Palm Pixi Announced

palm pixi It's official: Palm has announced their second webOS device: the "strikingly thin" Palm Pixi. Another Sprint exclusive, the Pixi will feature - in addition to the usual webOS Synergy software goodness - EVDO Rev. A, a 2.63-inch 320x400 TFT multi-touch screen, an exposed QWERTY keyboard, GPS, 2-megapixel camera with flash, 3.5mm headphone jack, 8GB of internal storage (contrary to earlier rumors), and a Qualcomm MSM7627 chipset.

But that's not all: Pixi will also offer "fashionable personalization options". Rather than simply offer the phone in a variety of colors, as with it's predecessor, the Centro, the Pixi will have available numbered, limited-edition back covers, the first collection of which can be viewed here. The press release also states that Pixi will debut with a brand-new native Facebook application.

Palm's press release states the Pixi will be available "in time for the holidays", with pricing yet to be announced.

palm pixi sprint

"With Palm webOS, we're creating a new, more intuitive smartphone experience defined by unmatched simplicity and usefulness," said Jon Rubinstein, Palm chairman and chief executive officer. "Palm Pixi brings this unique experience to a broader range of people who want enhanced messaging and social networking in a design that lets them express their personal style."

"Palm Pixi continues Sprint's leadership in providing useful and innovative devices on America's most dependable 3G network," said Dan Hesse, chief executive officer at Sprint. "We are pleased to be the first carrier to bring this device to market and offer both devices in the growing Palm webOS family. Sprint's Everything Data plans, which provide unrestricted access to the Internet, mobile content and applications, and our Ready Now retail experience make for a perfect combination with these new Palm products."

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Hopefully now they will drop the Centro price from $399

Fake Jeff Hawkins @ 9/8/2009 10:09:22 PM # Q
I think I'll stick with Good Ole Garnet for now and get a Centro. Only problem is Palm lists the CDMA Centro for $399 while UNLOCKED GSM Centros are just $199. Ridiculous!

The CDMA Centro should be no more than $199 without contract. Wake up, Palm!

RE: Hopefully now they will drop the Centro price from $399
Gekko @ 9/9/2009 2:11:19 AM # Q

Centro is now $29 at Sprint.com.
RE: Hopefully now they will drop the Centro price from $399
Fake Jeff Hawkins @ 9/9/2009 10:31:43 PM # Q
CDMA Centro without contract = $399.

GSM unlocked Centro without contract = $199.

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I want one now!

palmdoc88 @ 9/8/2009 10:09:51 PM # Q
No slider or moving parts = no Oreo effect
I can live with the smaller screen
http://palmdoc.net
RE: I want one now!
Tim_Carroll @ 9/8/2009 11:18:17 PM # Q
I just can't wait to fondle a webOS device in person, palmdoc :D
RE: I want one now!
justauser @ 9/9/2009 2:47:49 PM # Q
Any word on when Pre of Pixi might hit Australia Tim? This is getting painful (with a 2nd WebOS device on the way)
RE: I want one now!
Tim_Carroll @ 9/9/2009 7:14:41 PM # Q
Nothing. Nada. Zip. Silence from the PR departments of all the telcos, cryptic responses from Palm's AU manager. There is, however, a disturbing thread on Whirlpool that says a Telstra rep told someone that Palm was unable to come to an agreement with them over the Pre and it could be "months" until we see one.

It wouldn't surprise me if Palm had trouble with Telstra; Pre is the sort of device that demands an unlimited data plan and Telstra don't have anything even close to resembling that...

Looks like we'll be stuck importing unlocked European Pres - provided that they actually come that way...
I write here sometimes.

RE: I want one now!
Gekko @ 9/9/2009 7:34:03 PM # Q
RE: I want one now!
Tim_Carroll @ 9/9/2009 7:44:43 PM # Q
^^ No keyboard + iTunes sync + no removable battery. Excuse me while I vomit. :P
RE: I want one now!
Gekko @ 9/9/2009 7:55:48 PM # Q
>No keyboard + iTunes sync + no removable battery.

why are you being such a little bitch?

1. virtual keyboard works great for millions.
2. you don't need to use iTunes.
3. WTF do you need a removable battery?

RE: I want one now!
justauser @ 9/9/2009 9:19:36 PM # Q
No cut and paste worked great for millions of people for 3 years too. Doesn't mean it's good.

As for Telstra delays - I don't like the sound of that. I really wanted a new toy. Oh well. I guess I'd better be kinder to my 680.

RE: I want one now!
DarthRepublican @ 9/9/2009 9:21:07 PM # Q

why are you being such a little bitch?

He's doing an impression of you when you tried the Palm Pre and couldn't figure out the gestures?

1. virtual keyboard works great for millions.

And distilled urine tastes great for the millions who call it beer....

3. WTF do you need a removable battery?

And you call yourself a power user. Anybody who really bangs on their phone knows that heavy talking, music, video, and internet use kills the battery. The bottom line is that I left home for work at 8AM today and didn't get back until 10PM. So yeah, keeping a spare battery tucked away in my pocket sounds like a good idea.
Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/
RE: I want one now!
Tim_Carroll @ 9/9/2009 11:12:27 PM # Q
Gekko:

why are you being such a little bitch?

LOL. Fast-forward to 0:25: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Dw734nfFA

1. virtual keyboard works great for millions.

So do the Jonas Brothers. But they ain't my cup o' tea. You can't touch-type on a virtual keyboard, they eat up valuable screen real-estate and you constantly get thumb-grease everywhere. And I don't know about those millions, but when I have something to say I don't need some fortune-telling software to try and second-guess what I'm typing.

Virtual keyboards suck.

2. you don't need to use iTunes.

For software updates and backing up: yes, you do. (AFAIK) As for media, you don't have to use iTunes - there are plugins for Winamp, for example - but the other solutions are buggy and require tweaking that is in my view completely unnecessary. My hardware should sync with whatever I want it to, not whatever the manufacturer wants me to.

3. WTF do you need a removable battery?

'cause batteries all over the consumer electronics landscape suck, and I do not fancy sending my phone off to Apple for a replacement when it starts to lose charge.

Plus, with a removable battery I have the option of both carrying a spare and upgrading to a higher-capacity one should I feel the need to. The only battery upgrade option with the iPhone is a bulky external case that completely ruins the lovely sleek chassis.

iPhone ain't for me.

I write here sometimes.

RE: I want one now!
SeldomVisitor @ 9/10/2009 3:25:46 AM # Q
Do people REALLY touch type on their phones!? I've never seen anyone do that - every single instance I've seen -probably numbering in the hundreds now across the country, the typist has been intently staring at his/her phone.

Every single instance.

RE: I want one now!
abosco @ 9/10/2009 4:40:33 AM # M Q
Also, I've never seen anyone carrying a spare battery or swapping one out. Not once. Ever. Who has all of this room in their pockets for an awkward battery? I get annoyed enough with keys and a wallet.

I remember using a keyboard on my old NX. It was backlit, and the keys were spaced apart well. I did plenty of typing on it, too. But somehow, I'm still just as fast on this virtual keyboard. I haven't made a PIC comment from my computer in years.

But look at the alternative. In order to incorporate a physical keyboard, you need some sort of slider. It is usually more fragile, and in the Pre's case, it has an awkward Oreo effect. Or in the case of the candybar Centro or Pixi, you either get an unbareably tiny screen, or the device is awkwardly shaped. The Pixi has a combination of both.

RE: I want one now!
SeldomVisitor @ 9/10/2009 4:51:52 AM # Q
> ...In order to incorporate a physical keyboard, you need some sort of slider...

Don't tell Palm that!

RE: I want one now!
Tim_Carroll @ 9/10/2009 5:04:52 AM # Q
SV:
Do people REALLY touch type on their phones!?

I've been doing it on my Treos and Centro for ages. Perhaps the majority don't, but I really couldn't care less about the majority. My own personal preference is a physical keyboard, and I think even the best virtuals will never be as good without tactile feedback.

bosco:

Also, I've never seen anyone carrying a spare battery or swapping one out. Not once. Ever. Who has all of this room in their pockets for an awkward battery? I get annoyed enough with keys and a wallet.

When I upgraded my Treo 680 battery, I'd keep the stock one charged in the cradle and chuck it in the glovebox of my car or my jacket pocket whenever I knew I wouldn't be coming home for the night. It's not something I carried around all the time, but when I wanted that safety net it was there for me.

As for the Oreo, most forum reports (yeah, I know, hardly reliable) are saying that later builds of the Pre are made of much sterner stuff. And Pixi "unbearably" small? S'pose it depends on what you're comparing it to. Compared to my Centro it's huuuuuuuge. Awkwardly shaped? I don't get that. It's about the same height as the 3GS and thinner: http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_comparison/25417-Palm-Pre-vs-iPhone-3GS-vs-Palm-Pixi

(That said, I'd still rather a Pre.)

This is all IMO, of course YMMV. But I was just trying to get the point across to Gekko that the iPhone simply doesn't meet my own personal requirements, and likely never will. Which is a shame, 'cause I actually do quite like the iPhone OS.

RE: I want one now!
ChiA @ 9/13/2009 6:53:44 AM # Q
Virtual keyboards suck.

Well, as a current owner of a HTC Tytn II I find there are times when it's physical keyboard doesn't work even though you've depressed the key. In contrast you get the visual feedback of which key was depressed on the iPhone's virtual keyboard.

'cause batteries all over the consumer electronics landscape suck

I've never seen anyone carrying a spare battery or swapping one out

Well bosco, you now know someone who does. Tim's right, even Sprint's exec has mentioned it recently: battery technology has not advanced at the same rate as other electronics. The battery with my HTC lasts barely a day so an extra battery is necessary. However I've found the universal battery with solar charger to be useful and a solution which works whether or not your mobile has a removable battery.


Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. Aaron Levenstein

RE: I want one now!
SeldomVisitor @ 9/13/2009 8:03:53 AM # Q
I can imagine carrying a spare battery in a briefcase (or purse); I cannot imagine carrying a spare battery in a pocket.

Where do you carry your spare battery?

RE: I want one now!
ChiA @ 9/13/2009 8:40:02 AM # Q
Where do you carry your spare battery?

Well there are pros and cons to everything. I have both a removable battery for the Tytn II and a universal external battery back with built-in solar charger.

The advantage to the removable battery is it's small enough to carry in the pocket. The disadvantage is that you need an extra battery charger at home or work for it to be the best solution.

The advantages of the external battery pack is that you can use it with any phone, you can charge on the go and use the phone whilst charging. The disadvantages are that it's not really pocketable, I have to carry it in the briefcase or laptop bag, and you also need to bring the charging cables with you.

By the way kudos to Palm for creating and shipping the Palm Pre.

Does anyone remember something about Access Linux Powered devices shipping in 2009?
Does anyone even remember Access?
Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. Aaron Levenstein

RE: I want one now!
DarthRepublican @ 9/15/2009 7:15:52 PM # Q
SeldomVisitor wrote:
I can imagine carrying a spare battery in a briefcase (or purse); I cannot imagine carrying a spare battery in a pocket.

Where do you carry your spare battery?

You're kidding right? My Pre's battery is a tiny box that fits into my jeans' little fifth change pocket with plenty of room to spare. (That's part of the reason why I need to carry a spare in the first place!) When I'm not wearing jeans, I'm wearing cargo pants which come with two or three extra pockets. And I usually carry a small briefcase/man bag for my netbook -- it also has extra pockets for a spare battery. Even on the rare occasions that I have to wear a suit, I've yet to wear one that doesn't have pockets.
Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/

RE: I want one now!
DarthRepublican @ 9/15/2009 7:18:41 PM # Q
ChiA wrote:
The advantages of the external battery pack is that you can use it with any phone, you can charge on the go and use the phone whilst charging. The disadvantages are that it's not really pocketable, I have to carry it in the briefcase or laptop bag, and you also need to bring the charging cables with you.

By the way kudos to Palm for creating and shipping the Palm Pre.

Does anyone remember something about Access Linux Powered devices shipping in 2009?
Does anyone even remember Access?


That's your cue, Gekko post that Youtube video of the ACCESS demo from 2007!


Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/

RE: I want one now!
SeldomVisitor @ 9/16/2009 3:01:10 AM # Q
There's something totally ironic about carrying an all-in-one "converged device" because it's "better" than having to carry separate phone and PDA, then having to carry a second battery for it to make it useful.

Lol!


RE: I want one now!
twrock @ 9/16/2009 3:42:29 AM # Q
Based on DR's tagline, it makes sense. Since the two lines "converged" into one Pre, he has to have something else to carry so he can still say "Screw convergence". :-)

Hey Palm! Where's my PDA with Wifi and phone capabilities?
RE: I want one now!
DarthRepublican @ 9/16/2009 9:02:00 PM # Q
SeldomVisitor wrote:
There's something totally ironic about carrying an all-in-one "converged device" because it's "better" than having to carry separate phone and PDA, then having to carry a second battery for it to make it useful.

That's a pretty radical spin on my earlier post. My Pre is perfectly useful for me for the ten or so hours that it's battery lasts. The spare battery just makes it useful for a longer time....

And as twrock points out, I've never been a big fan of convergence. I still carry an iPod Classic because no other device except for some of the more insanely expensive and clunky Archos PMPs can match its storage capacity (I have filled about 90 of its 160 GBs). I also still carry around my T-Mobile G1 because I like playing around with Android apps.

And btw, I must point out that the spare battery for my Pre is by far lighter than any phone or PDA. That's why people who want convergence will still carry a spare battery. It lightens their load while simplifying their arsenal of gadgetry.
Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/

RE: I want one now!
twrock @ 9/16/2009 11:37:51 PM # Q
Since I can't carry a spare battery for my TX, I do keep a 4 AA USB battery pack for emergency charging in my backpack. It's come in handy on a few occasions, not only for my TX, but also for cellphones, etc. "One pack to charge them all."

On another note, my almost four year old TX has still got a decent battery. I really wish the replacement battery guys sold that good of a battery. (Note: I highly recommend AGAINST the purchase of Cameron Sino batteries.)

Hey Palm! Where's my PDA with Wifi and phone capabilities?

Reply to this comment

No Wifi....

heavyduty @ 9/8/2009 11:45:24 PM # Q
....in a "smartphone" launched in late 2009?

I don't think so.
Next, please.
Palm Vx (a classic) -> Palm 505 (*yawn*) -> Dell Axim (slooow...) -> Palm TE (great) -> Qtek 9090 (great idea, lousy platform) -> Nokia 6630 (a toy) -> iMate SP3i (not bad) -> Nokia 9300 (can't sync notes!!) -> Treo 650 (awesome) -> hw6915 (almost perfect) -> Nokia E51 (un/impressive) -> Touch Enhanced (nice!) -> Samsung 780 (mousepad woes) -> HTC S740 (stellar)

RE: No Wifi....
abosco @ 9/9/2009 2:44:31 AM # M Q
Is that right? Jesus. Taking a page out of Verizon and RIM's playbook.
RE: No Wifi....
Tim_Carroll @ 9/9/2009 3:24:27 AM # Q
Since it's on Sprint who offer cheap unlimited data plans, I don't see the lack of wi-fi being too big a dealbreaker amongst its teenybopper-texter target market.

But it is a dealbreaker for me, sadly. "Unlimited data" for mobiles is just a laughable dream here in Oz.

Still, it does look very nice. Amazingly thin. Thinner than the 3GS, even. I even like the covers (the link for which appears to have been borked). Red Barn is nice: http://www.palm.com/us/products/phones/pixi/artist.html

RE: No Wifi....
cstamper @ 9/9/2009 5:12:15 AM # Q
Seriously, no wifi?

Palm is determined to kill themselves.

:-(

RE: No Wifi....
LiveFaith @ 9/9/2009 11:11:20 AM # Q
Apparently Rubenstein has not cleaned house completely ... a new shipping device from Palm still comes without WiFi.

I won't even comment. Just go back 3 or 4 years and look at all the the Treo 650, Treo 700, Treo 680, Treo 755, Centro, and T5 threads of utter angst and displeasure. Way to keep your legacy intact Palm.
Pat Horne

RE: No Wifi....
ChiA @ 9/13/2009 7:02:53 AM # Q
It's a definite deal breaker for me. Even with 3G I find wifi useful for connecting to my home network. I use wifi on my current mobile for easy file transfers or controlling the household MythTV box (www.mythtv.org): tasks which will be more complex to do via a carrier's 3G network.
Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. Aaron Levenstein
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No D-Pad?

Gekko @ 9/9/2009 2:09:05 AM # Q

while testing the iPhone, i never missed having a D-Pad. but while using the Pre/WebOS, the absence of a D-Pad was constantly painful and frustrating. Gestures are a gimmick that backfires and adds to the frustration while holding the device.
Reply to this comment

Bad timing!

CFreymarc @ 9/9/2009 2:56:36 AM # Q
Wonderful guys! You just came out with a hardware upgrade within the first third of most Pre contract periods creating angst among most of your customer base.

Should have waited for the Xmas season but -- nooo! -- you had to try to one up the iPod launch this week. Fail!

RE: Bad timing!
Tim_Carroll @ 9/9/2009 3:18:30 AM # Q
"Upgrade"? Smaller screen, no wi-fi?

According to folks within Palm, the Pixi launch window was decided to coincide with Fashion Week long before Apple announced their event. Palm are co-sponsoring Fashion Week so it makes sense.

RE: Bad timing!
DarthRepublican @ 9/9/2009 6:27:34 AM # Q
This is clearly the Pre's baby sister without a care in the world aimed squarely at the tennybopper set....If it's an upgrade for anybody's hardware, it's an upgrade for the Centro. We Pre users can continue using our devices and wait for a 16 or 32GB version (which Palm really should come out with soon) knowing that we have the higher end model.
Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/
Marry, Boff, Kill
DarthRepublican @ 9/9/2009 9:00:25 AM # Q
Following up on my own crass, sexist comments, Palm seems to be playing the 30 Rock "Marry, Boff, Kill" game with its product line. You want to marry the serious but sexy Palm Pre. You want to boff the fun-loving and cute Pixie. And you want to kill the frustrating Windows Mobile-based Treo Pro. So there you have it, a lineup to satisfy the urges of all typical smartphone users.
Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/
RE: Bad timing!
Gekko @ 9/9/2009 8:01:02 PM # Q

DR - tell us about your Pre YTD.
RE: Bad timing!
DarthRepublican @ 9/9/2009 9:11:57 PM # Q
My Pre is still going strong. After three hard drops in two days - drops that I was afraid would have killed it - my Pre has developed a bit of an Oreo thing but otherwise it's held up pretty well. While it does lag occasionally my Pre is faster overall than my old Treo 680 and much, much faster than my T-Mobile G1.

I've also been pleasantly surprised with Sprint which used to absolutely suck in the Chicago area but has improved considerably. Still, I wish the cheaper Everything Plan had more than 450 minutes. The T-Mobile Plan for my G1 is similarly priced to that of my Sprint plan has 1000 minutes.

I get about ten to twelve hours of battery life when I don't recharge but I have two Touchstone chargers and carry a spare battery, so I don't worry about running out of juice. I also use My Tether to connect my Pre to my netbook, an Acer Aspire One to surf the 'net. (I'm planning on replacing it with the new Asus EEEPC 1005HA, which I've upgraded to 2GB of RAM and on which I am hoping to install Windows 7. I've had trouble getting my other Windows 7 laptops to work with My Tether, so I'm still wondering if I should go there or not.) This has the side-effect of recharging the Pre. I've tethered my Pre to my netbook with as little as 12% charge remaining and an hour later, it's up to 20%.

Between App Catalog and homebrew apps, I'm running about fifty apps on it besides the half-dozen or so PalmOS apps I have in Classic. As a result, I'm bumping up against a limit that Palm inadvertantly placed on the number of apps which can run on the Pre. Preware can work around this limit, so it's likely to be an easy fix. So far my favorite apps are: Twee, the homebrew Twitter client, Classic, Switcharoo (a homebrew app which rotates my wallpaper), Google Maps, and the Web browser. While the Calendar lacks the sophistication of its PalmOS counterpart, I've found its ability to subscribe to multiple Calendars invaluable.

Unfortunately there is no real killer app for the Pre yet but I like the power and sophistication of webOS and the way everything seems to "flow" comfortably when moving from one app to another. It's not so much the multi-tasking. My G1 has multi-tasking but it's dog slow even when it's running no apps. But rather it's the way Palm has implemented it with the card interface and wave launcher that make it feel so natural to me. The apps that the Pre does have look good and run well.

The Pre isn't perfect. Sometimes it lags and copy and paste is poorly implemented. But every complex smartphone lags and the Pre lags less than most of the smartphones I've tried. And Palm has done a good job of improving it with updates. Every update makes my Pre a little faster and the 1.1 update eliminated most of my biggest complaints. (You should have hung on to your Pre Gekko, Palm has killed most of the bugs that you complained about the most when you returned it after what? Three days?)
Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/

RE: Bad timing!
LiveFaith @ 9/11/2009 12:45:03 PM # Q
Darth,

Nice hands on long-term eval. I'm waiting on the ATT Pre and this gives a good sense of everyday use. The deal is kiled with Pixi due to WiFi in the year 2009.

I am a bit concerned about the Calendar not being very robust. What are you referring to? The Calendar / Contacts on my 680 are absolutely mission critical. Without any strong options in the App Catalog yet, that has me a bit concerned.

** I'm planning on replacing it with the new Asus EEEPC 1005HA, which I've upgraded to 2GB of RAM ** Great choice of hardware. I just opted for the 1008 (ultra-thin w/ weaker battery) 2 weeks ago. Love it. My daughter got the 1005HA-P and its a bit fatter, but has ridiculous battery life. Make sure to get the "-P" version instead of the -V or -H. The "-P" has BT, 1.3mp webcam, and bigger cell. Took me a while to figure all this out from online reviews etc. Fabulous machines too.

I can just see Palm trying to push 416mhz ARM based Foleos on this market with devices like Asus is putting out. Comical!
Pat Horne

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