http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/]]>May 22nd 2009 1:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
You're extremely naive if you don't think the Pre will sell well before the new iPhone launch. Not everyone is smitten with Apple and AT&T. There are thousands upon thousand of Instinct owners that will be chomping at the bit to get this thing. I imagine if Sprint does indeed have a small supply (highest I've heard so far is 200k units) that they will be sold out in a week or 2, regardless of what Apple announces.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
I don't see how this could possibly do well between early June launch date and the time the new iPhone is potentially launched if there's going to be such a shortage. Palm and Sprint have really done everything wrong from a business perspective. They created a ton of buzz for a phone (which admittedly seems very cool), and then waited 5 months to release it. What this did was give Apple 5 months to ensure that their new handset matches (if not exceeds) the Pre spec-for-spec. It also ensured that anyone interested in both phones (let's face it the target market for both is probably pretty similar) will now probably wait for the iPhone for comparison (due dilligence) sake.

Don't get me wrong, Sprint will definitely sell a bunch of these to current Sprint customers (disgruntled Instinct customers, etc.) but they've truly minimized their chances of getting the percentage of AT&T/Verizon customers to switch to Sprint that they should be getting.

With the financial condition that Sprint (and Palm) are in, they should have maximized the opportunity to steal customers. This would have happened by selling the Pre while the current iPhone was getting stale, pricing it at $199 or lower without all the mail-in rebate garbage, and making tons of these so that launch day was not a huge disappointment for the people who want one. Sprint's not doing any of the 3 things, and it's probably going to hurt them long-term.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
That's fair, but that's just software - Apple can push updates to their 3.0 software overnight. From a hardware perspective, they've still been given a chance to do what they can to exceed other specs (camera, size/weight, etc). Also, no one's really been able to use the WebOS platform in any kind of real-world scenario. I have a feeling it's not going to work as perfectly as it seems - just like anything else.

The Pre will sell better than any other Sprint phone of recent years (just due to the fact that it's the best phone they've had in their stable ever), but you can't deny that Sprint/Palm aren't exactly putting themselves in the best position to maximize the opportunity.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
"isn't even close" is a hyperbolic exaggeration. Both have strengths and weaknesses that will appeal to or turn off different types of users. To categorically state that the iPhone "isn't even close" to the Pre is simply fallacious. I've deliberately restrained from comparing said strengths and weaknesses so we don't get into that whole debate again.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 2:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
I guarantee there will be stuff we have not been privy to yet, that’s just how apple works.]]>May 22nd 2009 2:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
Sign on Sprint store window at 7:59 AM... "Palm Pre in stock. One per customer"
Sprint store opens at 8:00 AM.
Sign on Sprint store window at 8:01 AM... "All Pres sold out due to overwhelming demand"

And this Pre is the supposed iPhone killer? Holy crap. I'm certain that a serious reality check is in order for Palm fanboys and iPhone haters everywhere.

14 days till June 6... A day that will go down in infamy. I can hardly wait.]]>May 22nd 2009 4:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
Good thinking.]]>May 22nd 2009 3:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 5:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
"Herro PREez"]]>May 22nd 2009 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
I'm with Sprint and am VERY interested in the phone, but the lousy 8GB built-in w/o MicroSD hurts it a little for me. I know it's all about the webOS, but give it room to breathe!

8GB is so 2008. ]]>May 22nd 2009 5:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Aa87qHHFo8
]]>May 22nd 2009 1:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
O.o

No, but thanks for pointing that out.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
Song is so sick:

http://www.imeem.com/jdeneilleo/music/s3oKHg3R/the-martin-brothers-stoopit-christian-martin-remix/

Good remix you made - hah]]>May 22nd 2009 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
Palm should be careful with this. It's not unique enough in its space to have the Wii factor, and so rushing it out just to beat WWDC by two days is a risky strategy. I'd rather they wait, let WWDC pass, then release in the window between competitors' announcements and actual ship dates. They're stuck between a rock and a hard place though: if they don't release, everyone will be pissed off together, if they do release a few, many will nevertheless be annoyed.

I guess this hype/release timing thing comes with practice, because Apple certainly seem to that side of it a lot better than Palm.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
Has anyone here bought a phone from Bestbuy before? How is their support? How is Sprint's over the phone customer support? I don't want to be without support when I buy my phone.

(for comparison, there are 5 ATT stores in my tiny town alone, any of which I can walk into and get excellent support.)]]>May 22nd 2009 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 2:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
That doesn't mean that only the stores holding launch parties are going to have the Pre.

]]>May 22nd 2009 1:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 1:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/Unless of course the phone is just sick amazing.... then everyone will crave it fortnight and weeeeee ones will cry to their mamas spilling tears of envy for those few who did manage to get their paws on one.

Either way..... I love my G1... android says.... I peees on you!]]>May 22nd 2009 1:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
...not to mention the fact that the aforementioned Instinct owners are most likely still only 1 year into their 2 year contract and will have to pay full retail price ($500+) for the Pre. Even AT&T was smart enough to allow owners of the original iPhone to purchase the iPhone 3G with a new 2-year contract at the discounted price. ]]>May 22nd 2009 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 2:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
they'll let you upgrade your phone after 1 year (with a 2 yr contract extension) even if you previously signed a 2yr contract.

I've upgraded devices every year even though each time I signed a 2yr contract.

but whatever, I hope this phone does well.]]>May 22nd 2009 2:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
To reiterate, they said they would close the store at 4 PM on FRIDAY, JUNE 5TH. The employees would then put up posters and advertising and what not, and then reopen two hours later, at 6 PM, ON JUNE 5TH. The guy also dropped that this was per corporate.

I dont know how many stores are doing this, but I look forward to getting my Pre on the evening of the 5th instead of waking up early on saturday to get it.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/May 22nd 2009 2:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/]]>May 24th 2009 9:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
But I figure each Sprint store should be through their 5-10 units in less than an hour, so I don't quite understand the drama and need for "special" store hours.]]>May 22nd 2009 1:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/palm-pre-available-at-a-single-store-in-nyc-on-launch-day-unlik/
What's the big selling point? That anti-Apple nerds can now buy a phone almost as good as an iphone - minus itunes, the app store and perfect UI? Sounds like a winner!]]>May 22nd 2009 1:43PM