Palm likely calling its new Verizon models Pre Plus and Pixi Plus

We've alluded to this a couple times already, but Boy Genius Report is coming out today and saying that Verizon's webOS launch devices early next year will indeed be called the "Pre Plus" and "Pixi Plus." We're able to independently confirm that this is the intel out in the field right now -- so unless Big Red calls an audible, these are the names you should be keeping an eye on as you're scanning the shelves. The report goes on to say that Verizon's models are the same size as Sprint's, but as we've already seen in the FCC, these new versions are going to be supercharged in one way or another -- at the very least, the Pixi should have WiFi on board, a welcome boost. Any way you slice it, it sure looks like Sprint got the short end of this stick, doesn't it?

[N900 Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:21PM]

+1

[Smart People Play Tuba Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:39PM]

So . . . when's it coming to AT&T? Am I going to have swim the Rio Grande to get a GSM Palm Pre?

[N900 Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:58PM]

@Smart People Play Tuba Lol, nah. You can probably order it online. It's gonna be costly though.

[Lucas Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:24PM]

Besides wifi on the pixi, why would they both be suffixed by a "plus"?

[Lowest Ranks Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:44PM]

@Lucas "plus" is the new "HD"

[lelander Posted Dec 30th 2009 4:00PM]

@Lucas It's the "feature" where VZ makes Bing the unchangeable default search engine.

[Maddy Posted Dec 30th 2009 4:09PM]

@Lucas
'S' was already taken.

[DOUGSKEEZ Posted Dec 30th 2009 4:16PM]

@Lucas
Because on verizon you'd be paying a supplemental $30 per line per month in addition to your plan, whereas Sprint there is no $30 "internet fee"

[streetstealth Posted Dec 30th 2009 4:37PM]

@Lucas

"Plus" means the Sprint Nascar app will be replaced by an entire page of VZW premium content apps that will take up 2 of the phone's 8 gigs of space, not be uninstallable, and have MSPaint-created icons that aren't the correct resolution.

And it'll have a red background!

[crawdad689 Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:24PM]

people actually buy the Pre?

6 months later VZW releases pretty much the same damn phone, probably for the same amount of money? Awesome.

I've got nothing against Palm per se, but where's the Snapdragon? Where are the bug fixes to the OS? Where's the bigger screen? Where's the competetive amount of built-in storage?

[The Shadow Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:40PM]

@crawdad689 troll

[crawdad689 Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:45PM]

@The Shadow

fanboi.

[AndrewRing Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:47PM]

@crawdad689,

Palm has been very active in releasing bug fixes for webOS. As far as the "competetive (sic) storage" goes, we'll just have to see I guess.

On the competitive front, isn't at least the Pre hardware on par with the iPhone 3GS?

With a "Plus" in the model numbers, who knows what enhancements they'll bring.

[Average White Boy Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:55PM]

@crawdad689

Not many people, really. But at least the Pre is keeping Palm from bankruptcy. The Pixi seems like a decent product and should sell rather well. If Microsoft or Nokia were smart, one or the other should buy Palm out and just adopt WebOS. I would be a good boost for MS, but Nokia does have the Maemo platform now, so there would be less of a need for an additional OS.

[crawdad689 Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:37PM]

@crawdad689

Just to be clear, I'm not hoping that Palm fails.

Most of all though, and perhaps I should have stated this first, it's fucking GREAT that they're releasing a CDMA version of their flagship device. If only all makers could learn something here, and do whatever it takes so that every high-end device can be used on every provider.

Think of how much money Apple has lost out on because they agreed to AT&T exclusivity.... hundreds of millions of dollars.

[hungarianhc Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:24PM]

"Any way you slice it, it sure looks like Sprint got the short end of this stick, doesn't it?" Slicing it in the way that shows Spring having exclusivity for 6 to 9 months doesn't really make them look like they got the short end of the stick!

[Gi Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:30PM]

@(Unverified)
truths....I doubt anything in these models wll be supercharged they will prolbably just get gsm versions....+

[DaveBach Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:17PM]

@(Unverified)

I don't think Sprint is getting the short end of the stick at all. I think people that go for the "Plus" with Verizon will be getting that. Don't they realize the "Plus" is referring to the big a$$ overpriced bill they will be getting from Verizon each month?

As for the WiFi on the Pixi I think that will be good for Verizon customers since their 3G data network is a joke compared to that of Sprint. "Plus" they'll get sick of having to turn the WiFi on and off over and over again to try and save the battery.

[DrDr Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:52PM]

@(Unverified)

I have the Pre, but I keep wifi off most of the time, unless I am in range of a very fast network and I need to download something really big.

If you keep it on, it will constantly keep searching for wifi networks.

I think the Pixi will get wifi and the Pre will get 16/32/64GB of storage, depending on how much palm is interested in competing.

[Smkingun Posted Dec 30th 2009 8:43PM]

@DrDr I leave my wifi on all the time and haven't seen any ill effects from it. I never see it 'searching' and battery life has been pretty good for a smartphone. OT: I still love my Pre, esp with the recent 1.3.5 update. My experiences with Sprint (knock on wood) have been far superior to my experiences with the other carriers thus far.

[jhoff80 Posted Dec 31st 2009 12:22AM]

@(Unverified) I don't see why people think that Sprint won't get these upgrades as well. The same thing happened with the Centro. Sprint got it first, and when Verizon brought an updated version, Sprint got that as well.

[NewL Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:27PM]

Oh Sprint is just gonna love that...

[Aleman Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:28PM]

If only the pixi had a better camera and current CPU... I'd trade my bulky Droid for it.

[dcoaster Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:31PM]

@Aleman Wait, what? The Droid is a slider like the Pre... which has a "better camera and current CPU".

[Aleman Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:37PM]

@dcoaster

I don't like the slider, but I do really like the Pixi's keyboard and form factor. I don't like the Pre much, feels kind of cheap.

And I haven't used Web OS in person but from what I've seen and read of it, it looks way better as a phone OS than Android. Android is PDA first, phone second IMO. The way Web OS handles multitasking with the cards seems way more intuitive than Android where you're always pecking through icon grids.

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:44PM]

@Aleman Wow... just wow.... I am sure of these following facts:

(1) You really DONT OWN a Droid;

(2) If you think the Pre looks Cheap... What is making the Pixi look less cheap? Same plastic, same materials, just smaller.

(3) The Pre and the Pixi continues the endless legacy of Palm's crappy kayboards

(4) Android > webOS *** that is a no brainer ****

(5) You will trade a BMW for a Suzuki.

[AndrewRing Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:50PM]

@TikiTeko
The slider part of the Pre hardware is what feels cheap, so that's #2...

[Aleman Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:51PM]

@TikiTeko

I know what phone I have, thanks though.

And no matter what anyone says, stock Android is not impressive from a UI perspective. About the only thing I like about it is the Notification bar. I suppose I will need to look into alternative UI's for it, or hope that I can eventually install HTC Sense on it without much hassle.

Anyway, there is something about the compactness and the surprisingly awesome keyboard on the Pixi that makes it very attractive to me.

[N900 Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:00PM]

@TikiTeko ...and a Suzuki isn't reliable?

[ZeRoCo0L Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:45PM]

@TikiTeko

Have you ever used WebOS??? It's the best OS next to the iPhone OS. It's slick and does awesome multitasking and looks gorgeous. Android, even though I love Android phones and am going to get one next month, are not where near as usable as WebOS. It's just a darn slick OS. Android is great and has awesome support and great customization but OS to OS is no contest.

[aaronaut Posted Dec 30th 2009 4:06PM]

@Aleman couldn't agree more, the pixi feels far better built, solid but light in hand. if there were a gsm version with a current cpu i'd be a pixi owner right now.

[CJ Posted Dec 30th 2009 7:42PM]

@ TikiTeko

Fuck yes I would swap a Beemer for a Zuke.

Lighter, cheaper to maintain, I wouldn't have to worry about too many dings when I take it offroad, and with the money I save, I can turn it into a little BEAST.

[CJ Posted Dec 30th 2009 7:43PM]

@ TikiTeko

Oops, I'm sorry, did I derail your shitty metaphor? I tend to do that.

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 30th 2009 8:04PM]

@CJ Hmm nope it doesn't.. I still think Palm's hardware is crying for a reform. They need to rethink that whole cramped keyboard deal. On regards to the OS, Android will grow faster than webOS and will see a wider implementation not to mention desktop integration through Google Services. Still, on my notebook: Android > webOS.

[nickyP Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:30PM]

Palm is going to have a good show this CES.

[Michael Scrip Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:17PM]

@nickyP

"We're back, baby!!!

[Scape3d Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:32PM]

"Any way you slice it, it sure looks like Sprint got the short end of this stick, doesn't it?"

Not really. Wi-fi on the Pixi would have been nice but being the first carrier to offer both devices before anyone else is a win for Sprint in my book.

Also, you know who ultimately gets "the short end of the stick?" Verizon customers. Sprint customers pay A LOT less per month than those using Verizon, for equal or better service (minutes, unlimited data and free turn-by-turn navigation).

[refthemc Posted Dec 30th 2009 4:46PM]

@Scape3d Yup, My Verizon bill is ridiculous compared to Sprint. Dang these 450 mins...

[Bakerster Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:34PM]

Well, no matter how you look at it, if the iPhone comes to verizon this year... They win.

[andthemaniam Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:35PM]

You need new hardware Palm! You're blowing it!

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:04PM]

@andthemaniam Totally agree... been the same form factor for years...

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:22PM]

@andthemaniam amazing how like 2 people can low rank into oblivion comments... what's the hack they use on the site... happens all the time

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:36PM]

Have you seen the new Pixi commercials? Pretty... hmmm Pixish.... very girl-only phone :S

[CRA1G Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:50PM]

@TikiTeko You're over your quota on silly hater comments, so go find another post to troll, mkay?

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:09PM]

@CRA1G If you define my behavior of expressing opinion and points of view as troll, then you are one as well by expressing your defense of Palm's products.

Anyone is entitled to their opinion and to participate on the open discussion. If the views of others go against your appreciation of Palm, well you deal with it... You may not like Microsoft, but, that does not make you a troll....

[nickyP Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:46PM]

I just get the vibe that people are really underestimating palm's abilities here. Web OS was rough in the beginning but in under 9 months it has become much better, and slightly more capable versions of their devices on a newer and bigger network is a big deal for palm. I wouldn't be suprised to see the pixi show up on att and t-mobile in fairly short order as well. Apple has a huge amount of customers, and android is growing quickly, but don't underestimate palm's ability to make centro's with a decent OS (which is basically the pixi) and keep insanely low prices. I could easily see those things stealing a bunch of marketshare from people who would have ordinarily bought a blackberry curve. Plus google stuff will likely get full support from Palm since they don't really have any conflicts of interest like Apple. I don't know, a pre plus might be what I get after I sell my 3GS, unless the nexusone rumours were all wrong and the phone rocks.

[CRA1G Posted Dec 30th 2009 2:56PM]

@nickyP Palm has released 8 OS updates in 7 months. The most recent one -- 1.3.5 -- made a dramatic improvement in several ways. If Palm can get its phones on 2+ networks in the US in 2010, and continue the success they've been having in the EU, they'll be firmly entrenched as the #4 or #5 smartphone platform by the end of the year. They don't have to be in the top 3 as long as the overall smartphone market is growing as fast as it is, and that's likely to continue for several years. And frankly, it's hard not to root for the little underdog.

[Samurai Jack Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:02PM]

Does Sprint get the short end of the stick if they get the exact same hardware Verizon does as an upgrade? They've had exclusivity and quite likely have an upgrade path to the newer devices as well. Sounds like a win to me.

[mrkalel Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:13PM]

@Samurai Jack My thoughts exactly... Can't wait to see Pre 2... Since I love the Pre right now...

[Skylar Posted Dec 30th 2009 3:18PM]

I want a 1ghz pre with a bigger screen. Like an HD2 running web os. these new names are ridiculous.