Sprint confirms Pre and Pixi webOS 1.4 update coming tomorrow (update: full changelog!)
By Darren Murph 
posted February 25th 2010 10:01PM
posted February 25th 2010 10:01PM
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Update: Seems the post was yanked! The message, in its entirety, is after the break.
Update 2: We just snagged the full changelog from an internal Sprint document, which is also tucked below. For the spec hounds, the webOS version will be 1.4.0, while the Sprint Configuration will sit at 2.3 and the Build at 195.
Palm Pre and Pixi WebOS 1.4 Software Update
On 2/26, Friday evening, Pre and Pixi device users will receive an Over the Air (OTA) notification to download the new 1.4 webOS software release.
This release includes both fixes and feature updates (listed below).
Fixes:
- Time Zone bug fixed
- Network time sync bug fixed to reflect accurate Network time
- Bluetooth car-kit transition to device corrected
- No EV icon bug fixed (random)
- Random browser formatting bugs fixed
- Fixed bug that incorrectly displayed Sprint when actually was Digital Roaming
- Missing Contact issue specifically with swap down to 1.2.9.1 or less
Feature Updates:
_____________________________________________________
- Phonebook Transfer (import & export)
- Adds Video Capture capability & edit
- Calendar Enhancements
- Messaging Enhancements
- Improved Performance (Phone & CAL)
- Email Enhancements
- Notification Enhancements
- Adds Adobe Flash 10.0 (Pre Only)
- NOTE: The 1.4 software adds the ability to use the Flash 10.0 Adobe plug-in which will be available shortly from the Palm Appl Catalogue.
From official internal Sprint document:
Customers: Palm Pre/Pixi web OS 1.4.0
Effective Date: Palm Pre 2-26
Details: The customer's device will recognize that it needs the latest SW and will ask the customer to allow the installation and download. The customer can also initiate the update from the Updates application.
Fixes, Feature Updates and Enhancements with Palm webOS 1.4
Fixes:
● Time Zone bug fixed.
● Network time sync bug fixed to reflect accurate Network time.
● BT car-kit transition to device corrected.
● No EV icon bug fixed (random)
● Random browser formatting bugs fixed.
● Fixed bug that incorrectly displayed Sprint when actually was Digital Roaming.
Enhancements:
• Phonebook Transfer
o Added ability to export from the Palm Pixi address book /contacts to any other device (Previously Palm
supported only the import of address book transfer from a device to a Pixi)
• Supports Video Capture capability
o Video editing (trim)
o Upload of videos to YouTube / Facebook /
o Send videos via MMS or email
• Performance enhancements within Phone and Calendar applications
• Calendar enhancements
o Dial phone numbers from within a meeting event
o Allow custom alert sounds for calendar event reminders
o Added AM and PM detail within calendar events
• Email enhancements
o Allow custom alerts sounds/tones for email alerts
o Embedded phone numbers or email addresses (embedded in email) can be easily added to Contacts
application
o New email sort options (date, sender, subject)
o Return to inbox view after sending email
• Messaging enhancements
o Ability to forward SMS to email
o Ability to dial phone number from SMS chat session (no need to open contact any longer)
• Press & hold on a phone number to get more options (call, SMS)
• Universal Search now includes EAS (Outlook Exchange) GAL corporate address look up
• Application Launcher – easier user interface providing user more feedback during an application launch
• Notifications adding Blink options
o Palm Pixi – Light-bar in gesture area blinks when notifications are pending
Manual Update Process:
1. Open Launcher
2. Scroll to Card 3
3. Tap Updates
@VIRGINA I think you may have it backwards... the OS is extremely usable, the pixi's hardware just isn't fast enough to give you the great experience.
@VIRGINA wouldnt that be because of the slow proc. Which is hardware
@foxyNinja
Yeah, but from a user perspective the OS is what drags. Like I said, I love the physical phone and excellent keyboard, but Palm lost me on any future sales by crippling this poor thing and souring me on their shtick.
@iCello
Yes, and hardware also is what I physically hold in my hand, and I like the phone itself. How are you sure the processor is to blame? There are constant rumors that an update will solve the Pixi's issues, which implies that the OS isn't performing correctly. Thus, the OS sucks. Even if it is the processor, all I know is using the phone is an exercise in frustration. I will miss having a thin, light smartphone with an excellent keyboard when I throw this dud in a lake.
@VIRGINA You should have got a Pre, because basically what you seem to be saying is something to the effect of "my computer is too slow, the maker really crippled this thing by throwing a slower processor in there. "
@dannyry
and the pre's superior performance to the pixi clearly proves this is not the OS's fault.
@dannyry palm should have waited to release a down-market phone until they had optimized webos to deal with the slower processor.
yaaaaaaaaaaaay great kick off for spring break
I love WebOS. Cant wait!!
SWWEEEEET! Looking forward to the video recording... From what I've read and a couple of possibly real YouTube uploads, it's going to be nice...
I just traded my Pre for a brand new Hero today (Thank you Craigslist). Even though the Pre is getting a major update before the Hero is, I think I still got a better deal.
Android > WebOS.
That being said, I don't dislike WebOS, but the build quality of the Pre sucked. Like really sucked. My old Samsung Rant felt better made than the Pre. The hinge sucked (even on my replacement I got a week ago), the power button would stick, and the speaker would randomly cut out.
@Paul J Do you get a monthly discount with a phone purchased this way? I would assume the monthly fee would be less since you are not subsidizing the Hero through Sprint?
@jarobusa
What do you mean a monthly discount?
Sprint doesn't care if they subsidize a phone for you, or you buy one straight out, from a friend..................... You pay the same no matter what.
I'm on my old employee plan.
This sounds like a really great update. Video recording and Flash will be awesome. Can't wait. LED notifications will be extremely useful as well. webOS is getting closer to perfection. I just wish Palm would release a 1GHz+ beast to run webOS on.
If Palm is smart they will release their new phone soon on Sprint and AT&T.
@cool8man
or more RAM... remember how much the double RAM in the pre plus helped? :-)
now if only they would get off their lazy asses and release 6.5 for the tp2
hahhaha i have been checking for updates everyday since palms press conference hahahaha I'm going to be checking my phone like crazy tomorrow hahaha
i am amazed they do this on a Friday, i know at my job we don't upgrade, or install any software or equipment on a Friday. Its bad karma, and increases your chances of working on a weekend.
@drelusive At this point it's all work for Palm.. I've been waiting for this update tooooo long!
February 29th, huh?
@iSkippy I guess pixi users have to wait til 2012 before they get 1.4...
@iSkippy I was just about to say that. Looks like I 'm getting fuct.
I know AT&T is getting the Palm Pre but are they getting the pixi to? Also if the news is correct T-mobile is getting the pixi but now the Pre sounds weird to me.
@DallasB Not.
Oh no my iPhone is out of date now... Until it gets flash atleast
Good job palm.. Any virtual keyboard for the pre yet? Oh... Ok.. Lame.
I honestly feel bad for palm though, I like what they're doing with webos for the most part so I'm kinda sad that they are failing...
Maybe they will outsource webos to other manufacturer, go the palmOS route and put their own hardware on the backburner.. Not saying another company would do it better, but at least they'd make enough munz to stay afloat and continue making successors.
I really like webOS and I honestly don't want it to be short-lived.
uh, there is no 2/29/2010.....
@the bandit
why don't you look at your calendar then get back to me, kthx
I feel like a little boy at christmas!! Is it weird that I'm this excited about a phone operating system update?
what wallpaper is pictured? i want it!
Ok, so I'm just going to set the clock on my Pre ahead to "evening time", that should get me the update early, right? Oh wait, that's not the same as time traveling, dang!
i hope the update fixes the lag issue in my palm pre plus. and maybe they will add datebook 6 suppport. and allow the phone sync to palm desktop.
@wtfbbqmate I doubt that Palm Desktop support will ever come to it.
And Palm Dekstop sync is not really needed anymore. It syncs with online calanders and contacts. (Google & Yahoo now)
@tavisjohn it took a few extra steps to get the palm desktop (i've had palm pilots since the US Robotics Days ) to match up with microsoft outlook. and then i had to get google to sync with microsoft outlook. and then i tried to get the palm pre to sync with google, but managed to sync only 17 of 900 contacts....
it's tough being a loyal fan of palm. i think the best times were when sony made their clie's
Just loaded 1.4 on the Pixi yesterday. This will save the palm devices. Everything runs literally twice as fast. For those of us who don't view a phone as a phallic device, we would prefer our electronics smaller, and the pixi occupies a nitch that no other smartphone can. Slim as a razor with arguably more functionality than an iPhone. Plus the driod lacks multi-touch zoom, which makes it basically impossible to use the browser efficiently, so WebOS is the only other option on the superior verizon network.