My limited review of the Palm Pre

[fr4nk1yn]

I got one, feel like a sell out, I'll miss going to a number of websites I've become used to and haven't found GREAT Pre forums like this yet.

The sharp edge was one of the first things I noticed.
The keyboard backlighting would make those first Touch Pro guys feel lucky.
Not only is the left much brighter there's line through the keys.
I'm going to take mine to the Sprint store and ask about both just to see, I don't expect them to do anything.

The UI really is phenomenal. The today screen is a little bare IMO, I'm having a hard time finding a wallpaper that really shines.
Notifications, I can go on & on about the UI but I won't.
It slows down sometimes and I had to reset earlier for an odd reason because of it.

The UI is nothing without some substance though.
People know I got a new phone from the call quality.
This thing connects to my T505 instantly as soon as it's in range, and the T505 is on of course.
Pandora streamed through bluetooth to the FM transmitter is now a joy.
What impressed me the most was when SprintNav started, which is a quite different version than what was on the Touch Pro, it did NOT shut off Pandora and the two got along like old chums.
SprintNav attenuated Pandora, gave the directions then Pandora came back, the way it should be.

Youtube is better quality, video is better quality.

There's some quirks of course, copy and paste take some getting used to, There's NO way to edit text documents(!), but this is the way a phone should be.
I'm really thrilled. jeez,, sounding like one of those iPhone guys babbling. Sorry.

Oh yeah, Wi-Fi is faster than the Touch Pro(!?). 5Mbs compared to 7.5Mbs consistently.

[Zyphlin]

The first thing people need to remember is this is most assuredly a Generation 1 OS.

WebOS is in its infancy and needs some time. WinMo has the benefit of having a decade worth of building upon the OS to get it up and working. The iPhone's version of OSX has had 2+ now. The closest I can compare it to honestly would be Android and it looks FAR more polished than Android.

There are a number of annoyances with the Pre. However, the VAST majority for me are all software related or focused which means it can be fixed as time goes on.

The sharp edge on the bottom...I noticed it, but it doesn't bug me much, and its hardly razor sharp like the idiots at gizmodo were trying to say. I have big thumbs but I LOVE the keyboard and it is sooo much nicer than using the on screen one for my touch diamond. Additionally, being able to type a text message and still have the entire screen free is great.

Its by far the nicest looking UI I've used. It makes the multitasking of Windows Mobile look like a model T compared to a new mustang. The cards work great.

[CozBoogie]

Any thoughts/comments on battery life yet?

late,
Coz

[JBundy]

Originally Posted by cozboogie

Any thoughts/comments on battery life yet?

late,
Coz

I tested the phone for an hour today at a Sprint store. It ran hot the entire time I used it using non-Web based apps. I say keep it plugged in for now if you are stationary for an extended period of time. The battery drains quickly. They should've put a 1500 mAh battery in it (if it'd fit). They missed the bus to Battery/Power Management 101. Palm needs to make constant improvements to this in webOS™ updates beyond v1.0.2.

[CozBoogie]

What's the build quality like? Cheap feel?

late,
Coz

[alan7467]

I tried a Pre out on Saturday for about 15-20 minutes.

Overall I liked the OS and the phone a lot. After hearing a lot of reviews rag on how cheap it felt I came away pleasantly surprised. Maybe it's the rubbery back cover sprint threw on, but I thought the device felt pretty solid.

Couple things I didn't like though:

1. When you launch an App there's no indication that the App is actually launching. Considering the fact that most Apps seem to take a bit to load this was a bit frustrating.

2. Sorry, but I think the keyboard is terrible on this phone. Total deal breaker for me if I was in the market for one. Keys were way to rubbery and tacky, and something about the shape of the edges of the phone made it that much harder to hit the keys. I'm sure this is something one could get used to in time, but I couldn't help but feel like it was a big downgrade from my current setup on my Diamond (fingerkeyboard 2.0 with vibration feedback and fixed layout for landscape mode).

I'm still excited about this platform and look forward to seeing how things play out for it.

[cell128]

it is sharp but that doesn't bother me . I open with my thumbs on the guesture area.
And if you get lost in the jungle, it becomes a survival blade!!

[alan7467]

Originally Posted by cell128

it is sharp but that doesn't bother me . I open with my thumbs on the guesture area.
And if you get lost in the jungle, it becomes a survival blade!!

Well when you put it that way, I'll take two!

[K & M Computers]

With as many issue's as I've read about online, I am surprised i have not yet received a single call about the pre in the last 2 days. There have been a few issues popping up here and there, but as it has been said already, this is a 1st gen OS. It will take a little work to get the bumps smoothed out. I am still very impressed with the phone overall.

[Donatom3]

Overall I think it's great. Battery life has improved over the past few days for me. Partly to battery conditioning and the other to me using it normally now. That being said my phone gets nowhere near as hot as it did before. Make sure to update to 1.0.2 when you get it.

The sharp edge doesn't bother me as much now. That being said it's only sharp when you're sliding your finger from the outer edge in. From the inner edge out it's smooth.