'Palm Pre' Smartphone Announced: WebOS, Wireless Charging, App Store

[bbplayer5]

I think the phone looks "ok". Im not really a fan of its egg shape.

I think the major complaint is that Apple hasnt listened to anyone about their phone. It would take them a week to write an MMS program, maybe a couple of months to create copy paste. Simply allowing turn by turn GPS is free of charge and would make the iphone the most powerful hand held device ever made.

I really dont get their marketing scheme. AT&T is an iPhone killer away from Apple losing the phone market. Dont bet against another company making something even better thatn iPhone. At least we can hold out some hope!

 

[theGoodLife]

This is what I am talking about.

Have you looked at the phone's UI?

Having been using the UI of the touch and iPhone for two years now it's safe to say that the UI is the ONLY benefit of the iPhone and Touch.

Palm has taken their OWN UI which debuted in 95 and Apple did copy aspects from, and revamped it to make it more desktop like and fluid. It is simply a better OS.

Simply writing the Pre off as a knock off is blind devotion.

And to say that Palm is mimicking greatness while Apple strips down $2800 machines for consumers is a joke. The Pre doesn't claim similar features, it has the same features their other smartphones have had for years which Apple still does not have.

Seriously!

You know, you are being pretty arrogant. It may be "safe to say" that the UI is the only benefit for you, but I enjoy syncing with iTunes, MobileMe pushing all of my contacts, calendars, ect. over to my iPhone, and I enjoy the fast, responsive native applications. The iPhone is a lot more then a pretty UI to me.

Saying that "It is a simply better OS" after a half hour presentation is a blind devotion.

Bud, Apple does not make iPhone's just for you. They are made for everyone. I am sorry that you do not enjoy the user interface as much as the world does. Perhaps the iPhone was not for you.

I am not saying the Pre does not have potential, but you can compare a 30 minute keynote to a 2 year old proven platform.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I was taking you seriously, but obviously you're off your rocker. $2800 computers bother you, that much is clear, but its non-relative.

Its not blidn devotion to say this a knock off, a developer and a marketing professional (me) can look at this, read the descrip and know instantly what it is. Cheap knock off is an understatement in referring to the Pre.

Vast understatement.

Also, to say the UI is the only good thing about iPhone/touch, is so right-field ridiculous that I can't continue to take you seriously, sorry.

I thought you were being sarcastic in that thread.

But seriously, yes, the iPhone has it's OS. Nothing else. By OS I do mean all the apps that run on it as well.

The processor and hardware inside of the phone is available to everyone, so yes, the OS is the game changer. Even multi-touch has been done before.

Anyone that can truly say the Pre's OS is a knock off hasn't been around the portable computing market long enough to know that it's not, and that Palm actually did something right, good, and somewhat better than Apple for once.

And as a pro multimedia producer/journalist, the new 17" MBP is a bit upsetting when comparing price and features. But that's going off topic, so I apologize for bringing it up.

p.s. I see that other posters are starting to miss points in my conversation. Just for the record, I like the same things theGoodLife likes, and no it's not arrogant, and yes it's blind devotion to LOVE OR HATE the OS after a half hour presentation. And, yes I enjoy the iPhone UI very much, but not satisfied with EVERYTHING, like i have said millions of times before.

 

[anjinha]

It bothers me when a thread gets flooded with people that bash a product simply because it's not an iPhone.

No offense, but like Powerfull Mac said, to each their own. It bugs me when iPhone users blindly bash and blindly compare everything to the iPhone and scream that the iPhone wins simply because it's Apple, even when something better DOES actually come along.

I understand what you are saying and I kind of agree with you. But in this particular thread I've seen more people bashing users who love their iPhones than people bashing the Pre. Most people here admit that the Pre has some great features and still they got bashed as soon as they said they like the iPhone better.

 

[LethalWolfe]

The Pre must be doing something right otherwise all the people hanging on Steve's jock wouldn't be trying so hard to say how crappy it is and how wonderfully perfect the iPhone is.

ugh.

It's a shame these people give the Apple user community at large a bad rap.


Lethal

 

[Indy21]

But in this particular thread I've seen more people bashing users who love their iPhones than people bashing the Pre.

Exactly, that's what I was trying to get out.

...need more coffee.

 

[imacdaddy]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

For us iPhone lovers, this is good. Palm just set a new standard for Apple to follow! Expect MMS and copy and paste on the next iPhone, maybe a better camera with video recording too.

The Pre did noy set any standards with those features mentioned which have been around for years. I loved Palm but that was years ago and I'm happy they are trying to turn things around. This is good competition for Apple and the market.

Also, why does copy/paste and running apps in background have to be on the next iPhone version? Apple just simply needs to update the current firmware...whenever that may be.

 

[fteoath64]

Go Palm.....

the "iPhone" may have many features but this thing is loaded.

maybe this will get the iphone users some things being asked for.

It already has! A2DP, Diskmode, proper keyboard and TouchStone charging. Whats more you need NOT press a single dumbest button on the Phone to close the app. Just flick iy up on the PRE!.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/pos...o-a-developer-speaks-about-palms-new-sdk.html

SDK got Mojo baby. Things that Apple prevents, Palm encouraged. Its a Freedom phone and iPhone is for the oppressed.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I understand what you are saying and I kind of agree with you. But in this particular thread I've seen more people bashing users who love their iPhones than people bashing the Pre. Most people here admit that the Pre has some great features and still they got bashed as soon as they said they like the iPhone better.

Very true. The iPhone users that see this as notable competition get the idea.

Especially those that see ideas implemented on the iPhone that have been improved on the Pre.

Early on I said that I actually like having an XT9 keyboard as opposed to a real one. Or at least both like the HTC Touch Pro. So comparing it to the many other phones out there may offer much better perspective than just harping on Palms and Apple's failures/successes with these phones.

 

[hexonxonx]

SDK got Mojo baby. Things that Apple prevents, Palm encouraged. Its a Freedom phone and iPhone is for the oppressed.

I shall stay oppressed then because I'm loving my iPhone. As I mentioned before, it is iTunes/music/video/apps that I like the most. If this new Pre could integrate with iTunes, I would be all over it. I still have a broadband card with Sprint after two years so I could easily get a Pre.

 

[Dejavu]

WebOS looks pretty cool and easier to use than iPhone. Nice form factor too, has that nice curve. Sexy. I want.

 

[gloss]

This is a great-looking phone, and probably the first legitimate competitor to the iPhone (at least apparently) from a user-interface standpoint. Well-done, Palm. I hope it helps to salvage the company.

Competition is good. Apple had better have a return salvo in the cards for June.

 

[Brandhaus]

The only reason I would switch, is because I really would love to have a pull out keyboard. I hate typing with the touchscreen. I'm kind of used to not having MMS by now, so that really isn't a big issue for me anymore. I just upload it to facebook.

 

[Indy21]

Very true. The iPhone users that see this as notable competition get the idea.

Especially those that see ideas implemented on the iPhone that have been improved on the Pre.

Early on I said that I actually like having an XT9 keyboard as opposed to a real one. Or at least both like the HTC Touch Pro. So comparing it to the many other phones out there may offer much better perspective than just harping on Palms and Apple's failures/successes with these phones.

Well, just for the record.

Currently I'm a "iPhone Wannabe Fanboy" since I do not YET own an iphone but will shortly.

But I'm not one to count out this Palm or any other phones that may come out soon and step up to the challenge. I love innovation and seeing new toys announced and I love that this new Palm may make apple a little uneasy because I think they need their eyes opened a little.

That's all.

 

[fteoath64]

I understand what you are saying and I kind of agree with you. But in this particular thread I've seen more people bashing users who love their iPhones than people bashing the Pre. Most people here admit that the Pre has some great features and still they got bashed as soon as they said they like the iPhone better.

Too right!. People using iPhones does NOT really mean they like it!. Initially yes but after a few months, it becomes stale and annoying with those firware upgrades that screw things up. Hey, I got 3 units yet I struggle with it. I want to hear music while I do wifi surfing. Not reliable so second unit just do iTunes and 1 unit do Safari. Oh, I prefer FireFox or Opera but do I have a choice ?. NO! The bluetooth implementation is less than acceptable. I got 3 headsets and they work great with Macs but not with iPhones. These headtset works perfectly with an SE handset. so go figure. I think the PRE spanking iPhone would be a serious wake-up call for Apple later this year.

 

[anjinha]

The Pre looks good and all, but how many phones out there are so easy to use that even cats can use them? Here's my cat watching a video on my iPhone:

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

Digital Skunk, I agree with you almost completely, but here's the thing that strikes me:

You are making the case that many iPhone users knock on other phones simply because (what you said in one of your posts..) it doesn't have "an app store, safari..." et cetera. But then people knock on the iPhone for a few things it doesn't have. I'm not making the case that it's acceptable for the iPhone not to have these features, however...even though I understand your case is particular to you, but say someone has no need at all for copy and paste or MMS, but does use the app store frequently, and can't use the internet efficiently at all on less intuitive mobile browsers...Why does it make them a blind devotee to say the iPhone is a better phone for that reason, but there's nothing wrong with you (who needs copy and paste and MMS, but not so much the app store and such) saying the iPhone is an inferior phone because it doesn't have these features? It's just striking to me the double standard.

 

[Indy21]

The Pre looks good and all, but how many phones out there are so easy to use that even cats can use them? Here's my cat watching a video on my iPhone:

Hahaha, that's good stuff. So you're saying I'm gonna have to share with my two cats when I get mine? Maybe I should just get them their own!

 

[daneoni]

I think there is legitimate reason for what you describe. iPhone users, while annoying, have the right to criticize any else because there simply isn't anything else that even comes close to whole package that is the seamless integration of iPhone/OSX/Push Services/iTunes/App Store.

This Palm Pre, while it may be able to claim similar features, is simply an attempt to "catch up" to the iPhone, and it still falls far short. Consumers rightfully should be annoyed by products that attempt to "catch up" to another because its obviously a ham-handed attempt at money grabbing.

There is no attempt at greatness here. Just an attempt to mimic well enough to covert some sales. That in itself is recognizable and "insulting" to users who understand the difference between real innovation and mockery.

Apple is not as innovative as you think and i put it to you that Apple copied...yes copied some features of other vendors. Everybody copies the other its the way the industry works

Icon based come screen, home button functionality, ringer toggle switch, threaded messaging are not Apple's original ideas...they copied them. Double space and insertion of a period is for another example a BlackBerry feature. Even Multi-Touch is not an Apple original idea they just fine tuned it and made it real-word usable and major props to them for that. Point being to say Apple invented or 'innovated' everything and everyone else is 'cathing up' is just ridiculous. They also 'borrow' stuff.

 

[Povilas]

Just watched Pre demo on Youtube. Damn phone is slow as hell. Web browsing is terrible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRnlzbuLRwM

 

[anjinha]

Hahaha, that's good stuff. So you're saying I'm gonna have to share with my two cats when I get mine? Maybe I should just get them their own!

Maybe. From my experience cats love apple stuff. My parents' cats constantly sleep on their computers (Mac Mini and eMac) but they never did that when we had a Windows machine.

Also check this out: http://www.flickr.com/groups/catslovemacs/

 

[lftrghtparadigm]

Digital Skunk, I agree with you almost completely, but here's the thing that strikes me:

You are making the case that many iPhone users knock on other phones simply because (what you said in one of your posts..) it doesn't have "an app store, safari..." et cetera. But then people knock on the iPhone for a few things it doesn't have. I'm not making the case that it's acceptable for the iPhone not to have these features, however...even though I understand your case is particular to you, but say someone has no need at all for copy and paste or MMS, but does use the app store frequently, and can't use the internet efficiently at all on less intuitive mobile browsers...Why does it make them a blind devotee to say the iPhone is a better phone for that reason, but there's nothing wrong with you (who needs copy and paste and MMS, but not so much the app store and such) saying the iPhone is an inferior phone because it doesn't have these features? It's just striking to me the double standard.

Good post. Exactly what I said, in referring to Priorities and Trade Offs.

The iPhone clearly has its priorities and tradeoffs.

The Pre clearly hopes to be "as good as" the iPhone by mimicking what the iPhone does well, and "doing" what the iPhone does not.

My iPhone is great because of:

1. The App store Apps that it runs, like Jaadu for example and MobileFiles

2. Safari

3. The iPod app

4. Push and Mobile Me

Aside from Safari, none of the above are independent features, they all require the existence of iTunes or MobileMe, and they are no doubt the best features.

By comparison to the additional "features" that the Pre has, such as copy&paste, MMS, Magnet "wireless" charging (lol could that be any more pointless?)......

well simply there is no comparison. Would you trade The above features for the Pre's features? if you would you have the wrong device to begin with.

 

[lftrghtparadigm]

Apple is not as innovative as you think and i put it to you that Apple copied...yes copied some features of the Palm and other vendors. Everybody copies the other its the way the industry works

Icon based come screen, home button functionality, ringer toggle switch, threaded messaging are not Apple's original ideas...they copied them. Double space and insertion of a period is for another example a BlackBerry feature

If by copy you mean "take others fully developed ideas and implement them in more useful and attractive way" then yes thats exactly what they did and I couldn't be happier about it.

Too bad Palm was too stupid/underfunded to do it first, since it was "their ideas" after all.

 

[Povilas]

Apple is not as innovative as you think and i put it to you that Apple copied...yes copied some features of the Palm and other vendors. Everybody copies the other its the way the industry works

Icon based come screen, home button functionality, ringer toggle switch, threaded messaging are not Apple's original ideas...they copied them. Double space and insertion of a period is a BlackBerry feature

But Apple does something that no one can do, they can take simple things, technology available for years and they put it together like no one can. Of course they power it with software and software they do very well. What Steve Balmer said about iPhone? How reacted other vendors (Nokia, HTC etc.,?) and how marker looks now? Apple really reinvented the phone, iPhone is not perfect by all means, but it pushed the industry and that's the fact.

 

[fteoath64]

I shall stay oppressed then because I'm loving my iPhone. As I mentioned before, it is iTunes/music/video/apps that I like the most.

Get an iPod, it does this better and gives way better battery life. Yes, ignorance is bliss sometimes ...

iPhone does voice and SMS poorly compared to most cheap phones today. I cannot even use its speakerphone to conference all with 4 people in the room. A cheap SE handset with speakerphone does this function very well. No complains from the distant party.