.com has some very impressive videos.

[p3t3b2 @ Apr 3rd 2009 8:00PM]

Impressed, that app was actually running on EVDO, inside a building.

[Squid7085 @ Apr 4th 2009 8:01PM]

Wow... I keep getting more and more impressed with this device. It seems Palm is placing itself as the first major competitor to the iPhone. Apple should be crapping their pants about now. I am an Apple Fanboy so naturally I am an iPhone Fanboy. The terms of being that forbid me from saying that... Holy crap I want one of these. Please Apple, don't make me want one of these. Any iPhone Fanboy that talks crap on this device and says its stupid is lying, they are just shitting in their pants right now because this is a serious device. I will save saying its an iPhone killer till I can actually play with one. However, Apple is going to need to do a bit more than the 3.0 software to go up against the Pre. Apple has a head start, but as Apple proved, have a winning device and you can make a serious dent. I love my iPhone, but I also like to have the best thing. BTW, I have been an Apple fanboy from the early 90's, basically as soon as I could actually use a computer. I'm not by any trade new to Apple or anything. I'm just brutally honest. :-)

[htowngator @ Apr 3rd 2009 8:14PM]

iPhone fanboys melting down again over the Pre? Say it ain't so.

LOL

[Shank @ Apr 3rd 2009 10:58PM]

I own iPhone , I can't wait till this is released!!
It only has to do 1 simple thing to earn coveted title of iphonekiller.
That is sell zero to 1 million in 72 hours like iPhone did 7 months ago.
That's all nothing more , nothing less.

[laughing_skullx @ Apr 3rd 2009 8:24PM]

Not that I would use the navigation app, it's nice to see that it's well designed and seemingly very user friendly. If they are using the same SDK that is publicly available to developers then I applaud Palm. I'll definitely be getting one of these, getting bored of my curve, and blackberry just can't release anything decent on Sprint :/.

[crow610 @ Apr 4th 2009 3:42AM]

What "SDK" are you guys refering to?

[Phoenix @ Apr 4th 2009 7:37AM]

The Mojo SDK, now available to developers. You just gotta apply to Palm, they're picking the people for now.

[Mystech @ Apr 3rd 2009 8:51PM]

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but last time I checked TelNav's solutions download mapping data "as you go" so if you are trying to use their GPS solution outside a reliable data area, you are out of luck (you'll get a GPS fix, but no detailed map to impose it on, just the low detail "base map").

I'm on a G1 with T-Mobile, so frankly, its a moot point on the monthly fee alone, but subscriptions on top of no onboard maps is a double fail, as far as I'm concerned. And yes, and 8-16gb microSD could easily accommodate said maps (I own an older Garmin that does so quite nicely with less storage than that).

[urdaddy @ Apr 3rd 2009 9:10PM]

u idiots its standard fare to basically EVERY phone that has telenav software. i just had to use this software and the crappy gps in an samsung blackjack and it looks almost identical to this except smaller. and how many people have a palm pre?? just curious because this thing is so lightyears ahead and yet your comparing it to a year old handset wtf do you expect? by time that thing is released the iphone update will be released or close to release and put it up to par with everything out there.

[KevinC @ Apr 3rd 2009 11:12PM]

Just to be clear. iPhone will never be on par with the Pre regarding multi-tasking (and others).
I love how Apple blames battery life as the reason. Aside from the obvious, a bunch of other phones can and have been doing it, it's their IRON LIKE GRIP on the os.

It took forever to get cut and paste (would've been awesome if they blamed battery life) because they had to figure out a way to get inter-app communication on a platform designed to prevent just that. They wont change their core code to allow multi-tasking.

Also, if they were so concerned about inconveniencing the consumer with frequent recharges, isn't the fact that you are supposed to send it in to replace the battery a little contrary to the convenience concept.

No, several of the things that iPhone wont do is by design and intent.

[Nick Catalano @ Apr 4th 2009 5:05AM]

No, the iPhone/iPod Touch software allows you to play music and media in the background behind every other app. this 'poor battery life' excuse apple is coming up with is nothing more than an excuse of "we are unable to design a product that does what every other smartphone on the market does, so lets ignores the fact that users should be able to do with their phones whatever functions they want to". If 'poor battery life' is Apple's mutlitaking excuse then Apple has basically admitted they both don't know how to design a battery and also they don't know how to design effective software.

The lack of built-in multitasking on the iPhone is proof positive that Apple cannot design a competitive phone OS.

[JSM @ Apr 4th 2009 8:36PM]

I have an iPhone & I am super impressed by this phone & operating system. I went from video to video like it was Entourage on dvd. I am happy for Palm - fortunately I do not care about cellular contracts - I go with what phone/carrier I think is the best/most progressive at the moment so I hope Palm can bring me from Apple like Apple did from WinMo.

[nimer_55 @ Apr 3rd 2009 9:45PM]

to bad im with bell, and wont be able to use sprint navigation, unless for some weird reason bell supports it, ill try.

[Shank @ Apr 3rd 2009 10:47PM]

Release date already !!I want to see if u can breakr zero to I million smartphones sales in 72 hours record set by iPhone8 months ago.
Can it?
Will it?
Next iphonekiller?
Will people desire it as much as iPhone ,,?

[zsmorr @ Apr 4th 2009 3:55PM]

Probably not, the pre can be a million times better than the iphone (and probably is), and it more than likely won't sell even close to the same. I know too many people that will buy ANYTHING that is made by apple lol. I hope the pre does well, I would really love to see palm make a huge comeback. I for one will definitely be getting the pre.

[Amaar @ Apr 3rd 2009 11:37PM]

They should of shown real time traffic!

[Brandon L @ Apr 4th 2009 12:50PM]

"She gets very angry if you don't follow her directions."

HAHA so the Pre is a she now.

[JM @ Apr 5th 2009 10:45PM]

After having the Palm 700w for the past two years, I am having a VERY hard time wanting to stay with them for another two years with the Pre even though it looks promising.

Palm totally soured my opinion of their brand with the 700w. Give this to me for free and let me use my SERO plan with Sprint and I might think twice about it.

[KiKiN @ Apr 8th 2009 12:57AM]

Sprint:
345,123 People just shat their pants (including myself)