Posted by Smartphone Review on May 31, 2010
Palm Pre Phone Sprint
The revolutionary Palm Pre will make your life simpler by always being one step ahead. The Palm Pre will pull each of your online calendars into a single, easy-to-view screen, so you’ll always be on top of your appointments, and it will automatically link all your contacts from different sources, letting you easily find what you need when you need it. Whether you are sending emails or text messages, browsing the web, listening to music, or simply making a phone call, the Palm Pre makes everything easier than ever.
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The svelte Palm Pre slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text input. |
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Palm Synergy Brings Your Calendars and Contacts Together
The Palm Pre features Synergy technology, which gathers all your information from different sources and puts them together in one place for you to see. Instead of having your information scattered in different screens, the Pre automatically brings them together so you can easily find what you need. If you have calendars from Microsoft Outlook, Google, and Facebook, Synergy will automatically gather all your appointments and put them into one easy-to-view calendar, so you won’t miss an appointment again.
The Pre also makes managing your contacts simple — not only will it gather your contacts from different places such as Google, Exchange, and Facebook, but if you have the same contacts in different places, this revolutionary phone will automatically link them together so they show up just once. And all your conversations with the same person will automatically be gathered into one chat-style view. For example, if you start a conversation via text message with someone, the Pre lets you quickly reply via IM or email.
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1. Take photos with the 3 megapixel camera.
2. Built-in GPS makes navigation easy.
3. Contacts are gathered into one listing.
4. Never miss an appointment with a universal calendar. |
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Sleek, Attractive Design with Easy-to-Use Keyboard
The Palm Pre features a sleek design that looks great and fits easily into your pocket. It measures 2.3 x 3.9 x 0.67 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.75 ounces. The pebble-shaped phone has a beautiful 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320×480 resolution display that lets you watch videos in full widescreen format. When it’s time to write an email, you don’t have to settle for a small onscreen keyboard. Simply slide out the QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate text input. The Palm Pre has 8GB of built-in memory and uses a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack so you can connect any headphone you want.
3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS Keeps You Connected
The Palm Pre is smartly connected to the Internet all the time, so you’ll always have quick access to your email, calendars, and other information. When you are on the road, the Pre connects to Sprint’s 3G network for Internet connectivity wherever you are. Sprint’s 3G network is America’s most dependable and provides outstanding speed and performance. If you are home or near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Pre can also connect to it for even faster connectivity. And with GPS functionality built in, the Pre will let you look up directions or nearby points of interest even if you’re not sure where you are.
Live Email that Connects with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
The Palm Pre features live email, which means that whenever you get a new email, it is pushed directly onto your phone. You don’t have to wait manually push a refresh button or wait for a scheduled sync. And if your email has attachments, you can view audio, video, images, and other documents directly on the Pre. For business users, the Pre can connect to your work email through Microsoft Exchange Activesync, making things easy for your IT department.
WebOS Operating System Lets You Multitask and Do More
The Palm Pre runs Palm’s new webOS, which lets you keep multiple applications open at the same time and move easily between them. Each application is represented by an on-screen card. You can flip through the cards, move them around, or throw them off the screen to close the application.
The webOS features universal search capability, so if you need to find anything, simply start typing. The Pre will first search through your contacts and applications to see if it can find what you’re looking for, and then it will offer to search Google, Google Maps, Wikipedia or Twitter. No matter what you’re looking for, the Pre will quickly help you find it.
Watch videos in full widescreen format. View larger. |
If you receive a text message or have a calendar appointment coming up, the webOS will let you know you with a small, unobtrusive notification on the bottom of the screen. You’ll always know what’s going on without being completely interrupted.
Take and View Photos, Watch Videos, and Listen to Music
The Pre lets you take great pictures with the built-in three-megapixel camera with LED flash. You can also watch widescreen videos on the beautiful screen, or buy songs from the Amazon MP3 store and listen to them with the built-in music player.
Download Applications Directly Onto Your Phone
The Pre’s App Catalog makes it easy to download new applications by simply browsing for them and downloading them directly to your phone. By downloading additional optional applications, you can do more with your phone.
Automatic Over-the-Air Back Up
The over-the-air Palm Services automatically backs up your data and lets you restore it — all without connecting to your computer. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can even remote erase everything on it. Additionally, the phone will automatically receive software updates so it will always be up to date.
* Activating and Setting Up the Palm Pre on First Use
After receiving Palm Pre, it needs to be set up and activated. Activation requires a few steps. First, turn on the phone by pressing and holding the Power button. You will be prompted to choose English or Spanish. The next screen will check for voice and data activation. Once ready, tap Next. You will be presented with a Terms and Conditions page for Palm Services. Tap Accept to continue. At this point, you’ll need to slide out the keyboard to create a new profile. Enter your name and password. The next step is entering your email address. You’ll enter the same password and email combination you first entered, and then tap Next to continue. The next screen will confirm your profile and you’ll receive an email from Palm. You’ll have to accept various terms and service, and continue to tap Next when necessary to continue. When prompted, you’ll have to choose between two location-based service settings. Either enable Auto-Locate, which provides for seamless use of location services all the time, or tap on Ask Each Time, which gives you a prompt every time an application requests the phone’s location. Once done, you’ll go through a tutorial and at the conclusion of the tutorial, an onscreen prompt will let you know that you’re done. First Use set up is now complete and your Palm Pre is ready to go.
What’s in the Box
Palm Pre smartphone, standard lithium ion battery, AC travel charger, carry pouch, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset.
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars When it’s Good, it’s Great. When it Isn’t, It’s Horrible.
I am now awaiting my second Palm Pre replacement. I’m so disappointed with this phone.
My previous Palm I had for 2 1/2 years and I kinda wish I was still using that one, but it is now being used by my spouse who cracked the screen on his phone and is using it until his upgrade date; it’s still going strong, it’s just becoming obsolete. So, I write this from the viewpoint that I have had a very GOOD Palm experience. Unfortunately, it’s been one problem after another when I decided to get the Palm Pre.
What I do like about it is how it intergrates contacts, especially with Facebook. I like the multi-tasking. I don’t care for the small-ish screen, but it was something that I could live with. I like the memos and notes feature. I like the Apps. However, none of that matters when the touch screen doesn’t work!
With my first Palm Pre the clock began to display the incorrect time. I did some research and found that this is a common problem with the Pre and there’s no way to fix it. So, when I would miss a call, I wouldn’t know the time that they called because the incorrect time display was always changing. That is a HUGE minus. I did contact Palm support and was told “we are aware of the problem”, but offered no fixes. Shortly after that, it would not allow me to download Apps. When I would try, I got “download not complete” over and over. I took it in to Sprint’s repair and (I have insurance, thank goodness) and they said it wasn’t fixable and I would get a new phone.
I get the new phone and get everything transferred and I’m thinking I’m good to go; things did go good for a couple of weeks and then I’m ending a phone conversation and I can’t end the phone call. What I discover is that the touch screen has stopped working. Off I go back to the Sprint repair place and I’m told once again that the problem is “unfixable” and they will order me a new one. At this point, I haven’t gotten the new phone and I am still using the old one. I can receive calls and that is ALL. I am unable to terminate phone calls and I can’t check my voice mail because I can’t hang up. Huge problem for me.
So, I’m going to give it one more try. If this phone malfunctions, I’m done with Palm Pre. Sprint is just going to have to give me an upgrade EARLY as I have been a long time customer with an expensive plan.
If you are reading this, don’t mark “not helpful” just because you don’t agree with my review. If you have had great luck with the Palm Pre, I’m truly happy for you. I haven’t and so have many other people (as I have now found out). I believe people need to have as much information as possible before they make a choice. That means knowing the good and the not so good. The phone has come way down in price for a reason.
Update: I’ve had my replacement Pre for a couple of weeks now and so far so good. I am going to keep posting updates if this changes or if it stays how it is. This phone really does have some great features, like running multiple applications. I’ll keep you all posted.
1 Star WORST PHONE EVER
Do not get a palm they are unreliable and breakdown for no apparent reason. Support is difficult to work with both through Palm or Sprint. I’ve had a Palm Pre for 10 months and I’m on the third phone. The first one I had for 6 months before the microphone and screen stopped working, the second one I had for 2 months before the screen and then battery died. The third one has already died once and has a hot spot on the screen. Support for Palm is ridiculously complicated, if you want to update your phone it takes HOURS to contact support and then they have to send the link to your phone you can’t just down load it. Also, that commercial on TV with the girl going from ap to ap quickl, yeah, that is a bunch of B.S. I have a commedor 64 that moves faster than this phone. DO NOT GET A PALM!!!!!!!!
2 Stars The Reason I Try NOT to Buy First Generation Electronics
I normally don’t buy first generation products. I like others to make the investment, play with it for awhile, and then let me know if it’s worth the money. Thsi time around I needed a new phone and the Pre was just being released, so I went for it. At first I loved it, but I soon realized that I hate this phone!
I’d had it less than a month when I encountered the first glitch. Just an hour or two after removing the phone from the charger, I went to use the phone and it was dead, Dead, DEAD! It was so dead that it would not acknowledge the charger when I plugged it back in. I thought the phone was completely dead until I took it to the Sprint store and the got it working for me. It has done this several times since. Sometimes it requires removing the battery for a few minutes to get it working again; but when I do that I have to recharge it. Of course, during that time, I am without a phone - sometimes and hour or two at a time.
I am also on my second bout with no internet service. I previously went a month without the ability to receive email or access the internet. It was over the holidays last year and it took me awhile to get to the point that I was going to send the stupid thing and when it started working again. Just a couple of days ago, I lost internet service again. This time I won’t wait so long to send it back in.
The keyboard is tight and difficult to use. I am woman and I struggle with it, so I don’t see how a man with larger hands could use the keyboard effectively. The camera on this phone also leaves a lot to be desired. It really seems to be an oversight and the photo quality is very lacking. If the developers are going to go, they should go all the way! And the little piece that fits over the charging port is already broken off. The phone seems very delicate, but the accessories available to protect make using it even more difficult.
Then there is the issue with the aps. There are no good ones for the Pre. Palm has done a terrible job at getting good and useful aps developed for this phone. There was one that I used quite regularly - City Mobile - to find things I needed while traveling for work, but that hasn’t worked in weeks now.
This phone is unreliable and has too many quirks at this point. Maybe the Plus is better, but my experience has left me no desire to find out. I cannot get back to a Blackberry fast enough!
1 Star WORST PHONE OF MY LIFE! BUYER BEWARE!!
I’ve had over a dozen phones and my experience with the Palm Pre has been the worst ever. The battery dies without even making phone calls within 12-15 or so hours because it is constantly blinking when I receive an e-mail. When I needed help in fixing something, the tech guys answering for Palm in India were never helpful. Now, after less than 6 months of having this $550 phone, the inside of the screen somehow cracked in 6 pieces and I can not use it anymore. Despite the fact that I have a one year warranty, Palm tech support informed me that they may not agree to fix it since it may be due to customer negligence- despite the fact that I put a protective case on it on day one and have always taken good care of it. No wonder this horrible company is going bankrupt.
2 Stars I want a refund!
This phone was not worth the $150 paid for. I miss my iPhone b/c of this phone. It’s still nice because its a smartphone, but a crappy one. I cant end calls unless i pull out my battery, my on/off switch doesn’t work, and the speaker sounds horrible. This weekend Im going to call print and see if I can send it back and get the htc or just a brand new Pre.
Buy/More Info
Posted by Smartphone Review on May 18, 2010
Palm Pre Phone Sprint
The revolutionary Palm Pre will make your life simpler by always being one step ahead. The Palm Pre will pull each of your online calendars into a single, easy-to-view screen, so you’ll always be on top of your appointments, and it will automatically link all your contacts from different sources, letting you easily find what you need when you need it. Whether you are sending emails or text messages, browsing the web, listening to music, or simply making a phone call, the Palm Pre makes everything easier than ever.
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The svelte Palm Pre slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text input. |
|
Palm Synergy Brings Your Calendars and Contacts Together
The Palm Pre features Synergy technology, which gathers all your information from different sources and puts them together in one place for you to see. Instead of having your information scattered in different screens, the Pre automatically brings them together so you can easily find what you need. If you have calendars from Microsoft Outlook, Google, and Facebook, Synergy will automatically gather all your appointments and put them into one easy-to-view calendar, so you won’t miss an appointment again.
The Pre also makes managing your contacts simple — not only will it gather your contacts from different places such as Google, Exchange, and Facebook, but if you have the same contacts in different places, this revolutionary phone will automatically link them together so they show up just once. And all your conversations with the same person will automatically be gathered into one chat-style view. For example, if you start a conversation via text message with someone, the Pre lets you quickly reply via IM or email.
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1. Take photos with the 3 megapixel camera.
2. Built-in GPS makes navigation easy.
3. Contacts are gathered into one listing.
4. Never miss an appointment with a universal calendar. |
|
Sleek, Attractive Design with Easy-to-Use Keyboard
The Palm Pre features a sleek design that looks great and fits easily into your pocket. It measures 2.3 x 3.9 x 0.67 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.75 ounces. The pebble-shaped phone has a beautiful 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320×480 resolution display that lets you watch videos in full widescreen format. When it’s time to write an email, you don’t have to settle for a small onscreen keyboard. Simply slide out the QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate text input. The Palm Pre has 8GB of built-in memory and uses a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack so you can connect any headphone you want.
3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS Keeps You Connected
The Palm Pre is smartly connected to the Internet all the time, so you’ll always have quick access to your email, calendars, and other information. When you are on the road, the Pre connects to Sprint’s 3G network for Internet connectivity wherever you are. Sprint’s 3G network is America’s most dependable and provides outstanding speed and performance. If you are home or near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Pre can also connect to it for even faster connectivity. And with GPS functionality built in, the Pre will let you look up directions or nearby points of interest even if you’re not sure where you are.
Live Email that Connects with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
The Palm Pre features live email, which means that whenever you get a new email, it is pushed directly onto your phone. You don’t have to wait manually push a refresh button or wait for a scheduled sync. And if your email has attachments, you can view audio, video, images, and other documents directly on the Pre. For business users, the Pre can connect to your work email through Microsoft Exchange Activesync, making things easy for your IT department.
WebOS Operating System Lets You Multitask and Do More
The Palm Pre runs Palm’s new webOS, which lets you keep multiple applications open at the same time and move easily between them. Each application is represented by an on-screen card. You can flip through the cards, move them around, or throw them off the screen to close the application.
The webOS features universal search capability, so if you need to find anything, simply start typing. The Pre will first search through your contacts and applications to see if it can find what you’re looking for, and then it will offer to search Google, Google Maps, Wikipedia or Twitter. No matter what you’re looking for, the Pre will quickly help you find it.
Watch videos in full widescreen format. View larger. |
If you receive a text message or have a calendar appointment coming up, the webOS will let you know you with a small, unobtrusive notification on the bottom of the screen. You’ll always know what’s going on without being completely interrupted.
Take and View Photos, Watch Videos, and Listen to Music
The Pre lets you take great pictures with the built-in three-megapixel camera with LED flash. You can also watch widescreen videos on the beautiful screen, or buy songs from the Amazon MP3 store and listen to them with the built-in music player.
Download Applications Directly Onto Your Phone
The Pre’s App Catalog makes it easy to download new applications by simply browsing for them and downloading them directly to your phone. By downloading additional optional applications, you can do more with your phone.
Automatic Over-the-Air Back Up
The over-the-air Palm Services automatically backs up your data and lets you restore it — all without connecting to your computer. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can even remote erase everything on it. Additionally, the phone will automatically receive software updates so it will always be up to date.
* Activating and Setting Up the Palm Pre on First Use
After receiving Palm Pre, it needs to be set up and activated. Activation requires a few steps. First, turn on the phone by pressing and holding the Power button. You will be prompted to choose English or Spanish. The next screen will check for voice and data activation. Once ready, tap Next. You will be presented with a Terms and Conditions page for Palm Services. Tap Accept to continue. At this point, you’ll need to slide out the keyboard to create a new profile. Enter your name and password. The next step is entering your email address. You’ll enter the same password and email combination you first entered, and then tap Next to continue. The next screen will confirm your profile and you’ll receive an email from Palm. You’ll have to accept various terms and service, and continue to tap Next when necessary to continue. When prompted, you’ll have to choose between two location-based service settings. Either enable Auto-Locate, which provides for seamless use of location services all the time, or tap on Ask Each Time, which gives you a prompt every time an application requests the phone’s location. Once done, you’ll go through a tutorial and at the conclusion of the tutorial, an onscreen prompt will let you know that you’re done. First Use set up is now complete and your Palm Pre is ready to go.
What’s in the Box
Palm Pre smartphone, standard lithium ion battery, AC travel charger, carry pouch, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset.
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars When it’s Good, it’s Great. When it Isn’t, It’s Horrible.
I am now awaiting my second Palm Pre replacement. I’m so disappointed with this phone.
My previous Palm I had for 2 1/2 years and I kinda wish I was still using that one, but it is now being used by my spouse who cracked the screen on his phone and is using it until his upgrade date; it’s still going strong, it’s just becoming obsolete. So, I write this from the viewpoint that I have had a very GOOD Palm experience. Unfortunately, it’s been one problem after another when I decided to get the Palm Pre.
What I do like about it is how it intergrates contacts, especially with Facebook. I like the multi-tasking. I don’t care for the small-ish screen, but it was something that I could live with. I like the memos and notes feature. I like the Apps. However, none of that matters when the touch screen doesn’t work!
With my first Palm Pre the clock began to display the incorrect time. I did some research and found that this is a common problem with the Pre and there’s no way to fix it. So, when I would miss a call, I wouldn’t know the time that they called because the incorrect time display was always changing. That is a HUGE minus. I did contact Palm support and was told “we are aware of the problem”, but offered no fixes. Shortly after that, it would not allow me to download Apps. When I would try, I got “download not complete” over and over. I took it in to Sprint’s repair and (I have insurance, thank goodness) and they said it wasn’t fixable and I would get a new phone.
I get the new phone and get everything transferred and I’m thinking I’m good to go; things did go good for a couple of weeks and then I’m ending a phone conversation and I can’t end the phone call. What I discover is that the touch screen has stopped working. Off I go back to the Sprint repair place and I’m told once again that the problem is “unfixable” and they will order me a new one. At this point, I haven’t gotten the new phone and I am still using the old one. I can receive calls and that is ALL. I am unable to terminate phone calls and I can’t check my voice mail because I can’t hang up. Huge problem for me.
So, I’m going to give it one more try. If this phone malfunctions, I’m done with Palm Pre. Sprint is just going to have to give me an upgrade EARLY as I have been a long time customer with an expensive plan.
If you are reading this, don’t mark “not helpful” just because you don’t agree with my review. If you have had great luck with the Palm Pre, I’m truly happy for you. I haven’t and so have many other people (as I have now found out). I believe people need to have as much information as possible before they make a choice. That means knowing the good and the not so good. The phone has come way down in price for a reason.
1 Star WORST PHONE EVER
Do not get a palm they are unreliable and breakdown for no apparent reason. Support is difficult to work with both through Palm or Sprint. I’ve had a Palm Pre for 10 months and I’m on the third phone. The first one I had for 6 months before the microphone and screen stopped working, the second one I had for 2 months before the screen and then battery died. The third one has already died once and has a hot spot on the screen. Support for Palm is ridiculously complicated, if you want to update your phone it takes HOURS to contact support and then they have to send the link to your phone you can’t just down load it. Also, that commercial on TV with the girl going from ap to ap quickl, yeah, that is a bunch of B.S. I have a commedor 64 that moves faster than this phone. DO NOT GET A PALM!!!!!!!!
2 Stars The Reason I Try NOT to Buy First Generation Electronics
I normally don’t buy first generation products. I like others to make the investment, play with it for awhile, and then let me know if it’s worth the money. Thsi time around I needed a new phone and the Pre was just being released, so I went for it. At first I loved it, but I soon realized that I hate this phone!
I’d had it less than a month when I encountered the first glitch. Just an hour or two after removing the phone from the charger, I went to use the phone and it was dead, Dead, DEAD! It was so dead that it would not acknowledge the charger when I plugged it back in. I thought the phone was completely dead until I took it to the Sprint store and the got it working for me. It has done this several times since. Sometimes it requires removing the battery for a few minutes to get it working again; but when I do that I have to recharge it. Of course, during that time, I am without a phone - sometimes and hour or two at a time.
I am also on my second bout with no internet service. I previously went a month without the ability to receive email or access the internet. It was over the holidays last year and it took me awhile to get to the point that I was going to send the stupid thing and when it started working again. Just a couple of days ago, I lost internet service again. This time I won’t wait so long to send it back in.
The keyboard is tight and difficult to use. I am woman and I struggle with it, so I don’t see how a man with larger hands could use the keyboard effectively. The camera on this phone also leaves a lot to be desired. It really seems to be an oversight and the photo quality is very lacking. If the developers are going to go, they should go all the way! And the little piece that fits over the charging port is already broken off. The phone seems very delicate, but the accessories available to protect make using it even more difficult.
Then there is the issue with the aps. There are no good ones for the Pre. Palm has done a terrible job at getting good and useful aps developed for this phone. There was one that I used quite regularly - City Mobile - to find things I needed while traveling for work, but that hasn’t worked in weeks now.
This phone is unreliable and has too many quirks at this point. Maybe the Plus is better, but my experience has left me no desire to find out. I cannot get back to a Blackberry fast enough!
1 Star WORST PHONE OF MY LIFE! BUYER BEWARE!!
I’ve had over a dozen phones and my experience with the Palm Pre has been the worst ever. The battery dies without even making phone calls within 12-15 or so hours because it is constantly blinking when I receive an e-mail. When I needed help in fixing something, the tech guys answering for Palm in India were never helpful. Now, after less than 6 months of having this $550 phone, the inside of the screen somehow cracked in 6 pieces and I can not use it anymore. Despite the fact that I have a one year warranty, Palm tech support informed me that they may not agree to fix it since it may be due to customer negligence- despite the fact that I put a protective case on it on day one and have always taken good care of it. No wonder this horrible company is going bankrupt.
5 Stars Simply OUTSTANDING!
THe Palm Pre is the best smartphone on the market, and the coolest gadget I own. I like to start reveiws with shortcomings, but there really aren’t any. I know the battery life isn’t what some other phones have, but then when you buy a Hummer, you don’t complain about the gas mileage!
The phone is a perfect size. The screen is comfortable, the colors bright and super clear, and it still fits easily in my pocket. The keyboard slides out solidly and feels like it will last a long time, unlike the keyboard on a certain other company’s R2D2 phone. While some have complained about the size of the keyboard, it is identical to the keyboard on the Treo 755p, and I have no problems using it with my large fingers.
Multitasking, Multitasking, Multitasking! The features are where the Pre really shines. The card system is so easy and intuitive I can’t imagine it hasn’t been done before. Like with Windows, you can have several “cards” of open programs at a time. The only limit is your RAM. These programs are really open too, not just paused while you do something else. You can swipe up to minimize the program you are working with, swipe to the side to select another program, and tap it to work with it. When you are done, swipe off the top to “throw it away” and close the program.
Call quality is also outstanding, which is to be expected with a Palm product. It sounds better than my landline phone. So much better that it may find itself replacing said landline soon!
OK, so one knock has been the relatively paltry app selection, and while that is true, most people only ever download and use 6 apps. Do you need a store with a million programs when you only use a dozen or less? With the 3D hardware onboard (weep weep BalckBerry and Android users) you can play some amazing games. Tom Clancy’s HAWX looks just like the XBOX 360 version! The accelerometer is so responsive that flying a plane is easy! Add on Classic ($29.95 from Motion Apps) and you can run most of your old Palm programs on you Pre too.
What else? Oh, don’t forget about Palm Synergy! Yes, all your contacts, calendar, etc are seemlessly backed up and integrated. Yep, my Wife has a Pre too, and now when she adds an appointment to her calendar she doesn’t have to make sure to tell me about it, as it appears in my calendar too within a minute or so! Way cool for a family on the go!
The camera is good at 3 MP, and the Pre can shoot video since February with the 1.4 update. If you get your Pre and you can’t shoot video, either run the updater or wait a day or two for the update.
Go out and buy a Pre now!!! You won’t regret it. I know there are only 5 stars available, but consider this the highest rated item I have ever rated at Amazon.com by an extra star!
Buy/More Info
Posted by Smartphone Review on May 13, 2010
Palm Pre Phone Sprint
The revolutionary Palm Pre will make your life simpler by always being one step ahead. The Palm Pre will pull each of your online calendars into a single, easy-to-view screen, so you’ll always be on top of your appointments, and it will automatically link all your contacts from different sources, letting you easily find what you need when you need it. Whether you are sending emails or text messages, browsing the web, listening to music, or simply making a phone call, the Palm Pre makes everything easier than ever.
|
|
The svelte Palm Pre slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text input. |
|
Palm Synergy Brings Your Calendars and Contacts Together
The Palm Pre features Synergy technology, which gathers all your information from different sources and puts them together in one place for you to see. Instead of having your information scattered in different screens, the Pre automatically brings them together so you can easily find what you need. If you have calendars from Microsoft Outlook, Google, and Facebook, Synergy will automatically gather all your appointments and put them into one easy-to-view calendar, so you won’t miss an appointment again.
The Pre also makes managing your contacts simple — not only will it gather your contacts from different places such as Google, Exchange, and Facebook, but if you have the same contacts in different places, this revolutionary phone will automatically link them together so they show up just once. And all your conversations with the same person will automatically be gathered into one chat-style view. For example, if you start a conversation via text message with someone, the Pre lets you quickly reply via IM or email.
|
|
|
|
1. Take photos with the 3 megapixel camera.
2. Built-in GPS makes navigation easy.
3. Contacts are gathered into one listing.
4. Never miss an appointment with a universal calendar. |
|
Sleek, Attractive Design with Easy-to-Use Keyboard
The Palm Pre features a sleek design that looks great and fits easily into your pocket. It measures 2.3 x 3.9 x 0.67 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.75 ounces. The pebble-shaped phone has a beautiful 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320×480 resolution display that lets you watch videos in full widescreen format. When it’s time to write an email, you don’t have to settle for a small onscreen keyboard. Simply slide out the QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate text input. The Palm Pre has 8GB of built-in memory and uses a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack so you can connect any headphone you want.
3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS Keeps You Connected
The Palm Pre is smartly connected to the Internet all the time, so you’ll always have quick access to your email, calendars, and other information. When you are on the road, the Pre connects to Sprint’s 3G network for Internet connectivity wherever you are. Sprint’s 3G network is America’s most dependable and provides outstanding speed and performance. If you are home or near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Pre can also connect to it for even faster connectivity. And with GPS functionality built in, the Pre will let you look up directions or nearby points of interest even if you’re not sure where you are.
Live Email that Connects with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
The Palm Pre features live email, which means that whenever you get a new email, it is pushed directly onto your phone. You don’t have to wait manually push a refresh button or wait for a scheduled sync. And if your email has attachments, you can view audio, video, images, and other documents directly on the Pre. For business users, the Pre can connect to your work email through Microsoft Exchange Activesync, making things easy for your IT department.
WebOS Operating System Lets You Multitask and Do More
The Palm Pre runs Palm’s new webOS, which lets you keep multiple applications open at the same time and move easily between them. Each application is represented by an on-screen card. You can flip through the cards, move them around, or throw them off the screen to close the application.
The webOS features universal search capability, so if you need to find anything, simply start typing. The Pre will first search through your contacts and applications to see if it can find what you’re looking for, and then it will offer to search Google, Google Maps, Wikipedia or Twitter. No matter what you’re looking for, the Pre will quickly help you find it.
Watch videos in full widescreen format. View larger. |
If you receive a text message or have a calendar appointment coming up, the webOS will let you know you with a small, unobtrusive notification on the bottom of the screen. You’ll always know what’s going on without being completely interrupted.
Take and View Photos, Watch Videos, and Listen to Music
The Pre lets you take great pictures with the built-in three-megapixel camera with LED flash. You can also watch widescreen videos on the beautiful screen, or buy songs from the Amazon MP3 store and listen to them with the built-in music player.
Download Applications Directly Onto Your Phone
The Pre’s App Catalog makes it easy to download new applications by simply browsing for them and downloading them directly to your phone. By downloading additional optional applications, you can do more with your phone.
Automatic Over-the-Air Back Up
The over-the-air Palm Services automatically backs up your data and lets you restore it — all without connecting to your computer. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can even remote erase everything on it. Additionally, the phone will automatically receive software updates so it will always be up to date.
* Activating and Setting Up the Palm Pre on First Use
After receiving Palm Pre, it needs to be set up and activated. Activation requires a few steps. First, turn on the phone by pressing and holding the Power button. You will be prompted to choose English or Spanish. The next screen will check for voice and data activation. Once ready, tap Next. You will be presented with a Terms and Conditions page for Palm Services. Tap Accept to continue. At this point, you’ll need to slide out the keyboard to create a new profile. Enter your name and password. The next step is entering your email address. You’ll enter the same password and email combination you first entered, and then tap Next to continue. The next screen will confirm your profile and you’ll receive an email from Palm. You’ll have to accept various terms and service, and continue to tap Next when necessary to continue. When prompted, you’ll have to choose between two location-based service settings. Either enable Auto-Locate, which provides for seamless use of location services all the time, or tap on Ask Each Time, which gives you a prompt every time an application requests the phone’s location. Once done, you’ll go through a tutorial and at the conclusion of the tutorial, an onscreen prompt will let you know that you’re done. First Use set up is now complete and your Palm Pre is ready to go.
What’s in the Box
Palm Pre smartphone, standard lithium ion battery, AC travel charger, carry pouch, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star WORST PHONE EVER
Do not get a palm they are unreliable and breakdown for no apparent reason. Support is difficult to work with both through Palm or Sprint. I’ve had a Palm Pre for 10 months and I’m on the third phone. The first one I had for 6 months before the microphone and screen stopped working, the second one I had for 2 months before the screen and then battery died. The third one has already died once and has a hot spot on the screen. Support for Palm is ridiculously complicated, if you want to update your phone it takes HOURS to contact support and then they have to send the link to your phone you can’t just down load it. Also, that commercial on TV with the girl going from ap to ap quickl, yeah, that is a bunch of B.S. I have a commedor 64 that moves faster than this phone. DO NOT GET A PALM!!!!!!!!
2 Stars When it’s Good, it’s Great. When it Isn’t, It’s Horrible.
I am now awaiting my second Palm Pre replacement. I’m so disappointed with this phone.
My previous Palm I had for 2 1/2 years and I kinda wish I was still using that one, but it is now being used by my spouse who cracked the screen on his phone and is using it until his upgrade date; it’s still going strong, it’s just becoming obsolete. So, I write this from the viewpoint that I have had a very GOOD Palm experience. Unfortunately, it’s been one problem after another when I decided to get the Palm Pre.
What I do like about it is how it intergrates contacts, especially with Facebook. I like the multi-tasking. I don’t care for the small-ish screen, but it was something that I could live with. I like the memos and notes feature. I like the Apps. However, none of that matters when the touch screen doesn’t work!
With my first Palm Pre the clock began to display the incorrect time. I did some research and found that this is a common problem with the Pre and there’s no way to fix it. So, when I would miss a call, I wouldn’t know the time that they called because the incorrect time display was always changing. That is a HUGE minus. I did contact Palm support and was told “we are aware of the problem”, but offered no fixes. Shortly after that, it would not allow me to download Apps. When I would try, I got “download not complete” over and over. I took it in to Sprint’s repair and (I have insurance, thank goodness) and they said it wasn’t fixable and I would get a new phone.
I get the new phone and get everything transferred and I’m thinking I’m good to go; things did go good for a couple of weeks and then I’m ending a phone conversation and I can’t end the phone call. What I discover is that the touch screen has stopped working. Off I go back to the Sprint repair place and I’m told once again that the problem is “unfixable” and they will order me a new one. At this point, I haven’t gotten the new phone and I am still using the old one. I can receive calls and that is ALL. I am unable to terminate phone calls and I can’t check my voice mail because I can’t hang up. Huge problem for me.
So, I’m going to give it one more try. If this phone malfunctions, I’m done with Palm Pre. Sprint is just going to have to give me an upgrade EARLY as I have been a long time customer with an expensive plan.
If you are reading this, don’t mark “not helpful” just because you don’t agree with my review. If you have had great luck with the Palm Pre, I’m truly happy for you. I haven’t and so have many other people (as I have now found out). I believe people need to have as much information as possible before they make a choice. That means knowing the good and the not so good. The phone has come way down in price for a reason.
5 Stars Simply OUTSTANDING!
THe Palm Pre is the best smartphone on the market, and the coolest gadget I own. I like to start reveiws with shortcomings, but there really aren’t any. I know the battery life isn’t what some other phones have, but then when you buy a Hummer, you don’t complain about the gas mileage!
The phone is a perfect size. The screen is comfortable, the colors bright and super clear, and it still fits easily in my pocket. The keyboard slides out solidly and feels like it will last a long time, unlike the keyboard on a certain other company’s R2D2 phone. While some have complained about the size of the keyboard, it is identical to the keyboard on the Treo 755p, and I have no problems using it with my large fingers.
Multitasking, Multitasking, Multitasking! The features are where the Pre really shines. The card system is so easy and intuitive I can’t imagine it hasn’t been done before. Like with Windows, you can have several “cards” of open programs at a time. The only limit is your RAM. These programs are really open too, not just paused while you do something else. You can swipe up to minimize the program you are working with, swipe to the side to select another program, and tap it to work with it. When you are done, swipe off the top to “throw it away” and close the program.
Call quality is also outstanding, which is to be expected with a Palm product. It sounds better than my landline phone. So much better that it may find itself replacing said landline soon!
OK, so one knock has been the relatively paltry app selection, and while that is true, most people only ever download and use 6 apps. Do you need a store with a million programs when you only use a dozen or less? With the 3D hardware onboard (weep weep BalckBerry and Android users) you can play some amazing games. Tom Clancy’s HAWX looks just like the XBOX 360 version! The accelerometer is so responsive that flying a plane is easy! Add on Classic ($29.95 from Motion Apps) and you can run most of your old Palm programs on you Pre too.
What else? Oh, don’t forget about Palm Synergy! Yes, all your contacts, calendar, etc are seemlessly backed up and integrated. Yep, my Wife has a Pre too, and now when she adds an appointment to her calendar she doesn’t have to make sure to tell me about it, as it appears in my calendar too within a minute or so! Way cool for a family on the go!
The camera is good at 3 MP, and the Pre can shoot video since February with the 1.4 update. If you get your Pre and you can’t shoot video, either run the updater or wait a day or two for the update.
Go out and buy a Pre now!!! You won’t regret it. I know there are only 5 stars available, but consider this the highest rated item I have ever rated at Amazon.com by an extra star!
1 Star WORST PHONE OF MY LIFE! BUYER BEWARE!!
I’ve had over a dozen phones and my experience with the Palm Pre has been the worst ever. The battery dies without even making phone calls within 12-15 or so hours because it is constantly blinking when I receive an e-mail. When I needed help in fixing something, the tech guys answering for Palm in India were never helpful. Now, after less than 6 months of having this $550 phone, the inside of the screen somehow cracked in 6 pieces and I can not use it anymore. Despite the fact that I have a one year warranty, Palm tech support informed me that they may not agree to fix it since it may be due to customer negligence- despite the fact that I put a protective case on it on day one and have always taken good care of it. No wonder this horrible company is going bankrupt.
2 Stars The Reason I Try NOT to Buy First Generation Electronics
I normally don’t buy first generation products. I like others to make the investment, play with it for awhile, and then let me know if it’s worth the money. Thsi time around I needed a new phone and the Pre was just being released, so I went for it. At first I loved it, but I soon realized that I hate this phone!
I’d had it less than a month when I encountered the first glitch. Just an hour or two after removing the phone from the charger, I went to use the phone and it was dead, Dead, DEAD! It was so dead that it would not acknowledge the charger when I plugged it back in. I thought the phone was completely dead until I took it to the Sprint store and the got it working for me. It has done this several times since. Sometimes it requires removing the battery for a few minutes to get it working again; but when I do that I have to recharge it. Of course, during that time, I am without a phone - sometimes and hour or two at a time.
I am also on my second bout with no internet service. I previously went a month without the ability to receive email or access the internet. It was over the holidays last year and it took me awhile to get to the point that I was going to send the stupid thing and when it started working again. Just a couple of days ago, I lost internet service again. This time I won’t wait so long to send it back in.
The keyboard is tight and difficult to use. I am woman and I struggle with it, so I don’t see how a man with larger hands could use the keyboard effectively. The camera on this phone also leaves a lot to be desired. It really seems to be an oversight and the photo quality is very lacking. If the developers are going to go, they should go all the way! And the little piece that fits over the charging port is already broken off. The phone seems very delicate, but the accessories available to protect make using it even more difficult.
Then there is the issue with the aps. There are no good ones for the Pre. Palm has done a terrible job at getting good and useful aps developed for this phone. There was one that I used quite regularly - City Mobile - to find things I needed while traveling for work, but that hasn’t worked in weeks now.
This phone is unreliable and has too many quirks at this point. Maybe the Plus is better, but my experience has left me no desire to find out. I cannot get back to a Blackberry fast enough!
Buy/More Info
Posted by Smartphone Review on May 8, 2010
Palm Pre Phone Sprint
The revolutionary Palm Pre will make your life simpler by always being one step ahead. The Palm Pre will pull each of your online calendars into a single, easy-to-view screen, so you’ll always be on top of your appointments, and it will automatically link all your contacts from different sources, letting you easily find what you need when you need it. Whether you are sending emails or text messages, browsing the web, listening to music, or simply making a phone call, the Palm Pre makes everything easier than ever.
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The svelte Palm Pre slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text input. |
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Palm Synergy Brings Your Calendars and Contacts Together
The Palm Pre features Synergy technology, which gathers all your information from different sources and puts them together in one place for you to see. Instead of having your information scattered in different screens, the Pre automatically brings them together so you can easily find what you need. If you have calendars from Microsoft Outlook, Google, and Facebook, Synergy will automatically gather all your appointments and put them into one easy-to-view calendar, so you won’t miss an appointment again.
The Pre also makes managing your contacts simple — not only will it gather your contacts from different places such as Google, Exchange, and Facebook, but if you have the same contacts in different places, this revolutionary phone will automatically link them together so they show up just once. And all your conversations with the same person will automatically be gathered into one chat-style view. For example, if you start a conversation via text message with someone, the Pre lets you quickly reply via IM or email.
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1. Take photos with the 3 megapixel camera.
2. Built-in GPS makes navigation easy.
3. Contacts are gathered into one listing.
4. Never miss an appointment with a universal calendar. |
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Sleek, Attractive Design with Easy-to-Use Keyboard
The Palm Pre features a sleek design that looks great and fits easily into your pocket. It measures 2.3 x 3.9 x 0.67 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.75 ounces. The pebble-shaped phone has a beautiful 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320×480 resolution display that lets you watch videos in full widescreen format. When it’s time to write an email, you don’t have to settle for a small onscreen keyboard. Simply slide out the QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate text input. The Palm Pre has 8GB of built-in memory and uses a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack so you can connect any headphone you want.
3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS Keeps You Connected
The Palm Pre is smartly connected to the Internet all the time, so you’ll always have quick access to your email, calendars, and other information. When you are on the road, the Pre connects to Sprint’s 3G network for Internet connectivity wherever you are. Sprint’s 3G network is America’s most dependable and provides outstanding speed and performance. If you are home or near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Pre can also connect to it for even faster connectivity. And with GPS functionality built in, the Pre will let you look up directions or nearby points of interest even if you’re not sure where you are.
Live Email that Connects with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
The Palm Pre features live email, which means that whenever you get a new email, it is pushed directly onto your phone. You don’t have to wait manually push a refresh button or wait for a scheduled sync. And if your email has attachments, you can view audio, video, images, and other documents directly on the Pre. For business users, the Pre can connect to your work email through Microsoft Exchange Activesync, making things easy for your IT department.
WebOS Operating System Lets You Multitask and Do More
The Palm Pre runs Palm’s new webOS, which lets you keep multiple applications open at the same time and move easily between them. Each application is represented by an on-screen card. You can flip through the cards, move them around, or throw them off the screen to close the application.
The webOS features universal search capability, so if you need to find anything, simply start typing. The Pre will first search through your contacts and applications to see if it can find what you’re looking for, and then it will offer to search Google, Google Maps, Wikipedia or Twitter. No matter what you’re looking for, the Pre will quickly help you find it.
Watch videos in full widescreen format. View larger. |
If you receive a text message or have a calendar appointment coming up, the webOS will let you know you with a small, unobtrusive notification on the bottom of the screen. You’ll always know what’s going on without being completely interrupted.
Take and View Photos, Watch Videos, and Listen to Music
The Pre lets you take great pictures with the built-in three-megapixel camera with LED flash. You can also watch widescreen videos on the beautiful screen, or buy songs from the Amazon MP3 store and listen to them with the built-in music player.
Download Applications Directly Onto Your Phone
The Pre’s App Catalog makes it easy to download new applications by simply browsing for them and downloading them directly to your phone. By downloading additional optional applications, you can do more with your phone.
Automatic Over-the-Air Back Up
The over-the-air Palm Services automatically backs up your data and lets you restore it — all without connecting to your computer. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can even remote erase everything on it. Additionally, the phone will automatically receive software updates so it will always be up to date.
* Activating and Setting Up the Palm Pre on First Use
After receiving Palm Pre, it needs to be set up and activated. Activation requires a few steps. First, turn on the phone by pressing and holding the Power button. You will be prompted to choose English or Spanish. The next screen will check for voice and data activation. Once ready, tap Next. You will be presented with a Terms and Conditions page for Palm Services. Tap Accept to continue. At this point, you’ll need to slide out the keyboard to create a new profile. Enter your name and password. The next step is entering your email address. You’ll enter the same password and email combination you first entered, and then tap Next to continue. The next screen will confirm your profile and you’ll receive an email from Palm. You’ll have to accept various terms and service, and continue to tap Next when necessary to continue. When prompted, you’ll have to choose between two location-based service settings. Either enable Auto-Locate, which provides for seamless use of location services all the time, or tap on Ask Each Time, which gives you a prompt every time an application requests the phone’s location. Once done, you’ll go through a tutorial and at the conclusion of the tutorial, an onscreen prompt will let you know that you’re done. First Use set up is now complete and your Palm Pre is ready to go.
What’s in the Box
Palm Pre smartphone, standard lithium ion battery, AC travel charger, carry pouch, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star WORST PHONE OF MY LIFE! BUYER BEWARE!!
I’ve had over a dozen phones and my experience with the Palm Pre has been the worst ever. The battery dies without even making phone calls within 12-15 or so hours because it is constantly blinking when I receive an e-mail. When I needed help in fixing something, the tech guys answering for Palm in India were never helpful. Now, after less than 6 months of having this $550 phone, the inside of the screen somehow cracked in 6 pieces and I can not use it anymore. Despite the fact that I have a one year warranty, Palm tech support informed me that they may not agree to fix it since it may be due to customer negligence- despite the fact that I put a protective case on it on day one and have always taken good care of it. No wonder this horrible company is going bankrupt.
1 Star WORST PHONE EVER
Do not get a palm they are unreliable and breakdown for no apparent reason. Support is difficult to work with both through Palm or Sprint. I’ve had a Palm Pre for 10 months and I’m on the third phone. The first one I had for 6 months before the microphone and screen stopped working, the second one I had for 2 months before the screen and then battery died. The third one has already died once and has a hot spot on the screen. Support for Palm is ridiculously complicated, if you want to update your phone it takes HOURS to contact support and then they have to send the link to your phone you can’t just down load it. Also, that commercial on TV with the girl going from ap to ap quickl, yeah, that is a bunch of B.S. I have a commedor 64 that moves faster than this phone. DO NOT GET A PALM!!!!!!!!
5 Stars Simply OUTSTANDING!
THe Palm Pre is the best smartphone on the market, and the coolest gadget I own. I like to start reveiws with shortcomings, but there really aren’t any. I know the battery life isn’t what some other phones have, but then when you buy a Hummer, you don’t complain about the gas mileage!
The phone is a perfect size. The screen is comfortable, the colors bright and super clear, and it still fits easily in my pocket. The keyboard slides out solidly and feels like it will last a long time, unlike the keyboard on a certain other company’s R2D2 phone. While some have complained about the size of the keyboard, it is identical to the keyboard on the Treo 755p, and I have no problems using it with my large fingers.
Multitasking, Multitasking, Multitasking! The features are where the Pre really shines. The card system is so easy and intuitive I can’t imagine it hasn’t been done before. Like with Windows, you can have several “cards” of open programs at a time. The only limit is your RAM. These programs are really open too, not just paused while you do something else. You can swipe up to minimize the program you are working with, swipe to the side to select another program, and tap it to work with it. When you are done, swipe off the top to “throw it away” and close the program.
Call quality is also outstanding, which is to be expected with a Palm product. It sounds better than my landline phone. So much better that it may find itself replacing said landline soon!
OK, so one knock has been the relatively paltry app selection, and while that is true, most people only ever download and use 6 apps. Do you need a store with a million programs when you only use a dozen or less? With the 3D hardware onboard (weep weep BalckBerry and Android users) you can play some amazing games. Tom Clancy’s HAWX looks just like the XBOX 360 version! The accelerometer is so responsive that flying a plane is easy! Add on Classic ($29.95 from Motion Apps) and you can run most of your old Palm programs on you Pre too.
What else? Oh, don’t forget about Palm Synergy! Yes, all your contacts, calendar, etc are seemlessly backed up and integrated. Yep, my Wife has a Pre too, and now when she adds an appointment to her calendar she doesn’t have to make sure to tell me about it, as it appears in my calendar too within a minute or so! Way cool for a family on the go!
The camera is good at 3 MP, and the Pre can shoot video since February with the 1.4 update. If you get your Pre and you can’t shoot video, either run the updater or wait a day or two for the update.
Go out and buy a Pre now!!! You won’t regret it. I know there are only 5 stars available, but consider this the highest rated item I have ever rated at Amazon.com by an extra star!
2 Stars The Reason I Try NOT to Buy First Generation Electronics
I normally don’t buy first generation products. I like others to make the investment, play with it for awhile, and then let me know if it’s worth the money. Thsi time around I needed a new phone and the Pre was just being released, so I went for it. At first I loved it, but I soon realized that I hate this phone!
I’d had it less than a month when I encountered the first glitch. Just an hour or two after removing the phone from the charger, I went to use the phone and it was dead, Dead, DEAD! It was so dead that it would not acknowledge the charger when I plugged it back in. I thought the phone was completely dead until I took it to the Sprint store and the got it working for me. It has done this several times since. Sometimes it requires removing the battery for a few minutes to get it working again; but when I do that I have to recharge it. Of course, during that time, I am without a phone - sometimes and hour or two at a time.
I am also on my second bout with no internet service. I previously went a month without the ability to receive email or access the internet. It was over the holidays last year and it took me awhile to get to the point that I was going to send the stupid thing and when it started working again. Just a couple of days ago, I lost internet service again. This time I won’t wait so long to send it back in.
The keyboard is tight and difficult to use. I am woman and I struggle with it, so I don’t see how a man with larger hands could use the keyboard effectively. The camera on this phone also leaves a lot to be desired. It really seems to be an oversight and the photo quality is very lacking. If the developers are going to go, they should go all the way! And the little piece that fits over the charging port is already broken off. The phone seems very delicate, but the accessories available to protect make using it even more difficult.
Then there is the issue with the aps. There are no good ones for the Pre. Palm has done a terrible job at getting good and useful aps developed for this phone. There was one that I used quite regularly - City Mobile - to find things I needed while traveling for work, but that hasn’t worked in weeks now.
This phone is unreliable and has too many quirks at this point. Maybe the Plus is better, but my experience has left me no desire to find out. I cannot get back to a Blackberry fast enough!
2 Stars When it’s Good, it’s Great. When it Isn’t, It’s Horrible.
I am now awaiting my second Palm Pre replacement. I’m so disappointed with this phone.
My previous Palm I had for 2 1/2 years and I kinda wish I was still using that one, but it is now being used by my spouse who cracked the screen on his phone and is using it until his upgrade date; it’s still going strong, it’s just becoming obsolete. So, I write this from the viewpoint that I have had a very GOOD Palm experience. Unfortunately, it’s been one problem after another when I decided to get the Palm Pre.
What I do like about it is how it intergrates contacts, especially with Facebook. I like the multi-tasking. I don’t care for the small-ish screen, but it was something that I could live with. I like the memos and notes feature. I like the Apps. However, none of that matters when the touch screen doesn’t work!
With my first Palm Pre the clock began to display the incorrect time. I did some research and found that this is a common problem with the Pre and there’s no way to fix it. So, when I would miss a call, I wouldn’t know the time that they called because the incorrect time display was always changing. That is a HUGE minus. I did contact Palm support and was told “we are aware of the problem”, but offered no fixes. Shortly after that, it would not allow me to download Apps. When I would try, I got “download not complete” over and over. I took it in to Sprint’s repair and (I have insurance, thank goodness) and they said it wasn’t fixable and I would get a new phone.
I get the new phone and get everything transferred and I’m thinking I’m good to go; things did go good for a couple of weeks and then I’m ending a phone conversation and I can’t end the phone call. What I discover is that the touch screen has stopped working. Off I go back to the Sprint repair place and I’m told once again that the problem is “unfixable” and they will order me a new one. At this point, I haven’t gotten the new phone and I am still using the old one. I can receive calls and that is ALL. I am unable to terminate phone calls and I can’t check my voice mail because I can’t hang up. Huge problem for me.
So, I’m going to give it one more try. If this phone malfunctions, I’m done with Palm Pre. Sprint is just going to have to give me an upgrade EARLY as I have been a long time customer with an expensive plan.
If you are reading this, don’t mark “not helpful” just because you don’t agree with my review. If you have had great luck with the Palm Pre, I’m truly happy for you. I haven’t and so have many other people (as I have now found out). I believe people need to have as much information as possible before they make a choice. That means knowing the good and the not so good. The phone has come way down in price for a reason.
Buy/More Info
Posted by Smartphone Review on May 3, 2010
Palm Pre Phone Sprint
The revolutionary Palm Pre will make your life simpler by always being one step ahead. The Palm Pre will pull each of your online calendars into a single, easy-to-view screen, so you’ll always be on top of your appointments, and it will automatically link all your contacts from different sources, letting you easily find what you need when you need it. Whether you are sending emails or text messages, browsing the web, listening to music, or simply making a phone call, the Palm Pre makes everything easier than ever.
|
|
The svelte Palm Pre slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text input. |
|
Palm Synergy Brings Your Calendars and Contacts Together
The Palm Pre features Synergy technology, which gathers all your information from different sources and puts them together in one place for you to see. Instead of having your information scattered in different screens, the Pre automatically brings them together so you can easily find what you need. If you have calendars from Microsoft Outlook, Google, and Facebook, Synergy will automatically gather all your appointments and put them into one easy-to-view calendar, so you won’t miss an appointment again.
The Pre also makes managing your contacts simple — not only will it gather your contacts from different places such as Google, Exchange, and Facebook, but if you have the same contacts in different places, this revolutionary phone will automatically link them together so they show up just once. And all your conversations with the same person will automatically be gathered into one chat-style view. For example, if you start a conversation via text message with someone, the Pre lets you quickly reply via IM or email.
|
|
|
|
1. Take photos with the 3 megapixel camera.
2. Built-in GPS makes navigation easy.
3. Contacts are gathered into one listing.
4. Never miss an appointment with a universal calendar. |
|
Sleek, Attractive Design with Easy-to-Use Keyboard
The Palm Pre features a sleek design that looks great and fits easily into your pocket. It measures 2.3 x 3.9 x 0.67 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.75 ounces. The pebble-shaped phone has a beautiful 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320×480 resolution display that lets you watch videos in full widescreen format. When it’s time to write an email, you don’t have to settle for a small onscreen keyboard. Simply slide out the QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate text input. The Palm Pre has 8GB of built-in memory and uses a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack so you can connect any headphone you want.
3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS Keeps You Connected
The Palm Pre is smartly connected to the Internet all the time, so you’ll always have quick access to your email, calendars, and other information. When you are on the road, the Pre connects to Sprint’s 3G network for Internet connectivity wherever you are. Sprint’s 3G network is America’s most dependable and provides outstanding speed and performance. If you are home or near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Pre can also connect to it for even faster connectivity. And with GPS functionality built in, the Pre will let you look up directions or nearby points of interest even if you’re not sure where you are.
Live Email that Connects with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
The Palm Pre features live email, which means that whenever you get a new email, it is pushed directly onto your phone. You don’t have to wait manually push a refresh button or wait for a scheduled sync. And if your email has attachments, you can view audio, video, images, and other documents directly on the Pre. For business users, the Pre can connect to your work email through Microsoft Exchange Activesync, making things easy for your IT department.
WebOS Operating System Lets You Multitask and Do More
The Palm Pre runs Palm’s new webOS, which lets you keep multiple applications open at the same time and move easily between them. Each application is represented by an on-screen card. You can flip through the cards, move them around, or throw them off the screen to close the application.
The webOS features universal search capability, so if you need to find anything, simply start typing. The Pre will first search through your contacts and applications to see if it can find what you’re looking for, and then it will offer to search Google, Google Maps, Wikipedia or Twitter. No matter what you’re looking for, the Pre will quickly help you find it.
Watch videos in full widescreen format. View larger. |
If you receive a text message or have a calendar appointment coming up, the webOS will let you know you with a small, unobtrusive notification on the bottom of the screen. You’ll always know what’s going on without being completely interrupted.
Take and View Photos, Watch Videos, and Listen to Music
The Pre lets you take great pictures with the built-in three-megapixel camera with LED flash. You can also watch widescreen videos on the beautiful screen, or buy songs from the Amazon MP3 store and listen to them with the built-in music player.
Download Applications Directly Onto Your Phone
The Pre’s App Catalog makes it easy to download new applications by simply browsing for them and downloading them directly to your phone. By downloading additional optional applications, you can do more with your phone.
Automatic Over-the-Air Back Up
The over-the-air Palm Services automatically backs up your data and lets you restore it — all without connecting to your computer. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can even remote erase everything on it. Additionally, the phone will automatically receive software updates so it will always be up to date.
* Activating and Setting Up the Palm Pre on First Use
After receiving Palm Pre, it needs to be set up and activated. Activation requires a few steps. First, turn on the phone by pressing and holding the Power button. You will be prompted to choose English or Spanish. The next screen will check for voice and data activation. Once ready, tap Next. You will be presented with a Terms and Conditions page for Palm Services. Tap Accept to continue. At this point, you’ll need to slide out the keyboard to create a new profile. Enter your name and password. The next step is entering your email address. You’ll enter the same password and email combination you first entered, and then tap Next to continue. The next screen will confirm your profile and you’ll receive an email from Palm. You’ll have to accept various terms and service, and continue to tap Next when necessary to continue. When prompted, you’ll have to choose between two location-based service settings. Either enable Auto-Locate, which provides for seamless use of location services all the time, or tap on Ask Each Time, which gives you a prompt every time an application requests the phone’s location. Once done, you’ll go through a tutorial and at the conclusion of the tutorial, an onscreen prompt will let you know that you’re done. First Use set up is now complete and your Palm Pre is ready to go.
What’s in the Box
Palm Pre smartphone, standard lithium ion battery, AC travel charger, carry pouch, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star WORST PHONE EVER
Do not get a palm they are unreliable and breakdown for no apparent reason. Support is difficult to work with both through Palm or Sprint. I’ve had a Palm Pre for 10 months and I’m on the third phone. The first one I had for 6 months before the microphone and screen stopped working, the second one I had for 2 months before the screen and then battery died. The third one has already died once and has a hot spot on the screen. Support for Palm is ridiculously complicated, if you want to update your phone it takes HOURS to contact support and then they have to send the link to your phone you can’t just down load it. Also, that commercial on TV with the girl going from ap to ap quickl, yeah, that is a bunch of B.S. I have a commedor 64 that moves faster than this phone. DO NOT GET A PALM!!!!!!!!
1 Star WORST PHONE OF MY LIFE! BUYER BEWARE!!
I’ve had over a dozen phones and my experience with the Palm Pre has been the worst ever. The battery dies without even making phone calls within 12-15 or so hours because it is constantly blinking when I receive an e-mail. When I needed help in fixing something, the tech guys answering for Palm in India were never helpful. Now, after less than 6 months of having this $550 phone, the inside of the screen somehow cracked in 6 pieces and I can not use it anymore. Despite the fact that I have a one year warranty, Palm tech support informed me that they may not agree to fix it since it may be due to customer negligence- despite the fact that I put a protective case on it on day one and have always taken good care of it. No wonder this horrible company is going bankrupt.
2 Stars The Reason I Try NOT to Buy First Generation Electronics
I normally don’t buy first generation products. I like others to make the investment, play with it for awhile, and then let me know if it’s worth the money. Thsi time around I needed a new phone and the Pre was just being released, so I went for it. At first I loved it, but I soon realized that I hate this phone!
I’d had it less than a month when I encountered the first glitch. Just an hour or two after removing the phone from the charger, I went to use the phone and it was dead, Dead, DEAD! It was so dead that it would not acknowledge the charger when I plugged it back in. I thought the phone was completely dead until I took it to the Sprint store and the got it working for me. It has done this several times since. Sometimes it requires removing the battery for a few minutes to get it working again; but when I do that I have to recharge it. Of course, during that time, I am without a phone - sometimes and hour or two at a time.
I am also on my second bout with no internet service. I previously went a month without the ability to receive email or access the internet. It was over the holidays last year and it took me awhile to get to the point that I was going to send the stupid thing and when it started working again. Just a couple of days ago, I lost internet service again. This time I won’t wait so long to send it back in.
The keyboard is tight and difficult to use. I am woman and I struggle with it, so I don’t see how a man with larger hands could use the keyboard effectively. The camera on this phone also leaves a lot to be desired. It really seems to be an oversight and the photo quality is very lacking. If the developers are going to go, they should go all the way! And the little piece that fits over the charging port is already broken off. The phone seems very delicate, but the accessories available to protect make using it even more difficult.
Then there is the issue with the aps. There are no good ones for the Pre. Palm has done a terrible job at getting good and useful aps developed for this phone. There was one that I used quite regularly - City Mobile - to find things I needed while traveling for work, but that hasn’t worked in weeks now.
This phone is unreliable and has too many quirks at this point. Maybe the Plus is better, but my experience has left me no desire to find out. I cannot get back to a Blackberry fast enough!
5 Stars It’s not an iphone (and that’s a good thing)
I’m not even going to try to outdo Dr. Dan’s review, it’s epic and a must read. Still perhaps my review provides some perspective.
First, let me give some background so you know where I am coming from. I am usually an early adopter of technology, but resisted moving to a smart phone for a long time mostly due to the costs associated with the contracts and working from home I have less of a need. With a discount from Sprint we were paying just $50 for 2 lines so considering a move to smart phones with data on Sprint or a full (over)priced plan from ATT or other provider was difficult, especially since ATT 3G is not available where I live.
So what convinced me?
Price - The phone was a reasonable price and Sprint has some of the lowest plans around and most people can get a discount through employer reference or industry on top of it.
Multi-tasking - the real kind, swapping between open text, phone calls, web, applications, copy/paste between them etc is awesome. See Dr. Dan’s review for detailed real life examples.
Synergy - ALL my google calendars are pulled in and synced (I or my wife can access from phones, any PC, etc). ALL my contacts from Linked In, Facebook, Google Contacts, etc are automatically pulled and and grouped. Awesome.
A real keyboard - I have large fingers and like you touch type so having a real keyboard was excellent (although a patch exists to add on screen keyboard)
Modifications - the ease at which you can create your own apps, add homebrew, add patches, connect to PC, etc is a huge plus
It’s not an iphone - I don’t mind not being the ‘cool kid’ and can decide for myself. The iphone is a good phone, but missing the features I mentioned. Yes ‘there is an app for that’, but the fact is most apps are crap. The Pre’s browser handles websites so well and you can add an icon to the launcher so in many cases it’s almost as good or better than an app. Yes, some key apps are missing, but the catalog is growing. I also don’t need to pay for overpriced accessories or use that horrible iTunes app. I’m also not stuck with ATT.
5 Stars Simply OUTSTANDING!
THe Palm Pre is the best smartphone on the market, and the coolest gadget I own. I like to start reveiws with shortcomings, but there really aren’t any. I know the battery life isn’t what some other phones have, but then when you buy a Hummer, you don’t complain about the gas mileage!
The phone is a perfect size. The screen is comfortable, the colors bright and super clear, and it still fits easily in my pocket. The keyboard slides out solidly and feels like it will last a long time, unlike the keyboard on a certain other company’s R2D2 phone. While some have complained about the size of the keyboard, it is identical to the keyboard on the Treo 755p, and I have no problems using it with my large fingers.
Multitasking, Multitasking, Multitasking! The features are where the Pre really shines. The card system is so easy and intuitive I can’t imagine it hasn’t been done before. Like with Windows, you can have several “cards” of open programs at a time. The only limit is your RAM. These programs are really open too, not just paused while you do something else. You can swipe up to minimize the program you are working with, swipe to the side to select another program, and tap it to work with it. When you are done, swipe off the top to “throw it away” and close the program.
Call quality is also outstanding, which is to be expected with a Palm product. It sounds better than my landline phone. So much better that it may find itself replacing said landline soon!
OK, so one knock has been the relatively paltry app selection, and while that is true, most people only ever download and use 6 apps. Do you need a store with a million programs when you only use a dozen or less? With the 3D hardware onboard (weep weep BalckBerry and Android users) you can play some amazing games. Tom Clancy’s HAWX looks just like the XBOX 360 version! The accelerometer is so responsive that flying a plane is easy! Add on Classic ($29.95 from Motion Apps) and you can run most of your old Palm programs on you Pre too.
What else? Oh, don’t forget about Palm Synergy! Yes, all your contacts, calendar, etc are seemlessly backed up and integrated. Yep, my Wife has a Pre too, and now when she adds an appointment to her calendar she doesn’t have to make sure to tell me about it, as it appears in my calendar too within a minute or so! Way cool for a family on the go!
The camera is good at 3 MP, and the Pre can shoot video since February with the 1.4 update. If you get your Pre and you can’t shoot video, either run the updater or wait a day or two for the update.
Go out and buy a Pre now!!! You won’t regret it. I know there are only 5 stars available, but consider this the highest rated item I have ever rated at Amazon.com by an extra star!
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