Pre 2 official..yeah it's dead

[SAWYER]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/...-and-pre-2-hitting-france-on-f/#disqus_thread

Such a shame, WebOS is nice

 

[dougp]

How is it dead?

 

[Phobic9]

As some have commented on Engadget, this is more likely to be an interim release that was stalled by the HP buyout. I'm willing to bet that we'll see a lot more at CES in a few months.

I do like WebOS a lot though. I'm really hoping HP puts out some better hardware because I think I actually prefer WebOS over Android even though I only had a Pre Plus for a week (lackluster hardware).

 

[Bateluer]

How is it dead?

Its identical to the Pre 1 and Plus. There's a CPU bump, but not really anything to distinguish itself from the competition. Still has a small, low res screen, crappy keyboard, etc.

WebOS is nice, and I'd like to see it on more varied and capable hardware, but if this is all HP is going to churn out, then its Android all the way.

 

[Demo24]

If I could put webOs on my droid I probably would. It's a shame that one of the nicest Os's out there is stuck on such platforms.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The article says it's what the Pre Plus should have been. While the Pre Plus is what the Pre should have been. One wonders if Palm will ever release a phone that represents what the Pre 2 should have been.

Oh, and what are the chances of Sprint ever getting this or even the Pre Plus? None? Yeah, probably not. At this point they probably wouldn't even want it because they wouldn't be able to tack on the extra $10/mo.

I guess that's what you get with closed source OSes. Potentially great software that is held back by limited hardware choices.

 

[QueBert]

If it comes to Verizon I'll get one, I really liked Android for the few months I've been using it. But it's bugs and crappy Market apps are starting to wear thin. Even if it doesn't have many apps, WebOS is so superior of an OS that it'll still be better for me to use. I have a whopping 3 Android apps I've downloaded so it's not like I'd be missing anything app wise really.

 

[Deeko]

I love WebOS, but that screen is disappointing.

The portrait slider form factor has such potential...what's with companies gimping it with crappy screens (Pre 2, Torch)? At least Dell seems to have gotten it right.

 

[MrX8503]

This thing is gonna be dead on arrival. Great software, poor hardware.

 

[Stang289]

Its identical to the Pre 1 and Plus. There's a CPU bump, but not really anything to distinguish itself from the competition. Still has a small, low res screen, crappy keyboard, etc.

WebOS is nice, and I'd like to see it on more varied and capable hardware, but if this is all HP is going to churn out, then its Android all the way.

The keyboard improved from the pre to the pre plus. I have the pre plus and am quite fond of the keyboard. It still is not quite as nice as the pixi plus, but I like it better than a virtual keyboard. How do you know the keyboard is crappy on the pre 2? Also, not everyone wants a 4" screen in a massive phone to weigh down their pocket.

I really like my pre plus, and would take it or a pre 2 over anything else that verizon currently offers, but I still have another 10 months before I can upgrade.

 

[Bateluer]

but I still have another 10 months before I can upgrade.

Don't worry, I'm fairly sure you'll be able to pick up a Pre 2 for VERY cheap a week or so after launch.

 

[kaerflog]

DOA.
I think this phone was already in the design stage when HP bought Palm out and they decide to go ahead and release it with the new webOS 2.0 to test it out.
Its a huge mistake on their part.
We all know webOS is a great OS that the general public do not know about.
WebOS is associated with the Pre and the Pre was a flop.
Once they package webOS 2.0 with the Pre 2 and it becomes a flop, webOS 2.0 will have that stigma also.
I think if HP wanted to have success with webOS, they should have just waited and release a kick-ass device with a brand new webOS 2.0.
Doing this will only cause bad publicity.

 

[cvrefugee]

Even though the screen is small and has the same resolution as the old one, it still carries over a 24-bit panel, which is much better than other smartphones (besides the iPhone 4). Photos look superb on my Sprint Pre. I am a bit disappointed this is going to Verizon but hopefully by next June Sprint will get something better from HP Palm.

 

[randomlinh]

Its identical to the Pre 1 and Plus. There's a CPU bump, but not really anything to distinguish itself from the competition. Still has a small, low res screen, crappy keyboard, etc.

WebOS is nice, and I'd like to see it on more varied and capable hardware, but if this is all HP is going to churn out, then its Android all the way.

How does any new slab really distinguish itself now? I would argue the small form factor IS distinguishing itself. 1ghz, 512MB... seems on par with what's out there. The screen is fine, they did not need to double the resolution, not worth it for this device.

And crappy keyboard? I liked the Pre's keyboard. A bit mushy, but hardware quality cannot be commented on till it arrives.

But if this thing is over 149, it certainly is DOA. It's not a high end phone. It's a bit over mid-grade, but again, this depends on the hardware and what they did to change it.

It certainly will be a mountain climb for HP, but we'll see how they execute it all next year. I'm not counting them out yet.

 

[Deeko]

How does any new slab really distinguish itself now? I would argue the small form factor IS distinguishing itself. 1ghz, 512MB... seems on par with what's out there. The screen is fine, they did not need to double the resolution, not worth it for this device.

And crappy keyboard? I liked the Pre's keyboard. A bit mushy, but hardware quality cannot be commented on till it arrives.

But if this thing is over 149, it certainly is DOA. It's not a high end phone. It's a bit over mid-grade, but again, this depends on the hardware and what they did to change it.

It certainly will be a mountain climb for HP, but we'll see how they execute it all next year. I'm not counting them out yet.

Why doesn't the screen need a better resolution? Even at 800x480 it'd be less DPI than the iPhone 4, so its not like they'd be venturing into crazy territory there.

Personally, I think that with a better screen resolution & WebOS 2.0, this device could easily rival the top smartphones. As you mentioned, not everyone wants a 4.3" slab, so a high end phone in a different form factor could be a success.

 

[kaerflog]

Pricing this phone at ~$99 is not going to make a difference at all.
The point is if this is a smartphone, then its going to require a smartphone plan.
Monthly bill for this phone will be the same as the iphone, Droids, evo, galaxy S, etc...
People will say, if the monthly bill will be the same, why would I get this phone vs a better phone only $99 more ??

 

[TheStu]

A slightly larger screen (around 3.5" instead of 3") and a good software keyboard would make me consider this. But as it is, no thanks.

 

[Deeko]

Engadget has their review of the new OS up. Looks very positive. Now if only HP would pair that killer software with some worthwhile hardware.

 

[zerocool84]

This thing is gonna be dead on arrival. Great software, poor hardware.

Yea like I said in the other thread, they're releasing the same body style that failed, AGAIN. Makes zero sense for them to do that. Maybe HP just doesn't care at all. WebOS really is the best mobile OS but this really looks uninspiring. Palm really needs a killer phone to get people interested in Palm again. They failed.

Despite some issues, webOS 2.0 is probably neck and neck with iOS4 when it comes to polish and ease of use, and that's a pretty huge thing for Palm. This isn't just a good OS, it's a great OS, and the updates in this version have made it even better. It's obvious that when combined with even slightly better hardware, it's also a fast experience that makes it easy to get real work done. And that's the problem with webOS 2.0, really. Palm is still hampered by last-generation, underpowered hardware. The Pre 2 is nice, but it's not cutting edge, and it doesn't hold a candle to the iPhone 4 or G2. If Palm wants to survive in this game -- let alone truly compete -- it needs to push killer hardware into the marketplace now. The faithful are dwindling, and the smartphone race is getting more crowded every day -- webOS 2.0 is a big improvement, but if this and the Pre 2 are Palm's hail mary, they just lost the game.

 

[randomlinh]

Why doesn't the screen need a better resolution? Even at 800x480 it'd be less DPI than the iPhone 4, so its not like they'd be venturing into crazy territory there.

Personally, I think that with a better screen resolution & WebOS 2.0, this device could easily rival the top smartphones. As you mentioned, not everyone wants a 4.3" slab, so a high end phone in a different form factor could be a success.

I should backtrack a bit... the screen needs not to be better given I think this should be $99. If it's anywhere over $150 (or even near it), it hurts, bad. Save the high res for the true flagship phone from HP.

I really want WebOS to succeed, and am holding out for what HP has in store (this probably was in the works before the HP buyout).

BUT, another thing to keep in mind is the Pre on Verizon had/has free mobile hotspot. IF, and a big IF, they give away mobile hotspot, then it will be worth the $200 (I just won't switch to Verizon for it, heh).

 

[Fingolfin269]

I would love to see Web OS get the EVO or Epic type treatment. I've got the Pre right now and there is no way in hell I will ever buy anything remotely resembling this hardware again.

 

[kaerflog]

I should backtrack a bit... the screen needs not to be better given I think this should be $99. If it's anywhere over $150 (or even near it), it hurts, bad. Save the high res for the true flagship phone from HP.

I really want WebOS to succeed, and am holding out for what HP has in store (this probably was in the works before the HP buyout).

BUT, another thing to keep in mind is the Pre on Verizon had/has free mobile hotspot. IF, and a big IF, they give away mobile hotspot, then it will be worth the $200 (I just won't switch to Verizon for it, heh).

Everybody here is rooting for webOS.
I would also love to see webOS succeed.
Nobody is going to buy this phone even if its $99.
A $99 difference does not change people's mind especially when the monthly plan is the same.
Honestly, this phone sitting next to say an iphone4 9.9/10 people will gladly pay $100 more for the IP4.
This is just pathetic that they would release a product that looks identical to one that failed 1.5 yrs ago.

 

[randomlinh]

Everybody here is rooting for webOS.
I would also love to see webOS succeed.
Nobody is going to buy this phone even if its $99.
A $99 difference does not change people's mind especially when the monthly plan is the same.
Honestly, this phone sitting next to say an iphone4 9.9/10 people will gladly pay $100 more for the IP4.
This is just pathetic that they would release a product that looks identical to one that failed 1.5 yrs ago.

At $99, it will go up against the other $99 phones. Not the iPhone4. Not everyone will want to pony up the extra $100 regardless. It is different enough in just the form factor that it will attract some folks. There's a market for this price point.

People are peeved/disappointed because they wanted a new phone. Not a Pre 2. And HP JUST bought Palm, they can't do magic.

This phone isn't going to make any crazy sales. It is a stop gap, something to go along with WebOS 2.0. It won't pull people away from their current phones, but might be a hit with new entries into the smartphone world. Unfortunately for HP/Palm, it's their only phone, and gets dinged as their flagship.

If they do price this at 150+... then I have no words. Regardless, I'll save final judgement for CES.

 

[zerocool84]

At $99, it will go up against the other $99 phones. Not the iPhone4. Not everyone will want to pony up the extra $100 regardless. It is different enough in just the form factor that it will attract some folks. There's a market for this price point.

People are peeved/disappointed because they wanted a new phone. Not a Pre 2. And HP JUST bought Palm, they can't do magic.

This phone isn't going to make any crazy sales. It is a stop gap, something to go along with WebOS 2.0. It won't pull people away from their current phones, but might be a hit with new entries into the smartphone world. Unfortunately for HP/Palm, it's their only phone, and gets dinged as their flagship.

If they do price this at 150+... then I have no words. Regardless, I'll save final judgement for CES.

What's going to hurt them the most is that is looks EXACTLY the same as the old Pre which obviously hardly anyone loved. If they made it a different form factor it could bring new customers as it has a new device look and people will think it's something totally different but since it looks exactly the same as the old model, people are going to pass on it without really checking it out unless they know exactly what it is which as we know, no phone has immediate recognition except the iPhone. Obviously there's still millions and millions of new customers that have never played with a smartphone before but I think that someone they know might tell them it's a bad device so they won't get it.

 

[kaerflog]

At $99, it will go up against the other $99 phones. Not the iPhone4. Not everyone will want to pony up the extra $100 regardless. It is different enough in just the form factor that it will attract some folks. There's a market for this price point.

People are peeved/disappointed because they wanted a new phone. Not a Pre 2. And HP JUST bought Palm, they can't do magic.

This phone isn't going to make any crazy sales. It is a stop gap, something to go along with WebOS 2.0. It won't pull people away from their current phones, but might be a hit with new entries into the smartphone world. Unfortunately for HP/Palm, it's their only phone, and gets dinged as their flagship.

If they do price this at 150+... then I have no words. Regardless, I'll save final judgement for CES.

How are you going to say its not competing against the likes of iphone4 ??
Its a smartphone that requires the same data plan as every other smartphone.
Not to compare it to the KIN, but the main reason why it failed so miserably is because it require the same data plan as all smartphone.
While its better than the KIN internally, the form factor is that of a "cheap" phone.
When you are paying $2000+ over the lifetime of your contract, $100 difference is not going to persuade people.
Everyone I know at work who have upgraded their phones have ALL been getting the "magical" $199 priced smartphone.
One guy actually did get a Sony Vivaz for $79.
I asked him why in the world would you get that phone if you are paying the same monthly as if you got an iphone ??
In 2 months the Vivaz will be worth noting.
In 2 months the IP4 will still be worth $500.
The next time I saw him, he exchanged it for an IP4.