Palm Pre interface tour
by Sean Cooper 
posted Jan 9th 2009 at 5:08PM
We've taken a mountain of shots of the new Palm Pre, but we thought a proper tour of the apps and interface was in order. So with that in mind we banged together a gallery of shots from messaging, web browser, camera, photos, music, videos, notes, tasks, maps, and calculator. We have to say, the more we check this phone out, the more we like it; we're all pretty much gushing over here.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Frank @ Jan 9th 2009 5:16PM
I honestly have not been this excited about a gadget in a LONG time. Seriously, way to go Palm.
Esat Dedezade @ Jan 9th 2009 5:35PM
Same!
iofthestorm @ Jan 9th 2009 6:02PM
Agreed, this looks phenomenal. The only thing that's missing is the ability to write native apps and not just HTML based apps, because this thing has a ridiculously beefy processor (makes every other smartphone processor look like a calculator CPU) and it would be awesome to get some nice games or emulators going. OpenGL ES 2.0 support ftw, hopefully they expose that to applications somehow.
Barky @ Jan 9th 2009 6:36PM
Agreed about the need for native apps. I do like the idea of javascript / html / local APIs for many development tasks, but nothing can beat native code with access to the full OS when you want a new video codec or emulator, etc.
sip @ Jan 9th 2009 6:40PM
It's a freakin awesome phone... Does anyone know if this will come to verizon or not, and if sprint has an exclusive deal like the touch diamond debacle?
000000 @ Jan 9th 2009 7:48PM
This design reminds me of the PDA2K. Anyone remember that device? SX66. Anyway I'm thinking the sliding keyboard might, just might get annoying after a while. Still though it looks really cool and I gotta say it's the gadget of this CES so far. Hopefully there will be a lot of apps for it. Man, so many devices for people to write apps for. Thats kind of a bad thing. Too many platforms.
Is it capacitive screen?
Troels C @ Jan 9th 2009 8:31PM
I think I'm gonna buy this one depending on the pricing ofc.
Pre_Covet @ Jan 10th 2009 11:18AM
I'm hoping that Sprint/Palm matches the iPhone and Storm price point with a 2-year contract.
I'm glad Palm delayed the introduction of this OS and device -- time well-spent.
BTW, doesn't the Pre underscore the half-baked execution of Android and the G1?
Flashbox @ Jan 9th 2009 5:20PM
Engadget was gushing over the Storm too though so we'll see after this thing finally comes out. Looks interesting though. I have never used a Palm for more than a few weeks and that was ages ago. I may check it out.
Nick @ Jan 11th 2009 3:21PM
This is the first time I've been excited over a Palm since they introduced the first Treo. You have to check out this blog, they have detailed info on all the key features of the Web OS and how it works on the Pre: http://www.mytechwall.com/?p=171
nerdtalker @ Jan 9th 2009 5:24PM
Any chance of getting a texting/SMS interface screenshot? Does it support auto 160-character text splitting?
I'm actually thinking of taking a chance and ditching WM in favor of Palm. Jeez, this is almost as gut-wrenching as when I ditched Palm for WM (Visor Prism to an Axim x30Hi)...
Anthony @ Jan 9th 2009 5:27PM
I find this phone very ugly. I didn't like the HTC Touch either. Roundy phones just don't do it for me. Now give me a square Sharp & we'll talk.
M@rT!n @ Jan 9th 2009 5:52PM
Ok SpongeBob Square Pants....the design and OS on this phone looks really good.. i think i can be really successful.. but it all comes down to price now..too high and it could just be a regular phone.. a good price and almost everyone will get it :)
Sin @ Jan 9th 2009 5:56PM
Rounded edges is pocket friendly, that I can understand..
However, the OS looks like its made for kids with the same rounded corners!
Deeznuts420 @ Jan 9th 2009 6:07PM
so simplicity equals retardation to you? right.
Anthony @ Jan 9th 2009 6:11PM
You're referring to SIN's comments? I think the OS looks fine. I can't comment having not handled the phone. I personally like Symbian & have had only Nokia phones for quite some time.
Again, port the OS to Sharp's new 8mp flip brick & I'm all for testing 'er out. I just don't like round.
BB - vantechmag.com @ Jan 10th 2009 2:42AM
I really like rounded edges, but NOT the slighly oval (curvy) sides and I sincerely hope I can get tighter lines, smaller letters and other then BLUE colors, in settings...
Dave @ Jan 10th 2009 4:58AM
In wish we could build our own phones in the same way we can build our own desktop computers. Choose your OS then choose your own hardware. Imagine the awesomeness?
William @ Jan 9th 2009 5:42PM
Please tell me i am hallucinating when i saw an aged Outlook Express icon for Palm email!! (i love everything else about this phone - wish i hadnt gone and and purchased an iPhone now..)
ehTuBrutus @ Jan 9th 2009 7:32PM
It looks like a microsoft mail icon to me too!. Could this mean......
.....WebOS is actually..... Windows Mobile 7 !!!!!!
:)
jesus @ Jan 9th 2009 5:42PM
Coming from an Apple fanboy, this phone looks fantastic.
I knew the first time i saw iPhone displayed that good competitive/progressive phones would be released. But 2009 is the year iPhone may go down now thanks to this phone (and possibly WM7).
Congrats Palm, never thought such an impressive device would come from you guys, and I'm a tough critic with these things.
Anthony @ Jan 9th 2009 6:22PM
"Tough critic" indeed. When Jesus talks, I know I listen.
smo @ Jan 9th 2009 5:43PM
after a hands-on - what's the keyboard like? the buttons look a bit odd and it's kinda tiny for fat thumbs...
satysfyn @ Jan 9th 2009 5:43PM
Is this phone Mac Friendly? I havent heard any mention of this.
Fuzzball @ Jan 9th 2009 5:51PM
Sean,
You may want to edit or delete the pic of that contact entry showing that person's numbers. ;)
Anthony @ Jan 9th 2009 6:27PM
Are you kidding? She'll sure to tell her grandchildren, "I remember when 50,000 tech geeks started calling me one afternoon asking about the Palm OS.. why that was way back in 20 aught 9..."
sean cooper @ Jan 9th 2009 7:09PM
I checked with her and they're all fake people. But cool of you to call that out.
MattyG @ Jan 9th 2009 5:54PM
any info on the instant messenger client seen in the gallery?
Tony @ Jan 9th 2009 5:56PM
Umm.. from engadget I would have thought we could get a video of the OS rather than pics? At least one of you must have had some kind of video capturing device??
Robert @ Jan 9th 2009 6:12PM
No mention of the desktop software? I am assuming that has been revamped as well. I use Palm software to help run my business....I am hoping they've upgraded it.
dannyccmc @ Jan 9th 2009 5:58PM
This phone looks extremely good and the OS looks very polished. I like how they made all the menu's have rounded off edges. If this jumps on AT&T, it might very well be my next phone and probably steal a lot of sales form the iphone.
thatguy @ Jan 9th 2009 5:59PM
I wish it had a landscape keyboard since I would think most people do their web browsing that way on smartphones. That being said Palm has done a great job considering it wasn't that long ago that enagadget and the rest of the gadget world was ripping the Palm foleo apart.
neodorian @ Jan 9th 2009 6:46PM
Nah, I do most of my browsing one-handed in portrait on my Mogul and I only flip to watch a video or type a message. If I had this phone I would probably only flip for videos or pics that fit better that way. I find it more annoying to turn my phone around every time I want to type something.
Devin Brown @ Jan 9th 2009 6:16PM
blahblahblah. I'm sorry but we've heard the same song over and over ever since the iPhone was released. On paper, they all seem competitive. Even when you look at pictures some of them aren't half bad. It's when people actually get the phones in their hands and realize how craptastic the "multitouch" is and how the OS isn't as smooth and intuitive. I'm not saying this isn't a great phone- it could well be- but there is nothing, NOTHING, to make anyone think this will be better than the iPhone except the freaks that can't live without the antique-loving physical keyboard addicts.
neodorian @ Jan 9th 2009 6:46PM
1) It's got a keyboard. You may think that is oh so passe now that the iPhone has none but for many of us it is preferable to jabbing our fingers at pictures on a screen. It's all a matter of preference and while a decent on-screen keyboard is tolerable I will always prefer tactile feedback. YMMV.
2) The hardware is great. Much better specs than most smartphones out there.
3) True multitasking. I could not give this up to get an iPhone no matter how pretty and smooth the UI is.
3) It is not Apple. I will not willingly install iTunes on my computer and a nice modern phone that doesn't tie me down to that glorified shopping cart is a welcome thing. I want control over my own device and USB mass storage probably means I can put whatever I want on it.
I believe every single review of this thing says that the UI *is* rather smooth and intuitive. While you may very well prefer an iPhone, this will fill a pretty big gap in the modern smartphone market: Something with modern hardware that can multitask and connect your info seamlessly while offering both touch and QWERTY for input.
Assuming the demos are demonstrative of what is to come I think it will do well.
Randy @ Jan 9th 2009 6:10PM
This phone has me excited about Palm again for the first time since I got a Palm 3C years and years ago. I was getting close to biting the bullet and getting an iPhone even though I kinda detest the idea of it. Come on Palm hurry up and get this ready for AT&T!!!
meh @ Jan 9th 2009 6:27PM
2 years ago this would have ruled. now, we'll see. theres some impressive stuff, especially for palm, but who is going to buy this? consumers? why? they didnt buy anything from palm in large #'s in the past why will they now? webos sounds fine, but can you make any apps of substance with just javascript? This is going to go after android big time.
setclock @ Jan 9th 2009 7:23PM
the people that will buy this will be Sprint customers. the ones that have stayed with Sprint b/c of the great deals/negotiations you can have with their retention dept. and their better-than-ATT 3G network. (Sprint is also poised to be the first carrier to come out with a 4G network) this will be the phone to get for Sprint smartphone customers who aren't super die-hard WM fanboys
BB - vantechmag.com @ Jan 10th 2009 3:13AM
There will be BOTH web apps and integrated linux apps, if I didn't got it totally wrong... As I wrote in my magazine...
"And they offer advanced help to over 10.000 developers of other "third party" programs, for their superior open OS and the programming will also be extra easy, because the OS follow Linux standards and the screen presentation follow HTML CSS and Javascript standards... Then will they have a very generous routine to approve new applications, to guard the security and stability... And only selected partners will get access to deep areas of the Linux based main OS of the same safe reasons..."
xasan @ Jan 9th 2009 6:40PM
Love the photos guys, good work. Here is more in a hd video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRnlzbuLRwM
Sprint Rocks @ Jan 9th 2009 6:51PM
The Palm Pre, is 100% EXCLUSIVE to Sprint in the U.S. for a MINIMUM of 274 days (or 3 Quarters)...and if Sprint hits certain sales #'s it will be EXCLUSIVE for Sprint.
Palm did not approach any other carrier for the device as Palm felt that no one has a better network than Sprint. The best call coverage, largest and fastest 3G footprint, and the best all inclusive plans.
It will 200% NEVER make it to AT&T, and a very SLIM chance of Verizon...even after 3 quarters, since Verizon wants to put their own UI in the device.
Look people...if you havent been with Sprint for some time, things have REALLY changed. The coverage is far superior to AT&T, and on par with Verizon. Where they really shine is with their 3G...it just crushes AT&T and VZ. Not to mention that the pricing and customer service is #1.
Give Sprint a chance!!
orbital @ Jan 9th 2009 7:17PM
apparently not here. one of my clients has kept phone parity with me on VZ and he on Sprint for the past few years. he's constantly complaining about his signal and not getting 3G coverage in the very same places I frequent (including his office). we are in minor metro area here, so there's no excuse. this is a comparison with his company's many phones and my company's.
but I'll agree, I'm jealous of Sprint's hardware. they seem to be getting the best models earlier and their data plans are cheaper too.
anyway, where is this info coming from that it will be exclusive? maybe just that version. doesn't seem to make much business sense if you want to move a volume of units to exclude the #1 and #2 carriers.
shugg @ Jan 10th 2009 2:27AM
What is the definition of the "iphonekiller"?is it selling 1 million in 72 hours in USA .?
is it being a revolutionary all touchscreen cell that some manufacturers still can't match 2 years later,?
Is it a phone that has set the standard by which all touchphones are measured?
is it a cell that sent all major cell manufacturers into a crazy frenzy to quickly go back to drawing board n create their own iPhone clone?
Is it a phone that has created more buzz worldwide than any other cell in history,?
Ask yourself in order to earn the coveted title, will pre do all these, if so then yes it can be called that.,unfortunately we won't know the answer till 72 hours after palm launch
A to the K @ Jan 9th 2009 7:01PM
Its kinda of funny because with the release of the iPhone 3g, Apple forced the competition to raise their game. And now the competition is gonna force Apple to raise its game. Well done Palm, over to you Apple, really gonna be interesting to see what Apple comes up with in 09!
Russ @ Jan 9th 2009 7:08PM
surprisingly very nice. I'd never heard of the new OS until now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_webOS
would be extra nice if someone hacked android onto this hardware! :)
Talib @ Jan 9th 2009 7:44PM
The thing is actually beautiful. I wanted a Storm before the thing was released in all of its ugly glory. This phone looks amazing and I can't imagine it won't live up to its hype. People can complain about the design, but I find both the UI and the phone itself to be well designed. My biggest problem with it is the carrier. I just don't understand why Palm signed an exclusivity deal with Sprint, the worst carrier going, when they're fighting for their life. Maybe it's for 14 days or some other short duration.
TareX @ Jan 9th 2009 8:59PM
This phone is amazing.... now the only thing stopping me from rushing into the buy is:
Android.
I mean who knows with an open OS what the possibilities will be. Also, Android has inter-application integration like no-other. It has OpenGL support and full flash on its browser. Palm Pre has neither. Not to talk about the fleet of developers writing for Android.
However, the real dealbreaker is the hardware. For the Palm Pre, the hardware is TOP NOTCH. Perfection.
Portrait slider for single handed usage.... CHECK.
Multitouch capacitive touchscreen.... CHECK.
Palm-famous full qwerty.... CHECK.
Gorgeous exterior..... CHECK.
What else could you ask for?
I'll wait for the G2/3 before purchasing this phone...
gog8rs @ Jan 9th 2009 9:13PM
Sprint has been the only carrier to show Palm love. Tmobile has no palms, VZW has the 700 still and att has the 750 and centro. Centro came to sprint first. 700p came to sprint first. 800 came to sprint first. Pre comes to sprint first. And with the centro selling over 2 million units, they are doing something right.
The pre will be a true game changer..
I am stoked.
tsurek @ Jan 9th 2009 9:19PM
Great Job Sprint! notice how you dont see any sprint logos, icons, no yellow nor black in the background. Verizon would cripple this phone like no other. We havent even heard anything about Verizon and the 800w, the Treo pro nor this phone so dont get your hopes up.
elgee02 @ Jan 9th 2009 9:55PM
VZW is moving further and further away from "crippling" their devices. BBerry's now have unlocked GPS (Storm came unlocked, software update unlocked it for curve and pearl) and nearly all their newer phones support the same BT OBEX file transers you see on comparable phones from AT&T and Sprint. I admit, they aren't there yet as far as not gimping their phones go, but they have made some serious strides. Check out the Samsung Omnia, not a damn thing crippled on that bad boy.