I returned my Pre this weekend, and several folks asked for my thoughts on it and why I returned it. I didn’t keep or use the Pre very long, but I did give it a chance. It’s a nice device to be sure. For a 1.0, it’s really quite impressive.
Things to like:
- Great browser.
- Great integration with Google Calendar, Gmail, etc.
- Fast Sprint 3G network.
- Crisp screen.
- Very nice maps/driving directions app which keeps working in the background – could have replaced my TomTom easily.
- Background processing and multi-tasking.
There were also some things not to like:
- It feels slow/underpowered.
- The keyboard is the first physical keyboard I’ve used that might be worse than the iPhone’s soft keyboard.
- It gets very hot during extended use (like with the driving directions).
- Form factor, while compact, was a little thick and the plastic body scratches easily.
- Lacks 3rd party apps – we’ll see how that changes in the future.
- Copy/paste is a bit hard to use.
Ultimately, I’d choose the BlackBerry Bold or iPhone 3GS over the Pre; but if I had to use the Pre for some reason, I think I’d be just fine with it. I’m interested in developing for the webOS platform, but am a bit in “wait and see” mode right now.
Nice review. Thanks for sharing.
It is always good to read such unbiased reviews. Thanks.
Thanks for the quick Pre preview, I’ve been looking for some opinions and seeing yours actually convinced me not to get it – as I’ve been having second thoughts myself.
I’m curious if you’ve had a chance to try out an Android phone and what you’re thoughts are on that platform
I have the Android dev phone, I’m a bit underwhelmed by it so far. As a platform, it’s pretty interesting though.
Open letter to Palm Pre product manager:
I have been a palm user since its inception.
I think you did a huge mistake by not including
Palm Desktop and local sync. for Palm Pre.
As a hardcore fan I suggest changing your plan and commit to support
a desktop sync. mechanism for Pre (ideally with Palm Desktop).
Then publicly announce the plan and quickly allocation resources to get that done as soon as possible.
It will cost you losing the battle to rivals if you don’t act quickly.
– A disappointed fan!
[…] mobile obsession continues – I used two BlackBerries, an iPhone, and tested an Android and Palm Pre this year. I moved from AT&T to Verizon, and am becoming more and more frustrated with the […]
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