GSM Palm Pre unlocked with a little Rebel assistance
By Nilay Patel 
posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:58PM
posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:58PM
[Thanks, Ji]
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isn't the pre made in a special way that won't work with GSM ? (except for the euro version)
so what the point of unlocking...
They're talking about the euro version here, because the US version is on Sprint's CDMA network.
The point is that it's one step closer to working with US networks, and now can switch off to many networks in Europe. Shockingly, there is more to the world (and engadget readership) than just the USA.
We get unlocked Pre for 420€ in Germany from our O2 shops.
Yeah O2 Germany Rules in this case :)
Qwerty keyboard and unlocked. £500.
http://www.superetrader.co.uk/palm-pre-uk-black-sim-free-pda-phone-p-3887.html?gad=CMDIu8kDEgg-s_Nh2Zr1URiY3OT-AyCY9p4z&
Whats the fuss?
Well one can always import one... no Zune service though!
the only thing you cant get for the zune over here is the zune pass. everything else works, just log in with your live id, make sure its registered to the states as your home location.
for me even the zune pass works, as i have relatives in the states.
Sorry for my previos comment, 1Password'd fault, not mine....well mine also :)
WHat I wanted to point out is, that O2's Pre is unlocked, so there's no need unlocking it!
I was wondering this also, every single O2 UK handset that I have had for the last ten years has always been unlocked.
nice.
I wonder if it will work on 3
I've never had a chance to check out the Pre, but damn.. 2 min to boot.. it must be "worth the wait".
Actually the GSM Pre does have the ability to do 3G in the United States on AT&T. On T-Mobile they use the 1700mhz band for 3G not the 1800/1900 like the rest of the world does. It is because the person is on T-Mobile.
Thanks for clearing this up.
My understanding is that the Pre's 3G frequencies are supported by ATT, as per information listed here
http://www.precentral.net/good-news-bad-news-gsm-palm-pre-bands-and-unlocking
Additionally, this may be glaringly obvious, but people seem confused.
The Pre, from O2, is NOT available sim-free/unlocked in the UK.
@http://www.superetrader.co.uk/palm-pre-uk-black-sim-free-pda-phone-p-3887.html?gad=CMDIu8kDEgg-s_Nh2Zr1URiY3OT-AyCY9p4z&
Yes it is.
http://www.superetrader.co.uk/palm-pre-uk-black-sim-free-pda-phone-p-3887.html?gad=CMDIu8kDEgg-s_Nh2Zr1URiY3OT-AyCY9p4z&
too bad O2 UK won't sell them off contract. O2 Germany units are tempting, but fyi they have QWERTZ keyboard layout and webOS has no software option for re-mapping the Y's and Z's for QWERTY users.
Actually there is.
http://forums.precentral.net/gsm-pre/210321-how-permanently-change-qwertz-azerty-qwerty-keyboard-mapping.html
Woah !! I can't believe it takes this long to boot up !
i concur
Hmmmmh. Interesting. No thanks I'll stick to my iPhone 3gs speed is sick.
WHAT they have iphone fanboys in Europe???? dont you guys get all the coolest gadgets
Web OS or Android?
this is exciting! how much is the Rebel SIM again? and how much is the Pre unlocked?
So whats the deal?
I thought the pres where sold unlocked here in europe anyways?
Is the british O2 really sellig them locked?
Not that i would get one (or that british O2 would matter to me), but this is stupid.
Well, i think i stay with manufacturers that sell their handsets direct, without carrier intervention.
qwert
For those wanting to know if the UK Palm Pre is unlocked, I just tried my t_mobile SIM in my O2 Pre and guess what.....
It's locked.. Just like the video, it asks for an Unlock code,
You can still use Wifi, but no phone calls.