Palm Announces the Palm Pre Smartphone

Palm PrePalm has just announced their latest and greatest smartphone, the Palm Pre. Breaking away completely from the past, Palm's new WebOS and Synergy data integration are set to provide the foundation for Palm's future devices for the next decade, according to Ed Colligan at Palm's event earlier today at CES.

Sprint is going to be the exclusive carrier partner for the Palm Pre, and retail availability is expected "as soon as possible" within the first half of 2009. No mention has been made of pricing or additional carrier partners, but according to the spec listed below, a UMTS/HSDPA radio version is listed, so a GSM version will presumably be available once Sprint's period of exclusivity has lapsed.

Direct from Palm, the full spec list of the Palm Pre is available below.

Palm Pre

Palm Pre Specifications

Palm Pre Phone

  • High-speed connectivity (EVDO Rev. A or UMTS HSDPA)
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
  • Integrated GPS
  • Large 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320x480 resolution HVGA display
  • Gesture area, which enables simple, intuitive gestures for navigation
  • Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
  • Email, including Outlook EAS (for access to corporate Microsoft Exchange servers), as well as personal email support (POP3, IMAP)
  • Robust messaging support (IM, SMS and MMS capabilities)
  • High-performance, desktop-class web browser
  • Great multimedia experience and performance (pictures, video playback, music), featuring a 3-megapixel camera with LED flash and extended depth of field, and a standard 3.5mm headset jack
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
  • 8GB of internal user storage (~7.4GB user available)
  • USB mass storage mode
  • MicroUSB connector with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
  • Proximity sensor, which automatically disables the touch screen and turns off the display whenever you put the phone up to your ear
  • Light sensor, which dims the display if the ambient light is dark, such as at night or in a movie theater, to reduce power usage
  • Accelerometer, which automatically orients web pages and photos to your perspective
  • Ringer switch, which easily silences the device with one touch
  • Removable, rechargeable battery
  • Dimensions: 59.57mm (W) x 100.53mm (L, closed) x 16.95mm (D) [2.35 inches (W) x 3.96 inches (L, closed) x 0.67 inches (D)]
  • Weight: ~135 grams [4.76 ounces]
  • [Pre Product Page at Palm]

More Palm Pre Coverage

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Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money

LiveFaith @ 1/8/2009 2:21:44 PM # Q
Bring that GSM version and I'm ready to roll. This is what we needed Palm. Looks like a home run from this distance. Very exciting if not shocking.

Pat Horne
RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
freakout @ 1/8/2009 2:25:42 PM # Q
Amen!
RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
LiveFaith @ 1/8/2009 2:25:57 PM # Q
Good news is that Sprint has it up on their site enlisting the interested. Palm says ASAP in 1st 1/2 and that it's still getting approvals (presumably FCC?). Maybe it really does come soon opening the door for the world phone and AT&T availability. Exciting.

Pat Horne
RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
dboehme @ 1/8/2009 2:27:03 PM # Q
Agreed. I got the Treo Pro before Christmas to hold me over - I can't wait to turn it into a paper weight and get the GSM version of the Pre!!!

I'm so excited. This could have gone extremely well or extremely poorly. It is an absolute win!!!!!

RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
LiveFaith @ 1/8/2009 2:40:18 PM # Q
I gladly hang my head in shame for doubting Palm. But every time I drop it I want to look at the Pre again. Excellent hardware design and OS. I gave such a scenario a 1% chance and Palm nailed it so far. Beautiful specs and the experience looks perfect. Legacy POS apps are not that big IMO, bc this platform is going to generate some serious excitement if it worx as we saw.

Slider will make one handedness more difficult I presume, but we shall see. 2003 may finally pass after all!

Pat Horne

RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
scstraus2 @ 1/8/2009 3:12:53 PM # Q
Wow. I can finally say the first nice thing I can say about palm in many years. This looks incredible! If it works half as good as it looks, I'm in for a GSM version!

Palm's back on the map. I never thought I'd see the day. Finally an iPhone competitor for the business market. I'm blown away!

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

Palm Pilot 5000->Palm Pilot Professional->Handspring Visor->Handspring Visor Prism->Handspring Visor Neo->Handspring Treo 180->Handspring Treo 270->Palm Treo 600->Tapwave Zodiac 2->Palm Treo 650->Palm Treo 680->...

Samsung i780!

Goodbye Palm

RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
kevinbgood @ 1/8/2009 3:20:39 PM # Q
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I'm in! Bring in on big "P", we are with you. Just open it up to more than Sprint.


Addicted to Palm

RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
nastebu @ 1/8/2009 8:43:25 PM # Q
I won't hang my head about doubting Palm. Truth be told, they were up against the wall with a huge and seemingly impossible task to perform. Doubt was and frankly still is realistic. The point is, Palm did something amazing-created a smart phone that actually stands out in an incredibly competitive market. Get it to market properly debugged before the competition takes two more leaps forward and we've got a serious competitor.

What a surprise, what a great surprise. :-)

RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
dustbunny44 @ 1/9/2009 9:26:42 AM # Q
I can't see where it butters my toast.
I don't know... I was really counting on that feature.

RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
gaines @ 1/10/2009 8:42:48 PM # Q
I'm a pretty loyal Windows Mobile user, however what I've seen so far is very impressive and may entice me to switch. We've even started a community over at http://www.SprintPre.net to chat about it.


RE: Bring GSM & I'll Show the Money
SDscotty @ 5/2/2009 3:14:41 PM # Q
GSM! GSM! GSM! Come on AT&T! You were caught snoozing on this one. I guess you want to focus on all things iPhone, but many of us are not so iClones and want to keep our beloved Palm/Handspring desk-tops and simple interfaces. Don't think I want to switch to Sprint, even for the Pri. I have too many friends who were burned by their goofy billing and contract issues--years ago. GSM! GSM! GSM!
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Power? how much?

vixensjlin @ 1/8/2009 2:36:02 PM # Q
Can this thing last for 3~4 days like my Treo? By the way, let's hope it's under $500 (unlocked).
RE: Power? how much?
LuisAngelCastillo @ 1/8/2009 4:24:32 PM # Q
I think that will be around 549 like PRO, but where are the specifications? processor? RAM? ROM? Size? Weight? etc...

RE: Power? how much?
bhartman34 @ 1/8/2009 7:22:23 PM # Q
Can this thing last for 3~4 days like my Treo? By the way, let's hope it's under $500 (unlocked).

I think there's almost no chance that you'll see it below $500 unlocked. At least, not initially. Even the Centro sold for $200 witha plan at first. If it can really do everything they say it can do, I'd say $300 with a plan would be the initial price. Somewhere around there.

RE: Power? how much?
nastebu @ 1/8/2009 8:35:04 PM # Q
I don't know. If Palm and Sprint are serious about competing with Apple and RIM than it will have to be $199 with a contract. I imagine Sprint will want this to be a huge hit and so they might be willing to fork over a big subsidy. Too bad Palm is so cash poor. They'll need to make good money on it.

But a big subsidy is the upside of the exclusive carrier agreement, no?

Reply to this comment

EVDO vs AT&T 3G

mikecane @ 1/8/2009 3:08:55 PM # Q
So, is EVDO Rev A faster than AT&T 3G?

And how much would this be per month vs the iPhone 3G?

Gekko, here's your cue!

RE: EVDO vs AT&T 3G
Gekko @ 1/8/2009 3:48:12 PM # Q

Sprint is your fastest, most cost effective option. i love it.

their pricing, speed, technology, phone selection blows everyone else away.

i love the $99/month "simply everything" plan. unlimited everything is a beautiful thing.



RE: EVDO vs AT&T 3G
otter @ 1/9/2009 3:28:38 AM # Q
I have to agree - I miss Sprint's service. AT&T 3G sucks big time... even when it's available.

Reply to this comment

Size vs Treo & Centro?

mikecane @ 1/8/2009 3:10:21 PM # Q
I've seen a pic of it next to an iPhone. It's wee!

It makes me wonder if it's actually Centro sized.

Has anyone seen pics of it next to a Treo or Centro yet?

RE: Size vs Treo & Centro?
buckeyetex315 @ 1/8/2009 4:20:49 PM # Q
http://www.palm.com/us/products/phones/index.html

Palm Vx -> Long wait -> Palm T|X
RE: Size vs Treo & Centro?
mikecane @ 1/8/2009 5:57:55 PM # Q
Thanks. I hadn't seen that page. Wow. It's SMALL!!

Reply to this comment

Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan

Gekko @ 1/8/2009 3:53:57 PM # Q

that's my guess.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
hkklife @ 1/8/2009 11:35:32 PM # Q
That's my edumacated guess too. But I was nearly run out of Vegas and into the desert today when I mentioned that. Everyone else is "hoping"for $199.99 w/ contract. I clearly see Palm trying to position this as an uber-Smartphone premium product that commands a premium price.

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->?
RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
SeldomVisitor @ 1/9/2009 3:44:17 AM # Q
Colligan addressed the pricing issue already:

== "...The biggest unknown is price, which went unmentioned during
== the demo. My assumption is that Palm (PALM) would try to take market
== share by coming in significantly lower than the $200 or so Apple wants
== for its iPhone. But when I ran that theory by Palm CEO Ed Colligan,
== he looked at me liked I'd peed on his rug. "Why would we do that when
== we have a significantly better product," he asked, then walked away..."

- http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20090108/live-from-ces-palm-unveils-nova/

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Foo Fighter @ 1/9/2009 4:14:25 AM # Q
that's my guess ($299).

Let's hope not - too high. They need to hit $199 or less or they're screwed.

----
Web Designer,
Tech writer for weblogs inc. @ http://www.tuaw.com

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Gekko @ 1/9/2009 5:43:49 AM # Q

remember, iphone is subsidized by the higher at&t service fees. sprint's "simply everything" unlimited voice/data/text/gps is $99/month. at&t is $149/month. you'd make up the difference in 4 months.

also, colligan thinks he has the superior premium phone and that it should command the superior premium price.

iphone
8GB = $199 + higher monthly fees
16GB = $299 + higher monthly fees


RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Gekko @ 1/9/2009 6:23:32 AM # Q

error - i meant to say at $299 vs $199 phone cost youd make up the difference in two months of $99 vs $149 service charges.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
dmenahem @ 1/9/2009 7:30:35 AM # Q
RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
mikecane @ 1/9/2009 8:34:54 AM # Q
$400 is FAIL.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Gekko @ 1/9/2009 8:51:13 AM # Q

stop being fooled by clever marketing. it's pay me now or pay me A LOT later with monthly fees. iphone is subsidized by at&t customers monthly fees.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
dmenahem @ 1/9/2009 9:01:00 AM # Q
Doesn't Sprint subsidize its phones via customer's monthly fee? @ $30/month for unlimited data ATT and Sprint are equal.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Gekko @ 1/9/2009 9:06:08 AM # Q

all carriers subsidize their phones, it's just a matter of degrees. compare total voice + data pricing and you'll get your answer.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
dmenahem @ 1/9/2009 9:07:26 AM # Q
My point is that at $400 you are paying now and later with Sprint.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Gekko @ 1/9/2009 9:10:26 AM # Q

do the math -

Sprint Pre = $399 + $99/month for 24 Months =

AT&T iPhone = $199 + $150/month for 24 Months =



RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
dmenahem @ 1/9/2009 9:22:56 AM # Q
I agree with your math on the unlimited everything comparision. I realize there are many people that need the unlimited voice minutes, but @ $399 (if thats really the price) I think Palm has its work cut out competing against the iphone on glitz/glamor/marketing AND price. Most people are not power users that require unlimited everything. My $100/month plan with ATT provides unlimited texts, data and 900 mins that I never fully use up(with rollover, free nights, free weekends).

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Gekko @ 1/9/2009 9:29:06 AM # Q

you must not have an iphone then. iphone at&t plans are more -

Package: iPhone 3G - 8 GB $199.00
Phone: Apple iPhone 3G - 8 GB - Black Included

Plan: Nation 900 w/Rollover® Minutes $59.99
Services: Data Plan for iPhone 3G $30.00
iPhone Text Messaging Unlimited $20.00

$110/month total.

my pre vs. iphone comparison works on any apples to apples plan.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
dmenahem @ 1/9/2009 9:31:07 AM # Q
I do have the iphone (16GB, white); $50/month 900 mins, $30 data, $20 texts. Not sure if the voice plan is a carry over from before, but I'm at $100+taxes.

RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
Gekko @ 1/9/2009 9:31:31 AM # Q

Sprint Everything Data-900 Anytime Minutes Included2
$89.99/month


RE: Pricing Guess: $299 w/2 Year Service and Data Plan
dmenahem @ 1/9/2009 9:35:10 AM # Q
Gekko

We are comparing apples to apples with power users. For the Pre to achieve the scale of sales that the iphone has (close to 10 million units?) it has to appeal to the ave. joe. Average Joe walks into Best Buy and compares $199 to $399 (plus the added glitz/glamor of the iphone) and you can see which way it goes.

My point is that Sprint/Palm already have their work cut out for them if they want to become a mass consumer hit. Pricing at $399 is going to make the work that much more difficult.

Mind you I'm not an apple honk. I have an iphone, bberry and treo, and I'd love to see this succeed (in US GSM version, please, Palm), but for it to succeed they have to expand the market past the BB-HTC-Treo power users market.

DM.

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