More Pre

Adding more to the Pre experience-review-overview-whatever.  It’s been two weeks now and I have to say it’s a pretty nice phone.  I still love the form factor of this phone.  I’ve never been a bit verticle vertical slider fan, and still wish there was a horizontal keyboard instead, but when closed, this Pre is awesome.

Unfortunately, I still also stand by my “1.0-ness” on the WebOS front.  Rough around the edges, but overall huge potential.  The SDK looks like it will be released late summer, but those who signed up for the early dev might get in soon.  This is needed badly because Palm obviously is way behind on the apps.

Firmware 1.0.3 was also recently released.  A whole 13MB and it installed much more quickly than 1.0.2 (which was along the lines of almost 10 minutes for me, just installing).  I will say the OS seems a hair smoother with mutliple apps open, but most importantely, the dial pad has been significantly improved.  It takes two tries tops on average to unlock my phone now.  Keep in mind I was trying to type really fast.  If I just slowed down a bit I would not have had as many errors.  The dial pad improvements translate to the phone app significantly as well.  While typing my voicemail pin, it actually registers everything.  Before, even trying slowly, it would bog down or just never work right.  This was painfully apparent with big apps loaded.  Thankfully this has been improved 10 fold IMO.

Keep those updates coming Palm, and keep listening to your customers, you need it.

Yet Another Palm Pre Opinion

It’s been a week with this new iPhone competitor and I want to get my impressions on this out there.  First off, I said competitor, not killer.  That is simply because the media hype of killing the iPhone is ridiculous.  The iPhone, and changed the smartphone game in a good way.  I don’t forsee anything “killing” it because the market is big enough for the competition.  It’s just Apple got a huge head start.

Oh, and this isn’t going to be any in-depth review.  There are tons of those out there.  Really just a reflection of the first week.  If you want more full detailed stuff (aka, you’ve never heard of the Palm Pre, or just saw commercials for it) visit precentral, engadget, and/or gizmodo to name a few.

Ok, on with it-the hardware.  This phone fits in my hands oh-so-wonderfully.  Far better than the iPhone, the various Blackberry phones, and the G1 (keep in mind this perspective is from a 5′6″ 175lb guy).   The screen looks beautful… when it’s on.  When off, well, it’s a touchscreen, what more is there to say?  The size of the screen is actually not a problem.  Palm did a very good job at showing you can still do well with a smaller screen.  I commend them on that because the iPhone just feels far too awkward to use and the Blackberries even more so.

When you open it up, you get that physical keyboard that drew  you to the Palm in the first place.  At first glance, you get a bit concerned because your thumb can cover 4 keys or more.  There’s also a tacky feel to them that I did not like whatsoever.  But with a little use, it’s actually not too bad.  In fact, typing one handed is very comfortable still as I can readily reach all the buttons.  The tackiness feel disapates as well, but not completely (at least, not after a week anyway).  The Gizmodo cheese cut video is a bit dramatic, but they do have a point-it’s kinda sharp.  I have only noticed it when I go to close the phone.  It feels as if I might get my finger sliced paper cut style (but of the near 1000 times I’ve closed it, it hasn’t actually happened).   One fairly annoying issue is the rear cover squeaks some when you are typing.  It occurs mostly near the edges, but if look at the back of the phone more carefully, there’s a flexible gap where the battery lies.  I’m not all too happy about it.  This happened 4/5 days in.  Oh, and the micro USB cover… I hate these, on all phones.  Uncovered would look terrible though.  They should have just included a Touchstone and done wifi data transfer.

So what about this WebOS thing?  I have to say it’s $@%#!% amazing.  A bit of a learning curve, but a great concept and lots of potential.  The cards as applications is simply ingenious for multitasking, navigation, and control.  I hope the SDK is as simple as they claim it to be because it would be a crying shame not to have this OS prosper.  I like OS X and it’s port to the iPhone, but WebOS is brining the heat to the mobile phone market-and I love it.

Now, with the initial praise out of the way, there is one huge caveat.  Potential.  I know I said the OS is amazing, but I didn’t say it was perfect.  In fact, I feel a bit as if we are the limited release beta testers for the software.  The concept of WebOS is polished, but it’s execution has been so-so.   The touchscreen is great, and has feedback in the form of a ripple effect on screen, but sometimes, that does not translate.  Onscreen buttons actually push, but nothing happens.  This is most evident in the Phone App.  For example, when I set up my voicemail, I entered in 123456, but only 1234 actually gave the tone feedback.  The last two numbers showed a push, but never actually registered.  I suspect this is more specifically a problem with the number pad API, as typing too fast for the phone unlock pin doesn’t pick up all the time either.  Overall, it does feel like the Phone App is more intesive than other apps.

Along the lines of potential are the applications themselves.  They aren’t there.  Ok, Pandora does indeed rock, and kicks ass that I can play it while browsing on the phone, but we need to see more.  Sure, the iPhone had 0 apps when it launched, but that comparison is ridiculous.  We are here now.  The bar is raised.  You need to match it.  All the slack Palm gets for it is too forgiving.  I’m not implying they need to rush the SDK, but they have to get it right.  Don’t lock us out of silly things.  On the flip side, Apple’s snide comment on Palm at the WWDC keynote seemed a little childish to me.

On to the features… SMS history/conversation mode rocks, hands down (yes, other’s have had it, just emphasizing).  The bad thing though, Palm decided not to give us real timestamps, but just general time frames iChat style.  I hate that.  The call log also only lists end time-that’s it.  See a theme here?  I like records, and I’m not getting them.  The wave bar (quick lauch bar access for when in an app) is useless.  I can get to the quick lauch with a swipe up or hitting the home button.  It’s easier, faster, and quicker to cancel if I change my mind.  Landscape is limited to the Web in most apps it seems.  Really?  C’mon, let me at least read my emails sideways.  Universal Search doesn’t look at your bookmarks either (but if you save a link to the Launcher, it’ll find it there).  And for the Calendar App, I cannot chose multiple calendars in my google account to view.  It is either one at a time, or ALL of them.   There’s also a bug not letting you use the symbols from the “SYM” key in the web browser.  I cannot log into any web based google services because my password has those symbols (it has, however, been officially acknowledged on the Palm forums).    I have also almost dialed 911 far too many times.  I don’t know why, but it’s too easy to activate emergency dialing from the lock screen.  And finally, you can’t customize your system sounds either (like all the different alerts).  W.T.F.

On the plus side, text selection/navigation is very well done.  Copy and pasting on the Pre is limited to only text fields that you can enter in, not any hard coded text on screen.  You hold down Orange (like an Fn key) and your cursor will switch icons.  Drag your finger left/right anywhere on the screen (including gesture area) and you will move the cursor point left/right for precision cursor placement.  Holding down shift instead of Orange will highlight as well.  It may not sound like much, but I found it to be implemented really well and was impressed.  I often find mistakes long after gone on typing.  Getting back quickly and easily is nothing to scoff at.

This phone has an LED flash for the camera.  Why oh why doesn’t EVERY phone have this?  I feel stupid for this being a really nice feature, but coming from my photography background, having light is GOOD. On the syncing front, iTunes playlists and music will sync nicely with the Palm.  I don’t know how long Apple will let this go, but it makes it very easy for the masses of iPod users already using iTunes (non-DRM songs only of course).  The ringer switch is awesome, too.  Very quick and easy to switch on/off in meetings/movies/whatever.  Battery life is a mixed bag.  With any apps open, you need to have it trickle charging during the day I think.  With nothing open (email notifications still come through though, as do SMS and tweet notifications from tweed), I’d say a day to a day and a half.  I’m an everyday user, not heavy phone call volume though.

I know this post sounds more weighted on the negative side, but I have to say, the multitasking really shines on here.  It’s not perfect, but to be able to be on the phone, then flip to the memos to jot something down, or flip to contacts to find something… it’s not something that you can simply stick as a bullet point of features.  The notification system that pops up at the bottom of the screen adds such more to the multitasking environment than one would think.  And even with my laundry list of flaws on this phone, much of it can be fixed.  Or hopefully added by 3rd parties via the SDK.   I’m banking a bit on it, but I have no choice, I’m tied to Sprint for the next two years and have bitten the smartphone bug, and I’m not getting a Blackberry or a WinMO device.

The Pre certainly isn’t for everyone.  And I don’t believe it will steal any everyday, if any, iPhone users.  It’s still got some bugs to squash for “general public” acceptance.  But if you can overcome the downfalls, or aren’t as insanely picky as me, the phone can work for you.  I am overall  happy with my Palm Pre and would recommend this to folks who don’t mind the whole first generation product syndrome.

Cons

• WebOS a bit unpolished
• Phone App needs improving, given this is a phone
• SDK, where are you?
• hardware finish is just ok (not a strong con really
• too easy to almost dial 911 by accident from locked mode
• no microSD
• lack of customizations

Pros

• MULTITASKING
• Cards as Apps
• Fit/form factor
• precision text selection
• has a freakin keyboard
• Beautiful screen
• already rooted
• LED flash for the camera
• While WebOS is a bit unpolished, it’s got amazing potential
• Apparently Lance Armstrong has one too

The First Impressions

Yes, this is indeed another Palm Pre review… well, more of a first impression.  I wanted to throw in my two cents into the bin coming from a non-smartphone user.  I’m not completely oblivious, but I’ve played with them enough to know that the iPhone is the only thing close to something I’d buy.  And with that, here’s the Pre:

Wait, what… yeah, that’s my old LG enV2.  And yes, other than a slightly wider frame on the Pre, they are almost identical in size.  I know it’s been driven into our heads that the size of this thing is amazing, but I’ll just reiterate it: you have to hold one to understand.  Once you do, you’ll realize this is one sleek smartphone.

We’ll start off with the build and feel of the unit.  I believe all the comments on lower build quality and the like reside in one flaw of the material.  The plastic “ring” around the whole phone that is basically what the phone seems to slide against.  This is the cheapest feeling part of the phone and really detracts from the rest of it.  In addition, how did most of the reviewers seem to miss the sharp edges as demoed by Gizmodo?  It’s not a game killer for me, but definitely worth mentioning.  Aside from that achilles heel on design, the outside of the phone feels really good.

Oh, and that thing there is a terrible idea.  Why didn’t Palm create some kind of ad-hoc filesharing system.  This has wifi… let me access it somehow without having to feel like I’ll break that damn cover.  You gave us the Touchstone, why not wifi data transfer!  Not that I have a Touchstone anyway, but it’s a matter of principle.  This is also a call to developers

As for WebOS.  It is defnitely awesome.  A true competitor to iPhone OS/Mobile OS X/you know what I mean.  It’s not as intuitive because of the gesture area, but once you grasp it, you’re good to go.  Though, that’s assuming you’ve only mildly played with an iPhone or iPod Touch.  I’ve watched too many videos not to have known what to do, heh.  What Palm needs is to release the SDK and ramp up the App Catalog.  I want my GPS logger!

There are a bunch of software issues I have in terms of features and function, but I won’t get into that here.  I tend to seek out the problems of new toys and can tend to bias towards my pickiness.  But the two things I will say.. why is there no SMS text counter, and why can’t I selectively log in/out of an IM service right from the buddy list?

Oh, actually, there is one real flaw that isn’t really my pickiness: 5 minutes to transfer two 325MB video clips, really Palm?  wtf?!?

As I said in my last post, I’m very happy with the phone so far.  It will take a good month to really see if I like it, or if the lack of Apps will hinder it’s ability to keep appealing.  I will say, the use of orange appeals to me greatly.

edit: Oh, and no, it’s not an “iPhone Killer.”  Anyone t hat thinks that is fooling themselves.  Apple broke this market, and they have a commanding lead.  At this point, all we really need is someone that can at least compete.  There’s room for it.

Palm Pre

Nope, still not posting from the Palm Pre.  But it looks like…

(courtesy of PreCentral)

And just to throw it out there for the Sprint folks, yes, I’m leaving Verizon Wireless for you.  And I’m eating the early termination fees (on a family plan no less).   Am I insane?

Actually, nothing not really.  Other than it’s expensive.  I’ve been meaning to switch to Sprint soon anyway, as mentioned before.  In addition, we need new phones, and since we can’t get any discounts for them, might as well switch carriers.  The early termination fees and discounts on new phones for the carrier all wash out.

So why not the iPhone?  I mean, it is pretty cool.  But I can’t use the virtual keyboard.  I honestly tried with an iPod touch for a few hours a day.  I want a physical keyboard.  Plus, the way WebOS handles multitasking is awesome.  Whether or not this comment will bite me in the ass remains to be seen aka how’s battery life.  I suppose the same can be said about the keyboard.  But it seems to be along the lines of the Treo Pro, which I don’t mind.  For the record, the Blackberry has the best vertical keyboard while the LG enV2/Voyager have the best horizontal ones.  Yes, better than the G1/HTC Touch Pro.  Why? because it’s easier for me to thumb type and reach the middle of the keyboard.

So there’s my little jib on Sprint and the Palm Pre.  The iPhone 3.0 software should mitigate most advantages, but not the keyboard.  It’ll be interesting how this pans out, since Palm/Sprint are going for a June 6th release date.  Two days before the 8th, when Apple will likely announce iPhone 3.0 hardware.  A ballsy move by them for sure.  People think they will get “swept under” in coverage from the iPhone.  I think they’ll get far more coverage comparison.  It’ll get it out there for people to see.  But ballsy for sure since the new iPhone 3.0 hardware might wipe the Pre up.  I hope not.  There are still those of us out there that don’t want a fully touchscreen phone.