Palm Pre Release Update- First Half of 2009
OK, I’m gigging Palm and Sprint with this, as we still have no idea exactly when the two companies will push the big green button to release the Palm Pre smartphone. It’s amazing to watch the fever that is building among those desperate to see the Pre hit the light of day, and the rumors about release information keep coming daily.
Sprint has been publishing the FAQ for the Pre, and enthusiasts have been eagerly lapping up that information since they can’t touch the phone yet. The latest information indicates the Pre will have Office 2007 compatibility out of the box, which is good news for those who need this capability. Most likely this compatibility will be viewing documents only, but even so, it’s a good thing for the Pre.
This FAQ also makes it clear that it will be possible to have multiple IM sessions going concurrently. This emphasizes the multi-tasking capability of the Pre that Palm has been pushing seemingly forever. The Pre will also handle picture text messages (MMS) out of the box, another feature lacking on the rival iPhone. Sadly, it’s become clear that the Pre will not offer video recording at launch, something Apple has been continually blasted for since the iPhone has been around. Palm does say that video recording will be added “shortly” via a firmware update.
I’m ashamed to admit to this JK but I actually had a dream that I had managed to get my hands on a Pre ahead of most of the planet. Gotta stop eating so close to going to bed
I’m long gone to becoming a Pre Fan-Boy and I’ve yet to see one in person. How sick am I!?
And yet given the dearth of comments to this post, either everyone is asleep, or the Pre is just not generating the type of buzz that *you* apparently would like to believe that it is. I’m an unabashed gadget guy, but the Pre is not exciting to me – especially given the fact that it was developed by Palm – whose track record for the past 10 years is simply terrible.
Actually, I think it’s the fact that there are 20 other posts on the topic are why there are no comments on this one. I mean, how many more times can people comment saying they’re waiting on a release date.
As for their so-called track record, what about Apple? They had a horrible period of time where nothing they did seemed to work and they were unprofitable in the early to mid 90s. Does that mean that people shouldn’t buy the iPhone because Apple has a horrible track record? I mean, any technology company that has been around as long as Palm has is going to have something like that in their past.
Wow, I did not realize JK is the only blog covering the Pre, and that this is the 1st Palm Pre article on JK. Thanks for pointing that out!
Oh I’m far from being a Palm fan. VERY FAR! I’ve been a PPC user since I sold my old Sharp Zaurus. When I bought my non-techy wife a PalmOS device she hated the UI and was back to using paper and pen within 30 days. I tend to agree with her on that front.
To be honest I was kind of hoh hum on the Pre until I started seeing some of the UI videos being shown. I think this looks to be much improved. I am a little concerned about some of the UI slowness I’ve seen in the videos. I was all set to upgrade my Sprint 6700 to an HTC Touch Pro before the Pre started looking interesting.
Plus, I don’t base my buying purchases on what generates “buzz” or the most comments. I would have tried an iPhone long before if I was. I think Engadget’s posts about the Pre and its resulting comments show plenty of buzz anyways.
Besides your bias against Palm, why does the Pre not excite you? Again, I have that same bias. The UI is what has me excited about it. That and its sort of SaaS nature.
Have I mentioned that that’s my next phone? That’s my next phone.
Obviously I’d LIKE it to be my current phone.