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Palm Pre

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Palm Pre
File:Palmpre.png
ManufacturerPalm, Inc.
Compatible networksCDMA (USA), GSM (Europe)
Availability by regionJune 6th, 2009 (Sprint Nextel), Second Half 2009 (Bell Mobility)
Typemobile/cellular
Form factorSlider
Dimensions59.57 x 100.53 x 16.95 mm closed
Weight135 g (4.76 oz)
Operating systemPalm webOS
CPU600 Mhz Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 (ARM Cortex A8 + PowerVR SGX)
Memory256 MB RAM
Storage8 GB internal
Battery1150mAh Lithium-ion
Display3.1-inch HVGA (480×320) 24-bit color capacitive touchscreen
Rear camera3-megapixel camera with LED flash and "extended depth of field"
ConnectivityEV-DO Rev. A
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP
MicroUSB
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g with WPA, WPA2, 802.1X authentication, aGPS

The Palm Pre (styled palm prē, pronounced as the English prefix pre, /priː/) is an Internet-connected multimedia smartphone designed and marketed by Palm, Inc. with a multi-touch screen and a sliding keyboard. The phone will be launched on June 6, 2009, and will be the first to use Palm's new Linux-based[1] operating system, webOS. The Pre functions as a camera phone, a portable media player, a GPS navigator, and Internet client (with text messaging, email, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity).[2]

The Pre has received positive reviews from technology critics, winning CNET's Best in Show, Best in Category: Cell Phones & Smartphones,[3] and People's Voice for 2009.[4]

History and availability

Palm debuted the Pre at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, as the first mobile phone to use Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 processor and under its initial exclusive carrier: the Sprint CDMA network in the United States (a 3G UMTS/GSM version of the Pre is also in the works for other markets).[5] On May 28 2009, it was announced that Verizon Wireless would also carry the Palm Pre in "about six months".[6]

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.[7][8]

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 for $199.99 with a two-year agreement, after a $100.00 mail-in rebate[9]. The smartphone will also be available at select Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy stores in the United States. Best Buy has announced that it will apply the $100.00 rebate instantly[10].

On May 25th, The Guardian reported to have sources inside O2 who claimed that the carrier would have exclusivity of the Palm Pre handset in the UK.[11]

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, where additional touch commands can be input.

Like other recent Palm phones, the Pre features a full QWERTY keyboard. On the Pre, the slide-out keyboard curves to better replicate 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 includes three sensors used for input on the phone. An accelerometer allows the user to change the orientation of the display between landscape and portrait by rotating the device. An ambient light sensor allows the Pre to automatically adjust the brightness of the display. A proximity sensor allows the Pre's touchscreen to be disabled when the phone is held close to a user's face to avoid accidental inputs.

The Pre also has an integrated 3 megapixel digital camera with LED flash.[12]

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.[12]

Storage

The Pre has 8.0 GB of internal flash storage (7.4 is user accessible), which is non-expandable as the Pre lacks a flash memory card slot.[12] However, recent rumors state that Palm will also start selling micro-USB flash drives, ranging from 4GB to 32GB, that will be compatible with the Palm Pre. It has also been rumored that Palm will be partnering with flash storage manufacturers to develop a male USB-to-microUSB converter allowing flash drives to be used with the Palm Pre. Other rumors mention a microUSB media card reader. [citation needed]

Charging

The Pre will be 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 will also be sold separately.[13] 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 OSsystem. 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-part 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.[12]

Web Browser

The webOS web browser is WebKit-based and, thus, appear the same as any other WebKit-based browser. 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.[14]

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).[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Carrol, Tim (2009-01-19). "TealPoint & Normsoft on webOS: It's Great, But We Want C". Palm Info centre. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  2. ^ Keilhack, Kris (2009-01-08). "Palm Announces the Palm Pre Smartphone". Palminfocenter.com. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
  3. ^ CES 2009 - Consumer Electronics Show - Best of CES Awards: Nominees - CNET.com
  4. ^ Palm Pre Wins CNET Best of CES Awards Posted By: Kris Keilhack Saturday, January 10, 2009
  5. ^ There will be a GSM-friendly 3G Palm Pre - by Chris Ziegler, posted Jan 8th 2009
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ Hachman, Mark (January 21, 2009). "Will Apple Sue Palm Over the Pre?". Opinion/News/Comentary. PC Mag (magazine). p. 1. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  8. ^ Apple vs. Palm: the in-depth analysis - by Nilay Patel, posted Jan 28th 2009
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ [3]
  11. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/may/24/02-iphone-palm-pre
  12. ^ a b c d "Palm Unveils All-new webOS" (Press release). Palm, Inc. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  13. ^ Palm Pre - Touchstone™ Charging Kit - Palm.com Shop
  14. ^ Tricia Duryee (2009-02-16). "mocoNews.net - @ MWC: Adobe Creates Fund With Nokia For Open Project; Palm Pre Will Support Flash". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  15. ^ Stokes, Jon (2009-01-11). ""Synergy" means no need to "save" or "sync" on Palm's pre". arstechnica.com. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
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