why would anybody get a pre now?

[kdarling]

I am sick and tired of people wanting a removable battery on the iPhone. I've owned a lot of cellphones and the last phone that I regularly swapped the battery on was the Motorola MicroTAC on Telus but that was because the battery life was horrible.

When we don't have something, we adjust our lives to work around the missing element.

If we don't have MMS, we learn to use email. If we don't have the ability to play flash video, we stay away from sites that use it. If we don't have a removable battery, we use our phone less. If we do have one, options open up:

Just yesterday I spent a lot of time Slinging over 3G at a park, and chewed up the battery on that phone. Then my wife surprised me by wanting to go back out again, but my daughter wanted the "TV" phone so she could watch her shows. No problem... swapped with the spare battery that's always charging for emergencies, and off we went.

With a non-removable battery, I'd either have been stuck without a phone, or would've had to carry along some kind of recharge/booster kludge.

I'd rather my devices adapt to my needs, than the other way 'round YMMV

 

[thetexan]

FWIW I was a 3G user since launch day who picked up a Pre and ported my AT&T number over to Sprint on the launch day of the Pre. I was curious as to what Apple had up their sleeve on WWDC but to me it was a lot of nothing. My monthly bill will drop by $35 dollars going to Sprint and YMMV but Sprint's network beats AT&T's in the area I live in. I have lots of bars with EVDO coverage instead of a phone that I can't leave 3G turned on because I drop too many calls.

I can run Pandora in the background and do anything else with the phone, it's laggy for the first 10 or so seconds then it goes fine. That's nothing some updates can't fix, because the hardware on the Pre is similar to the 3Gs. I don't see much lag when using the phone doing other things but then again I saw lag on my 3G in a lot of places. I dreaded opening up my contacts application on my 3G until 2.1 was released, it took Apple some time to get that one right (so much for releasing quality products, I beta tested 2.0 for Apple just like all the early adopters).

My point is I think the Pre is a great phone, and I think the iPhone is a great phone. To me they are equal, but it all depends on your wants and needs. WebOS grew on me, now I don't see how I could go without it.

 

[Pared]

When we don't have something, we adjust our lives to work around the missing element.

If we don't have MMS, we learn to use email. If we don't have the ability to play flash video, we stay away from sites that use it. If we don't have a removable battery, we use our phone less. If we do have one, options open up:

Just yesterday I spent a lot of time Slinging over 3G at a park, and chewed up the battery on that phone. Then my wife surprised me by wanting to go back out again, but my daughter wanted the "TV" phone so she could watch her shows. No problem... swapped with the spare battery that's always charging for emergencies, and off we went.

With a non-removable battery, I'd either have been stuck without a phone, or would've had to carry along some kind of recharge/booster kludge.

I'd rather my devices adapt to my needs, than the other way 'round YMMV

How is that any different than carrying one of the battery cases available for the iPhone 3G? It's a supplemental solution to a problem. Neither are convenient and ultimately necessary, yet if you require, can be solved..

There really is no difference, aside from one being available by a third party. And most of the times, with those removable batteries, a third party solution provides a better value anyway.

A point like this is creating an argument for the sake of creating one.

 

[Goona]

I never mentioned video or capacity, neither matter to me. Lets face it, there are cheap Nokias that have video expandable memory. Actually most of what should have been in last years phone has been rectified in 3.0. Maybe there are good reasons for that [not having been implimented earlier], I'm sure we will never know. There is no such thing as the perfect phone, the iPhone, for all intents and purposes, is probably the closest we are gonna get but I expected more from this years model, after all, last years was more of a manufacturing cost cutting excercise than an upgrade.



Which part specifically?

The iphone can't have every user requested feature. No phone has that. The iphone has features other phones don't have and other phones have features iphones don't have, pick the phone that suits your needs.

 

[Goona]

FWIW I was a 3G user since launch day who picked up a Pre and ported my AT&T number over to Sprint on the launch day of the Pre. I was curious as to what Apple had up their sleeve on WWDC but to me it was a lot of nothing. My monthly bill will drop by $35 dollars going to Sprint and YMMV but Sprint's network beats AT&T's in the area I live in. I have lots of bars with EVDO coverage instead of a phone that I can't leave 3G turned on because I drop too many calls.

I can run Pandora in the background and do anything else with the phone, it's laggy for the first 10 or so seconds then it goes fine. That's nothing some updates can't fix, because the hardware on the Pre is similar to the 3Gs. I don't see much lag when using the phone doing other things but then again I saw lag on my 3G in a lot of places. I dreaded opening up my contacts application on my 3G until 2.1 was released, it took Apple some time to get that one right (so much for releasing quality products, I beta tested 2.0 for Apple just like all the early adopters).

My point is I think the Pre is a great phone, and I think the iPhone is a great phone. To me they are equal, but it all depends on your wants and needs. WebOS grew on me, now I don't see how I could go without it.

I wonder why Sprint keeps loosing millions of customers with all this great service.

 

[cliffrouse11bas]

I just got a pre and will be getting my wife one today. I love the iPhone, but just can fathom paying an extra $60 to have the same minutes, unlimited text, and data. Plus Sprint has 3g in my area ATT has not increased there 3g network in North Carolina in the 3 years I have been with them. That is unacceptable.

 

[williamgallas10]

If I wasnt locked into my ATT contract I would get the pre. I like background processes, cheaper plan and physical keyboard.

 

[williamgallas10]

The iphone can't have every user requested feature. No phone has that. The iphone has features other phones don't have and other phones have features iphones don't have, pick the phone that suits your needs.

What features does the iphone have that others dont?

 

[pugnut]

If I wasnt locked into my ATT contract I would get the pre. I like background processes, cheaper plan and physical keyboard.

A little confused why the background process are so critical and considering you can not be online and a call at the same time with the pre is huge. I would much rather be able to get on the net during a call , then listen to pandora while on a call.

 

[kas23]

A little confused why the background process are so critical and considering you can not be online and a call at the same time with the pre is huge. I would much rather be able to get on the net during a call , then listen to pandora while on a call.

Just because you want data use while calling, doesn't mean that this is "huge" for everyone. Personally, I have never used data during a call. For God's sake, I'm talking on the phone and like to give people my undivided attention. If I need to use the net, I'll hang up and call them back. No offense, but personally I just think it is really strange that you value data during calls over being able to run background processes.

I wonder why Sprint keeps loosing millions of customers with all this great service.

Sprint's network is not the reason they are losing customers. I would say the biggest reason is the iPhone (or lack of a semi-decent phone). Many former Sprint customers have jumped ship for the iPhone. Up until the Pre, Sprint has not even had a half-way decent phone. All of their phones have been garbage - just look at the Instinct. Sprint released that piece of trash with many promises attached. None of these promises came to fruition and many Sprint users were left feeling deceived.

 

[Hunts121]

The Main reason that the Pre, Instinct, Blackberry, G1, and so forth will Never outdue the iPhone is because the iPhone has something that none of those others have ...
The entire world is already on iTunes, and iTunes has THE APP STORE.
The iTunes APP Store does not work for any of the other phones. The Pre will dock to iTunes for music, but not for Apps. If you are a developer and you want to make money, then you want to reach the largest number of potential customers - would you want to develop Apps for the iPhone or the Pre ? Do you understand?

This is the first compelling reason I've heard so far.

Don't get me wrong I love apple products but not the point where I invent reasons to hate others. I love how months ago people wanted multitasking and now becasue apple says its bad and push notifications are the way to do it (which they should have had a long time ago), many people say multitasking doesn't matter.

I think the Pre will be successful, it has most of the same hardware bits (CPU/GPU) as the iphone GS and a different, full of potential OS. Plus Sprints prices on their plans are worlds better than AT&T's.

That all being said I love my iPhone 3G and will not be going to the Pre or whining about how I can't get a 3GS at a subsidized price. I see no compelling reason to want the GS right now as my iPhone still does everything I wanted it to when I bought it. The compass and a video camera doesn't scream upgrade now for me. Neither does the speed improvements as I have upgraded to the 3.0 GM and I find the nice little speed boost and featuresit provides to be more than enough for me as I didn't have a problem with my iphone's speed before.

Bottomline is I wouldn't want a Pre because I enjoy having my iPod and my cell phone be one device.

 

[dagomike]

I love how months ago people wanted multitasking and now becasue apple says its bad and push notifications are the way to do it (which they should have had a long time ago), many people say multitasking doesn't matter.

That's the nature of being a fanboy -- you discount your teams weaknesses.

But still, I'd say multitasking isn't a deal breaker. Nice, but the whole of the parts are much greater than its omission. Plus, the iPhone does multitasking in key areas -- you can listen to the iPod while running apps. You can also run apps during a call and use the internet over wi-fi. Frankly the only time I wish I could do two things at once was when things were going too slow, which the speed increases should address.

 

[yg17]

A little confused why the background process are so critical and considering you can not be online and a call at the same time with the pre is huge. I would much rather be able to get on the net during a call , then listen to pandora while on a call.

That's your opinion. I'd rather listen to streaming music while surfing the net. And if the Pre ever comes to a GSM/UMTS carrier, that won't be an issue. The no net while on a call is a limitation of Sprint's EvDO network, not the Pre.

 

[Thudstaff]

First Post

I'm at the end of my Sprint contract and am contemplating a switch to an iPhone/AT&T. I'm currently using an HTC Mogul with WinMo and have been happy. I'm considering a Pre and keeping Sprint because their service pricing is much better than AT&T and I know that I'll get good coverage in my area (Chicago).

What I'm hoping is that someone will say something to me in this thread that will get me off the fence one way or the other. My primary use for a phone, besides making calls, is texting and email. Push email/calendar using MS ActivSync is what it's about for me. All other features are nice but not necessary.

Why should I get an iPhone over a Pre?

 

[dagomike]

Why should I get an iPhone over a Pre?

Go try an iPhone. See if you can find somewhere that actually has a functional Pre on display. I held a dead Pre at Best Buy and the slider was cool, but didn't really like the buttons compared to BB.

I think the biggest thing Apple has going for it is the app store. The variety, quality, and value is awesome.

 

[Thudstaff]

Go try an iPhone. See if you can find somewhere that actually has a functional Pre on display. I held a dead Pre at Best Buy and the slider was cool, but didn't really like the buttons compared to BB.

I think the biggest thing Apple has going for it is the app store. The variety, quality, and value is awesome.

Pre - I've tried two in stores...not tethered.
iPhone 3G - I tried a friend's a couple of days ago.

I like them both though the iPhone seemed a little more solid feeling. I prefer the size of the Pre though. I'm concerned about all of the issues that seem to be popping up with the Pre once the newness wears off. I'm guessing iPhones had the same growing pains though.

 

[LoganT]

Ahh the poor desperate Palm Pre fans are back. NO matter what you post, no matter what you list. That partial list I posted puts you all in FAIL mode. Your lucky I didn't compile the entire list. You might go running back to mommy. LOL

Thank you for keeping the stereotype of Mac users.

 

[nfl46]

No point of a removable battery for me. I've never taken out my battery and replaced it. And I highly doubt Apple will implement this anytime soon...especially judging from the incredible battery life they're geting from the new Macbooks.

 

[gehrbox]

It's massive exaggeration. It's no sharper than the edge of a macbook pro unibody

I checked one out at Best Buy the other day and while the top edge closest to the display is sharp, its not going to cut anyone. It might still provoke a lawsuit (think McDonalds coffee spill lawsuit).

It is very small for a smart phone and reminded me of the childrens toy cell phones I have seen at the grocery store.

 

[slapppy]

A little confused why the background process are so critical and considering you can not be online and a call at the same time with the pre is huge. I would much rather be able to get on the net during a call , then listen to pandora while on a call.

It's not, but its the only thing that can be used by Pre fans. Unfortunately what you stated is true, so these multitasking bragging results to nothing but "FAIL"

 

[slapppy]

Thank you for keeping the stereotype of Mac users.

Your welcome. Make sure you make that comment to the Pre people on their forums also.

 

[slapppy]

First Post

I'm at the end of my Sprint contract and am contemplating a switch to an iPhone/AT&T. I'm currently using an HTC Mogul with WinMo and have been happy. I'm considering a Pre and keeping Sprint because their service pricing is much better than AT&T and I know that I'll get good coverage in my area (Chicago).

What I'm hoping is that someone will say something to me in this thread that will get me off the fence one way or the other. My primary use for a phone, besides making calls, is texting and email. Push email/calendar using MS ActivSync is what it's about for me. All other features are nice but not necessary.

Why should I get an iPhone over a Pre?

Here:

Optical Grade Glass Oleophobic Coating Screen - NOT PLASTIC
3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 ppi
CPU/GPU same as the pre
Open GL/ES 2.0 Optimized by iPhone OS
16GB/32GB
8GB for $99
Talk time: Up to 12 hours on 2G - Up to 5 hours on 3G
Standby time: Up to 300 hours
Internet use: Up to 5 hours on 3G - Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi
Video playback: Up to 10 hours
Audio playback: Up to 30 hours
Size and weight
Height: - 4.5 inches (115.5 mm)
Width: - 2.4 inches (62.1 mm)
Depth: - 0.48 inch (12.3 mm)
Weight: - 4.8 ounces (135 grams)
iTunes seamless integration
Movies
Video PodCast
Audio PodCast
TV Shows
Music
Music Videos
iTunes University
iTunes Latino
50 thousand apps and growing fast
REAL High End 3D accelerated Games
High End Applications
Dock Connector API and I can't wait to see the 3rd party hardware stuff coming this summer. This alone pushes the iPhone way beyond the wanna bees.
BT API
MobileMe with Locate me and Remote Wipe
Apps open and switch instantly now
Superior battery life by a huge margin
Video Recording ( Widescreen ) and Instant Editing right on the iPhone, Instant Share to YoutTube, MobileMe and eMail
Instantly share pictures to MobileMe Gallery
It's an iPod!!
Safari with AI, Multi-Touch controls
Real Cut, Copy & Paste. Yeah even non editable text can be copied.
Voice Memos
Voice Control and yeah not just English, Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), Dutch, English (UK), English (U.S.), Finnish, French (Canada), French (France), Germanm, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish,, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Spain), Swedish
MMS with full copy and paste
Real Universal Global Search to the Framework/API level. It mean all apps, not just core apps get Global Search
Keyboard with the best predictive intelligence yet. Has 40 international layouts and growing. Nice to have a virtual keyboard to easily add languages.
Dictionary supports international languages also
Character recognition so you can write in Chinese characters!
Digital compass ( hikers/bikers/campers ) will love this
Tethering
Nike + iPod
Parental Control
Autofocus and selectable Focus on the Camera!
Photo and Video Geotagging
Google Sync
Exchange Sync
AGPS - Voice Turn by Turn support
Viewable document types: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)

 

[williamgallas10]

I would much rather be able to get on the net during a call , then listen to pandora while on a call.

That statement makes no sense. How can you listen to anything when you are on a call? How often do you need to surf the net when on a phone call, not very often for me, maybe once a week. How often do you listen to radio (music, sports, talk shows etc) and then want to send an email, compose a note etc quite often. I just hate the fact that for every little thing I have to stop what I am doing, and go to the home screen. I am watching a video and need to adjust the brightness, oh I have to exit the video to do this, its stupid and annoying.

 

[The510Kid]

First Post

I'm at the end of my Sprint contract and am contemplating a switch to an iPhone/AT&T. I'm currently using an HTC Mogul with WinMo and have been happy. I'm considering a Pre and keeping Sprint because their service pricing is much better than AT&T and I know that I'll get good coverage in my area (Chicago).

What I'm hoping is that someone will say something to me in this thread that will get me off the fence one way or the other. My primary use for a phone, besides making calls, is texting and email. Push email/calendar using MS ActivSync is what it's about for me. All other features are nice but not necessary.

Why should I get an iPhone over a Pre?

Im a new MacRumor forum user as well. I have been on nextel, tmobile, sprint, and am currently on att. I am 18, a college student, and a self proclaimed geek. (I tell you this so that you can put my opinion in context)

I bought am iphone 3g the first day it came out and I love the OS and its app selection. I am sure the pre will be coming out with alot of nice apps as well but for the next couple years i give apple the advantage in apps. Hardware wise, i was skeptical about the virtual keyboard and though its not perfect, i will admit i am pleasantly surprised with its usability. Also based on the reviews i read, the pre's keyboard feels small. If you are a text/email junky like myself, this may be relevant. As far as quality of the service provider, yes att is more expensive but i would gladly pay more over the terrible sprint service IN MY AREA (i emphasis that because it is subjective) Also, as far as future hardware, i speculate that ATT will get a WebOS phone (the pre or some other palm device) long before sprint picks up the iphone. If you are really unhappy with the iphone, you will have more choices in the phone you switch to then with sprint. I also give the cool factor to the Iphone but thats debatable and im admittedly bias.

I would recommend any phone on ATT over any Phone on Sprint based on service quality. If you are gona make the decision soley of the hardware, then i suggest that you go try out both devices and see which one performs functions you need from it better.

For me, push notification is fine over backround apps because i only run IM/Facebook apps in the backround which could be better implemented by push imho.

 

[johnqh]

That statement makes no sense. How can you listen to anything when you are on a call? How often do you need to surf the net when on a phone call, not very often for me, maybe once a week. How often do you listen to radio (music, sports, talk shows etc) and then want to send an email, compose a note etc quite often. I just hate the fact that for every little thing I have to stop what I am doing, and go to the home screen. I am watching a video and need to adjust the brightness, oh I have to exit the video to do this, its stupid and annoying.

The multitasking is a big (and valid) debate here. So, let's exam it.

1. iPhone can multitasking. You can run iPod app, and then run a third party app. Your iPod player still works. It just won't allow third party apps to run in the background.
2. Apple does serious optimization on their apps to minimize the memory usage, network and GPS usage. They have clear guidelines on how to do those things. However, they just don't trust third party developers to do it correctly all the time, which I don't blame them.
3. Windows Mobile had multitasking (surprising to a lot of people, neither Android nor Pre are ground breaking in this department) since....a decade ago (or more)?
4. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize background processes will drain your battery (as we see on Pre already). A couple of poorly written third party apps can easily ruin the whole experience. Pre had something like 20 apps right now, most from solid companies, and we already see big issues with battery. Now, think about 50,000 apps, 99% from startup or individual developers.

Like you, I prefer to have streaming music continuing while I run another app, so I see there is a desire to do that. However, I also understand Apple's stand. Battery life is something nobody screams about, but it is probably the #1 usability issue for a mobile device.

So, maybe there should be a compromise, and Apple could borrow from Pre's Cards interface.

Instead of always closing the apps, the device should continue to run the apps in the background when it is docked. The battery is a non-issue when it is docked, and I like to dock my iPhone at work when listening to streaming music.

However, when it is not docked, I strongly prefer not to have background apps running, so I can be sure that the phone will last a whole day.