Palm Pre
The basics
The Palm Pre is Palm's attempt to get back in with the smartphone big boys. It comes with a 3.1-inch touchscreen, 3G, GPS, a three-megapixel camera, slide-out QWERTY keyboard and Palm's new operating system.
The good
We've been waiting so long for the Palm Pre and it's finally here. And you know what, it's awesome. The 3.2-inch capacitive display has multi-touch and is super responsive to your digits, allowing you to pinch the screen to zoom in and out and flip through images. In fact this touchscreen interface is so easy to use, we'd go as far to say it's as good as the iPhone's. What's so good about it? Well it multi-tasks: with active programs shown as cards you can move around onscreen. It really is simple to get around. Add to that the fact that this also has apps (although Palm's App Catalog is nowhere near as extensive as the App Store) and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for easy-as typing and you have a great device for keeping in touch with friends and business colleagues alike.
The bad
It's taken so long to get to the UK that a veritable avalanche of smartphones have joined the mobile race since it first appeared, so it's not just got the iPhone for competition. Other than that, there aren't too many niggles. Maybe it's not as stylish as the iPhone, and maybe the App Catalog still has a way to go to catch up with the iPhone App Store, but these are minor problems. One that's not is the fact that it can't actually shoot video! Poor show Palm.
The bottom line
A very good smartphone. But has it joined the smartphone party too late? Only time will tell. And the lack of video shooting is a pretty big oversight. Other than that, not a bad iPhone rival!
User comments (14)
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ZENA13 September 2009
Have you tested any XDA I am looking at buying one. I need it to be on Windows and be able to download large books _ student. I need the phone to have a large touch screen. Is the Toshiba any good !! Thanks great show - gives me a rest from studying.
Report as inappropriateJonathan21 October 2009
ok, well I have researched almost every phone, tried all of them, and unfortunately the palm pre is brilliant in some things, but terrible when it comes to userbility eg writtin text messages! seriously unless u have hands like a mini me then its not going to happen on that keyboard! SORRY IN MY OPINION GET THE I PHONE OR NOKIA N900 when it comes!
Report as inappropriateKeith13 November 2009
Sorry Jonathan, I cant agree with you there! Ive switch away from iphone to a new Pre and dont regret it one bit. Typing a txt or email is so much easier with the keyboard than the iphone was and everythng else on it is easy to work with. Is it better - no, but its not worse either. The number of apps are a load of hype as the vast majority of iphone ones are rubbish. Yes I could do with about 5 of the essentials I had before, but Im sure they will be along soon. If you want a phone that plays your Jayzee ringtones and makes you feel cool, its the iphone. If you want a phone that does a fab job of handling your comms, then look no further than the Pre. And lets face it, this is only the start, and its already on a par with the iphone!
Report as inappropriateandyj45633307 December 2009
After testing both the iphone and palm pre I went for the pre. The pre is easy to use and friends who have iphones have been impressed with the pre's ability to multi-task. It is the best smart phone I have used. Ten out of ten!
Report as inappropriateDonaldB129 December 2009
I have just had an iphone for 2 years and it was good. However the Pre - that I have just got - is better. This phone does most things very well and as a communication device has less compromises than an iphone. Definitely the best smart phone I have used
Report as inappropriatejohnnobee31 January 2010
Apart from having no camcorder function I cant fault my Pre better by far than my iPhone,which also has only just got the function. I love it.
Report as inappropriatecheryl waddington20 February 2010
i've been looking at the iphone and the pre for a fair few days now and i must say the pre is looking the most likely option, i have been reliably informed by an O2 representative that the video capture will arrive on the pre shortly possibly as early as march along with thousands more apps which will be available to download onto any existing pre's. I have never had a contract phone and i tire of phones quite quickly so the prospect of a minimum contract term is quite frightening to me but im sure the pre will not bore me after a few weeks....hopefully :-)
Report as inappropriateMatt28 February 2010
If you all didnt already know there is an update for the web os now which enables video recording and editing....so the major gripe is now gone!!!!!! Looking forward to getting a pre now :)
Report as inappropriaterob01 March 2010
just an update as this phone now has video with the new webOS 1.4 software. after using this phone for over 4 months now, i know this phone still beats all others in the same league - htc, iphone, google phone. only downside is apps, but most of them on apple dont really change our life so dont let that put you off..
Report as inappropriateNick05 April 2010
Update your details - video shooting and onphone editing is great - with quick upload to Youtube etc. Diary and multi-tasking on this phone are fab - coming from an ex iphone and BB user. I am sold on webos and fail to understand why it is not more prolific.
Report as inappropriateJoseph Sharp12 April 2010
I have just purchased a Pre and to say that I am disappointed is an completed understatement. It is not the lack of basic functions such as text or email reminders that leaves me frustrated but the fact that I entered into a contract two weeks ago and due to software issues I am already on my second Pre, which is going back tomorrow because this to has stopped working. I am gutted because I wanted a smart phone that was not the iphone and the Pre ticked all my boxes. During contract cancellation call O2 rep said they have had loads of issues regarding the Pre and many have been returned. I am allowed to return mine even though my cancellation period have passed. An indication of how bad the problem is!
Report as inappropriateglennsmith06 May 2010
i had a iphone and i decided to to get a palm pre and the palm pre is a lot better it has just had a upgrade to allow it to take videos and the way you can open more than one app at a time is better than one app at a time on the iphone so i say get a pre over an iphone
Report as inappropriateTobias05 August 2010
Epic phone had it for 4 months now and am in love with it. The operating system is easy and intuative letting you do more things faster and multiple things at the same time (still better than the new iphone multi tasking). With updates i can shoot video but never use it to be honest. Looking forward to new updates and what palm do next since the HP merger :)
Report as inappropriateAnonymous18 August 2010
i love the phone but still cant watch videos through because of not having flash. they say it was to be here first half of 2010. and now there saying the integration between flash player and webOS is under going extensive testing to ensure they deliver a high quality implementation. and its middle of august now . come on palm please
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