Palm Pixi Phone Sprint

Posted by Smartphone Review on December 20, 2009

The thinnest Palm mobile phone yet, the Palm Pixi for Sprint is a smartphone that’s designed to be easy to use and light in your pocket. In addition to high-speed connectivity via Sprint’s dependable 3G network (EVDO Rev. A.), a vibrantly colorful touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard, the Pixi features the instinctively useable Palm webOS platform. With Palm webOS, you can keep multiple activities open and move easily between them–like flipping through a deck of cards, using natural gestures. This allows for easy movement between messaging and email or searching the Web while listening to music, and items are rearranged simply by dragging them.

The Palm Pixi features the Palm webOS platform, a strikingly thin design, touchscreen-enabled display, and visible full QWERTY keyboard.

Palm webOS brings together the most important information from your phone, at work or on the Web, into one logical view. In addition to linking information from Google, Facebook, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and LinkedIn, Palm Pixi adds Yahoo! integration to Palm Synergy, which offers:

Linked contacts — A single view that links contacts from a variety of sources, so accessing them is easier than ever.
Layered calendars — Calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view, combining work, family, friends, sports teams or other interests, and the user can toggle to look at one calendar at a time, or see them all at a glance.
Combined messaging — See all the conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, including MMS, even if it started in IM and switched to reply with text messaging. The user can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts or email, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

And a new Facebook application is available with Palm Pixi, enabling you to see and comment on all the latest news from friends and easily update their status.

The phone’s full QWERTY keyboard puts it all at your fingertips, and the multi-touch screen lets you move back and forth between open applications using natural gestures. The unique removable back cover is rubberized, making it scratch-resistant, slip-resistant and durable.

You’ll enjoy GPS navigation capabilities for accessing the optional Sprint Navigation turn-by-turn direction service as well as access to Sprint TV’s video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound. Other features include 8 GB of internal memory, 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, digital audio player, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, access to personal and corporate email, and up to 5 hours of talk time.

Organize your work and social life by integrating calendars, contacts, instant messaging and social network sites.

Key Features

Fast 3G connectivity thanks to Sprint’s EV–DO, Rev A network
Palm’s webOS platform lets you manage multiple applications at a time, unlike any other mobile platform today. It lets you keep multiple activities open and instantly flip from one to another using card view.
Linked contacts: With Palm Synergy, you maintain a single view by linking your contacts from a variety of sources, so accessing them is easier than ever. For example, if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook, Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they’re the same person and links the information together, presenting it to you as one listing.
Layered calendars: Palm Synergy lets you see your calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view–combining work, family, friends, sports teams, or other interests. You can toggle to look at one calendar at a time, or see them all at a glance.
Combined messaging: See all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with a text message. You can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts, and start a new conversation with just one touch.
Combined email: Check your Outlook email with Microsoft Direct Push Technology and HTML support. Get wireless email access to popular commercial POP3 and IMAP accounts like AOL, Gmail, and Yahoo! All your email accounts can be viewed together, or separately from one simple application. Synergy even lets you see IM presence directly from an email.
Universal search: Simply start typing to begin searching your contacts, applications, Google, Google Maps, Wikipedia and Twitter. Universal search narrows down the possible results as you type, so it’s easier to find what you need.

The Palm webOS offers the ability to keep multiple applications open at once with “activity cards,” so you can do more than one thing without losing your place.

Palm Pixi has the ability to pull in your online calendars from places like Facebook, Google and Office Outlook and layer them into one view of your whole day.

Each person’s contact information is pulled in from places like Facebook, Google, Microsoft Office Outlook, and LinkedIn, and combined under one entry.

Unobtrusive notifications: When important things come up or new updates arrive, you’ll receive notifications at the bottom of your screen. You will know what is going on without being completely interrupted or losing your train of thought.
GPS for built-in location: Find things to do and people around you, right from where you’re standing–like a nearby place for dinner after a late client meeting, or the closest bar where you can meet up with friends. You can even look up an address for a contact or from a calendar event, and map the location simply by tapping it. The Palm Pixi includes the Google Maps application on the phone, and it’s also compatible with Sprint Navigation for turn-by-turn directions, and points of interest searches.
2.63-inch multi-touch screen with a vibrant 18-bit color 320 x 400 resolution TFT display. Gesture area enables simple, intuitive gestures for navigation.
Accelerometer and proximity sensor: An accelerometer automatically orients web pages and photos to your perspective so you can view them in landscape or portrait mode. Watch videos in landscape mode as well. The proximity sensor automatically disables the touch screen and turns off the display whenever you put the phone up to your ear.
Exposed QWERTY keyboard for fast messaging
2-megapixel camera with a flash and extended depth of field technology. Other features include auto exposure, auto white balance, and geotagging capabilities.
8 GB internal memory (non-expandable) with approximately 7 GB user available memory. Palm Pixi also works as a USB drive when plugged into a PC. You can simply drag and drop your PC media and documents onto the device.
Amazon MP3 Store enables you to download stereo-quality non-DRM protected tracks instantly to your wireless phone.
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile–enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
Incredibly fast web browser brings you full websites the way they were meant to be seen
Voice dialing capabilities
Organizer tools including calendar, notes, voice memo, tasks, calculator
Ringer switch easily silences the device with one touch
Browse the App Catalog from your phone and download apps right over the air. Choose from a variety of titles designed for Palm webOS, many of which work together with other apps on the phone. Find apps like OpenTable, Yelp, or WHERE, just to name a few… and new ones are being added all the time.
Palm Services automatically backs up your phone so you have a copy of your important data. You can also remotely erase your data if your phone is lost or stolen. And you get software updates that make it easy to stay up to date with the latest enhancements.
3.5mm headset jack
Wireless charging: While Palm Pixi comes with a charger included in the box, Palm’s optional Touchstone charging dock can recharge the Pixi’s batteries without connecting any cords to it. The first inductive charging solution for phones, the Palm Touchstone, along with the Touchstone compatible back cover (both sold separately), allows Palm Pixi to be set on top of the dock without worrying about connection, orientation or fit. The device remains active while charging, allowing access to the touch screen, movies or video, or the speakerphone option.

Vital Statistics
The Palm Pixi weighs 3.26 ounces and measures 4.37 x 2.17 x 0.43 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 350 hours of standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies.

What’s in the Box
Palm Pixi handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, quick start guide, user manual

Sprint Services

Broadband-like 3G network: Supporting the EV-DO Rev. A high-speed data standard, this phone enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity provides average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps, with peak rates up to 2 Mbps.
GPS capable with Sprint Navigation: This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone–by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, “Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street.” As you approach the turn, you will hear, “Turn right on Elm Street.” Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it’s easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.
Sprint TV enabled: With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive video service combines high-quality streaming audio and video from channels including the NFL Network, ABC, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, E!, CNN, The Discovery Channel, and more.
Stay Sporty with Sprint: With NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, instantly connect to the NASCAR information you want, when you want it. Follow NASCAR action from practice to race day with real-time leaderboard and alerts. Get exclusive access to your favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver with real-time driver stats, breaking news and more. Live in-car audio, race radio, NASCAR on SPEED and other audio/video only available on select phones. Visit sprint.com/speed for details.
To access, just text “NASCAR” to 7777 on your Sprint phone or visit the Sprint Digital Lounge to download NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

This phone also provides access to NFL Mobile Live–your all-access pass to the NFL from DRAFT to Super Bowl. Stay on top of every game with real-time red zone alerts, game center scores, stats, and more. Manage your fantasy football team like a pro with up-to-the-minute insights, analysis, stats and alerts. Access by texting “NFL” to 7777 on the handset to download NFL Mobile Live from Sprint Digital Lounge (standard text messaging and data rates apply).

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Wow, can a smart phone be this small?
As a Pre owner and user, I understand the power of the WebOS multitasking. It truly blows everything else out of the water in the speed of getting things done. The iPhone feels like walking in quicksand after this.

I expected the Pixi to be slower than the Pre. It isn’t. For some things it is faster. Word Whirl on both devices feels exactly the same. This is an extremely light and small smart phone. It feels great in the hand and the keyboard is one of the better I’ve used in the past years.

While I now own both, I will primarily use my Pre for two reasons: Camera and WiFi. The Camera on the Pixi is better than Centro and about equal to many cell phones. The resolution difference (2 vs 3 MP) doesn’t mean anything to me. The issue is with the light sensitivity of the sensor. The Pre is much better. Since my home location is right on the border of good Sprint data, WiFi is a requirement.

If I was always in a good data coverage, I would be hard pressed to not choose the Pixi over the Pre. It is a cool phone. You won’t get more functionality for under $30.

4 Stars Great phone but small screen and keyboard!
Overall the phone is great. It is very small and light and you forget it’s in the front pocket of your trousers. The speed is the same as the Palm Pre. Multi-tasking is slower than the pre if you have more than 3 programs runnign at the same time but this shouldn’t happen often. The screen is very small and you must expand your page to read anything on the web. The keys on the keyboard take soem getting used to sicen they are so small. I love the size and this was the sellign point. My second choice would have been an HCT Hero with Google Android installed.

5 Stars Just what I was looking for!
This phone is perfect for me. It is small, works fast, looks great, and has a great keyboard. My husband has the palm pre and loves it, but I didn’t love the slide out keyboard. As for the number one complaint of no WiFi, for me it is no big deal at all. The internet works so fast that you can stream pandora while driving in the car. I have also heard some complaints about the battery life, which I also haven’t found to be an issue. The customer service rep who I spoke to when I activated my phone said to fully charge it right after you activate it, then let the battery drain completely down until it shuts off, then fully recharge it again. I followed these instructions, so maybe that is why my I still have plenty of battery life left at the end of the day(through multiple hours of talking and internet use).

5 Stars Perfect Smartphone — Truly Awesome Awesome Awesome
Picked the Pixi up on its release date and still can’t believe how great my experience has been thus far in every respect (size, weight, battery life, snappiness, build construction, intuitiveness of OS, call quality, network speed, keyboard, sexiness, EVERYTHING). So glad someone finally built a fully-functional smartphone that is not an enormous beast like the iPhone or TouchPro or Droid. I hope Palm keeps this form-factor and continues to release future improved generations — I will be a lifelong customer if so because this device is really perfect. Sprint’s EVDO Rev A data network is incredibly snappy and I never used the WiFi on my prior smartphone (HTC TouchPro), so I don’t mind the lack of WiFi on this device at all. Only minor complaint so far is that the charging/USB port cover takes 30 seconds to pry up and then it’s almost impossible to jam the cord in while holding it back. Also, it’s taking me a bit of time to figure out how to customize certain elements (launch pad, ring tones, speed dials). General critique of webOS pulling in too many junk contacts applies as well and it would be nice to have desktop PIM but that’s about it. I never dreamed this company could turn their ship around so dramatically but I sure am glad they did. THANKS PALM!!!!!

4 Stars Pre vs Pixi Side-by-side Video Comparison
In my family, we have 2 WebOS phones. I have the Pre and my son has the Pixi. As a result, I was able to make some videos comparing the relative performance of these devices. Here’s a link to a playlist of the reviews:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=943798F8E22C971F&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL

What I’ve found in comparing the two devices is that they provide generally similar performance, despite several other reviewers who claim the Pixi is slower than the Pre.

If I did not already have a Pre, I would have to think hard about a Pixi considering the performance. However, since I already have a Pre, I would find it difficult to live without Wifi and with a camera that didn’t produce as nice of pictures as the Pre. So I won’t be switching. But for the price, the Pixi is a fantastic first smartphone.

Buy/More Info

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