why isn't there more buzz about the pre?

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: boomhower
Some things are available only through the 3G network, not many but some(at least on Sprint). But in general I would tend to agree with you in that it is not that important in the grand scheme of things. But on the other hand it would also give a bit on incite into the general 3G coverage in his area, Sprint likely is better. Like it or not Sprint has better overall 3G coverage than At&T, by a long shot.

I disagree. And so does this site.

Yet again, has nothing to do with AT&T and their network coverage.

Yeah, after thinking about it, testing over wifi would even the playing field. I still disagree that Sprint coverage is better though. They are horrible in this area for just voice calls, and since they are still losing customers like crazy, I gotta think the problem is widespread.

Sprint has more coverage than AT&T. Only Verizon has larger coverage. Sprint's problem is their reputation with their customer service which was HORRIBLE and yes it really was bad. They have a new CEO and I can say from experience that it's change drastically as of late. Also they really didn't have any must have phones but that's changing as well.

 

[Cacolaco]

Originally posted by: dlock13

Originally posted by: Cacolaco

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
as an avid bb user, i disagree.
the palm pre is what the storm should've been imo.

The storm was a BS device to try and get in on the mainstream users. BB is still seen as a business phone and they were trying to get more non-business users to jump into the BB boat. The Bold is a much better comparison IMO to the Pre and I think it's better in most ways.

The Storm was crappy on release, and I experienced lock-ups and slow performance like everyone else, but I think it desperately needs a re-review.

BB shot themselves in the foot with the poor launch firmware. 2 months ago I would have been drooling over the Pre, and was drooling over the iPhone, but I wouldn't trade in my Storm since the 4.7.0.148 firmware.

That said, in response to the OP, I thought there was an awful lot of buzz for the Pre. I think it was just overshadowed recently be Apple's timely release of the 3G s.

I have the Storm as well, but I wonder why you think it's such a good phone. I just want to hear your side to it. I was thinking of getting a new phone at the end of the year even though I've had this phone for about two months already.


Also, I really wouldn't say timely release since Apple does it every year about the same exact time so it's to be expected.

As far as the timely release is concerned, it could have been luck. Releasing a new and improved iPhone/OS that provides some previously missing features should be a good way to turn a few heads back in their direction though, especially with the Pre's stock problems right now.

As far as my reasons for liking the Storm now, there are many. here's a list:

1. My phone hasn't locked up or needed to be restarted since firmware 4.7.0.148.

2. It performs as well, or better than the iPhone 3Gs in application start up, at least the ones that Anand tested in his recent article.

3. The camera has always performed well for me, but it is even better since the firmware update. My wife has a Samsung Flipshot, and the Storm's camera is much more responsive. Very low shutter delay when it has auto-focused. I have had a recent issue with video recording not stopping as quickly as I'd like.

4. There are more than enough apps available to suit my tastes. I'm fairly pleased with App World. I don't run very many, but I use Weatherbug, Google Maps (it's nice that you don't have to use Verizon's gps program), Pandora, Bank of America, and Facebook apps, as well as a number of others, and have had no problems with any of them. (I have the Gmail app as well, but haven't found any reason to use it, as Blackberry's email program is better)

5. I was on the fence about the keyboard before the firmware update, but I have no problems quickly typing out an sms text message or an email on it now, and the text selection capabilities are a little better as well. I can't say that the auto-correct when typing has always been correct, but it is decent- much better than having none, and the keyboard responds so much better for me now that I haven't needed it as much anyway.

6. I never looked up the multitasking abilities of the Storm, so I'm not sure what it should be capable of, but I can listen to Pandora while surfing the internet, and it always seems to return me to where I was in an application if I don't shut it down and I come back to it after doing something else.

7. It's durable. I've dropped it on concrete or blacktop on 3 different occasions now, and it has some scratches on the backplate and the metal trim around the screen, but that's it. (I know, I've got butter fingers...)

8. The removable memory is nice. I have put a lot of my music on it, and the media capabilities have been good for my needs.

9. I don't use the calendar much, but I don't have any complaints.

My biggest gripe about the phone now is that it hangs up when I put it in the holster, even though I've changed the setting to turn it off. I really wish they'd fix that one. I just use the voice dialing all the time when I am using bluetooth, but it would be nice to use the dialer and be able to put the phone away without hanging up the call.

Also, the default vibrate setting didn't override the contact alerts, but that was easily fixed with a custom vibrate setting... not sure if that was something that got fixed with the update or not.

I'm not trying to give RIM a free pass... This phone did lock up, and slow down, and the keyboard wasn't everything it should have been. I would have been the first to say so before the firmware update, but it has been rock solid for me since. I can't see any performance-based reason why this phone would be disliked in its current state, which leads me to believe that there is some software or hardware variable that is being overlooked by RIM.

 

[ElFenix]

been reading up on this. i put in an order for a 3GS today, but for about $20 a month less i could have a pre, which seems to give the 3GS a run for it's money. i'm a current sprint customer with generally good experience with them. only time i've had to call customer service is to update my billing method when my credit card expires.

so do i cancel my 3GS order and get a pre?

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
been reading up on this. i put in an order for a 3GS today, but for about $20 a month less i could have a pre, which seems to give the 3GS a run for it's money. i'm a current sprint customer with generally good experience with them. only time i've had to call customer service is to update my billing method when my credit card expires.

so do i cancel my 3GS order and get a pre?

Only you can answer that. The Pre has many great features that the iphone doesn't have and it does some things better than the iphone but then the iphone does some great things as well. Any keyboard to me is better than no keyboard. There obviously aren't a ton of apps for it since it just came out. I like that it's smaller and has a replaceable battery. Plus as you can see, you'll be saving $20/month which comes out to $480 for 2 years. Oh and multitasking is a great thing to have. Some people would never give up an iphone which is fine but the Pre right now is the only thing that really competes with it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Blows away the Storm? All the things you list as Pre cons (slick OS excepted, but baubles are just a temporary distraction, IMHO) are available on Storm and then you have much more.

I love my Storm and can do everything you can do on any other device and more, and often better. Crapping on it has been a blog sport, but if you get one and stick with it, it grows on you very nicely.

My 2p.

 

[BabaBooey]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Because the Palm brand has been barely limping along for years now. IMO it's nothing special and I would take most BBs over it without a 2nd thought. I have an iphone right now and am also quite happy with that because of the apps and such.

This.

And this ...

Originally posted by: Muadib
Because it's only on Sprint, that's why.
It looks like mostly current Sprint customers have tried it so far.

If t-mobile had released it this would be a different story but it still looks ugly and is wider than the iphone.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: ElFenix
been reading up on this. i put in an order for a 3GS today, but for about $20 a month less i could have a pre, which seems to give the 3GS a run for it's money. i'm a current sprint customer with generally good experience with them. only time i've had to call customer service is to update my billing method when my credit card expires.

so do i cancel my 3GS order and get a pre?

Only you can answer that. The Pre has many great features that the iphone doesn't have and it does some things better than the iphone but then the iphone does some great things as well. Any keyboard to me is better than no keyboard. There obviously aren't a ton of apps for it since it just came out. I like that it's smaller and has a replaceable battery. Plus as you can see, you'll be saving $20/month which comes out to $480 for 2 years. Oh and multitasking is a great thing to have. Some people would never give up an iphone which is fine but the Pre right now is the only thing that really competes with it.

i'm going to run by a sprint store this afternoon and check one out. anand's review of it is pretty promising. hopefully some software optimization will be pushed out in the next few months to get the speed a little closer to 3GS.




i've not seen an ad for the pre yet, so other than people who read engadget all day (and i'm sure the readership there is more likely than average to have an iphone already), i doubt many people know about it. so i'm not at all shocked that it's mostly current sprint customers who have bought one.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: ElFenix
been reading up on this. i put in an order for a 3GS today, but for about $20 a month less i could have a pre, which seems to give the 3GS a run for it's money. i'm a current sprint customer with generally good experience with them. only time i've had to call customer service is to update my billing method when my credit card expires.

so do i cancel my 3GS order and get a pre?

Only you can answer that. The Pre has many great features that the iphone doesn't have and it does some things better than the iphone but then the iphone does some great things as well. Any keyboard to me is better than no keyboard. There obviously aren't a ton of apps for it since it just came out. I like that it's smaller and has a replaceable battery. Plus as you can see, you'll be saving $20/month which comes out to $480 for 2 years. Oh and multitasking is a great thing to have. Some people would never give up an iphone which is fine but the Pre right now is the only thing that really competes with it.

i'm going to run by a sprint store this afternoon and check one out. anand's review of it is pretty promising. hopefully some software optimization will be pushed out in the next few months to get the speed a little closer to 3GS.




i've not seen an ad for the pre yet, so other than people who read engadget all day (and i'm sure the readership there is more likely than average to have an iphone already), i doubt many people know about it. so i'm not at all shocked that it's mostly current sprint customers who have bought one.

Yea Sprint really needs to get their new name and image out there. I think that's one of the reason they're hurting out there in addition to the many.

 

[ElFenix]

slick phone. keys are a little small, but usable. multitasking works fairly well. the browser worked pretty well, but i couldn't figure out how to leave the mobile version of espn. nytimes was ok, though. it's got the same sort of youtube that the iphone has. the touchscreen would get confused if i let my thumb rest on the glossy part below the LCD.

i have to wonder how active the community will be for this. i assume palm will try to get out more phones for more networks in somewhat short order, which would be good. the sprint rep says they've been pushing out updates pretty regularly, which is a good sign.

didn't really try out the messaging and contact features, which are the real coup that this phone has over the iphone.

between my typical underdog support and the fact that it will cost less, long run, than the iphone, i may just be getting it.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
slick phone. keys are a little small, but usable. multitasking works fairly well. the browser worked pretty well, but i couldn't figure out how to leave the mobile version of espn. nytimes was ok, though. it's got the same sort of youtube that the iphone has. the touchscreen would get confused if i let my thumb rest on the glossy part below the LCD.

i have to wonder how active the community will be for this. i assume palm will try to get out more phones for more networks in somewhat short order, which would be good. the sprint rep says they've been pushing out updates pretty regularly, which is a good sign.

didn't really try out the messaging and contact features, which are the real coup that this phone has over the iphone.

between my typical underdog support and the fact that it will cost less, long run, than the iphone, i may just be getting it.

My thoughs on it: http://linh.wordpress.com/tag/palm-pre/

A lot of it sounds in the negative, but overall, I really like the pre. I'm not a hardcore business user, really just need email (ideally, RDP too, heh, but no matter what phone, that is painful on a small screen) and messaging. Oh, and the area below the screen is the gesture area... it's touch sensitive, too.

I think if you want apps now, this isn't the phone for you. It's rough around the edges, definitely. It won't be the runaway success of the iPhone, but Palm is much smaller, and just showing up like this has been pretty good for them.

Originally posted by: bababooey
If t-mobile had released it this would be a different story but it still looks ugly and is wider than the iphone.

It's shorter, narrower, and thicker, but not wider. And even still, it fits 100x better in my hands than the iphone does (in respect to using it as a phone). But this is obviously subjective. If you're 6'2, the pre might be an issue for you.

And ugly it is not.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I think if you want apps now, this isn't the phone for you. It's rough around the edges, definitely. It won't be the runaway success of the iPhone, but Palm is much smaller, and just showing up like this has been pretty good for them.

not just rough, the thing is friggin sharp enough to cut you.
aside from the lower grade plastic, that's part of what makes it feel cheap compared to the iphone.

 

[Muadib]

I saw a commercial for the Pre last night.:shocked:

 

[ElFenix]

i think i may just cancel the GS order and hold off another 6 months and see if the pre ecosystem gets any larger

 

[boomhower]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i think i may just cancel the GS order and hold off another 6 months and see if the pre ecosystem gets any larger

I have a feeling it will grow very well but you will need to give it time. The SDK isn't going to be released until late summer in August. Then allow time for actually software development and at long last we'll be off to the races. From the looks of things now Palm has a real chance to meet or even beat Apple's app store. The Pre is doing Pre well for being on the carrier with the worst reputation. Nothing short of an iphone is going to get a mass rush to the Sprint store.

But Palm will be releasing WebOS devices on Verizon and AT&T as well so they will have the population covered. Each should have at least two devices, the Pre(or something extremely similar) and the lower priced Eos. This should give Palm the ability to have a very large user base which provides a source of profit for the app creators. I really think this will work well in the end.

 

[randay]

1. the app catalogue is sad, they need to release SDK ASAP!!!
2. the keyboard is a little small, but since its physical I can type just fine by feeling the bumps. im sure in a while my muscle memory will be at a point where i wont have to even look.
3. i dont see how anyone can live without multitasking, after experiencing it on the webos, ive decided that it is the sole reason why i will and have never before considered getting an iphone.
4. i hope palm keeps the phones rootable, homebrew will take the pre to the next level, all we need is console access from inside webos and ill be all over that shit.

 

[Jeff7181]

A coworker and his wife got one. I think he had it for about a week and already exchanged it because the screen started to discolor at the bottom from what he suspects is a heat related issue. He says the phone gets pretty hot when in use. I really want to get one, but I think I'm going to give it at least a few more months to make my decision, or maybe I'll go with something like the Touch Pro or Touch Diamond to replace my Instinct.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I think if you want apps now, this isn't the phone for you. It's rough around the edges, definitely. It won't be the runaway success of the iPhone, but Palm is much smaller, and just showing up like this has been pretty good for them.

not just rough, the thing is friggin sharp enough to cut you.
aside from the lower grade plastic, that's part of what makes it feel cheap compared to the iphone.

eh, the back is thin, and creaks, that's the problem, and the ring of plastic around where the volume rocker is... really makes it look bad.

BUT, as for it being sharp enough to cut you... it FEELS sharp, and I swear I feel like I'll slice my fingers when closing it, but I looked at the open/close count-1000+. And I haven't cut myself yet.

one piece iphone will always feel more solid. But yes, overall, not as quite up there.

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
A coworker and his wife got one. I think he had it for about a week and already exchanged it because the screen started to discolor at the bottom from what he suspects is a heat related issue. He says the phone gets pretty hot when in use. I really want to get one, but I think I'm going to give it at least a few more months to make my decision, or maybe I'll go with something like the Touch Pro or Touch Diamond to replace my Instinct.

do they talk a lot? friend of mine said it got warm after 25 minutes. I haven't had any problems, but I don't talk for more than 10 minutes at a time usually. The time it DID get hot was when I was talking while it was plugged into the wall charging too. I thought I was going to burn myself.

Despite its flaws, still really liking it. Especially the form factor. it doesn't feel like a huge brick in my hands like the iphone does (yes, it's thin, but I find it awkward). Android and HTC's Sense really is nice to see tho. Love the competition. Just hope Palm can work fast enough.

 

[Jeff7181]

Actually I didn't think to ask how long he's usually on the phone for. I believe he said it's also from just using the apps on it... gets just as hot doing that.

By the way... the Pre counts how many times you open and close it?!?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Actually I didn't think to ask how long he's usually on the phone for. I believe he said it's also from just using the apps on it... gets just as hot doing that.

By the way... the Pre counts how many times you open and close it?!?

there's a whole hardware diagnosis thing you can do with it, and yes, it gives that info.

I haven't noticed any apps making the phone get warm though. I mostly use music or pandora. Pandora does suck on the batteries though.