How would you change the Palm Pre?

You knew it was on deck, and at long last, here it is. Your one and only shot (okay, so maybe that's a gentle stretch) to tell the world -- and Palm, since it's a part of the world -- exactly what you think about the Pre. Since going on sale to the general public just under a month ago, some analysts have suggested that some 300,000 or so units have been moved. We're quite confident that at least some of that bunch have their eyes peering at this here post, so we'd like to formally ask for your opinions in comments below. Is there anything you'd like to see changed on Palm's Pre? Is the build quality up to snuff? Is webOS everything you thought it'd be (and more)? Is the QWERTY keyboard doing it for you? Do you wish it supported something that it doesn't? Unleash your wrath below -- we'll keep your true identity a secret. Maybe.

[Priper @ Jul 4th 2009 12:00AM]

GSM, that's the only thing holding me back. (In AT&T I mean)

[Ignofibininious @ Jul 4th 2009 12:04AM]

On that note, does anyone know if the foreign GSM models would work on AT&T here in the states?

[Gerard @ Jul 4th 2009 12:13AM]

Yeah they will. The may not have the 850 band but where I'm at (Las Vegas) they don't really use it so it would work 100%. Other places you might have dead spots in 3g coverage with the lack of the 850 band

[JimboJones @ Jul 4th 2009 1:02AM]

Gerard, they probably will ... nobody saw the frequencies yet (there are 4 total). What is more important is whether 3G is going to work (that is usually tricky)

[insky @ Jul 4th 2009 12:00AM]

inb4 make it an iPhone

[thebox @ Jul 4th 2009 12:55AM]

@ Slutty McNugget

How many times are you gonna post that same picture? It's not a good render and a horrible attempt at trying to be funny.

[insky @ Jul 4th 2009 1:43AM]

I'm guessing people don't understand what inb4 means.

[CraigJ @ Jul 4th 2009 1:48AM]

no, we understand is just fine. perhaps you've confused engadget with 4chan?

[insky @ Jul 4th 2009 3:11AM]

Ouch

[Nikesh @ Jul 4th 2009 3:35AM]

How about a feature that analyzes comments to blogs and disallows all submissions that display such stupidity that, when read, they physically hurt the brains of all non-developmentally challenged adults.

[Will @ Jul 5th 2009 4:36PM]

It needs better battery life, and a carrier that's not sprint. I was using my friends on a train, trying to show him a youtube video... the battery drained really fast and sprint's coverage was very temperamental.

If they at least showed an error message of some sort saying that I was out of range for data, then it would be a bit more bearable.

[spamdeesugar @ Jul 5th 2009 8:24PM]

So are you referring to the overheating iPhones that discolors the white case with the Olephobic coatings coming off?

No, thanks.

[jdrewstep @ Jul 17th 2009 4:54PM]

Improved batt
Bigger screen-Notifications take away from actual vieing space
Change keyboard-Something like the BB Bold
Center button sould be a Navigation scroll ball-Easier to navigate text and apps
Increase storage
Video
Matte finish instead of plastic
Onscreen keyboard
Amoled Screen
Improve search to include email,notes,cal events,docs,& tweets
Cut n Paste portions of websites to insert in emails
FM Radio
Voice dialing
Increase Res to 800x480

[derX @ Jul 4th 2009 12:01AM]

I think I would've preferred that you had said "FIRST!" That way, at least it would've been grammatically correct.

[Epsilon-Not @ Jul 4th 2009 12:01AM]

Hm, I think I'd replace the center button with a trackball... that seems like it'd add more functionality in certain cases.

[Anonymous @ Jul 4th 2009 12:18AM]

+1 on that. Honestly I'd rather see the traditional Palm screen (the one that can't do multitouch) because it allows for MUCH higher resolution (like with a fingernail or stylus)

[Gi @ Jul 4th 2009 12:20AM]

yesss! some kind of navigation is needed definately fingers aren't always that accurate.

Sd slot
Battery life
Videeeeo....nice camera but hello video?
Treo keyboard...sticky keyboard feels weird at times and I type with my nails most of the time. Maybe a landscape keyboard
Selecting text in text(fwd)...if that makes sense haha
The material for the matte battery cover is really nice, should be stock instead of the glossy one
Contacts integration needs serious work, deleting certain ppl
2nd call hangup only not hangup on all wtf atleast on my treo I could flash and eliminate both parties showing
and the slider...one day I'm afraid I'll slide too hard and the screen will go flying haha but I don't know we'll see how long it lasts

hmm that's all I can think of for now

[ifalldownstairs @ Jul 4th 2009 4:06AM]

@ anonymous

have you used the Pre? the pixel density is plenty high, it really isn't necessary to pack in a higher resolution. also, after using the phone since launch, i would hate to lose multitouch

[CapnShiner @ Jul 4th 2009 5:41AM]

I agree that a trackball instead of just a button would be nice and it would attract a lot of Blackberry fans. However, I don't think it is really necessary. Palm is trying to focus on multitouch as much as possible, so a trackball would actually take focus away from that and would probably increase the cost of the device. Perhaps another device running WebOS with a trackball and no multitouch with a higher resolution screen would be better- dangerously close to being a Blackberry at that point, but maybe WebOS is different enough.

@Gi
I agree that external storage and longer battery life would be great, but I have never actually used a Pre myself, so I can't speak to your other suggestions.

[becu55 @ Jul 4th 2009 9:27AM]

@ifalldownstairs

I could be wrong about what the OP was saying here, but I think he means the resolution of the digitizer (the part that reads the touch). The higher the digitizer resolution, the more accurate the touch with finger/stylus/whatever is.

[identifide @ Jul 4th 2009 9:46AM]

They should get rid of the button altogether. I ever use it, I just use the gestures... I even forget to use the button on the iphone sometimes because I've gotten so used to the flick up gesture.

[bassdog65 @ Jul 4th 2009 10:06AM]

A trackball would actually be nice...and I don't think it would take away from the multi-touch. The G1's trackball comes in handy for one reason, and one reason only: when you are editing a mistake in something you have typed, you clikc roughly where you want to fix a typo or something, and then use the trackball to move over one or two characters, because your finger never gets close enough to the letter you want to change. It would be a good fine tuning precision addition that I think would be useful.

[Defiler @ Jul 4th 2009 1:24PM]

@ Anonymous

The Pre is a capacitive touch screen. It's more accurate than the older Palms resistive touch screens. The reason your stylus or fingernail doesn't work on the Pre is because it needs something conductive, like human skin, for it to work properly. This is what gives it the ability to be more accurate when doing gestures, swiping, etc.

[phenoum @ Jul 4th 2009 2:43PM]

@ bassdog

click near your text, hold the orange key, and slide your finger side to side anywhere on the screen.....

[phenoum @ Jul 4th 2009 2:44PM]

on that note - make every person go through a tour before being allowed to use the phone.....

bunch of noobs not knowing how to operate the Pre - half the problem...

[DreDay3000 @ Jul 6th 2009 2:04PM]

Defiler, it may be more accurate for gestures (although I don't know why) it is DRASTICALLY less accurate for placing the cursor.

[DreDay3000 @ Jul 6th 2009 2:06PM]

Phenoum, the orange key technique basically sucks. I've been using the Pre for about a month now. In terms of business function (and texting) its a downgrade from the Treo.

[Kitten @ Jul 6th 2009 4:57PM]

+1 on the trackball idea. Pure genius.

[Aaron @ Jul 4th 2009 12:01AM]

Make it feel like something other than a 3rd grade art project in my hands.

[Nick @ Jul 4th 2009 2:38PM]

Yes, because often I find my third-grader bringing home things more technological than a misshapen cereal bowl made of clay and bits of string.
While I agree that I'm somewhat skeptical in the lasting ability of the slider, I find that the more I use it the more it seems to become solid. Maybe its grime building up in the sliding mechanism, acting as a brake to hold it steady.
Man, I don't get why people are calling that slide a serious detraction in the phone though. I'd have thought that everything that was originally included was plenty, I'm really happy with this phone. My last two smartphones were an HTC Mogul and a Motorola Q (original) and going from those frustrating WinMo devices to this has been fantastic. I love having a gorgeous touch UI, its integrated so very well, although I do miss the operating freedom I had with Windows Mobile. Once the apps begin to come at a more steady pace I'm sure that the functionality will be increased.

[derX @ Jul 4th 2009 12:02AM]

I've never held on in my hands, but I have seen one in person but the screen looked small. I am not sure if it's an issue for people who have used it, but I would think a larger screen would make it rock harder.

[Templarian @ Jul 4th 2009 12:07AM]

Actually, thought the same thing, but now that I own one, it's perfect size.

Strong plastic on the screen, and overall build quality. The OS is just to awesome to let go, I'll probably pay the money to get a new phone if they make a new one in a year.

[Templarian @ Jul 4th 2009 12:08AM]

* "It needs stronger plastic on the screen, and better overall build quality."

[Neal @ Jul 4th 2009 4:24AM]

What Templarian said. Now that I've used the pre for about a month, it feels really natural. I pick up an iPhone and I'm shocked by how big it is.

Really I think the smaller form factor is much more comfortable in your hands, and Palm did an excellent job selecting fonts and font sizes so everything is very easy to see and read.

[CapnShiner @ Jul 4th 2009 5:48AM]

@Neal
That font was actually made for Palm to use in WebOS. Totally custom. That's why it's so good.

[DJ Killfire @ Jul 9th 2009 12:10AM]

I've held a Best Buy mockup, and it feels way too small in my hand, they need to make it iPhone size, just for ergonomics if nothing else

[Defiler @ Jul 4th 2009 12:03AM]

MicroSD slot and more solid slider. The minor software issues will be fixed.

[Gojulas @ Jul 4th 2009 1:04AM]

Thank god you said this, I was 1/3 a ways down the page and rapidly loosing faith in humanity. As far as I'm concerned everything else is done well. Manufacturing issues will be fixed as time goes on and software is software. The only thing holding this phone down is the lack of an SD card slot.

[D-Whizzle @ Jul 4th 2009 2:42AM]

I agree. My father bought one, and has already had to return it for a new one. Everytime you would slide it down, it would turn off (slight problem). The slider needs a little work, but i like the rest of the phone.

[John @ Jul 4th 2009 3:00AM]

Yep, micro SD and offer it cripple-free on verizon.

[L @ Jul 4th 2009 4:42AM]

Spot on. Memory card slot should be the number one priority for a successor.

Also, better cam with autofocus & video recording. The OMAP3 in there should handle 720p video recording just fine (see Samsung i8910), so why doesn't it record videos at all?

[apple nerd without a cause @ Jul 4th 2009 9:09AM]

@ Its A bit hard to be totally cripple free on Verizon. But anythings better the AT T there lazy basterds

[sweet greggo @ Jul 4th 2009 11:23AM]

Needs Micro SD.
Needs Voice search and dialing.
Needs a Speed Dial for contacts.
And it definitely needs Visual Voicemail. That's the one thing I REALLY miss from my Instinct.

[eKalb @ Jul 6th 2009 10:34AM]

@sweet greggo It does have speed dial. You can assign a contact to any of the qwerty keys except e(1) which is reserved for voicemail. I agree about SD card, and I have never had visual voicemail before.

Some of these comments seem to be in response to iPhone 3GS like specifically asking for touch autofocus, etc. Would you really be asking for that if it didnt just come out on iPhone? I think it is a good idea, and if it is easily implemented then sure, but not entirely necessary for a camera phone.

I would like to be able to organize my contacts into groups, like in PalmOS.

[Andrew @ Jul 6th 2009 2:27PM]

Yeah - MicroSD is right on. And as others have mentioned, Autofocus would be awfully nice. After playing with a 3gs, that's the only thing that made me think, "Dang, why doesn't my Pre have that?"

[garrenteed @ Jul 4th 2009 12:03AM]

i wouldn't.

[Jimmy @ Jul 4th 2009 12:04AM]

The SDK should have been released before the phone was, bottom line...

[Nomi @ Jul 4th 2009 12:57AM]

Just like all other mobiles OSes when they first came out, right?

[JimboJones @ Jul 4th 2009 1:06AM]

I don't think one month earlier SDK release would change anything ... look at Android, they have solid SDK out, but due lack of good phones out (thanks god new good android phones are coming), there are not many apps

[Kelmon @ Jul 4th 2009 4:17AM]

Well, there's certainly little doubt that the Pre's application catalogue would be healthier had they been able to get the SDK out to developers a few months earlier. I was thinking that perhaps the iPhone did well with the App Store at release because the original device had already been available for a year but on retrospect at that time it was only available in the US and wasn't really a success yet, so developing for the iPhone was a sign of developers taking a risk. However, I do think that the Pre's launch would have gone better had they released it according to Palm's readiness rather than rushing to get it on the market before the 3GS was announced.

@Nomi

I can see the point that you are trying to make but don't we usually try and learn from history's mistakes? Just because Apple does something does not mean to say that others have to do it that way and saying that this was what Apple did is not an acceptable excuse for making a mistake.