[qingwa]

I totally agree. Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile all have a huge advantage over Palm, not only in the amount of phones that are out there but those three are backed by very successful companies with deep pockets (Google, RIM and Microsoft). Thats not even counting Apple.

Developers for apps will go where the money is, Palm is on its last legs and even if they sell half a million Pre phones, that is not going to cut it with 18 (maybe 21) Android phones coming out THIS year. Blackberry selling Curves like hotcakes. And Windows mobile... well it sucks but Microsoft has lots of money and resources. Not to mention Palm hasn't EVEN released the SDK yet to general vendors yet.

Not only that but Apple has the entire iPhone universe: iTunes, podcasts, video podcasts, movies, TV shows all formatted for the iPhone. A million accessories for the iPhone. 50,000 apps+ and growing.

I agree that if Palm isn't bought by some huge company its dead within 2 years (and so is your Pre).

[adholt]

I honestly don't know why non-apple people bother to come to this site. You will see obvious omissions when Apple products are reviewed every single time. One reader just mentioned 2. The Iphone had no video capabilities and the battery life is and always has been horrible. Also the AT&T rate plans are too high as well. When will we learn. There can be no competition to apple on this site because the editors and writers love Apple plain and simple. The Palm Pre is a great Phone with a new OS and has the ability to Multitask and it only lacks a fruit on the back then it would be great. One more thing I never see mentioned that the Apps is Apples app store cost money. Its almost like they are somehow free when mentioned on this site. Can anyone tell me where the free Apple store is? lol

[pcSimon]

This is an interesting but nonsense point. Should we compare Pre, iPhone with the first Blackberry?
Plus, Pre learns or copies or steals a lot from iPhone.

[gsparkman]

That's pretty weak. Why compare today's Pre with a 2-year old iPhone? You can't buy the first gen iPhone today, unless you find one on ebay. The Pre has to sell on its merits, not on wishful thinking of what it may become. Why would I buy a smartphone based on what the next generation might bring, when there is a product that is already delivery those capabilities? Purchasers of the original iPhone bought it because it was a revolutionary breakthrough. The Pre a lot going for it, but I'm afraid it is a day late and a dollar short. The iPhone 3GS with iPhone OS 3.0 puts the Pre at a distant 2nd or 3rd place. Not a bad place for a newcomer, but considering the financial situation of Palm, and predominance of the iPhone, I wouldn't want to buy into the platform.

[gsparkman]

"One more thing I never see mentioned that the Apps is Apples app store cost money. Its almost like they are somehow free when mentioned on this site. Can anyone tell me where the free Apple store is? lol"

At least a third of the apps on the iPhone App store are free. Go take a look.
Message was edited by: smax013 - no personal attacks please

[WinTard]

The iPhone is a fad. And I've got an iPhone 3G...

~~~~~~~~~
Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.
~ Stephen Leacock

Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.
~ Mark Twain

[gsparkman]

I'll be the first to admit that multi-tasking sounds great, and for some people with specific needs it may be a "must". In reality, however, it's not a big deal on an iPhone. I don't know too many people writing novels on their phone who need to keep a word processor open while they take a moment to check email. Apple has been clear on their decision about implementing multi-tasking. Anyone with an iPhone knows that the iPhone OS has been quite capable of multi-tasking since its introduction two years ago -- I can listen to iTunes music or podcasts while surfing the web in Safari or checking my email. The reality is that many applications like to command resources (read battery drain) while holding in the background. Apple made the decision that most users would prefer to switch back and forth between active applications to conserve energy rather than being surprised by a dead battery when 3 or 4 open apps running (and forgotten) in the background have sucked it dry. If you own a Pre and want to savor the thrill of mult-tasking I wholeheartedly wish you the best, with the caveat that you had better have had the foresite to purchase a couple of extra batteries and have the pockets to carry them in. I, for one, am happy with the iPhone compromise. My mail is continually pushed with alerts (important), and I can listen to books, music and podcasts as I utilize one of the dozens of applications on my iPhone. The apps open and close so quickly that it is simply no hardship to move from one to the other. It's not like being on a desktop where you've got to wait 30 seconds for one app to close and another minute for another to open; it's like 5 seconds for the whole switchover from one app to the next. Multi-tasking, while a valiant goal, is not a good enough reason for choosing a Pre over an iPhone. A more salient determining factor for a mobile phone is which carrier provides the best coverage in your area. If it's Sprint, go Pre; if it's AT&T go iPhone. It is a mobile phone after all.

[MarioJP]

give the pre a chance you never know, in this competitive world anything can happen in a blink of an eye. Just because it came late does not mean its too late. Its better to try than not to try at all. If anything i want apple to have more competition.

[MarioJP]

gsparkman said:

I'll be the first to admit that multi-tasking sounds great, and for some people with specific needs it may be a "must". In reality, however, it's not a big deal on an iPhone. I don't know too many people writing novels on their phone who need to keep a word processor open while they take a moment to check email. Apple has been clear on their decision about implementing multi-tasking. Anyone with an iPhone knows that the iPhone OS has been quite capable of multi-tasking since its introduction two years ago -- I can listen to iTunes music or podcasts while surfing the web in Safari or checking my email. The reality is that many applications like to command resources (read battery drain) while holding in the background. Apple made the decision that most users would prefer to switch back and forth between active applications to conserve energy rather than being surprised by a dead battery when 3 or 4 open apps running (and forgotten) in the background have sucked it dry. If you own a Pre and want to savor the thrill of mult-tasking I wholeheartedly wish you the best, with the caveat that you had better have had the foresite to purchase a couple of extra batteries and have the pockets to carry them in. I, for one, am happy with the iPhone compromise. My mail is continually pushed with alerts (important), and I can listen to books, music and podcasts as I utilize one of the dozens of applications on my iPhone. The apps open and close so quickly that it is simply no hardship to move from one to the other. It's not like being on a desktop where you've got to wait 30 seconds for one app to close and another minute for another to open; it's like 5 seconds for the whole switchover from one app to the next. Multi-tasking, while a valiant goal, is not a good enough reason for choosing a Pre over an iPhone. A more salient determining factor for a mobile phone is which carrier provides the best coverage in your area. If it's Sprint, go Pre; if it's AT&T go iPhone. It is a mobile phone after all.

Except when you "must" have myspace, aim,msn,yahoo going at the sametime plus browsing the web its a must for me. With this kind of processor horsepower i don't see why not. And not to mention you have your media player running as well. To me a smartphone is when you can truly multitask and not what the apps are capable of that makes up for its lackluster of able to multitask. Its not about closing and opening another app. Its about able to stay connected, especially when you have a friends on a different network. And all in one im client does not cut it either because they lose connection too easy than the native messenging apps like msn, and yahoo.

[Coletrain]

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Of coarse you can compare the two. Palm was fully aware of the capabilities of iphone when they created the Pre. It is there fault they made an inferior product.

[Rober1y]

Getting all fanboy over either phone is ridiculous. The real issue is the carrier and what phones they offer. I am on Sprint. They don't offer the iPhone and I'm not changing carriers just for a phone. If I was going to do that, I would have done it when the first iPhone came out. I like the Pre. It does what I want it to do. I don't need an apps to tell me how to make coffee for christsake. But the main thing is you get the best that your carrier has. My buying a Pre doesn't impact Apple. They chose to go with ATT and apparently have no plans to change. I'm not switching to ATT. Debate over.

[dergoog]

Seriously? Does that mean we should have compared the first iphone to the first smartphone? No offense... but if palm worked under that pretense it explains why they were barely able to create a comparable product to the iphone.That is not innovation, that is simply copying what is there and making a few tweaks which is all that the pre is. I like to invest my money with companies and technologies that prove that they will keep me on the bleeding edge with a reliable product. And right now that company is Apple.

I hope ATT&T does get their act together though. Because when you compare apples to apples (not as you state- seriously? I can't get over how short sighted that statement is..) the Pre's cost savings may attract those whose budget is not only limited to the device purchase but the cost of using it.

Until AT&T does get their act together, I will be sticking with my ipod touch. I won't waste my money on a simple copy cat.

[robotkin]

You give equal time to the iphone having a compass as to the Pre having a keyboard. I have yet to meet an iphone user who has any idea how to navigate with a compass, but a keyboard crosses the boundary to take on the Blackberry as well. iphones are gadgets, not business tools.

[lohertz]

h2. This is the most biased review I have ever read. You call this journalism... maybe yellow jorunalism.
To think that this article, by title would compare and contrast the iPhone and the Pre. Wow.
I think the real discussion point will be the capabilities that the Pre will offer. And yes the iPhone is a breakthrough in smartphones, but as competition engages, alternatives arrive that spur innovation. I have neither phone but have been looking at both. The iPhone is not a buisness phone where as the Pre can be that all-in-one personal, and business that so many folks desire.


One more point, you can't use an iPhone on any network. Sure you can jailbreak it and get ... wait for it...T-Mobile...so that new 7.2Mpbs HSDPA support you needed so bad, oh yeah T-mobile has the worst coverage. Hmmm.
h3. I'm not done now I'm on a roll can you tether your iPhone? NO MMS, NO You really want a new 2 year contract and you cant even use all the features your touting about?

[swagg]

I dont understand why these iphone users bring up the fact that the pre doesnt have apps, but when we come back and say umm yes it does, and most of them are from apple phones, there isnt ever a rebutle back on that topic.. And that there are people working on more and more right now.. Will they be available right now?? No, but will they come out? yeah...



And to everyone who says APPLE HAS ITUNES, ummm the Pre can connect to itunes, and it is because its not proprietary to one system or file type where as the iphone is. Thats one thing that doesnt get brought up, is the fact that when you DO hook the Pre up to a computer you are able to preform a drag and drop to move over pictures or music or videos.. OF ANY FILE TYPE! I would love to see iphone get plugged into a PC and get .mpg's dragged and dropped over without having to try and convert it.. Wait you cant do that.. You have to use itunes.. lame!! I like the pre based on its accessability, and it is able to do soo much for you.. and to not consider the multi taksing important makes no sence.. Just because the iphone does not support multitasking doesnt mean it isnt important, and I will explain why it is important:



lets say you have mulitple websites open (which the iphone can do) and you want to put some date on your calendar that you found online.. well you (iphone users) have to close out the web and go find your calendar (does the iphone even have a calendar that can make reminders and plan your day?) to fill in info.. but sure your iphone remembers what website your on, BUT it has to reload the whole page, and reloading 3 potentially opened pages on a slow AT&T network will take forever... the pre has everything running in the background, so you wont have to wait for it to repload. it is already there.. not to metion that conversation you were having on gmail while doing all of this is linked to your txt messaging so that when your convo ends there, it knows where yall left off to continue in your sms...



can you do that wiht the iphone?? nope..

basically a laptop in your hands.. screen size does not matter as Palm has already said that they could have had a bigger screen if they wanted but did not see it neccisary.. it not bulky, super lightweight... seems almost the more reasonable chico of the two.



and to compare the two.. we need to compare what the two phones can actually do, within the software.. within what comes out of the box, no apps, no downloads nothing and see what the two phones can do with everyday use, not just what is read on here and seen on youtube.. though that cant be done right now as there are few who have the brand new pre, and no one has the 3g s yet, so lets say 100 days, and lets have another comparison.. and i bet in 100 days, there will be updates.. lol you dont see palm crying bout apple "stealing" the copy and paste feature...

[luvduchovny]

Hmm... which would I choose? If I had to go by carrier... neither. I'm not crazy about Sprint and I really dislike AT&T.
If I went by style? I would go Pre because I like that it has a keyboard that slides out. I hate typing on the screen with iPhone, I've done it a few times and my fingers are just too big and typos are no one's friend.
Mind you I have a G1 phone running Cupcake so I have video recording capabilities, I put in a 16GB microSD eons ago, and if I want an onscreen keyboard I merely tap my finger on a space where one would type to pull it up. And copy & paste was part of Android from the first version of the firmware. And while it doesn't has spotlight, I can search stuff on my phone via the google search app that's on the home screen. So I guess the ultimate answer to your question is I would pick neither phone.

[rextc]

This is review was far from biased and in my opinion should of knocked the pre even more. Pre has a crappy keyboard with small buttons (like I have said all along), too small of a form factor and screen, on Sprint, slow web based apps and games (Compared to Objective C/OpenGL), screen distortion because of heat. Plus they should of talked about the new GPU/VPU combo in the iPhone 3G Speed that allows for OpenGL ES 2.0. Not to mention the upgraded CPU and 256MB memory now too. As for you other complaints most of those have been on the iphone for over a year if you jailbreak (Clippy-Copy/Paste, iMC-Flash Support, Backgrounder-MultiTasking). Plus the battery life in the iPhone 3g was improved over the 2g and is very average. Now with the 3GS it has great battery life. Slick back?.... Now that is just stupid. What do you want velcro back so it doesn't slip out of you greased hands?

Comparison 3G Speed vs Pre

1) 32GB vs 8GB

2) Video Recording/Editing vs No video

3) 3.5" LCD vs 3.2" LCD

4) Longer battery life vs Shorter battery life

5) Digital Compass/Turn by Turn GPS vs GPS

6) 3MP w/ autofocus/30FPS video vs 3MP

7) 256 RAM vs 256 RAM

8) Fast Objective C/OpenGL games vs Java Based Games

9) Webkit Browser vs Webkit Browser

10)3G 7.2Mbps HSDPA vs 3G 3.2Mbps HSDPA

11) 600Mhz ARM/Coretx vs 600Mhz ARM

12) MMS with video vs No Video MMS

13) Wifi with Bluetooth Adhoc Gaminig (OS3.0) vs WIFI

14) Audio Sharing (OS3.0) vs NO Audio Sharing

15) 50,000 Apps vs18 Apps

16) Itunes Store (Music, Podcasts) vs No Itunes

17) Itunes Syncing vs Limited Syncing

18) Bluetooth 2.1 vs Bluetooth 2.1

19) Multi Touch vs Multi Touch

20) Non Physical vs Physical Keyboard (Wears Out)

21) $99(8GB)/$199(16GB)/$299(32GB) vs $299(8GB - $100 Rebate)

22) Thousands Accessories (car, docks, cases) w/ USB acessory control (OS3.0) vs Hardly none

23) Push Notifications/Mutli-tasking (jailbroken) vs Multitasking

24) AT&T Network vs Sprint Network

[lohertz]

Thats a side by side comparison (still a little bias), but the article didnt do that, it just praised the iPhone..and some of you comparisions are off


> 1) 32GB vs 8GB - Both should have SDHC cards

2) Video Recording/Editing vs No video -



3) 3.5" LCD vs 3.2" LCD - Comprable



4) Longer battery life vs Shorter battery life - based on what info? Usuage, mA, User Changable?


5) Digital Compass/Turn by Turn GPS vs GPS - Pre does have turn by turn, an addition you have to pay for with AT&T and if you cant figure out which way is north with GPS then... and how is that a feature of comparison.



6) 3MP w/ autofocus/30FPS video vs 3MP - You already estabilshed video v non video



7) 256 RAM vs 256 RAM



8) Fast Objective C/OpenGL games vs Java Based Games - Not entirely



9) Webkit Browser vs Webkit Browser



10)3G 7.2Mbps HSDPA vs 3G 3.2Mbps HSDPA - Limited 7.2 HSDPA and both are expanding



11) 600Mhz ARM/Coretx vs 600Mhz ARM



12) MMS with video vs No Video MMS - MMS is NOT supported by ATT YET. YES we know ther is no video with PRE



13) Wifi with Bluetooth Adhoc Gaminig (OS3.0) vs WIFI - Not sure about this



14) Audio Sharing (OS3.0) vs NO Audio Sharing



15) 50,000 Apps vs18 Apps



16) Itunes Store (Music, Podcasts) vs No Itunes - iTunes is available for Pre


17) Itunes Syncing vs Limited Syncing



18) Bluetooth 2.1 vs Bluetooth 2.1



19) Multi Touch vs Multi Touch



20) Non Physical vs Physical Keyboard (Wears Out) - Whatever



21) $99(8GB)/$199(16GB)/$299(32GB) vs $299(8GB - $100 Rebate) - iPhones have rebates as well, be sure your adding that in your comparison



22) Thousands Accessories (car, docks, cases) w/ USB acessory control (OS3.0) vs Hardly none



23) Push Notifications/Mutli-tasking (jailbroken) vs Multitasking



24) AT&T Network vs Sprint Network

[/quote]

[swagg]

lohertz said:

Thats a side by side comparison (still a little bias), but the article didnt do that, it just praised the iPhone..and some of you comparisions are off






> 1) 32GB vs 8GB - Both should have SDHC cards
>
> 2) Video Recording/Editing vs No video -
>
>
> 3) 3.5" LCD vs 3.2" LCD - Comprable
>
>
>
> 4) Longer battery life vs Shorter battery life - based on what info? Usuage, mA, User Changable?
>
>
> 5) Digital Compass/Turn by Turn GPS vs GPS - Pre does have turn by turn, an addition you have to pay for with AT&T and if you cant figure out which way is north with GPS then... and how is that a feature of comparison.
>
>
>
> 6) 3MP w/ autofocus/30FPS video vs 3MP - You already estabilshed video v non video
>
>
>
> 7) 256 RAM vs 256 RAM
>
>
>
> 8) Fast Objective C/OpenGL games vs Java Based Games - Not entirely
>
>
>
> 9) Webkit Browser vs Webkit Browser
>
>
>
> 10)3G 7.2Mbps HSDPA vs 3G 3.2Mbps HSDPA - Limited 7.2 HSDPA and both are expanding
>
>
>
> 11) 600Mhz ARM/Coretx vs 600Mhz ARM
>
>
>
> 12) MMS with video vs No Video MMS - MMS is NOT supported by ATT YET. YES we know ther is no video with PRE
>
>
>
> 13) Wifi with Bluetooth Adhoc Gaminig (OS3.0) vs WIFI - Not sure about this
>
>
>
> 14) Audio Sharing (OS3.0) vs NO Audio Sharing
>
>
>
> 15) 50,000 Apps vs18 Apps
>
>
>
> 16) Itunes Store (Music, Podcasts) vs No Itunes - iTunes is available for Pre
>
>
> 17) Itunes Syncing vs Limited Syncing
>
>
>
> 18) Bluetooth 2.1 vs Bluetooth 2.1
>
>
>
> 19) Multi Touch vs Multi Touch
>
>
>
> 20) Non Physical vs Physical Keyboard (Wears Out) - Whatever
>
>
>
> 21) $99(8GB)/$199(16GB)/$299(32GB) vs $299(8GB - $100 Rebate) - iPhones have rebates as well, be sure your adding that in your comparison
>
>
>
> 22) Thousands Accessories (car, docks, cases) w/ USB acessory control (OS3.0) vs Hardly none
>
>
>
> 23) Push Notifications/Mutli-tasking (jailbroken) vs Multitasking
>
>
>
> 24) AT&T Network vs Sprint Network
>

Thank you for that!! on number 15, give it a rest.. how many times does have to be brought up that they are working on apps right now, that they arent released yet... and as far as the buttons go, cmon you are retarded and i know you slammed the iphone keyboard before you got it.. the buttons on the pre are so easy for the people with big fingers, the rubber will allow you to grab that button. on my centro, i have the same exact buttons and they are perfect.. not too small at all...



on number 16, THANK YOU AGAIN!!! how many times does that have to be brought up that the Pre hooks up to iCrapTunes? but also that the iPhone cant hook up to anything else, where as the pre can!! huge readable file base...



doesnt anyone read any of my responces? i know they are poor grammar but they sure do have a lot of info in there....

[lohertz]

To pile on this some more... about number 15) 50,000 aps, have you seen some of those dumb ass aps, I mean, I would give it to you if you had 50,000 USEFUL aps but look up fart and see how many apps come up, really, is that a feature you need on your iPhone?

Point on the push, multitasking, you have to JAILBREAK it. There is no limitation on development with the PRE. If it has it you can use it.