New webOS screenshots pop courtesy of SDK's emulator

Odds are you're going to have the phone to your ear nine times out of ten when this screen's showing, but it's still somehow interesting -- nay, mesmerizing -- so we're happy to see that a recent build of Palm's webOS emulator for developers has a polished version of the call screen included. Other goodies in PreThinking's new gallery include options for adding Google, Facebook, and Exchange calendars, the pop-up battery / WiFi / Bluetooth status display, Google Maps shots, and a bunch of miscellany that only true Pre aficionados could appreciate (you know who you are). Follow the break for another shot -- and let's hope the next time you're cycling through screens, it's on a Pre of your very own.

[awillinger Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:45AM]

i dont like having to click "keypad" when i'm in a call. there's enough room, why cant they have a keypad and those 3 other buttons

[nelagster Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:49AM]

they wanted to make it pretty

[BeeksElectric Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:50AM]

Well, unlike an iPhone, you can slide out the QWERTY keyboard and use the numeric keys on there if you think the touchscreen is too slow. I think the reason that empty space is so big is that during a real call they show your contact's portrait (which can either be set on device or, very coolly IMO, downloaded automatically from their Facebook or Gmail Contacts entry), and that space is also split up if you have multiple calls active.

Trust me, it's basically a prettier version of the Palm OS Phone app, and that thing more than gets the job done in my experience. My only phone-related feature that I'm worried got the boot was the ability to ignore an incoming call and immediately launch an SMS conversation with the caller, all with a single button press - incredibly useful in class or meetings.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:53AM]

@ Libb

don't set them off by starting your comments with "unlike an iPhone..."

[haX0r Posted Apr 29th 2009 4:28AM]

Hotness!

[jhoff80 Posted Apr 29th 2009 5:11AM]

From what I've seen, if it's someone in your contact list, a large picture of whoever you're calling appears there.

[JAmerican Posted Apr 29th 2009 6:51AM]

iRony anyone?? Palm Sim running on Mac OS X LOL!

[EpsilonNot Posted Apr 29th 2009 8:14AM]

Eh, considering Palm doesn't own a desktop operating system, it's really no more ironic than running such an emulator on Windows... (Windows being made by Microsoft, which also makes Windows Mobile)

[Gibson Posted Apr 29th 2009 10:31AM]

It likely shows other information in that window on the actual phone

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 11:41AM]

And unlike the iPhone.... sales will be lackluster for the Pre. To be known as the handset that everyone wanted yet almost nobody bought. Let's hope Palm and Sprint stay solvent long enough to give this puppy a chance of survival.

[ale Posted Apr 29th 2009 12:29PM]

I think its so our face doesn't accidentally hit any keys while youre calling. That can be a problem on capactives

[Koobs Posted Apr 29th 2009 1:26PM]

@ iphonerulz

Every time you post you make me want to cry, you're like Debbie Downer! Wah Waaah!

[Ellianth Posted Apr 29th 2009 12:25PM]

also like on other phones, when you're in a call you get some moderation options. start a conference, go to another line, remove a person from the conference, mute, hold. etc.

[moush Posted Apr 29th 2009 5:58PM]

@ale
I think they said something about a proximity sensor to prevent those kind of blunders. Who knows how it will work though.

[VanillaSpice Posted Apr 29th 2009 9:29PM]

moush - probably the exact same way the iPhone's touchscreen-disabling proximity sensor works.

[sit2k Posted May 8th 2009 8:51AM]

so you dont hit the keypad with your face...

[glenskey Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:45AM]

Aeroplane ! put the damn O in it!

[awillinger Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:47AM]

and change that nasty i to an E?

[ian9outof10 Posted Apr 29th 2009 4:59AM]

Agreed!

[superhobo Posted Apr 29th 2009 7:57AM]

This might be a dealbreaker for me. :(

[ColonelKernel Posted Apr 29th 2009 10:55AM]

You Brits are should be able to get your localization, but on your own devices. Don't get your knickers in a twist when an American company spells an American invention with an American spelling.

[Tid Posted Apr 29th 2009 11:56AM]

@Colonel Kernel

Whilst i agree that an American company has every right to use the American spelling of a word, can we please understand that the Wright brothers did not invent the "airplane" or the "aeroplane"; they were just the first to fly one in a controlled flight

[byungsohn Posted Apr 29th 2009 12:16PM]

@ Tid

as opposed to what? being the first to fly one in an UNcontrolled flight? while i can appreciate the theory of an invention, if the prototype doesn't work, then its not really an invention. in fact, isnt that how patents work? dont they need a working prototype?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:47AM]

Pre, Iphone, G1 Competition is so sweet. Pushing innovation.

[Prospero Posted Apr 29th 2009 7:59AM]

yep...aaand then there's slow old grandpa Microsoft

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 9:20AM]

Uh oh James, you just mobilized the Engadget Microsoft Defense Force...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 10:25AM]

uhm, maybe. I do have to say that I'm disappointing with all my fellow Microsoft fan-boys out there lately, everyone always seems to have so many negative connotations about us. this si one little reason.
I'm also sad to say that Microsoft's mobile software has let me down so often, I'm glad that I've stayed with sprint all these years cause now when the pre comes out and everyone is walking around with a G1 or an iphone, their all gonna be like "Damn son, that's a sweet phone"! sorry Microsoft, your mobile stuff just doesn't cut it. maybe next year, I'm not gonna give up on you, I'll still try everything you guys release, I just don't like the mobile stuff you guys have right at the moment.

[Bender Bending Rodriguez Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:48AM]

The UI refinements are nice, now we need how well it runs on the device.

[byran Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:53AM]

I get all tingly when I see new Pre stuff- it's like the iPhone, but better somehow. Maybe it's because I can't wait to get rid of mine... yeah, that's probably it. And look- it's so shiny!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:34AM]

Ha, I know exactly what you mean

though if palm follow a similar release schedule to the G1 and the iPhone we are not going to see one in Australia for ages

[stridermt2k Posted Apr 29th 2009 7:26AM]

Careful with that Kool-aid.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 10:27AM]

oh, dude that really kinda puts a downer on anyone's day. I'm sorry we American's are so greedy that we like hogging release dates.

[junktrunk Posted Apr 30th 2009 3:26PM]

@Kyle Brandes:

RE: American's

God, would you people learn how to write? I have no idea why contractions are so challenging. If you can't be bothered, at least don't label yourself as from the US so it doesn't imply that the rest of us are equally stupid.

[byran Posted Apr 30th 2009 4:46PM]

LOL@ Peter

I'm with you, and applaud your decision to tell him about it. For me, I've gotten sick of correcting people- I could literally spend all day and night doing it.

i dont unnerstand y people cant fugure out why to spell correct; or use correct grammer.

Maybe it's all the ads that encourage and promote them: "Think Different", instead of "Think Differently". "The funnest iPod ever". Shit kills me, seriously.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:58AM]

THEY STOLE FROM APPLE! Look at the Close/Minimize/"Maximize" bar in this screen grab! It's TOTALLY ripped off from OSX! Man are Apples Lawyers going to have a field day with this!





P.S. Yes. I am kidding.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 2:17PM]

Haha yeah I was going to have to rebuke that by saying its just the emulator running, not on the actual phone. Oh well, I hope we all had a good laugh.

[ian9outof10 Posted Apr 29th 2009 5:06AM]

It's a damming indictment of society today that you have to point out a gag like that.

I chuckled. Even before I read that it was a joke ;)

[smazms Posted Apr 29th 2009 8:48AM]

im just surprised you didnt leave the "yes I am kidding" bit off and watch the melee ensue, whilst quitely laughing to yourself at the idiots readily jumping to the bait.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:26AM]

Very crisp and good looking. Android, was it so hard?

[Gad Get Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:27AM]

More Pre stuff?!
STOP TORTURING ME! GIMME THE PHONE!

[demand Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:30AM]

What's the font in those screenshots, Gill Sans or something?

[Mr Nuclear Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:56AM]

Actually, it looks like 'Avenir'.

[VanillaSpice Posted Apr 29th 2009 9:42PM]

It's nice. Ideally it would probably should have a slightly looser kerning for an interface font (although as is it'd be perfect for block text).

[CreepinJesus Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:39AM]

If this is an emulator... why does the battery show 89%? Added realism? Or is it using the host's battery meter? Ou quoi?

[Freakin Ijit Posted Apr 29th 2009 7:25AM]

They just started up the emulator fresh for this and wanted to make it as realistic as possible, thus the 89%. In a few more minutes it would have shown 49%.

[(Unverified) Posted May 3rd 2009 7:53AM]

@freakin ljit

Wow, how did nobody get that joke. I thought it was hilarious. Attention spans of gnats. lol

ps.... LMAO, apparently I've got the same attention span seeing as how I responded to the wrong comment feed.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 3:59AM]

PreThinking is also reporting a 7th June launch date... as a rumour... i.e. a day before Apple's WWDC. If true... too much of a gamble there Palm? Surely they can't think that's a good strategy?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2009 12:31PM]

I hope thats true, my contract ends on the 6th and I can upgrade!

[(Unverified) Posted May 3rd 2009 7:49AM]

@freakin ljit

Wow, how did nobody get that joke. I thought it was hilarious. Attention spans of gnats. lol

[cornbread Posted Apr 29th 2009 4:00AM]

WHY IS NO ASKING THE IMPORTANT QUESTION?!?

Where can I get the virtualbox image so I cal play with the sdk?????