Palm Pre, June 6th

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: boomhower
Why wouldn't they do a full review on it? Even if they didn't like it is still one of the most hyped phones since the iphone. Even if they didn't like it they still have a responsibility to review it, even more importantly it will bring in readers and up the ad revenue which is the whole point anyways.

I'd guess it's because they couldn't activate it yet. Can't do a full review until it works fully, but they covered what they could.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: boomhower
Nice OS and screen but cheap hardware, crappy keyboard, so-so browser. For a phone that is supposed to resurrect two companies this isn't looking good. I am sure it will sell well out of the gate but this has Instinct part duex stamped all over it.

so-so browser? vs what exactly? It's the webkit browser, that's basically on iphone and android.

http://forums.precentral.net/p...s-palm-pre-review.html

this is a preview from someone who was able to play with it. I highly doubt it'll be like the instinct, unless people mistaking think it's suppose to KILL the iphone... it won't. it's another option (one I'll take). Apple smacked everyone in the face and it's just catch up right now.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: boomhower
Why wouldn't they do a full review on it? Even if they didn't like it is still one of the most hyped phones since the iphone. Even if they didn't like it they still have a responsibility to review it, even more importantly it will bring in readers and up the ad revenue which is the whole point anyways.

I'd guess it's because they couldn't activate it yet. Can't do a full review until it works fully, but they covered what they could.

Yea they had no music or video media to work with. No way to test the call quality either.

 

[Trader05]

the reviews started popping up....cnet has one

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Trader05
the reviews started popping up....cnet has one

They mark it down for not having an onscreen keyboard???

 

[zerocool84]

double post

 

[TheWart]

both Gizmodo and Engadget have full reviews up

Verdict is really cool software with a few annoyances, and a little sub-par hardware.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
so-so browser? vs what exactly? It's the webkit browser, that's basically on iphone and android.

There are more and more WebKit browsers out there, just because it is WebKit doesn't mean that it will act the exact same. WebKit is just the underlying architecture of the browser, it is what runs on top of it that matters. Chrome and Safari are both WebKit based, but they are fairly different browsers, Safari 4 certainly takes somethings from Chrome, but they are still definitely different browsers, take how they handle javascript for example. They are both FAST, but Safari is faster (admittedly most of that I think is just benchmarks, but I do know that Safari 4 is faster than just WebKit on its own).

So, sure, it is probably a better browser than most of what is slapped as a default onto phones, certainly better than Mobile IE, different approach from Mobile Opera (as to whether it is better... that is a toss up, I prefer Mobile Safari over Mobile Opera, but that is just me).

A lot has to do with how the WebOS browser will do with multi-touch and having to compensate with the small screen. The iPhone's Mobile Safari is the mobile browser to beat. It is fairly quick, very easy to use, and navigating through websites is fantastic. If it can match that, then they are doing a good job since, for me at least, having the internet in your pocket is useless unless you actually have a decent browser there.

 

[shortylickens]

Tomorrow!
I wont be buying the first generation of this phone. Heck, I may never get a Palm. I may just wait until the OS comes on another device.
But I darn sure plan to check out a working model at the Sprint Store.

 

[maziwanka]

if i can, i will also try to check one out at the sprint store

 

[erwos]

I _would_ buy it, but it appears Sprint is not planning on letting me due to my plan (which isn't even SERO, FYI). Screw 'em, I'll get a TP2 instead.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: erwos
I _would_ buy it, but it appears Sprint is not planning on letting me due to my plan (which isn't even SERO, FYI). Screw 'em, I'll get a TP2 instead.

No data plan?

 

[Jeff7181]

Anyone know if the Pre supports tethering?

 

[Muadib]

I think so.

 

[TheWart]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Anyone know if the Pre supports tethering?

Per Endgadget's visit to the Pre pre-launch event, found here, at some sprint stores:

"Tethering is not supported and Sprint has no plans to offer a tethering add-on. The company says it just isn't a very good user experience and would prefer folks added on a data card line instead."

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: TheWart

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Anyone know if the Pre supports tethering?

Per Endgadget's visit to the Pre pre-launch event, found here, at some sprint stores:

"Tethering is not supported and Sprint has no plans to offer a tethering add-on. The company says it just isn't a very good user experience and would prefer folks added on a data card line instead."

I bet they would. I tether through my Alltel connection.. No charges yet!

 

[zerocool84]

I started working for Sprint B2B about 3 weeks ago and I won't even be able to look at a Pre for at least another month unless I go to a store that has it.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: randomlinh
so-so browser? vs what exactly? It's the webkit browser, that's basically on iphone and android.

There are more and more WebKit browsers out there, just because it is WebKit doesn't mean that it will act the exact same. WebKit is just the underlying architecture of the browser, it is what runs on top of it that matters. Chrome and Safari are both WebKit based, but they are fairly different browsers, Safari 4 certainly takes somethings from Chrome, but they are still definitely different browsers, take how they handle javascript for example. They are both FAST, but Safari is faster (admittedly most of that I think is just benchmarks, but I do know that Safari 4 is faster than just WebKit on its own).

So, sure, it is probably a better browser than most of what is slapped as a default onto phones, certainly better than Mobile IE, different approach from Mobile Opera (as to whether it is better... that is a toss up, I prefer Mobile Safari over Mobile Opera, but that is just me).

A lot has to do with how the WebOS browser will do with multi-touch and having to compensate with the small screen. The iPhone's Mobile Safari is the mobile browser to beat. It is fairly quick, very easy to use, and navigating through websites is fantastic. If it can match that, then they are doing a good job since, for me at least, having the internet in your pocket is useless unless you actually have a decent browser there.

yeah, I know webkit is just the underlying rendering engine... I guess I was taking too simplistic of a view because from the demos, it seems as if WebOS's browser and mobile safari are nearly identical.

oh, and in theory, i have mine reserved. let's see how that holds up when I walk in tomorrow (sprint store, not best buy, too lazy to camp out for the '4' that might be there). Ironically, the phone for my sister and mother (they are getting purple Lotuses) are out of stock at the store.

 

[Muadib]

List of Pre stock for BB stores. It was exactly what the 2 stores told me. YMMV

 

[Vortex22]

Got mine this morning. So far I'm liking it, a LOT. It's very sexy. I definitely like the interface more than the iphone's. Only annoyance that I've found so far is the door for the usb plug seems really flimsy... I thought I was going to break it when I was trying to get it open. Other than that it's awesome so far!

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Vortex22
Got mine this morning. So far I'm liking it, a LOT. It's very sexy. I definitely like the interface more than the iphone's. Only annoyance that I've found so far is the door for the usb plug seems really flimsy... I thought I was going to break it when I was trying to get it open. Other than that it's awesome so far!

Was there a big line?

 

[Vortex22]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Vortex22
Got mine this morning. So far I'm liking it, a LOT. It's very sexy. I definitely like the interface more than the iphone's. Only annoyance that I've found so far is the door for the usb plug seems really flimsy... I thought I was going to break it when I was trying to get it open. Other than that it's awesome so far!

Was there a big line?

I got there at 7:30 (store opened at 8). I was 10th on the list, and there were about 35 people outside when they opened the doors. They said there were enough phones for everyone who was there at 8.

 

[TheWart]

I just got back from a sprint store (i forgot there was one right by the whole foods I get my groceries at), and I have to say that I am definitely feeling underwhelmed. I personally don't like the more 'squat' feel of the phone, but I can see how some people would. The screen is nice, but I thought the web browsing experience was pretty sub-par. The pages did not scroll smoothly for me, and I found it to be a major, major PITA to have to open the keyboard just to type in a site's name. Especially if you are browsing while holding the phone horizontally. In addition, the keypad was almost sticky, and the keys are much to small for me, and I don't even have large hands. I found it harder to type on that than on the iphone, and I usually have no problem with BB keyboards.....

anyways, just my 2 cents

 

[leftyman]

Got mine this morning and posting on it now. Have to say I am really impressed so far...I was 7th in line at 6 about 35 people at my Sprint store when I left

 

[leftyman]

I still double post regardless.....