Palm has run the gamut from being on top of the tech world with a popular PDA product line, to falling deeply behind in the brutal cell phone industry and from being the inventor of the touchscreen to lacking the imagination to fully exploit it.
Most of the headlines about Palm over the past few years have asked why, wHY, WHY!, they have been unable to release the brand new, slick, modern OS that had been long rumored and so filled with promise.
Well, finally, they have, and after a long climb back from the abyss and considerable hype, Palm has released the Pre. So what’s the verdict?
Let’s take a look.
The Palm Pre is a slick, sexy CDMA slider that runs on the new WebOS, a powerful operating system which, combined with a smooth touch user interface, creates a wonderful experience. Even a brief interaction with this phone and you realize you’re working with a powerful, fun device.
When closed, users will be amazed at how the touch interface allows them to access multiple applications, from tasks to social networking sites, all of which can be open and running simultaneously. This is a critical and wonderful feature of the Pre, because users are truly “in the moment” when interacting with their device. The Palm Pre allows you to participate, interact and control all at the same time.
The 3.1 inch, 320 x 480 pixel resolution screen is beautiful, rendering a deep rainbow of colors accurately and beautifully. Kudos to Palm for producing a high-quality screen that users will enjoy and one that holds its own against the finer smartphones on the market.
The full QWERTY keypad allows for quick, comfortable texting and, while it isn’t the best, most contoured/sculptured keypad on the market, it does its job very well.
So, what can you add to a high-end screen, touch interface, fully updated OS and good looks? How about a 3 megapixel camera with flash, stereo Bluetooth, WiFi, 8 GB of internal memory and microUSB, which is the new porting standard.
The Palm Pre is rated at five hours of talk time and up to 250 hours of standby time. Keep in mind that these ratings are extremely subjective and depend on personal use.
The downside to the Pre is that many have complained that the build materials are not top-notch, that the device doesn’t have the same hearty in-the-hand feel as, say, and iPhone or BlackBerry.
That said, the Palm Pre has plans for its own App store, and the phone will appeal to many users, especially a younger demographic, who have decided that touchscreen interfaces are the way to go.
If you are looking for a powerful slider that can run multiple applications simultaneously, has a wonderful screen and a powerful processor, take a serious look at the Palm Pre.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Richard Wray, The GuardianFor a phone with a slide-out qwerty keyboard, the Pre is still surprisingly thin and light, but despite its polished black look it feels a bit plastic when the keyboard is out. Incidentally, the bottom ridge of the keyboard is weirdly sharp for a phone that is supposed to resemble a polished pebble....
- Peter Ha, TechCrunchNow that everyone has had their say about the Palm Pre, I thought it wise to say a few words about the oft labeled “iPhone killer” that Sprint and Palm hope will bring each back from the edge of the dreaded deadpool. It seems as though every touch-screen device to launch since the first...
- Michael Oryl, MobileBurnThere is no denying that the Palm Pre is an important device for both Palm and the industry. It is considered by many to have been Palm's hail Mary pass - its last chance at survival. It is a bit early to see if it worked or not, but initial indications suggest that it has. As for the industry, the...
- Eric M. Zeman, Phone ScoopDespite all of the wonderful technology available to phone manufacturers, not a single one of them has been able to come up with that magical formula to include absolutely every feature. There are always trade-offs, and the Pre is no different. It has a lot of pros and cons to weigh. The hardware c...
- Steven Levy, Wired"Pre" is an odd name for a device that drops late into a corporate drama already loaded with twists, turns and setbacks. But if Palm is indicating that its new phone kicks off a new phase, maybe the Pre is aptly named after all.Shaped like a small bar of shower soap, the dense, ebony Pre matches man...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Palm Pre user manual here.
Palm backs up the Pre with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Pre has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Palm support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Palm's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Palm Pre Manual (PDF)
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.
