How would you change the Palm Pre?
By Darren Murph 
posted July 3rd 2009 11:56PM
posted July 3rd 2009 11:56PM
posted July 3rd 2009 11:56PM
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I said microSD initially, but thinking about it, if the device is made larger (to accommodate a larger OLED screen, keyboard, battery, etc.,) then full SD would make better sense. They can jump directly to SDXC and the slot can also be SDIO. Maybe this way the pressure for added features will be minimized a bit. Maybe an SDIO Ir blaster will be realized since Palm thinks Ir is outdated (yet provided no alternative).
I really hope Rubenstein rules like a despot on crack and bring major innovative changes not only to the products, but to the entire company.
BATTERY LIFE!!!!!! i was spoiled with my 755p extended battery, I cant believe I have to walk around with a charger, so disappointed!!!
Why the hello would Palm release a so called smart device with no auto correct/ spell check, i don't understand how they expect to be taken seriously as a true business device competitor.
How about Apps?! It's been a month and there's still no new ones.
I'd like it to be able to play audio book files, complete with bookmarking.
Also, they need to fix the calendar so that it shows "all day" events in the month view. Currently, it does not.
Finally, the next model should either have a sideways pull-out keyboard, or the screen should be able to swivel sideways. Landscape view, with a keyboard, is the best way to get things done!
I really enjoy the phone overall...and its my first Palm device as well. I'm posting from it also. Few minor things to improve would be slide solidity, screen size (just a little bigger plz), matte finish on exterior(fingerprints drive me insane). The webOS is great, but we need apps soon!!!!
Bluetooth profiles for printing and image push
I'd like public bug tracking. The software and hardware are great, but there could (and will) be some improvements on WebOS.
Very impressive compared to any first gen device I've ever seen.
Battery Life. It sucks that I can't get through an entire day w/ 1 charge and I don't watch videos on the thing.
Faster loading time for apps don't hurt either.
USB connector cover is hard to pull out, glad that I'm a guy. I remember the Sprint Rep (a women) had to ask someone to pry the cover open to sync my Treo but didn't want to damage her nails.
Better cut/copy and paste. It works, but not as easy to use as the 3GS.
Video recording, but 3GS raise the bar on that one (w/ the editing software).
Synergy that works properly. Calendar entries from my facebook is still wonky. Still getting PST when all my events are in EST (essentially 3 hours off).
Apps like NYT need to autorun on the background and download articles so I can read them in the subway.
Way to organize pages for apps (sort them, instead of just dragging one at a time to a diff page). The Palm OS handled this well.
All apps should support landscape mode (email and pdf view currently doesn't w/o hacks or code).
LOVE every thing about this phone, but...
NEED to fix the bug when receiving text messages that come in with an email address. The Pre interprets that as some 4-digit number, and when you reply...you get a 9230 error saying the recipient address is wrong... You can type in that email address directly into the text phone number area and it sends fine. The work around is to keep both the receive screen and a send screen open and switch between them to have a text conversation. Please fix this so I can use all the text messages I am paying for. (BTW- this worked correctly on my old Treo650)
Battery life....
Reception is worse than my old Treo650
Micro-SD card slot.
But the advantages really out-weigh these problems...so many great things that work really well (but the reception and text messaging problem are causing me a lot of grief).
Matt
Haters gonna hate.
I'm an ex-iPhone user turned Palm Pre lover. The keyboard and ability to sync with Windows Media Player (I like it more than iTunes, don't shoot me) were the major selling points for me.
That said, there are some things I wish would change:
* The web browser doesn't support bookmarkets. Which is SO annoying.
* Sometimes, searching for a contact from the universal search, and then clicking on that contact returns a weird "Contact link broken" error, and I have to find them again....weeeird.
* The Mp3 player doesn't let you seek inside of songs.
* The developer program won't open up till the end of the summer (bummer).
Summary: just some small quirks that shouldn't have gotten through to the final product. I'm sure they're all very easy to fix with a firmware upgrade.
Been a Palm Pre user since the launch and I love the phone and OS. I would improve on the phone by:
improving power management/battery life, SD slot for ext. memory, true cut and paste function, micro usb connector on the bottom of the unit, camera: more functionality with the camera app, video, sturdier feel to the unit (sliding mechanism), more developed app store,faster processor, and predictive text. They could probably improve on other little things, but for a their first try in completely redesigned OS/Hardware/Company image, I feel Palm is already ahead of the game and I look forward to future products from the company. WebOS is here to stay and I feel that it can be turnaround this company needs. Way to go Palm.
More fart apps on the store.
An implementation of ActiveSync that actually works in accordance with current standards.
Better reception.
All the other sprint phones get great signal in my apartment... Except the pre... which gets crap...
Noone seems to be going into stuff that would be easy for Palm to fix, so here goes:
1.) You should be able to wake the phone up with the center button. That way your thumb is right there to slide the on-screen slider up to unlock. Having to push power, then slide-to-unlock takes a very awkward, drop-inducing hand shift.
2.) You should be able to take the launcher button off of the quick-launch bar. There's a gesture (drag up from gesture area) available in all cases where the launcher button is available and usable on quick-launch bar. I want to move that dedicated launcher icon off the quick-launch bar and just drag up to open the launcher. If I'm in another app, I'll just have to drag up twice instead of hold-dragging the quick-launch bar back on the screen and choosing the launcher icon.
1) On-screen Keyboard for certain apps
2) Better Battery life
3) More apps
4) Visual Voicemail
5) Deleting other contact's google profiles
6) Better build quality
Ok so Palm got alot right with this phone. But i think in the bussle to get cool stuff they totally forgot the stuff you need in a phone. The first two days there wasnt even an alarm clock on the phone. and now my alarm clock goes off 30-45min +- of the desired time. Im going to make a simple list and hopefully someone of importance sees it and goes "doh".
1.) Seriously you cant seperate your buddy lists from contacts, or work from friends. Is it really that hard people?
2.) So your telling me i cant delete my text messages, They just stay there forever? Have you people ever heard of a jealous girlfriend?? or wife that you dont want to find out your having an affiar..yet.
3.) One of the original keys on a telephone. ITS CALLED REDIAL.
4.) Again, fix the alarm clock my boss is getting pissed.
5.) So i cant change the ringer for a text message, what about voicemails, or emails.
6.) When you turn down the volume for say pandora the ringer is still loud but if you fall alseep listening to pandora, the alarm clock is just as quite. and also be careful if you dont like your phone making stupid noises and you turn off system sounds, it turns off alarms too.
7.) THE BEEPING when you dial a number. I have spent my whole grown life resenting the people who dont turn there system sounds off. when you push a button you shouldnt have to have a sound informing you that you pushed it. The only way to make that stupid dailing sound go away is to have the phone on silent.
8.) how about more then one vibrate for a text message
Of course there is more but these are basics. All these options are available on just about every non-smartphone out there. Since when did the smart people buying the smart phones stop wanting those options?? its great to be able to do lots of crazy things on a phone. but when it comes down to everyday use, these options are key to people.
Add notes synch to Exchange Active Sync. Apple just did so. Let's not wait two years like they did ...
I really love my Pre and find the keyboard and WebOS interface really easy to use. The exception being laying on my back and trying to text - it's a little top heavy.. Oh well.. It's that counterbalance combined with the curve of the unit when extended that makes texting so enjoyable. Combine that with the ease of the gestures and the small size of the phone and one handed texting is easy. Aps take too long to load sometimes - that would be my biggest gripe. This isn't always the case.. Sometimes things respond well so I would have to wonder if there aren't a couple of kinks to work out via future soft updates. I have been on the fence at Verizon thinking about going with the iPhone since it came out but never did get quite motivated enough. Along comes the Pre.. Small form factor goes a long way with me. I really love WebOS and think Palm has made a major usability achievement with this interface. I think the build quality is solid. Yes, there is a little give in the two sections when it's closed but I don't think it will become a problem - still I opted for the insurance because I can be a klutz. I am really impressed with the quality of the camera!! Yet, would love some manual exposure adjustment options for back lighting etc. It would also be nice if you could opt to use the physical button to release the shutter if you wanted for tactile reinforcement when not looking at the screen. I agree with another poster that the lights used in the graffiti area for gestures would be great for message or call indicators!!
Support for playing more video formats (At least AVI)
Search numbers and letters from phone dialer card
Save to contacts from google maps
Video recording
More control over notification sounds
Make slider more solid when closed and easier to open (more solid if I had to pick one or the other)
Delete multiple e-mails/texts at one time
Persist notifications when locked instead of only showing briefly
Assign a contact picture to "Me"
-push to outlook email folders
-invite attendees to new calendar events
-select text from a non-editable window (e.g. a web page, an email you are reading, etc.)
-more apps!
-horizontal view of email
-itunes video synch
-faster app launches
-email search
Proper Exchange support
Positive:
- Incredible screen, sharp clear and responsive!
- Soon to be standard power connection
- Standard headphone jack
- Quick responsive GPS
- It's an excellent platform for future applications, I look forward to seeing what the future holds
- Awesome interface
- Excellent web browsing
- Nice camera
- Excellent Facebook integration
- Excellent email platform
Negative:
- The keypad buttons are a little small for my large fingers.
- It's hard to grip and slide open the keypad
- To use the GPS you have to be in a Sprint service area. If you wander outside a major city or try to cross the US via I-80, more than 85% of your trip will be out of the Sprint service area making your GPS utterly useless. Get a flat tire and need to lookup a repair place? You are screwed!
- The number and quality of applications available now is piss poor.
- Nascar? Really, You felt that a Nascar application was important enough to load on launch, but so many other really useful applications were not? How sad.
- Battery life. Under moderate usage I get about 4 hours. Running the GPS in the car with the phone charging, I drain the battery in about 2 hours. While it is PLUGGED IN AND CHARGING it dies.
- Expandable memory! Why is there not a MicroSD card slot!?!
- Flash Support, where is my flash support
- Tethering. Why no tethering? Lame!
1) Visual Voicemail
2) Micro SD
3) Slightly Larger Body
4) Glass Screen
5) Ability to pre-load maps into GPS.
I really like my Palm Pre, but here are a couple of things I would like to see:
1) Better battery life
2) Better Bluetooth compatability.
My car (Acura TL) has built in bluetooth, but it's not fully compatible with the bluetooth commands of the Palm Pre...calling people works, but the hangup command doesn't work...I have to press the hangup button on the phone.
3) Contact and Calendar integration with Yahoo.
I've had my Pre for over three weeks. I like it. The size is perfect, I don't really mind the smallish keyboard, the screen is excellent. Wifi and Bluetooth work well. It's fun to use and fits so nicely in my pocket.
I would love to see visual cues of missed calls or messages. My 755p would blink it's happy little light if I missed a text or call. On the Pre, I have to constantly turn it on to see if I've missed anything when I have to step away from it. Can't the lights in the gesture area just pulse gently or something?
Other wishes: Flash, some applications/games for diversion, type prediction/correction, being able to select/copy/paste text from lots of places like texts, webpages, etc. Save web content like text and pics. Greater customization control over connections, notifications, system sounds, etc.
Overall, I'm very satisfied, though I do find myself missing features my Treo had.
One last issue though- that dag gone tiny usb cover. Hard to get out and always in the way when plugging in. I swear they designed it that way just to make us all by a hugely overpriced Touchstone!
I'd make it free.
* Memory slot- Though I haven't needed it yet, its been handy before.
* More sound options- My Treos allowed me to choose a different sound for my txt/email notifications ( I hate that low chime)
* Video- I've had video for over 3yrs now on older phones. Heck even the iphone now has video
* Word editor! Again my past Treos came w/ and editor... Viewing them is not enough.
*True Cut/Paste- I should be able to copy ALL text not just what I type.
*Forward Txting- I hate retyping jokes or addresses. Heck.. Let me copy/paste the text!
* Better Time/Date stamping for ALL txt messages not just recent ones. I've lost debates w/ my wife because I couldn't prove when I sent a txt message.. I hate when she wins!
*Ability to save the #s of those who txt me- i.e. Tell a friend to txt you and you'll save their number.
* Color Options- Ability to change the color of the screen dail pad
* Ability to Create Photos Albums- Searching through pics is fun but not if you've got over 500 saved!
*When I set the phone to lock in 3mins..Lock in 3 mins not everytime I turn off the screen.
*Lost & Found- In the event I lost my phone, on my Treos I was able to put my contact information on my phone. After it would lock it listed my info.
*More reminder options.. 1 day is not enough of a reminder for my wedding anniversary... I need a week to get the last minute gifts!
* I WANT TO DECIDE WHO I KEEP IN MY CONTACTS FROM FACEBOOK
*MORE APPS PLEASE!
*OH! And another thing... Why the hell am I paying $60 for a touchstone that DOESN'T come with a friggin cord! I could buy 3 or 4 cords for the price of the damn stone!
I MUST be able to forward text messages. You cant even copy and paste texts that you receive into a new message and that bites, it really does.
I MUST be able to hang up on the one person in the 3-way call that I want to disconnect from and not from both. This was a grand oversight.
I MUST be able to use video. I know that it's coming but it's so weird to me that you can't do that from the jump.
Why can I zoom in and out with the camera? Why cant I edit photos in the "photo roll"? Why is the volume so low? Why is the slider so choppy (I had a Helio Drift before this phone and its my first smartphone ever and that slider was fantastic - yes, I know I was the one person keeping Helio in business and they owe me a debt of thanks).
Why can't I copy and paste web pages?
There'a a lot that I like
The camera is rubbish, 5Mp and shutter speed and iso performance of an £300 compact camera. Common!
No monopolies, Abolish single provider exclusivity deals.
Also Palm have mad a evasive mistake in locking there phone into ISVs that provide the worse 3G coverage available.
Why do these company's have to piss everyone off. I will not by one just because they are have exclusivity deals, its sick business and it sucks for all consumers. Boycott this phone and the apple. Just do it don't think about it.
We have to teach if not put out of business as a lesson, this evil capitalist world.
1) quadband GSM + quintband UMTS/HSPA (Euro 3G, NAM 3G, T-Mo-USA 3G)
2) dual SIM cards, able to operate different aspects on different carriers (voice + messaging on carrier 1, data on carrier 2, or other combinations)
3) Android as the core OS (but perhaps their UI layered on top of Android, sort of like the Hero has its own UI layer on top of Android)
4) make sure it does tethering (BT DUN, BT PAN, USB, and Wifi) (even after moving it to Android)
5) dpad instead of what looks like a trackball (or dpad instead of the apple style "single button") ... add the Android buttons too (call, home, menu, back, hangup/power)
6) 5th row for the qwerty keyboard, for a dedicated number row
7) make the keyboard layer rotatable, so you can use the screen and keyboard together while the screen is in landscape mode
The phone's great and WebOS has really surpassed my expectations, but why-oh-why can't it have a standard micro-USB connector?
Thank you Palm for alienating a smartphone veteran in putting a non-standard interface on the phone.
Video and a flash player would be nice, but they are possibly in the works as a software upgrade. What I would really like would be if they would unlock the bluetooth so we could tether without the need to hack.
All these wondeful possibilities aside... Does any one else besides me find that Sprint sucks?
Since 08/01 to 08/31 they verified that I had a total of 77 DROPPED CALLS!! I live and work in the Norfolk/Va. Beach area. What the hell? Mine for sure.
Any one else having a problem? Is there something that Sprint or I have missed in setting up my Palm Pre?
Thanks