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The Palm Pre (styled palm prē, pronounced as the English prefix pre, /priː/) is a multimedia smartphone designed and marketed by Palm, Inc. with a multi-touch screen and a sliding keyboard. The phone was launched on June 6, 2009, and is the first to use Palm's new Linux-based operating system, webOS. The Pre functions as a camera phone, a portable media player, a GPS navigator, and an Internet client (with text messaging, email, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity).
The Pre has received positive reviews from technology critics, winning CNET's Best in Show, Best in Category: Cell Phones & Smartphones, and People's Voice for 2009.
History and availability
Palm debuted the Pre at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, as the first mobile phone to use the Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 processor, as well as its initial exclusive carrier agreement with Sprint, which operates a CDMA network in the United States (a 3G UMTS/GSM version of the Pre is in the works for other markets).
The Pre's incorporation of features similar to Apple's iPhone, specifically elements of the user interface, has led to speculation of possible patent infringement litigation, with Apple COO Tim Cook stating that "we will not stand for people ripping off our IP" and Palm responding that they "have the tools necessary to defend [themselves]", hinting at Palm's large portfolio of patents.
On May 19, Sprint and Palm announced the Pre would be available beginning June 6, 2009 in the United States. The Pre will retail at Sprint Stores and select Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy stores in the United States.
On May 25, The Guardian reported to have sources inside O2 who claimed that the carrier would have exclusivity of the Palm Pre handset in the UK.
On May 28, it was announced that Verizon Wireless as well as AT&T would also carry the Palm Pre in "about six months." A later comment from a Sprint spokesperson indicated that the launch carrier would have exclusivity rights to the Pre "through 2009." Sprint's CEO, Dan Hesse, commented that his company and Palm had agreed not to discuss the length of the exclusivity deal, but remarked that "it's not six months."
Hardware
Screen and input
The Pre features a 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen over a 24-bit color 320 x 480 resolution HVGA liquid-crystal display. The touchscreen allows for manipulation of the UI with fingers instead of a stylus, commonly used with older Palm phones and PDAs. Below the display is the so-called "Gesture Area", a touch-sensitive area with LED underlighting that permits additional touch commands.
Like other recent Palm phones, the Pre features a full QWERTY keyboard. On the Pre, the keyboard slides out, and is curved to follow the contour of the human face. In addition to the keyboard, the device features a single button in the center of the Gesture Area, a volume rocker switch on the side, and a ringer switch on the top.
The Pre features three input sensors that allow it to respond to its surroundings. An accelerometer will automatically change the orientation of the display between landscape and portrait when the device is rotated in the user's hands. An ambient light sensor allows the Pre to automatically adjust the brightness of its display. A proximity sensor allows the Pre to disregard touch inputs when the phone is held close to a user's face during a call.
The Pre also has an integrated 3 megapixel digital camera with LED flash.
Connectivity
The Pre will be available with high-speed connectivity on either EVDO Rev. A or UMTS HSDPA, depending on location. The Pre also includes 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with support for A2DP stereo headsets. A-GPS with support for turn-by-turn navigation is also included. For charging and data-transfer, the Pre uses a microUSB connector with USB 2.0 support, and audio output is supported by a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Storage
The Pre has 8.0 GB of internal flash storage (7.2 GB of which is user accessible). The Pre does not have a flash memory card slot.
Charging
The Pre is one of the first smartphones to feature wireless charging, using electromagnetic induction through an optional wireless charging dock (dubbed the "Touchstone") and a special back cover, which also is sold separately. Users can still charge the phone using the supplied MicroUSB cable.
Software
History and availability
Palm debuted the Pre at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, as the first mobile phone to use the Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 processor, as well as its initial exclusive carrier agreement with Sprint, which operates a CDMA network in the United States (a 3G UMTS/GSM version of the Pre is in the works for other markets).
The Pre's incorporation of features similar to Apple's iPhone, specifically elements of the user interface, has led to speculation of possible patent infringement litigation, with Apple COO Tim Cook stating that "we will not stand for people ripping off our IP" and Palm responding that they "have the tools necessary to defend [themselves]", hinting at Palm's large portfolio of patents.
On May 19, Sprint and Palm announced the Pre would be available beginning June 6, 2009 in the United States. The Pre will retail at Sprint Stores and select Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy stores in the United States.
On May 25, The Guardian reported to have sources inside O2 who claimed that the carrier would have exclusivity of the Palm Pre handset in the UK.
On May 28, it was announced that Verizon Wireless as well as AT&T would also carry the Palm Pre in "about six months." A later comment from a Sprint spokesperson indicated that the launch carrier would have exclusivity rights to the Pre "through 2009." Sprint's CEO, Dan Hesse, commented that his company and Palm had agreed not to discuss the length of the exclusivity deal, but remarked that "it's not six months."
Hardware
Screen and input
The Pre features a 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen over a 24-bit color 320 x 480 resolution HVGA liquid-crystal display. The touchscreen allows for manipulation of the UI with fingers instead of a stylus, commonly used with older Palm phones and PDAs. Below the display is the so-called "Gesture Area", a touch-sensitive area with LED underlighting that permits additional touch commands.
Like other recent Palm phones, the Pre features a full QWERTY keyboard. On the Pre, the keyboard slides out, and is curved to follow the contour of the human face. In addition to the keyboard, the device features a single button in the center of the Gesture Area, a volume rocker switch on the side, and a ringer switch on the top.
The Pre features three input sensors that allow it to respond to its surroundings. An accelerometer will automatically change the orientation of the display between landscape and portrait when the device is rotated in the user's hands. An ambient light sensor allows the Pre to automatically adjust the brightness of its display. A proximity sensor allows the Pre to disregard touch inputs when the phone is held close to a user's face during a call.
The Pre also has an integrated 3 megapixel digital camera with LED flash.
Connectivity
The Pre will be available with high-speed connectivity on either EVDO Rev. A or UMTS HSDPA, depending on location. The Pre also includes 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with support for A2DP stereo headsets. A-GPS with support for turn-by-turn navigation is also included. For charging and data-transfer, the Pre uses a microUSB connector with USB 2.0 support, and audio output is supported by a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Storage
The Pre has 8.0 GB of internal flash storage (7.2 GB of which is user accessible). The Pre does not have a flash memory card slot.
Charging
The Pre is one of the first smartphones to feature wireless charging, using electromagnetic induction through an optional wireless charging dock (dubbed the "Touchstone") and a special back cover, which also is sold separately. Users can still charge the phone using the supplied MicroUSB cable.
Software
Main article: webOS
The Pre is the first Palm device to use webOS, the Linux based platform that replaces Palm's previous Palm OS. Developed from scratch for use in mobile phones - whereas Palm OS was originally designed for PDAs - webOS is capable of supporting built-in first party applications, as well as third party applications.
Interface
The webOS interface is based around a system of "cards" used to manage multitasking. Applications can be launched from either an application screen, which displays applications icons in a grid, or an application bar, which displays 5 icons inline horizontally. The user switches between running applications by clicking the front-face button to bring up the "cards" and then flicking left and right on the screen. Applications are closed by flicking a "card" up - and "off" - the screen.
webOS also supports multi-touch gestures, enabling most navigational input to be made using the touchscreen. However, since the Pre includes the slide-out keyboard, it does not include a virtual keyboard as many other touchscreen smartphones do.
Synergy
webOS includes a feature called Synergy that integrates information from many sources. webOS allows a user to sign in to accounts on Gmail, Facebook, and Exchange. Contacts from all sources are then integrated into a single list. Calendars from multiple sources can be viewed together or one at a time. For messaging, Synergy combines all conversations with each contact into a single chat-style window. For example, instant messages and SMS text messages are viewed together.
Web browser
The webOS web browser is WebKit-based and, thus, pages appear the same as they do in other WebKit-based browsers like Safari, the iPhone browser, and Google Chrome. The browser can be viewed in either landscape or portrait orientation, switched by rotating the device. In addition, on February 16, 2009, Adobe announced that it will be developing a version of Adobe Flash Player for webOS.
Syncing
As with almost all smartphones on the market today, the device makes use of the cloud based services model, but notably uses no desktop sync client (in the style of Palm's HotSync synchronization method).
In light of the fact that the Palm Pre does not ship with a desktop client, Palm has referenced a number of solutions for users who need to sync with their desktop software like Palm Desktop, Microsoft Outlook, or IBM Lotus Notes. Palm has offered an online guide to help customers.
iTunes syncing
Palm has announced that the Pre will be capable of "seamlessly" synchronizing with Apple's iTunes via its Media Sync feature. The Pre is believed to achieve this by switching its USB Product and Vendor IDs to those of an Apple iPod, thereby mimicking or "spoofing" the Apple device.
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June 9, 2009 at 4:32 PM
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