Palm Pre Vs. iPhone

[Agathon]

Yes, the app store is about the only thing apple has going for them right now.

So the only thing Apple has going for them right now is a vastly bigger software library with much better software than is available for the Pre. That's not just software that is a bit better, but software that is far beyond anything you can get on the Pre.

The Pre would have been awesome if it had been released just one year ago (as the phone with which it is being compared was). But it's too late. The goalposts have already moved. It's all about the apps. Palm hasn't even got to the point of releasing a proper SDK for the Pre yet.

Once Palm manages a decent app store, Apple will shift the goalposts again. If a company wants to beat Apple, it is going to have to produce something completely new and revolutionary. I don't know what's wrong with these clowns to make them think that producing an iPhone clone is the way to go. That just puts you behind the curve.

 

[carve]

Yes, that, in my opinion, is the only advantage of the iPhone - the apps. Of course the app store is an amazing thing, but I'd rather be able to listen to pandora AND play my favorite game at the same time.

Also, let's say you are in the middle of loading a rather lengthy web page and you get a text message, you click the respond button and it brings you completely out of safari and into SMS. After you respond to the text you go back to the web page, only to find that it is reloading the WHOLE thing again. Not very convenient.

The iPhone is an amazing device, just a few flaws.

Edit: Also, the Pre isn't an iPhone clone at all. Say it all you want, but it just isn't. The UI's are completely different. From cards, to the 'wave' on the pre.

 

[iGeRmAn]

Interesting small review by Walter S. Mossberg

http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20090603/palms-new-pre-takes-on-iphone/

 

[svndmvn]

Yes, that, in my opinion, is the only advantage of the iPhone - the apps. Of course the app store is an amazing thing, but I'd rather be able to listen to pandora AND play my favorite game at the same time.

Also, let's say you are in the middle of loading a rather lengthy web page and you get a text message, you click the respond button and it brings you completely out of safari and into SMS. After you respond to the text you go back to the web page, only to find that it is reloading the WHOLE thing again. Not very convenient.

The iPhone is an amazing device, just a few flaws.

Edit: Also, the Pre isn't an iPhone clone at all. Say it all you want, but it just isn't. The UI's are completely different. From cards, to the 'wave' on the pre.

just FYI, on my vanilla iPhone Safari does work in background, I can quit that, go reply to the text message and go back to where I was while the page was loading in the mean time. While for the other background apps you'd need, there's still backgrounder in the JB world.
Every one of these two phones has some pluses and minuses, like it's been for two years. I doubt the Pre will have more success than the iPhone has had in the last two years or the new one will, I also doubt it will suck. The Pre also isn't the first one to multitask natively.

 

[slapppy]

iPhone still looks gorgeous compared to Pre

I keep looking at the Pre and I still don't see why its being described as gorgeous. It looks just like an updated version of the same old designs. I compare it to the iPhone 3G and the Pre looks outclassed. Yet these reviews rave about its external design as sexy.

 

[iGeRmAn]

I keep looking at the Pre and I still don't see why its being described as gorgeous. It looks just like an updated version of the same old designs. I compare it to the iPhone 3G and the Pre looks outclassed. Yet these reviews rave about its external design as sexy.

As for the look of the devices i am totally with you.

Are you ready for this ?

 

[Foggy]

I just hope apple takes note of the Palm Pre notification system and learns from it - it looks a much much more elegant implementation than the one in OS3.0.

The other biggies for the Pre are the multi tasking - e.g. being able to just flick between email and a calender with ease, and I really wish I could just get a central inbox on my iphone rather than having to choose the account, then the inbox, then back out to the account, then to the overview, next account, inbox etc etc just to read my new emails. I have 4 different email accounts and Mail on my mac aggregates them quite nicely, the iPhone doesn't.

I can't see me getting a Pre, the App Store is just too big a feature with the iPhone for me to move, but I sure hope Apple take some time to look at where the Pre beats it and then look at ways of improving their own product.

 

[Palm Pimp]

Engadget said that even with a bunch of apps open the battery life was good. So much for Apple spreading FUD about multitasking draining too much power - reminds me of justifying no copy paste and landscape texting back in the day.

 

[Carniphage]

Engadget said that even with a bunch of apps open the battery life was good. So much for Apple spreading FUD about multitasking draining too much power - reminds me of justifying no copy paste and landscape texting back in the day.

Pogue and Mossberg are less impressed with the battery.

It's a bit odd that some Apps are taking 7 seconds to open, when the browser is already loaded and the files are local.

But generally the reviews are positive, and I also hope Apple improves the iPhone notification method.

C.

 

[michael.lauden]

i honestly think the Pre is going to be a fail. but then again - a little competition hurts no one. it will just make Apple pull further ahead infront of the Palm Pre

 

[drew0020]

I am more excited about the O/S the more I read the Pre reviews. I dont think I am purchasing the Pre, but I cant wait till hardware version 2. I hope they make a larger screen and a virtual keyboard. I will most likely switch when that happens unless Apple decides to further innovate their O/S in that time.

Like I said before I love the iPhone and the app store, but the O/S feels like its two years old and stale while the Pre O/S seems revolutionary based on the reviews I have read. I think next year we will really see things heat up.

 

[smiddlehurst]

Engadget said that even with a bunch of apps open the battery life was good. So much for Apple spreading FUD about multitasking draining too much power - reminds me of justifying no copy paste and landscape texting back in the day.

Depends what you're doing in those background tasks... remember the Pre is still a VERY closed system at this point, only 'trusted' devs are getting access to the full OS. The killer will be when the SDK comes out and you have a vast number of apps to choose from. As it is Gizmodo reported having their music player stutter while multi-tasking, not really what you want from your media player that.

As for the Pre itself... I'm not convinced. The OS looks nice but even if they release the full SDK by the end of the year I just don't see the developer community rushing to it now that Apple have such a large userbase. The hardware I really don't like - too thick for me to cart around all day in work and I'm not a fan of full hardware keyboards like that. There's also a lot of variation in hardware quality in the reviews I've read with Gizmodo reporting of a very sharp edge at the bottom of the phone, some sites reporting the touchscreen is the best ever while others say it doesn't register well at the edges, Engadget breaking the trim trying to take off the USB cover etc etc. Most importantly though, this is a V1 product for both hardware and software from a manufacturer without a huge cash reserve. I'd want to wait at least three months to see how it gets on and how good the overall quality control is before making an investment.

I really think the killer blow for Apple isn't the iPhone at all... it's the iPod Touch. That gives them a HUGE jump on Palm in total users and that in turn will drive devs to the platform which in turn increases number of devices sold which... well, you get the idea.

 

[clevin]

that is COMPLETELY false... please state your facts about this

the appstore is lightyears ahead of ANY and i mean ANY application store any phone is offer and that is FACT

lol, I can say same thing with palm classic OS, do you even know how many of those apps are out there?

My impression is that iPhone, when released, has exactly zero third party app, correct?

Here I am, hating on the Pre:

1. No video recording.
2. Moving parts.
3. QWERTY keyboard is not staggered, and too small, thus unusable.
4. No iTunes DRM playback.
5. Bubbly UI is fugly.
6. Small screen.
7. 1.0 software and hardware.
8. The phone itself, in my opinion, is fugly.

There are many more reasons why I think this phone is a boatload of meh, those are just a few.

wow, now

1. DRM is proud
2. sounds like you have already used it for weeks? you can even judge size, keyboard?
3. 1.0..... I guess nexttime everybody can just release 2.0 and skip 1.0 so you will be happy?
4. video... recording.... are you suggesting all the past two years those iPhones are just crap?

your statements are so biased and filled with unfounded personal opinions, it worth less than nothing.

Guess thats apple fan style?

I keep looking at the Pre and I still don't see why its being described as gorgeous. It looks just like an updated version of the same old designs. I compare it to the iPhone 3G and the Pre looks outclassed. Yet these reviews rave about its external design as sexy.

well

see for yourself

also, in order to judge the shape of an object, its better making statement after you actually hold one.

 

[kdarling]

I like the Pre's shape. Something that feels like a rounded pebble would fit the hand better than a highly rectangular candybar shape.

As for the Apple App Store, nice as it is, it doesn't have a couple of apps that I use all the time:

Slingplayer for 3G
Background Pandora

Rumors say that Sling Media will be bringing out a Pre player soon. If so, wonder if Sprint will allow it over 3G?

It's just fun to have more choices. Adults are not intimidated by that.

Always remember, these are just temporary objects of plastic, silicon and metal. In ten years we'll chuckle at how quaint and underpowered they were. They aren't parents or spouses or children or other truly important things.

 

[hazza.jockel]

Yes, the app store is about the only thing apple has going for them right now. With Pre you have:

- Multi Tasking (being able to listen to pandora and surf the net at same time)
- User replaceable battery
- Non intrusive notifications
- Universal Search including Google, Maps, Wiki, Twitter, Contacts, Apps. iPhone only has the last two
- "Synergy" Pulls contact info from facebook, automatically updates phone number, profile picture etc if user changes it
- Speed Dial without a 3rd party app
- Touch Stone. Nothing too impressive there, just a neat trick that is rather cool.

Plus, palm will be putting WebOS on different devices. If they make an all touch screen phone, with a virtual keyboard, iPhone is a goner.

edit: if apple can piece together a better notification system, and multi-tasking I will be purchasing that instead. But for the time being, pre is my next device.

Better specs don't always win. I mean look at a vacuum cleaner compared to a broom. The vacuum cleaner has way better specs but most people still use a broom.

 

[Eso]

They aren't parents or spouses or children or other truly important things.

Yeah, but in the meantime, these devices will have to suffice =P

 

[slapppy]

well

see for yourself

also, in order to judge the shape of an object, its better making statement after you actually hold one.

I saw the pics before and Mr. Blurry Cam needs to work on his pics. Look how thin and clean the iPhone is. Pre looks really thick on these pics.

 

[slapppy]

As for the look of the devices i am totally with you.

Are you ready for this ?

I hope thats one of those temporary tatoos.

 

[robothero]

Uh, Engadget actually said that battery life was about the same as the iPhone. And according to everyone, battery life on the iPhone sucks.

 

[kas23]

Uh, Engadget actually said that battery life was about the same as the iPhone. And according to everyone, battery life on the iPhone sucks.

Considering the Pre can run multiple apps in the background, I'll consider this excellent news. As for the iPhone's battery life, I have no real complaints. I have a recharger at home and in my car. Battery life isn't a big issue for me.

 

[Agathon]

Yes, that, in my opinion, is the only advantage of the iPhone - the apps. Of course the app store is an amazing thing, but I'd rather be able to listen to pandora AND play my favorite game at the same time.

You'd rather have that than the apps? Well, I imagine you're part of a very small group of people.

Also, let's say you are in the middle of loading a rather lengthy web page and you get a text message, you click the respond button and it brings you completely out of safari and into SMS. After you respond to the text you go back to the web page, only to find that it is reloading the WHOLE thing again. Not very convenient.

The iPhone is an amazing device, just a few flaws.

It's not the device any more. That mattered 2 years ago. Now, not so much. Now it's the platform and software ecosystem.

Edit: Also, the Pre isn't an iPhone clone at all. Say it all you want, but it just isn't. The UI's are completely different. From cards, to the 'wave' on the pre.

Of course it's an iPhone clone. If the iPhone had never existed, you wouldn't be seeing this rash of similar phones. The Pre is an iPhone clone the same way Windows copied the Macintosh (although the Pre appears to be better than Windows).

It's just a shame that Palm released a perfect competitor for the iPhone of a year ago. They better get their act together with a proper SDK and app store very quickly, otherwise the device won't come anywhere near fulfilling its potential.

 

[arkitect]

Uh, Engadget actually said that battery life was about the same as the iPhone. And according to everyone, battery life on the iPhone sucks.

I don't know who Everyone is… but I have no complaints about the iPhone's battery life.

 

[robothero]

It's just a shame that Palm released a perfect competitor for the iPhone of a year ago.

This is the underlying problem. This would be great competition if it came out in 2008. Unfortunately for them right after the Pre comes out there will be a new iPhone, all over the news, all over the blogs, stealing the Pre's thunder and sales.

 

[slapppy]

Considering the Pre can run multiple apps in the background, I'll consider this excellent news. As for the iPhone's battery life, I have no real complaints. I have a recharger at home and in my car. Battery life isn't a big issue for me.

Same for me. Except for those 6 hours flights. I watch about 2 movies and play games during the flight, even read a few pages on books I had. First time I did that, I ran out of juice in the Taxi before I got to the hotel. Grabbed one of those little battery chargers the next time and that did the trick for those long flights and long taxi drive to the hotel. The iPhone battery life is really exceptional for all the stuff the device can do.

 

[Small White Car]

From what I can tell, the Pre will be the same as the iPhone:

Great reviews from the public, but any message board user can give you a long list of things it does wrong.

Given that, I think the Pre will do ok. It's a year later than it needed to be and it's on Sprint, so it won't take over the world. But they'll be ok, overall.