Palm Pre review
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Jun 3rd 2009 9:12PM
posted Jun 3rd 2009 9:12PM
Yes, this is epic stuff. The Pre (and its accompanying operating system) could likely decide the fate of the company largely credited with ushering in the age of the do-everything phone. Since Palm's announcement at CES this year, news surrounding the Pre has been a veritable whirlwind of activity: rumors, half-truths, hate, love, fear-mongering, fanboyism, rampant gadget-lust... and even a little late night celebrity for the pint-sized phone. Finally the time has come to put rubber to road and get into the guts of this thing once and for all. Can the Pre and webOS live up to the hype -- the kind of hype we haven't seen since the launch of the original iPhone -- or do they snap under the pressure? Read on for the full review.
Part 1: Hardware, webOS / user interface
Part 2: Synergy, phone, media, applications
Part 3: Data speeds, backup, battery, Bluetooth, pricing, wrap-up
OMGBBQWTF?!?!?!?!?!?!??!
I only have 2 questions.
#1 Will it outsell iPhone and iPhone 3G
#2 Will apple end up suing the sht out of palm for any copyright infringements?
now we know blackmasterpiece and Quantumphysics are one and the same...
The pre looks really small in that picture.. I need to play with one before I decide to upgrade my phone...
pal :)
yeah. omfg.
can't wait. thx for reviewing.
coolpal
Don't blame me - this stupid thing told me "You Did it" and sent an email to me prompting me to restate my comment. When I saw it again later only then did I realize it posted.
why post here if you knew you were going to hate it?
douche.
As an iPhone user since the first gen. I can honestly say that we finally have competition. This is by far the best looking OS I have seen since OSX Touch. MS, Samsung and others have better start getting their shit together cause Apple and Palm are about to shut the game down on their asses fast.
I only have two answers.
1: Yes, it will be.
2. No because they stole the idea too. They copyrighted what the could and that was mostly animation crap, hince Pre using "cards".
P.S. I own an iPhone and the Pre is freaking pimp. So just bask in its glory!
Josh,
Excellent, excellent review.
Looks like a great device, can't wait to get my hands on it.
Schwing!
Clearly if Apple was going to sue...they would've did it.
You lamewads forget that Palm has been in the mobile business FAR longer than Apple. They have patents that could most likely shut Apple down. Hence why nothing is being said.
So quit the "Apple is going to sue"...because it's not happening. Apple has trademarks and patents. But Palm has them too. So keep that in mind.
Great review. Made me want a Pre again. Might even do a 30-day trial and try out the service on my college campus.
Beautiful phone, beautiful interface. Not enough to pry me from my iPhone (software ecosystem rules and is just starting to accelerate), but a stellar effort from Palm to be sure. Too little too late? I hope not.
Here's my question: why can't Microsoft and Google understand the importance of beautiful fonts in computing? Apple and Palm nail this - Google and Microsoft's interface fonts look antiquated and amateurish in comparison.
Engadget, this is the best review out there. You guys owned BGR, you owned Gizmodo, you owned everyone. Color me very impressed with the depth and breadth of the review, and the videos, photos, and screenshots. This is *the* review.
I only wish I was in the country for launch.
i am loving the attention this phone is getting, it is really looking to be a killer device.
i also love the utter hate that is being given to it because its not an apple device, therefore it must be a 'clone' and by lesser definition a piece of shit.
CDMA FTW!
d889 - I like to think I check a pretty wide array of news outlets from television to printed media to the internet and I can say without any shadow of a doubt that the ONLY outlet giving the Pre anything close to the amount of attention Engadget is, is Engadget.
The Pre is obviously a very capable device (at LEAST as much as the very first iteration of the iPhone) and I don't know if it's a lack of marketing genius, the slow economy, or the fact they're VERY late to the game, but there simply isn't ANY mass appeal for this cool little device. This close to iPhone 1's launch there was already lines of people camping in front of every Apple store throughout the entire country and it was covered on a daily basis by every major news outlet. Even iPhone 2 (an evolutionary device at best) had more excitement surrounding it than the Pre does now.
I guess no matter how much attention a handful of tech blogs give a device, it's just not quite enough to create the undefinable "buzz" that puts people in a spending frenzy. IF, and that's a big if, Apple releases another breathtaking device, Palm can kiss any chance of a quick revival goodbye. They need a genuine home run to even stay in the black, let alone become a successful company again.
I noticed a similar wallpaper on the phone in engadget's Blackberry Storm review.
Anyone have any idea where these wallpapers come from? I've looked all over for them. Originally I thought it was a default storm wallpaper, but a similar wallpaper on the pre I'm guessing it isn't.
"I only have 2 questions."
Not only did you fail with your username, but you can't even count! Those are 4 questions buddy.
This was a great review. I was half afraid that it was going to be another Storm.
I especially liked when you broke down the cost of ownership for the device on all the carriers. Very useful. =)
"One of our favorite features is the ability to jump to an artist or song search via YouTube, or an artist search in Amazon's MP3 store while browsing or playing back music. It's a really smart little perk that makes it way easier to go deeper on something you're enjoying -- and it's the kind of 'why didn't anyone else think of that?' concept that makes webOS so enjoyable to use."
Someone else has thought of that... It's been on Android from 1.0... Long press, album, artist, or song to search with Youtube, Amazon MP3, or any Browser installed...
And it's an alright feature... You already have the song on your device? Shouldn't you not have to open it Amazon MP3 for purchase?
now we know blackmasterpiece and Quantumphysics are one and the same...
The pre looks really small in that picture.. I need to play with one before I decide to upgrade my phone...
pal :)
It's NOT going to outsell the iPhone.
So in that sense it's not really going to be competition...like at all.
So all the anti apple haters can continue to delude themselves with that fantasy.
However that aside the Pre is a very nice device and does represent competition in the sense of features and providing a phone that provides an excellent experience for its users.
@iDavey
"You lamewads forget that Palm has been in the mobile business FAR longer than Apple"
*cough* Newton *cough*
Although I do respect Palm, I used to love my Handspring Visor with the Palm OS 10 years ago. I thought Palm was going to dominate that market back then. I certainly would like to check out a Pre.
@Bren: I think Josh Topolsky consistently uses these types of wallpapers in his reviews. Judging by his Twitter page, he must be fond of it...
http://twitter.com/joshuatopolsky
@iDavey critics:
No, iDavey is correct. Sure, the Newton was earlier (if only by a short time if you consider the Zoomer), but he never said they were the first.
But regarding the time Palm's in business vs. Apple's:
Palm: starting with the Pilot - ~13 Years (1996-2009), starting with the Zoomer: ~16 Years (1993-2009)
Apple: ~8 Years (Newton: 1993-1998, iPhone 2007-2009)
If IPhone sues Palm, that would mean that HTC would have to sue IPhone since they worked from the ORIGINAL HTC idea. Things that make you go hmmmmm.
@H82BQuiet:
"If IPhone sues Palm...."
ok ecuse my ignorace but is'nt i company apple not iphone...serviusly i was talking to some one about ipods and when i said that apple makes them i swear they nerly had a heartattack because they thiught the company was named ipod
wtf people do reaserch befor posting
oh ya the grammer police can suckit
eeek!
@ haX0r
EPIC FAIL!!
PWNAGE!
@KFD
Nope, the palm was on Adam at the beginning of time, Eve had one too. If you don't do religion, Apes had palms too.
I fail to see how the Newton being around before Palm, not the Palm, would put Apple in the mobile business before Palm, iPhone was definitely Apples first mobile phone.
The Newton is but a failed and functionless footnote.
Palm invented handhelds like Apple invented DMPs...
eeeeek!!
I'll take 2
That's what she said!
Save the stupid comments for YouTube, people...
Man I wish this thing wasn't Sprint - I'm stuck in contract with the gold old boys....
awesome phone though. love my iphone but want physical qwerty keys please.
I just want confirmation about the Pre not being able to do data and voice at the same time over Sprint's network.
Considering what this phone is being touted as, as a "multi-process" platform, that seems to be highly limiting and no one else has mentioned this as far as I can tell.
its not the Pre it is sprints network. The use EV-DO which can only do voice only or data only. Other countries have a slightly more advanced EV-DO and EV-DV which can do data and voice simultaneously. When the GSM version comes out in Asia and Europe the Vocie and data problem will be solved
Dear Engadget, is there a way to boot "replies" that have nothing to do with your post? Rather than a cheap ploy to get on the first page?
Is there a term for these people we can use?
I agree this phone looks awesome, but I really don't understand you wanting the tiny, physical keys. I had a Treo Pro and after getting used to it, I became quite quick at typing. But honestly, nothing comes close to the speed & accuracy of tap-typing on my iPhone. I mean, you can use the lightest touch to get a letter on the iPhone, you can't tell me that physically pushing/clicking a key down can be that quick?
Some people prefer some tactile feedback. You cannot touch type without looking at the keyboard on the iphone. Although I suck at messaging...my gf can type on a little keyboard almost as fast as a real keyboard. I'm not kidding, and she does the 3 letter per key as quick as I can do the separate letter per key. That is insane. She tried out the iphone...just did not get used to typing on a screen that has no feedback.
MrNuclear you must have dainty fingers. I have brutish fingers from wielding a battleaxe and strangling kittens..... iphone typing isn't bad, but sometimes it feels like a mush of incorrect letters. I just prefer a tactile button for typing.
Definitely not dainty, 6'5" with fingers the size of bananas, perhaps why I don't like those little buttons. And I do hit a lot of incorrect letters on the iPhone, but 9 times out of 10, the predictive text takes care of it. I get your point about personal preference, strangling kittens also.
god, if you are reading this, please send me 200 dollars.
ok
If your reading this send me a Pre, seeing as us Canadians still have to wait.
You could give at least give Him the proper respect--God.
Yeah you're definitely not getting $200 without the capital G....
Oh Lord, won't you buy me, a pa-alm pre?
My friends all have iPhones, I must make amends...
u guys own boygeniusreport
BGR was started by an Engadget writer...
This is much better than there review... much more thorough, better pictures, better explanations, and more objective.
+1
Boy genius was started by a very bitter former engadget writer.
haha..only reason engadget did it because they are heavily sponsored by sprint.
Looks very Nice on the pic
Yes it looks gorgeous.... stunning. I love the keyboard too, like serious love. WebOS's beauty rendered me speechless... the fonts, the shades, the colors, the smoothness.... everything about webOS is so neat and elegant. It makes Android look years behind... thanks to Android's nerdy looks, fonts and colors (I'd love to change Android's font to the Pre's)
But here's what's keeping me off the buy:
1) I travel a lot and can't have a non-GSM phone.
2) I need a WVGA phone with a chip that could run my DVDrips flawlessly. Only Tegra seems to have demoed seemless HD playback on the phone.
3) I invested a lot of emotions in Android :) So, let's see how gorgeous Android Eclair will look (the first Android with a 3D interface, video textures, and OpenGL ES 2.0 support)
off-topic, but i love the avatar, chris... armin is my favorite trance dj
Well, the keyboard's already gotten some negative reviews for it's tiny buttons, but the OS is absolutely gorgeous. The demo's have me amazed that Palm could pull off something so slick, intuitive, and fast.
And, I love that they boldly included the multitouch pinch zoom feature. Though, oddly, it looks like they skimped on the tap-zoom animation. Android looks smoother in that department.
But, hooray for competition!!! Let's see more!
Josh, you always have sweet wallpapers. I wish I could be you.
Ya, where does he get those things....I remember the wallpaper on the Storm review was freaking awesome!
looks like another eboy wallpaper
that thing is tiny. i can crush it with my huge man hands.
thaaaaat's what she said hooyyohhh
yeah.. I got to check out a mock pre tonight. it is much smaller than I anticipated, but it's a very good size for pockets. very sleek.
wtf? The link for part 1 redirects to the Engadget home page?
^ What he said!
What the hell! HaHa
Working now.
If you still don't know everything about the palm pre by what engadget has posted you are a FOOL!
finally
The most freaking awesome phone OS ever made!
I can't wait for some high end GSM versions with either at least 16GB storage and/or micro-SDHC or micro-SDXC for that matter.
FAIL!!!
Very nicely written review, Engadget. This is the kind of stuff we love. Keep it up
I would like to second that. This was a very well written article. I am impressed.
I agree. Very good review. I'll be getting the Pre on Saturday...
thirded, im impressed.
This was a very good review. One of the best ones I have seen for any product. I will be lined up Saturday early morning
Spot on guys, Gabe's right. This is why I read this blog.
Ps. props for listening to M83.
so thought palm... about releasing an awesome smartphone that the world over will die to get their hands on..... oh wait, did they at least get 2nd?
Nah... I'm no jesus phone fanboy.
Peace :)
Please give the UK a solid release date and carrier...
This is the Phone I've been waiting 3 years for!
Great to see again you guys!!! Now we need in europe :(
This is the Phone I've been waiting 3 years for!
I thought this review highlighted many points and concerns that consumers are facing with this device. It was well put together and informative. But it still didn't answer the question for me... Pre or New iPhone?
How can you expect an answer until we find out what the "New iPhone" will be like? All we've seen of that so far is some of the OS.
I saw a worker from best buy texting or sending an email or something with one. I thought it was weird because I thought it wasn't released yet
What's the name of the artist who made the background on that Pre?
eBoy, though I custom made that one from a larger graphic. I have handful, I'll put up for you guys.
Hell Yea.
I don't get why this phone is so hyped, doesn't seem like anything special to me other than it's Palm's big comeback phone, there was probably less hype about the iPhone than this thing. I also don't understand what has taken so long to get this thing done, it's just a phone and loads of companies churn new ones out monthly.
I'm pretty sure it's webOS that took so long.
I can't wait for the follow up to this phone, the Palm Post.
I see what you did there.
Where is that Paul Chapel guy? I just want to see what he has to say :)
1) I am not an Apple fanboy, I just report fairly on experiences every single person has.
2) I understand the telecommunications industry better than all of you, and don't challenge me on it or I will get Zak after you.
3) I used the Pre for my entire life, but then I decided to switch 3 year ago, and the iPhone has been absolutely perfect in every way.
4) I do not own, nor have I ever used an iPhone or iTouch, but those devices are absolutely perfect in every way and has not let me down yet.
5) You used my name, you are stalking me!
6) I read some anonymous person somewhere on the internet say that this was crap and the iPhone is the best, therefore the Pre is crap.
7) Why use this? If you used an Apple product like I do then the hottest women you will ever see will just walk up to you and want to have sex with you right there in the coffee shop. It happens to me all the time!
8) Apple stuff is shiny and pretty, and it hipnotizes me.
9) This was not created by Steve Jobs, therefore it sucks - but I am not an Apple fanboy.
10) You are just a hating hater. I just tell the truth, and giving facts, but you are here to hate.
BTW, I am not Paul, but you can pick one of those items as his speaking points of the day.
@Paul E. Crapple: are you sure you're not Paul? You sound just like him...
I'd buy Pre as a second phone (I have a sprint account for work), but there is no point since Palm's future is bleak. Palm could be out of business in less than 6 months and all you're left with is a brick with no support.
I generally dislike products based on blog hype. Palm Pre has been touted as the next best thing for months but it has yet to ship and doesn't have the numerical advantage of Blackberry, iPhone, HTC, and other smartphones. It will be snapped up by few fanboys who fell for the hype and eventually go away like OQO.
Palm as a company is broke and is operating at heavy losses. The investors who are tirelessly pumping cash into it are going to sell it with vengeance if Palm turns a profit, which, in turn is improbable in this economy and given smartphone market trends.
Pre should have been released when iPhone v1 was released. Now they're 2 years too late to the game.
If you're considering Palm Pre, seriously consider a Blackberry or an iPhone instead. This particular gadget is kind of a waste.
Haha, thats what I wanted to hear.