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

[chaosconan]

keyboards are dead...touch screens is a dying technology... its all about eye tracking... apple should get on the ball and start adapting eye response technology... who wants to actually use their fingers anymore... too much work!!!

You're silly.

Why would you want to type with your eyes. It would be slower than your fingers.
I have 10 fingers working in parallel to spell out words. I have 1 eye focal point to look for a letter on the keyboard to hit it. This technology is for handicaps. Why don't you try it out on your physical keyboard. Go ahead and type with your eyes. Look for each letter on the keyboard and see how fast you type. You'll find that your fingers type faster.

Whats going to replace all of these is thought technology. You just think about the word in your mind and it writes it on your computer screen. Its like speaking the words inside your mind and they are printed on the screen. Just say the words in your thoughts and it writes it. Just think of the button and its shape or picture and those actions are applied on the screen.

 

[ArtursBoy]

The more I learn about this new Palm Pre and its OS, the more I like it.

Using Javascript, HTML, and CSS to run all applications on the phone? Wow, they might actually be able to pull off what Apple couldn't pull off to begin with: multitasking without slowing the phone down to a halt and without draining the battery after an hour of intense usage.

Remember how the only 3rd party apps available and allowed to run on the original iPhone were "web apps" ? Apple figured this was the answer to multitasking since more than one web app could be running at once, except the need to have an internet connection and the browser open proved to be more annoying than helpful.

Now it seems to me Palm had the same goal, but with a different approach. Why not make every app on the phone javascript, HTML or CSS? I'm no expert on this, but I have to hand it to them, that's pretty clever.

For those saying that the apps wont be "good enough" because they are javascript, html or css, keep in mind that ALL the applications, even the ones the phone comes with (music player, video player, maps, email, etc..) are all built this way. Not only that but they say the applications can go deeper into the OS if they need to. They also mention 3D limitations will be addressed in the future.

Apple will be in need to come out with a magical way (and I hope they do) to run multiple applications at once without slowing the phone or draining the battery. The fact that there are thousands of apps already built for the current iPhone OS somewhat limit what they can change and still keep those apps compatible. That and polish their current UI to better compete against Pre.

But hey, Apple's been known to wow the critics right.

 

[nfl46]

That's all fine and dandy. I didn't doubt that the iPhone might not be the fastest for some. I can type so much faster on the iPhone than on blackberries or my Centro, it's ridiculous, but my question is: Why is a plastic physical keyboard automatically the requirement for a "business-ready" phone. Why is it that if a phone doesn't have a physical keyboard, people say it's not a "business phone." I just don't get it.

Well, truthfully honest, the iPhone isn't a business phone. Firstly, the lack of Copy & Paste. As most know, most business users require this feature when copying information from blogs, e-mails, contacts, etc. Secondly, the physical keyboard. As someone previously said, it's a personal preference. If it wasn't for the auto-correction feature on the iPhone, I wouldn't type so well on it, but it's there so I can't really complain about it. I wouldn't dare give my mother or father a iPhone, with a virtual keyboard, especially not my father, who works for a business firm. When I speak to him on the phone again, I'll ask him why he carries a Blackberry & not an iPhone. I'm sure he'll say one of the reasons is because of the keyboard. I'm not a business professional, I'm in college & one of the reasons why I carry an iPhone is because it's cool and hip. I mean, at least 35-40% of my campus has an iPhone or Touch.

There's some more reasons why the iPhone isn't business ready, but no need to talk about that.

 

[sporadicMotion]

you know, this tech has been around for a while. i know at work we have cordless phones that charge on a dock via the metal connections. it is wireless. not really a big deal, just another hype bullet point

that's the thing, putting a phone on a dock might as well be a wire... they're still using a traditional connection. In this method, electricity is being transmitted through a non traditional method. Do some research into alternative methods of supplying power. This is an idea that's been in the works for quite a while and this is the first consumer implementation I've seen... mind you it's in it's infancy... but it not using typical methods.

 

[Desfolio]

As an iphone owner I must say, I'm very impressed and excited about the Palm Pre. I see it as a real competitor to the iphone. Apple definitely needs to take notes and incorporated some of the features offered by the Palm Pre.

 

[sporadicMotion]

begin to understand the difference...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_energy_transfer

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/wireless-power.htm

i correct myself... toothbrushes

 

[NT1440]

Apple definitely needs to take notes and incorporated some of the features offered by the Palm Pre.

Nope, apple needs to find THEIR way to implement that kind of feature, otherwise you have flaming wars EVERYWHERE saying apple copied this or that.


That kind of stuff is rampant in the industry.

 

[Desfolio]

Nope, apple needs to find THEIR way to implement that kind of feature, otherwise you have flaming wars EVERYWHERE saying apple copied this or that.


That kind of stuff is rampant in the industry.

Whatever way equal to the iphone becoming a better phone/Internet device then I'm happy. I'll leave the flame wars to the diehard fanboys.

 

[NT1440]

Whatever way equal to the iphone becoming a better phone/Internet device then I'm happy. I'll leave the flame wars to the diehard fanboys.

You'd be suprised how much of it goes on in the journalism of the industry as well.

And yes, different approach, equal results would be lovely.

 

[vga4life]

Unless I'm mistaken, the only reason Palm is still around is because of Apple. Seems like I read somewhere the Palm OS and all the writing recognition was bought off the Newton after Jobs axed that project.

No. History lesson:

Palm was started in '92 as a handheld software company. They designed a PIM suite for the Zoomer PDA and developed and sold Graffiti as a popular 3rd-party software add-on for the Newton (at the time, the Newton's built in handwriting recognition was something of a joke - Graffiti's simplified alphabet was more reliably recognized.)

They started working on their own PDA in the mid 90's, got bought by US Robotics, and came out with the Pilot PDAs (later changing the name to PalmPilot and then Palm due to a trademark dispute with Pilot pens.)

Apple still owns all the Newton handwriting recognition IP.

 

[powers74]

Ok

No. History lesson:

Palm was started in '92 as a handheld software company. They designed a PIM suite for the Zoomer PDA and developed and sold Graffiti as a popular 3rd-party software add-on for the Newton (at the time, the Newton's built in handwriting recognition was something of a joke - Graffiti's simplified alphabet was more reliably recognized.)

They started working on their own PDA in the mid 90's, got bought by US Robotics, and came out with the Pilot PDAs (later changing the name to PalmPilot and then Palm due to a trademark dispute with Pilot pens.)

Apple still owns all the Newton handwriting recognition IP.

Thanks.

 

[JGuez]

It'll be a good phone, but no one will buy it.

I'm glad phones like this come out though. Without competition, there would be no motivation for Apple to make better products. It's the same with every other company and product.

 

[NT1440]

It'll be a good phone, but no one will buy it.

I'm glad phones like this come out though. Without competition, there would be no motivation for Apple to make better products. It's the same with every other company and product.

With all the hype, i doubt it.

I still think it wont hurt iphone sales, just other phone sales.

 

[JGuez]

With all the hype, i doubt it.

I still think it wont hurt iphone sales, just other phone sales.

The hype that is on the internet. Most people who buy phones don't watch keynotes and press conferences like us.

Someone had a post about branding earlier, and Palm doesn't have the branding power for their name anymore.

Edit: At least in my belief that is.

 

[kamm]

Eh, it's okay, it's not an iPhone. Sorry, Apple got this one right.

Mwhahahaaaahahahahhaaaahahahahaha.... this was a good one... Apple and 'getting it right' with whyPhone... excellent joke, thanks for the good laugh.

 

[kamm]

No. History lesson:

Palm was started in '92 as a handheld software company. They designed a PIM suite for the Zoomer PDA and developed and sold Graffiti as a popular 3rd-party software add-on for the Newton (at the time, the Newton's built in handwriting recognition was something of a joke - Graffiti's simplified alphabet was more reliably recognized.)

They started working on their own PDA in the mid 90's, got bought by US Robotics, and came out with the Pilot PDAs (later changing the name to PalmPilot and then Palm due to a trademark dispute with Pilot pens.)

Apple still owns all the Newton handwriting recognition IP.

Not that it matters any more - Sony Ericssons and Nokias have excellent recognition for almost decade now.

 

[NT1440]

Mwhahahaaaahahahahhaaaahahahahaha.... this was a good one... Apple and 'getting it right' with whyPhone... excellent joke, thanks for the good laugh.

As far as consumers are concerned, it seems like they have.....

 

[Digital Skunk]

With all the hype, i doubt it.

I still think it wont hurt iphone sales, just other phone sales.

Very true. I doubt people will jump ship from any Storms or iPhones and rush to Sprint to get the Pre. It will help Sprint keep some customers and depending on the compatibility with the Mac help keep some diehard pro users that do work with their products.

 

[theLastBeatle]

the only problem i have with the new pre is really the company that made it. or the ceo of the company that made it.

this guy is an arrogant sleaze. he said palms device is way better than the iphone. even if this was true, wheres the respect to the company (apple) that palm borrowed so heavily from? its easy to develop on ideas that someone has already thought of. its difficult to initiate original thoughts and palm has shown us that they are capable of HEAVILY copying and not even covering their tracks. palm acts like this is the first time we've seen a product like this. pathetic, i dont have any respect for them due to their arrogant and sleazy demeanor.

it just makes me shake my head. double tap to zoom, pinch with two fingers, osx doc like effect for the favorites bar, AND they even have a feature called dashboard...along with swiping a finger left or right to scroll through pictures.

come on! it really annoys me, i cant believe apple cant prevent them from stealing so blatantly.

oh, and even their best feature "Cards" is a rip off of how the iphone handles multiple web pages and applied that as a way to navigate multiple open apps....i mean, its ok, be inspired but give credit where its due. such a sleazy thing to do.

 

[dam0dred]

Not appealing to me at all.

But if this helps push Apple to make the iPhone better, I'm all for it. Considering how this device was created in part by ex- and poached Apple employees, I'm sure His Steveness is keeping an eye on it.

 

[kamm]

Nope, apple needs to find THEIR way to implement that kind of feature, otherwise you have flaming wars EVERYWHERE saying apple copied this or that.


That kind of stuff is rampant in the industry.

There's nothing wrong with learning from others and I never had a problem with Apple - hey, best thing in OS X ithat most things are BETTER than they were before, in any other OS.

What's flaming powerful stupid when Apple(tards) claims they invented something when it is clearly something that existed before - usually well before Apple came out with its own 'stealvention" if I can paraphrase the fanbase's claims.
In fact Apple probably NEVER invented anything on its own - however they are excellent turning originally convoluted, difficult tasks/processes into a few easy steps, with all their non-tech-savy users in mind.

 

[NT1440]

In fact Apple probably NEVER invented anything on its own - however they are excellent turning originally convoluted, difficult tasks/processes into a few easy steps, with all their non-tech-savy users in mind.

Apple II?......

 

[Digital Skunk]

the only problem i have with the new pre is really the company that made it. or the ceo of the company that made it.

this guy is an arrogant sleaze. he said palms device is way better than the iphone. even if this was true, wheres the respect to the company (apple) that palm borrowed so heavily from? its easy to develop on ideas that someone has already thought of. its difficult to initiate original thoughts and palm has shown us that they are capable of HEAVILY copying and not even covering their tracks. palm acts like this is the first time we've seen a product like this. pathetic, i dont have any respect for them due to their arrogant and sleazy demeanor.

it just makes me shake my head. double tap to zoom, pinch with two fingers, osx doc like effect for the favorites bar, AND they even have a feature called dashboard...along with swiping a finger left or right to scroll through pictures.

come on! it really annoys me, i cant believe apple cant prevent them from stealing so blatantly.

You've got it a little mixed up, but it's easy to do so with the reality distortion and kool-aid thing going on.

If you think arrogant sleaze defines the Palm CEO, you should hear the stories about Jobs.

Palm and Apple and much of the tech industry borrows from itself. A lot of OSX was borrowed from other companies and OSes.

Calm down, if the Palm does it better, then it just does it better. No need to get angry. Apple will improve their OS and move on to better things, right?

 

[kamm]

the only problem i have with the new pre is really the company that made it. or the ceo of the company that made it.

this guy is an arrogant sleaze. he said palms device is way better than the iphone. even if this was true, wheres the respect to the company (apple) that palm borrowed so heavily from? its easy to develop on ideas that someone has already thought of. its difficult to initiate original thoughts and palm has shown us that they are capable of HEAVILY copying and not even covering their tracks. palm acts like this is the first time we've seen a product like this. pathetic, i dont have any respect for them due to their arrogant and sleazy demeanor.

it just makes me shake my head. double tap to zoom, pinch with two fingers, osx doc like effect for the favorites bar, AND they even have a feature called dashboard...along with swiping a finger left or right to scroll through pictures.

come on! it really annoys me, i cant believe apple cant prevent them from stealing so blatantly.

Oh plEAHHHHSE, stop with this BS already.

Smartphones, PDAs existed a DECADE BEFORE APPLE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM - enough from this complete BS about someone is stealing something from the iPhone. If someone stole something then it was Apple and the idea of application store that Palm had up and running a decade ago for Palm OS (then later for WinCE as well.)

 

[slapppy]

Please ... Blows away? Jesus, take a pill.

Look I have a 1st gen iPhone, now an IP3G.. It's almost two years we still don't have this stuff. You think Apple is going to get any of this stuff in a few months? Doubt it. Push didn't even make it out the door...

What video are you watching? Whatever it is, it must be the wrong one, since the Palm Pre was fast and smooth, fluid like the iPhone, but much much better, see list below.

- gps navigation
- multitasking
- open sdk
- notifications
- wireless charger
- copy & paste
- bt tethering/ad2p
- usb mass storage
- microusb2
- mms
- 3mp cam with led flash
- nice cases/accessories available @ releasedate
- exchangable battery
- keyboard
- adobe flash
- system wide search