Saying “Good-bye” to the Palm Pre? One Year Later…

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A year ago this month I was getting ready to move away from the MotoQ that I had been using for the previous 2 years on Verizon and was moving back to Sprint.  My only real option at the time was the newly release Palm Pre.  While at the time I compared it to the iPhone, there was never really an option of moving to that platform.  I’m a Sprint guy and needed to stay with Sprint (besides, I have a iPod Touch).  I know this kills some of you.

Fast forward a year and it’s time to make that decision once again, except this time there is a new sheriff in town.   The only real smart phone option for guy like me is the new HTC EVO 4G.

The list of specifications are impressive:

  • 3G/4G capability
  • Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ QSD8650 (1GHz) processor
  • 4.3” capacitive display with pinch-to-zoom and tactile feedback
  • World-class HTML browser – bandwidth and quality that rival that of netbooks
  • Android 2.1, with access to more than 35,000 apps on Android Market (2.2 coming soon)
  • Simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G and Wi-Fi coverage areas, enabling Web surfing and more while talking
  • GoogleTM mobile services including Google SearchTM, Google MapsTM, Google TalkTM, GmailTM, YouTubeTM , and syncs with Google CalendarTM
  • Access to Google Goggles™ to search with pictures instead of words
  • Sprint Navigation, with turn-by-turn driving directions and 3D maps
  • Updated HTC Sense, award-winning user experience, which includes Friend Stream to integrate Facebook, Twitter and more into a single flow of updates
  • Visual voicemail
  • Messaging – personal and business email, IM and text messaging
  • 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability – connects up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices
  • 4G data speeds (WiMAX) – peak download speeds of more than 10 Mbps; peak upload speeds of 1 Mbps; average download speeds of 3-6 Mbps.
  • 3G data speeds (EVDO Rev A.) – peak download speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps; peak upload speeds of 1.8 Mbps; average download speeds of 600 kbps-1.4 Mbps.

So what of the Palm Pre and the WebOS platform that I have spoken so highly of over the last year?  Just a few short notes.

1.  HP purchased Palm on July 1st, 2010.  It appears that development has come to a grinding halt.  Sure, it might pick up later in the year, but I’m not longer willing to wait for updates and apps.  Sorry HP.

2.  I still think the WebOS that is part of the new Palm platform is the best smart phone OS out there.  It just works and works well.  I hope to see it again on an HP tablet devise in the near future.  It could really give the iPad a run if the price point and implementation is done correctly.  Good luck HP!

3.  The Palm Pre is still the best handset I have ever used.  It makes great calls and sound quality is fantastic. 

4.  I am going to keep the phone and may pass it down to one of the kids.  They many not even want it.

5.  I will miss the slide out keyboard.  I hope that doesn’t cripple me on the new phone. 

Note: I am not eligible for the new phone until Aug 11th and there is still time to talk me out of it (but why would you?)  I am open to any and all comment left here on the blog.