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Chris Jacob
Listen, Dan Hesse is being reasonable. The iPhone is a juggernaut and Palm's chances of displacing a reigning champ are exceedingly low. I'd rather hear someone admit this than some Ballmer clone pretend their product will own the world in 3 years just to have Apple stomp them into the ground while yelling "I'm the juggernaut bitch!"
Every time I have my email, web, Twitter, GPS navigation, and Pandora open on my Pre, take a phone call and then go back to one of the other functions, I wonder just how the iPhone folks can continue to delude themselves that their incapable of multi-tasking status toy is anything more than that. To pay double per month for AT&T's gimped service on top of that makes the madness more pronounced.
Hesse should've said that the iPhone is like "American Idol" - exceedingly popular but not very good. The Pre is for more intelligent and discerning users. The iPhone is just herd inertia. No one thinks you're cool if you have an iPhone anymore. "Oh, you got one, too?" Frankly, it ceased being fresh a year ago and is just tired now. Apple's half-assed "upgrade" with the 3GS is just a sign that they know that they don't have to be innovative or even improved to rope the rubes in.
@Alf Shot The FUD: I find your argument specious for two reasons: One, you just can't discount the fact that Apple pretty much created a new category of phone. I mean, do you really think PALM would have released anything like the Pre if Apple hadn't come out with the iPhone two years ago? Do you think they would have multi-touch, a full internet browser, an App Store, etc?
Uh, no.
Secondly, you just can't toss away the fact that the iPhone has 75,000 apps.
And one more point and I'll shut up. The problem isn't that the iPhone CAN'T do multi-tasking, it's that Apple doesn't ALLOW multi-tasking for third party apps. The iPhone has a processor and OS that's perfectly capable of multi-tasking.
And if it truly became a big issue with people and people started to buy the Pre more than the iPhone because of multi-tasking, Apple could just simply change it in a software update. The iPhone already multi-tasks with the native apps.
The 3GS can open and close applications just as fast as the Pre can switch between open apps. The iPhone can access data over a cell network when on a call. It can record/edit video, has a compass, bigger screen, on-screen keyboard, proper copy & paste, remote wipe, find my iphone, email search, phone search, voice control, and 75,000+ other advantages over the Pre at this point. Talk about gimped!!!
Palm's platform may become more relevant in the future. In the meantime, the iPhone is a superior device. I think Dan Hesse agrees to a certain point with the comments he made above. Who is better than Michael Jordan?
"The Pre is for more intelligent and discerning users."
Ha! I guess intelligent and discerning users don't need to search their email, record video, be on a call and access data, or copy text from a web site?
Don't worry, the Pre will get there. It is a first generation device. People who bought the original iPhone were also left without features other phones had for years. Hell, Apple just got around to implementing copy & paste not too long ago. The software and hardware for the Pre will eventually develop into a device that can compete. Until then, there is no comparison....
@justinpe: "The 3GS can open and close applications just as fast as the Pre can switch between open apps." - Enable fast app switching on the Pre, and even the 3GS will look slow. I can (and do) switch between open apps in less than half a second.
Apps, to me, seem like a half-baked gimmick. While they can be helpful, I would much rather use my phone for things like talking / texting / general web browsing. Outside of that, I listen to Pandora, use the calculator, and watch Youtube.
The only thing I can't do with my Pre that I'd like to, is record video. And that will probably come soon enough.
@Alf Shot The FUD: I think the main issue is that Palm should have stuck with their loyal fanbase and came out with a Treo killer. Get back to duking it out with BB and then work your way into the public space.
I don't like BB's and I hate the size of the Treo (but for work I loved the phone just not the size). Maybe it's in the pipe, but it's like the chicken before the egg.
@Alf Shot The FUD: I have an iPhone 3Gs that I use every day. After reading your diatribe, I realize that I have been, in fact, deluding myself that what I considered a rather incredible little device was no more than a toy. I've already donated it to the local orphanage. Thank you for that.
So... what to replace it with, my good man? I'm looking for something with the features I need and the styling I crave, so I've pretty much narrowed it down to either a DynaTAC or a StarTAC. They both look good, so I'm having a hard time deciding. DynaTAC, StarTAC... StarTAC, DynaTAC... hmm... Any advice, I need a new device fast!!!
@Alf Shot The FUD: Well, I will say that during the brief period that I owned my Pre (2 days) it didn't take long to dislike many of the limitations of it.
First, the speed of it was unacceptable even compared to the iPhone 2G that I owned at the time.
Second, it was just boring with out any reasonably good apps to enhance my phone with.
Third, copy and paste is pointless. Why would I want to copy text that I have already written? Seems to just defeat the entire purpose of copy and paste.
Finally, and please don't take this as my enjoyment of AT&T, I can't stand Sprint's reception. I live in Northern Cali and where I live Sprint's reception is at best sporadic. I don't like AT&T much more, but until the iPhone is released for a superior carrier such as Verizon (which I fear for other reasons), AT&T seems to have the better reception in my area. And, although I have worked for both AT&T corp and VZW corp, I don't believe that I am biased in any manner; I'm sure some out there will disagree, however.
In conclusion, the Pre is an excellent device for anyone really, I just liked my iPhone better. I returned the Pre for a full refund, and I will say that Sprint's customer care has improved 10 fold. After receiving my $200 back I reserved and purchased my 3GS which my only problem with is this damn 3.1 SW not being Jailbroken yet.
They both are terrific phones. I personally think it is hard to come out with an iPhone competitor partly for the same reason that it's hard for the Mac OS to really compete (marketshare-wise) with Windows. Apple has such a large marketshare in THIS market that it's App Store (as one example) is hard to compete against. The Pre is a new entry. Sure some people will write apps for it, but it's gonna take some significant time to get traction against an app store with over 75,000 apps ready to go. The other thing that doesn't really help Palm is the iPhone is a good product. There is very little fundamentally wrong with it. People need a significant reason to choose the Palm. I don't personally think that multiple open apps makes a big difference to the majority of people buying these devices so that's not helping sell these things like Palm hoped. In fact, I bet the number one reason Pre owners are Pre owners is they were part of the Sprint network and didn't wanna change to ATT. Again, not because the Pre is bad, just because it has little that's compelling over the iPhone.
@lauwersp: You are right about one thing - when I was in the market for my new Pre I came very close to buying an iPhone instead. I had actually bought in and then called to cancel a day later. Why? Simple, At&t. A phone is only as good as its carrier and I've been with Sprint for a long time and have had no problems. Not only that, I get great EVDO coverage where I live.
@wmurch3:
Well I am happy sprint works well for you. Sprint is the worst carrier where I live. In the small print you only get 120 minutes of free roaming in the "simply everything plan". In the state I live in their is only two highways that are not roaming onto verizon wireless. Also they will disconnect your service if you reach 800 roaming minutes a month.
Seems to me that the cell phone market is similar to the MMO market nowadays. There's one HUGE heavy hitter, and a bunch of little guys. For the time being, I think companies are going to have to be happy with second place.
@thegreatpablo: or focus on business and BB. That is how Palm used to make their cash and I'm still not sure why they didn't go after BB first and get their market back.
Don't worry Palm Pre, just like Charles Barkley, many years from now people will still love you for your quirks and ability to do as much as you did with as little as you had, even though you never actually won anything.
Yet they will have started to find the iPhone cold, rude, heartless, overly competitive, and filled with personal flaws. While they revere you with nostalgia, they will start to focus on all of its problems.
This will occur as it enters the Hall of Fame, of course, one of the richest and most successful of all time, and amidst the world continuing to empty their pockets just to support a decades-old brand.
But they will say really nice things about you, think you are really clever and funny, and hope against hope that you will run somewhere quaint and out of the way, like Alabama.
If he's going to use the NBA analogy, then the iPhone is like Michael Jordan and the Palm Pre is like Vince Carter: lots of hype, talent and plenty of initial promise, but ultimately a disappointment.
Is it strange to get "cold feet" over a cell phone? Since the Pre's announcement I've been dying to get this, now I've been getting second thoughts due to the reviews talking about how flimsy it is.
I'd love to see the next gen webos palm phone but if the pre doesn't sell well then the probability of another palm webos phone would be greatly reduced. So I guess i'm thinking should i be palm's "wing man" and take one for the team in hopes that i'll be rewarded down the line...
I'm a current sprint customer that will stick with sprint due to everyone i know uses that carrier and my coverage area is better than most. i am also one of the lucky few that hasn't had any issues with them.
@Nick: all my friends in kansas city with sprint either switched or never stop complaining? and my at&t in kansas city is really good. i don't think i've ever dropped a call anywhere in the metro, and the worst i've had maybe is signal down after a storm a couple times, never more than 2 hours though. i don't mean to be a downer, but i think maybe you are just easy to please. i've never heard a kansas city sprint owner say anything positive about the service until now. i'm glad to hear someone is happy though!
@closhedbb: I would like to retract my opening line in my previous comment. I'm having a bad day, and a simple math error we all make regularly doesn't justify my insulting you.
@manuka: Then I am going to guess...hmmm..give me a second...I am going to guess that you are not interested in purchasing a Palm Pre within the next 7-9 months.
@92BuickLeSabre: Is Ponies tipping you off again, man - because I can't believe you figured that out on your own.
In our sandbox Sprint actually has some of the best coverage out there and AT&T is one of the worst. However, it is all relative since I would never discount any major carrier for coverage in America since they all have fairly similar results.
all these giant companies are going the way of the dinosaur, and rightfully so. Their business model of "give us your money, we will give you a moderately acceptable service because, lets face it, none of the competition is any better" is ludicrous.
Metro PCS and Boost mobile just moved into my area... Unlimited talk, text, web, and data for $50 a month? WOW. Even though their phones are crap that is an amazing deal.
@pevans34: Hate to break it to you, but all those little carriers rely on the big four networks (ATT, T-Mo, Verizon, Sprint), a few of them will have towers of their own in areas that the big four's coverage is lacking but they all rely on the big nationals for roaming.
The giants aren't going anywhere, and, short of either new consumer protection laws or a massive shift in society away from cellular technology and mobile communications, I don't see things improving.
@Duckspwn: Well, if you look at the commercial, it's not THAT hard to believe people confused it. They at no time show a taxi exterior. Even if they had shown the taxi from an above shot, then cut to Dan, it would have made the mental connection easier. And hell, when someone tells me they are "working from the road today", I would never think taxi.
09/12/09
09/11/09
Hesse should've said that the iPhone is like "American Idol" - exceedingly popular but not very good. The Pre is for more intelligent and discerning users. The iPhone is just herd inertia. No one thinks you're cool if you have an iPhone anymore. "Oh, you got one, too?" Frankly, it ceased being fresh a year ago and is just tired now. Apple's half-assed "upgrade" with the 3GS is just a sign that they know that they don't have to be innovative or even improved to rope the rubes in.
09/11/09
Uh, no.
Secondly, you just can't toss away the fact that the iPhone has 75,000 apps.
And one more point and I'll shut up. The problem isn't that the iPhone CAN'T do multi-tasking, it's that Apple doesn't ALLOW multi-tasking for third party apps. The iPhone has a processor and OS that's perfectly capable of multi-tasking.
And if it truly became a big issue with people and people started to buy the Pre more than the iPhone because of multi-tasking, Apple could just simply change it in a software update. The iPhone already multi-tasks with the native apps.
09/11/09
The 3GS can open and close applications just as fast as the Pre can switch between open apps. The iPhone can access data over a cell network when on a call. It can record/edit video, has a compass, bigger screen, on-screen keyboard, proper copy & paste, remote wipe, find my iphone, email search, phone search, voice control, and 75,000+ other advantages over the Pre at this point. Talk about gimped!!!
Palm's platform may become more relevant in the future. In the meantime, the iPhone is a superior device. I think Dan Hesse agrees to a certain point with the comments he made above. Who is better than Michael Jordan?
"The Pre is for more intelligent and discerning users."
Ha! I guess intelligent and discerning users don't need to search their email, record video, be on a call and access data, or copy text from a web site?
Don't worry, the Pre will get there. It is a first generation device. People who bought the original iPhone were also left without features other phones had for years. Hell, Apple just got around to implementing copy & paste not too long ago. The software and hardware for the Pre will eventually develop into a device that can compete. Until then, there is no comparison....
09/11/09
09/12/09
Apps, to me, seem like a half-baked gimmick. While they can be helpful, I would much rather use my phone for things like talking / texting / general web browsing. Outside of that, I listen to Pandora, use the calculator, and watch Youtube.
The only thing I can't do with my Pre that I'd like to, is record video. And that will probably come soon enough.
09/12/09
I don't like BB's and I hate the size of the Treo (but for work I loved the phone just not the size). Maybe it's in the pipe, but it's like the chicken before the egg.
09/12/09
So... what to replace it with, my good man? I'm looking for something with the features I need and the styling I crave, so I've pretty much narrowed it down to either a DynaTAC or a StarTAC. They both look good, so I'm having a hard time deciding. DynaTAC, StarTAC... StarTAC, DynaTAC... hmm... Any advice, I need a new device fast!!!
09/12/09
First, the speed of it was unacceptable even compared to the iPhone 2G that I owned at the time.
Second, it was just boring with out any reasonably good apps to enhance my phone with.
Third, copy and paste is pointless. Why would I want to copy text that I have already written? Seems to just defeat the entire purpose of copy and paste.
Finally, and please don't take this as my enjoyment of AT&T, I can't stand Sprint's reception. I live in Northern Cali and where I live Sprint's reception is at best sporadic. I don't like AT&T much more, but until the iPhone is released for a superior carrier such as Verizon (which I fear for other reasons), AT&T seems to have the better reception in my area. And, although I have worked for both AT&T corp and VZW corp, I don't believe that I am biased in any manner; I'm sure some out there will disagree, however.
In conclusion, the Pre is an excellent device for anyone really, I just liked my iPhone better. I returned the Pre for a full refund, and I will say that Sprint's customer care has improved 10 fold. After receiving my $200 back I reserved and purchased my 3GS which my only problem with is this damn 3.1 SW not being Jailbroken yet.
09/11/09
09/11/09
09/12/09
Well I am happy sprint works well for you. Sprint is the worst carrier where I live. In the small print you only get 120 minutes of free roaming in the "simply everything plan". In the state I live in their is only two highways that are not roaming onto verizon wireless. Also they will disconnect your service if you reach 800 roaming minutes a month.
09/12/09
09/11/09
09/11/09
09/11/09
09/11/09
09/12/09
09/11/09
Yet they will have started to find the iPhone cold, rude, heartless, overly competitive, and filled with personal flaws. While they revere you with nostalgia, they will start to focus on all of its problems.
This will occur as it enters the Hall of Fame, of course, one of the richest and most successful of all time, and amidst the world continuing to empty their pockets just to support a decades-old brand.
But they will say really nice things about you, think you are really clever and funny, and hope against hope that you will run somewhere quaint and out of the way, like Alabama.
09/11/09
09/11/09
What? What are you talking about? Close the door!
09/12/09
09/11/09
09/11/09
09/11/09
@fleebailey33: JLH FTW
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
I'd love to see the next gen webos palm phone but if the pre doesn't sell well then the probability of another palm webos phone would be greatly reduced. So I guess i'm thinking should i be palm's "wing man" and take one for the team in hopes that i'll be rewarded down the line...
I'm a current sprint customer that will stick with sprint due to everyone i know uses that carrier and my coverage area is better than most. i am also one of the lucky few that hasn't had any issues with them.
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
wait, KC MO or KC Kansas?
06/05/09
06/05/09
1 - Most of June
2 - July
3 - August
4 - September
5 - October
6 - Novemeber
7 - December
2010 is almost 7 months away as of today.
06/05/09
Apologies.
06/05/09
George is gettin' upset!
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
In our sandbox Sprint actually has some of the best coverage out there and AT&T is one of the worst. However, it is all relative since I would never discount any major carrier for coverage in America since they all have fairly similar results.
03/14/09
Metro PCS and Boost mobile just moved into my area... Unlimited talk, text, web, and data for $50 a month? WOW. Even though their phones are crap that is an amazing deal.
03/14/09
The giants aren't going anywhere, and, short of either new consumer protection laws or a massive shift in society away from cellular technology and mobile communications, I don't see things improving.
03/14/09
Or maybe it was just a particularly nice taxi (one that didn't have puke on the seat?)
03/16/09