Anyone played with a Palm Pre?

ggt · Nov 6, 2009, 05:49 AM

I had a play in the o2 store. I wasn't impressed, it was shockingly slow!

Maybe it had a problem, has anyone else had a go with one and found the same issue?

It's a shame as its a nice looking phone

Don't get me wrong I'm not thinking of changing my 3GS!

dukebound85 · Nov 6, 2009, 05:53 AM

there are many threads regarding the pre that will give you the feedback you are asking for

i personally like it

nonocei · Nov 6, 2009, 05:57 AM

I played with my friends and it's a pretty nice phone. It just didn't "wow" me though and felt a bit like a toy. This is about after five minutes of playing with it though...

greygray · Nov 6, 2009, 06:03 AM

Yeah, I got to play with it for a while. The keyboard is too cramped for my liking and it looks kind of cheap. Web OS is very nice but I dislike the hardware a lot.

ctt1wbw · Nov 6, 2009, 10:53 AM

I agree with the two above posters. Nothing to call your mom about, that's for sure. The OS seems decent, but if you hands with fingers, as most people do, forget the keyboard. I don't see how people can type on keys that small.

michael.lauden · Nov 6, 2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greygray

Yeah, I got to play with it for a while. The keyboard is too cramped for my liking and it looks kind of cheap. Web OS is very nice but I dislike the hardware a lot.

yeah it definitely isn't anything to be excited about. so much for the iPhone killer, i wonder why they still make those weird commercials air...

maflynn · Nov 6, 2009, 11:18 AM

It felt too plasticy and cheap for me. I only briefly looked at it in Best Buy

Pixellated · Nov 6, 2009, 11:38 AM

I found the OS quite fidlly, the casing a little cheap and didn't like the keyboard. Touchstone is decent though.

LethalWolfe · Nov 6, 2009, 12:05 PM

The demo units, at least in the US, are notoriously slow because of the demo software the units run that can't be uninstalled. I've had a Pre since shortly after launch and if I went back in time yesterday I'd still buy it.

Lethal

ggt · Nov 6, 2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LethalWolfe

The demo units, at least in the US, are notoriously slow because of the demo software the units run that can't be uninstalled. I've had a Pre since shortly after launch and if I went back in time yesterday I'd still buy it.

Lethal

I did wonder if that was the case. The demo movie tried to kick in a few times.

They should really do something about that if they want more sales. It's really crippling the experience.

Zombie Acorn · Nov 6, 2009, 01:56 PM

The lady on the commercials is creepy enough to keep me away from it.

sysiphus · Nov 6, 2009, 02:38 PM

So is there a GSM version of the Pre? I'm rather tempted if there is...

daneoni · 09:39 PM

Yes there is.

I played with the Sprint version whilst in the US and i actually really liked it, enough that i would've bought it to replace my 3G at the time...if i were a US resident. OS is very modern, seamless and i love the notification system. Granted it was jerky at times but that OS version was the 1.0.0, i'm all but sure things would be better by now

Now that i have a 3GS though there's less of an incentive. The camera lacks video recording, no EQ function in the Music app, anaemic App catalogue, only 8GB of storage and no auto-correction when typing, which would have mitigated the smallish keyboard

I still like the device and would probably own one if i didn't own an iPhone.

greygray · Nov 6, 2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pixellated

I found the OS quite fidlly, the casing a little cheap and didn't like the keyboard. Touchstone is decent though.

I'm secretly wishing that the iPhone incorporated a type of technology like Touchstone. That, would make me run to the Apple Store to buy that charger! Touchstone is a pretty nice thing to charge on, but the Pre needs that matte back which I find nicer than the glossy back on the Pre itself originally.

IBradMac · Nov 6, 2009, 09:11 PM

How is it with pushmail?

TuffLuffJimmy · Nov 6, 2009, 09:14 PM

I think it's an absolutely brilliant OS. If the Pixi, or some other phone more similar to the Pixi comes to ATT I will consider it next, next Summer for my next phone.

Having said that, the hardware isn't that great and third party support is WEAK.

anjinhamarota · Nov 6, 2009, 09:19 PM

I'm not interested in the Pre (very happy with the iPhone actually

) but I'd love to try it just to see how it is. Unfortunately it's not available here.

Abstract · Nov 6, 2009, 09:27 PM

Wirelessly posted (Nokia 5800 Tube XpressMusic : Mozilla/5.0 (SymbianOS/9.4; U; Series60/5.0 Nokia5800d-1/21.0.101; Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 ) AppleWebKit/413 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/413)

I've never used a Pre, but it's narrower than a Nokia E71, and that has the minimum sized keyboard. Don't get me wrong though. I don't think the iPhone's keyboard is that great either, but the Pre isn't an iPhone killer. Perhaps Palm could come out with a horizontal slider (full sized) keyboard version?

I think the latest version of Android on Sony's upcoming X10 mobile, or Android 2.0 on the upcoming Droid will be as good, if not better, than the iPhone, particularly the Droid. It has a physical keyboard, and yet remains quite thin!

daneoni · Nov 6, 2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBradMac

How is it with pushmail?

It won't beat BBM but it supports Exchange, Direct Push, IMAP, POP, IM etc

JoeG4 · Nov 6, 2009, 09:45 PM

One of my friends has a Pre, I've used it and love it - the multitasking is awesome, and in the newest firmware builds they are easily much faster than an iPhone (IMHO).

The only thing is they aren't built too nicely, he's on his like 4th one. I'd totally go for one if they got rid of the stupid slide-out keyboard (although, that's one of the reasons why he has one). Sprint too, nice network - he seems to NEVER have no coverage lol.

erickkoch · Nov 6, 2009, 10:36 PM

I own one and would get it again. Only major complaint is the battery. I'm lucky to get 1.5 days on a single charge.

brmaki · Nov 7, 2009, 06:23 PM

I just got mine a couple weeks ago and I absolutely love mine. The keyboard is a bit small, but my last phone was a Palm Centro, so I'm used to the smaller keyboard (and I'm a pretty big dude, about 240 lbs.). It's been great so far though and my only real complaint would be the battery life, although I've only had it die on me once.

7on · Nov 7, 2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sysiphus

So is there a GSM version of the Pre? I'm rather tempted if there is...

Expansys USA has them for $715, unlocked. They're the imported O2 Germany models so the Y and Z keys are swapped, but the OS is English ready.

three · Nov 8, 2009, 02:23 AM

My friend has one, I like the phone but it's way too slow and the keyboard is too cramped.

sysiphus · Nov 8, 2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7on

Expansys USA has them for $715, unlocked. They're the imported O2 Germany models so the Y and Z keys are swapped, but the OS is English ready.

Thanks for the reply. It looks like a cool toy, but no way I can spend that kind of cash on a phone. Heck, I could only justify the $500 for the original 4GB iPhone back on launch day because I'd been working loads of overtime.

Nov 6, 2009, 05:49 AM	#1
ggt macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Driffield aka Dullfield, UK	Anyone played with a Palm Pre? I had a play in the o2 store. I wasn't impressed, it was shockingly slow! Maybe it had a problem, has anyone else had a go with one and found the same issue? It's a shame as its a nice looking phone Don't get me wrong I'm not thinking of changing my 3GS! __________________ 15" MacBook Pro 2.66 (ssd) 20" iMac G5 (iSight), tv, iPhone 3G S⃣ 16gb, iPod 5G, Airport Express, Time Capsule ACSP 10.5 www.hub-bub.co.uk

Nov 6, 2009, 05:53 AM	#2
dukebound85 macrumors 603 Join Date: Jul 2005	there are many threads regarding the pre that will give you the feedback you are asking for i personally like it __________________ Old Bike: 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Green Current Bike: 2003 Suzuki SV650S Copper

Nov 6, 2009, 05:57 AM	#3
nonocei macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA	I played with my friends and it's a pretty nice phone. It just didn't "wow" me though and felt a bit like a toy. This is about after five minutes of playing with it though... __________________ 13.3" MacBook Pro. 16GB iPhone 3G White.

Nov 6, 2009, 06:03 AM	#4
greygray macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2009	Yeah, I got to play with it for a while. The keyboard is too cramped for my liking and it looks kind of cheap. Web OS is very nice but I dislike the hardware a lot. __________________ Stop asking stupid questions. Use this. I'm at the salad bar.

Nov 6, 2009, 11:18 AM	#7
maflynn Contributor Join Date: May 2009	It felt too plasticy and cheap for me. I only briefly looked at it in Best Buy __________________ Unibody MacBook Pro 2.53 GHz, 4GB ram, 500GB HDD; iPhone 3Gs 32GB

Nov 6, 2009, 10:53 AM	#5
ctt1wbw macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seaford VA	I agree with the two above posters. Nothing to call your mom about, that's for sure. The OS seems decent, but if you hands with fingers, as most people do, forget the keyboard. I don't see how people can type on keys that small.

Nov 6, 2009, 11:38 AM	#8
Pixellated Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dartford, UK	I found the OS quite fidlly, the casing a little cheap and didn't like the keyboard. Touchstone is decent though. __________________ "Globetotter" 32GB iPhone 3GS; "Bricky" 2.26GHz 13" MBP ; "Oldy" CD White MacBook; "Biggy" Xeon Quad Hackintosh; "Eyestrain" Hackintosh Netbook Finger on the WiFi 16GB iPad trigger

Nov 6, 2009, 12:05 PM	#9
LethalWolfe macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles	The demo units, at least in the US, are notoriously slow because of the demo software the units run that can't be uninstalled. I've had a Pre since shortly after launch and if I went back in time yesterday I'd still buy it. Lethal __________________ If it doesn't hurt you aren't having fun.

Nov 6, 2009, 01:56 PM	#11
Zombie Acorn macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2009	The lady on the commercials is creepy enough to keep me away from it. __________________ --2.6 C2Q 4gb DDR3 GTX 260-Win 7-- --2.0 CE Macbook Alum-Leopard--

Nov 6, 2009, 02:38 PM	#12
sysiphus macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2006	So is there a GSM version of the Pre? I'm rather tempted if there is...

Nov 6, 2009, 08:29 PM	#13
daneoni macrumors 601 Join Date: Mar 2006	Yes there is. I played with the Sprint version whilst in the US and i actually really liked it, enough that i would've bought it to replace my 3G at the time...if i were a US resident. OS is very modern, seamless and i love the notification system. Granted it was jerky at times but that OS version was the 1.0.0, i'm all but sure things would be better by now Now that i have a 3GS though there's less of an incentive. The camera lacks video recording, no EQ function in the Music app, anaemic App catalogue, only 8GB of storage and no auto-correction when typing, which would have mitigated the smallish keyboard I still like the device and would probably own one if i didn't own an iPhone. __________________ 15" uMBP 2.66GHz \| 4GB \| 320GB HDD \| BlackPhone 3GS \| 30GB 5G BlackPod AEBS \| 24" LED ACD Last edited by daneoni : Nov 6, 2009 at 09:39 PM.

Nov 6, 2009, 09:11 PM	#15
IBradMac macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ohio	How is it with pushmail? __________________ 15" MacBook Pro, SL OS- 2.4 GhZ, 4 GB RAM, JB iPhone 3G 8GB * BlackBerry Curve Follow me there--> MRoogle

Nov 6, 2009, 09:14 PM	#16
TuffLuffJimmy macrumors 601 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR	I think it's an absolutely brilliant OS. If the Pixi, or some other phone more similar to the Pixi comes to ATT I will consider it next, next Summer for my next phone. Having said that, the hardware isn't that great and third party support is WEAK. __________________ "Next PM I get from you about this, and it gets posted as my signature." --LTD

Nov 6, 2009, 09:19 PM	#17
anjinhamarota macrumors Demi-Goddess Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lisboa, Portugal	I'm not interested in the Pre (very happy with the iPhone actually ) but I'd love to try it just to see how it is. Unfortunately it's not available here. __________________ "Tech nerds everywhere pissed Apple made a product for someone other than them." Macgasm \| Mac Tips, Mac News, Mac Everything. - Damn right I'm good in bed, I can sleep for days!

Nov 6, 2009, 09:27 PM	#18
Abstract macrumors G3 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: It's classified.	Wirelessly posted (Nokia 5800 Tube XpressMusic : Mozilla/5.0 (SymbianOS/9.4; U; Series60/5.0 Nokia5800d-1/21.0.101; Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 ) AppleWebKit/413 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/413) I've never used a Pre, but it's narrower than a Nokia E71, and that has the minimum sized keyboard. Don't get me wrong though. I don't think the iPhone's keyboard is that great either, but the Pre isn't an iPhone killer. Perhaps Palm could come out with a horizontal slider (full sized) keyboard version? I think the latest version of Android on Sony's upcoming X10 mobile, or Android 2.0 on the upcoming Droid will be as good, if not better, than the iPhone, particularly the Droid. It has a physical keyboard, and yet remains quite thin! __________________ "Oh, I've always wanted to touch Stanley," signs teacher Fran Zakoor, embracing the kids… ESPN Article, 04/09/2008

Nov 6, 2009, 09:45 PM	#20
JoeG4 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bay Area, Ca.	One of my friends has a Pre, I've used it and love it - the multitasking is awesome, and in the newest firmware builds they are easily much faster than an iPhone (IMHO). The only thing is they aren't built too nicely, he's on his like 4th one. I'd totally go for one if they got rid of the stupid slide-out keyboard (although, that's one of the reasons why he has one). Sprint too, nice network - he seems to NEVER have no coverage lol. __________________ VGMasters - a different video game forum!

Nov 6, 2009, 10:36 PM	#21
erickkoch macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kalifornia	I own one and would get it again. Only major complaint is the battery. I'm lucky to get 1.5 days on a single charge. __________________ Mac Pro 2.66 GHz 20-inch ACD X2

Nov 7, 2009, 06:23 PM	#22
brmaki macrumors member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC	I just got mine a couple weeks ago and I absolutely love mine. The keyboard is a bit small, but my last phone was a Palm Centro, so I'm used to the smaller keyboard (and I'm a pretty big dude, about 240 lbs.). It's been great so far though and my only real complaint would be the battery life, although I've only had it die on me once. __________________ 13" 2.4 GHz Whitebook 80gig iPod Classic

Nov 8, 2009, 02:23 AM	#24
three macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington	My friend has one, I like the phone but it's way too slow and the keyboard is too cramped. __________________ T H R E E Intel Mac mini - MacBook Air - iMac G4 - iMac G3 Green 16GB iPod nano (5G) - 8GB iPod touch (1G) - Black 4GB iPod shuffle (3G) - Sprint HTC Hero

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