AT&T Palm Pre Reports Surface

Posted By: Kris Keilhack Thursday, May 6, 2010 11:31:46 AM

att palm pre After a lengthy wait, reports are finally starting to surface about actual hands-on time with AT&T-branded Pre Plus units. Previous to today's story, only drab unboxings and photos of in-store dummy units were available to placate fans awaiting the arrival of webOS on the third domestic wireless network.

PreCentral is running a piece from an anonymous tipster which includes a few screenshots and some brief initial impressions of the AT&T Pre Plus. The Pre Plus in question is running WebOS 1.4.2 and the AT&T Pre Plus is reportedly subjectively faster than the similar Verizon Pre Plus. It's still unknown if Palm has made any definite under the hood software or hardware changes to the devices but in our news item from CTIA in March, a new WebOS build code-named "Arak" definite performance improvements were noticed.

Another welcome piece of news is the report of improved build quality and keyboard response. I was already pleasantly surprised with the improvements made in the Verizon Pre Plus from the original Pre in my January report, so it will be quite an admirable feat if Palm has indeed managed to address the numerous issues plaguing early Pre adopters.

Aside from the handful details listed above, not much else is mentioned other than a few screen captures of AT&T Navigator app and the launcher screen. Also, the Yellow Pages mobile app has been confirmed as being pre-loaded and the new Foxtail Agave plant wallpaper gracing the AT&T units is also up for download.

Barring any last-minute surprise spec bumps, the only two major remaining unknown factors are the devices' release date and pricing. Speculation for the AT&T webOS launch has ranged from May 10th per FCC documentation research to the 14th to the 16th. At any rate, it appears nearly certain that the official AT&T launch for the WebOS twins is imminent at some point later this month.

Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus will be available in AT&T stores and online at wireless.att.com in "the coming months" for $149.99 and $49.99, respectively, with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. AT&T already has a webOS-specific page on their website where interested users can sign up for an email reminder when the devices become available.

Article Comments

 (3 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Start a new Comment Down

keyboard

swieder @ 5/6/2010 12:52:38 PM # Q
Has the keyboard been approved compared to the Vz version?
RE: keyboard
hkklife @ 5/6/2010 2:42:11 PM # Q
Yes, by all accounts, the keyboard & slider have been further improved, even more so than the VZW Pre Plus.
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->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro
Reply to this comment

Release Date / Vendors

LiveFaith @ 5/6/2010 5:16:10 PM # Q
#1 Walked into the ATT store in a (nameless) north Alabama town on Monday and asked the hostess if I could buy the Palm Pre today. She looked through here "data" and with a suprised look said "Oh, you'll have to speak with the manager about that". When the mgr came up I told her I wanted to buy the Pre and she said it's not available yet. I asked when and she said "I thought it was going to be this Sunday (2nd), but **with a little twinkle in her eye** I think it will next Sunday (9th). I got the distinct impression that the 10th would be the day.

If it's the 16th, I won't wait and will stock up on at least a dozen Centros off eBay and join Khris and Lizard Boy at Ruby Ridge II for the final countdown. LOL!

#2 Will Best Buy and Wal-Mart have the device available at the same time or are they usually lagging behind. They are often cheaper and BB gets rid of the rediculous rebate paperwork. This baby can't stay at $150 very long with VZW selling at $30 and free hotspot. Any thots welcome, because I'm ready to do this.

Pat Horne

Reply to this comment
Start a New Comment Thread Top

Account

Register Register | Login Log in
user:
pass: