• The Palm Pre is the next generation from Palm which was famous for the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices. The Pre utilizes and synchronizes over-the-air with information stored on the online services such as GMail , Yahoo Mail and Microsoft Office Outlook. The underlying technology is called Synergy. It also integrates with social networking services such as Facebook and LinkedIn by having the contacts on the aforementioned services available in the Palm Pre. [1]

  The Palm Pre uses Palm webOS as its operating system. It is a brand new platform designed specifically for mobile use with information access everywhere. Announced during the CES 2009 on January 8, 2009, the Palm Pre was available initially only from the Sprint from the first half of 2009.

  
  The suggested retail price at the release date is $199 after rebates and a two year service contract with Sprint. The phone is also available without contract for $599. [2]

• Features and Functions

  At the initial release, the Palm Pre works with the EVDO wireless network. The Pre features extensive wireless connectivity including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with Bluetooth stereo support (A2DP). The 3.1 inch touch screen displays 320 x 480 resolution with advanced features like light sensor (automatically dims display), proximity sensor (automatically disables the touch screen when the phone is near the ear) and accelerometer (automatically orients display to the preferred perspective).

  
  For screen navigation and access, Palm Pre utilizes gesture area (for intuitive gestures navigation) and slide-out QWERTY keyboard for entering information. Email access is available via Microsoft Outlook EAS (for corporate Microsoft Exchange servers) as well as PO3 and IMAP.

  
  The Palm Pre has 8GB of storage with 7.4GB user accessible. It can be connected to the PC via the MicroUSB connector (USB 2.0) in USB mass storage mode.

  
  The Pre also features optional inductive charging solution. To charge, simply place the Pre on top of the Palm Touchstone charging dock without worrying about cable and adapter.

  
  Other features include integrated GPS, 3MP camera with LED flash, removable and rechargeable battery and hardware ringer switch.

• 1. Uses new Web OSBloomberg.com: Palm Pre Takes On BlackBerry, IPhone... (January 8, 2009)
  2. Contains 8 GB of internal storageBloomberg.com: Palm Pre Takes On BlackBerry, IPhone... (January 8, 2009)
  3. Features GPS softwareBloomberg.com: Palm Pre Takes On BlackBerry, IPhone... (January 8, 2009)
  4. Three megapixel camera with flashBloomberg.com: Palm Pre Takes On BlackBerry, IPhone... (January 8, 2009)
  5. Wireless chargerBloomberg.com: Palm Pre Takes On BlackBerry, IPhone... (January 8, 2009)
  6. Supports EV-DO and 3GObsessable: Palm debuts Web OS platform on Pre... (January 8, 2009)
  7. Supports Wi-Fi and BluetoothEngadget: The Palm Pre (January 8, 2009)
  8. Display: 3.1 inch touchscreen at 320 x 480Obsessable: Palm debuts Web OS platform on Pre... (January 8, 2009)
  9. Supports multi-touch inputObsessable: Palm debuts Web OS platform on Pre... (January 8, 2009)
  10. Uses "Synergy" to pull contacts from Google, Facebook and other formats into single format
  11. Touchscreen slide-outObsessable: Palm debuts Web OS platform on Pre... (January 8, 2009)
  12. Mini-trackballObsessable: Palm debuts Web OS platform on Pre... (January 8, 2009)
  13. Palm stock jumped almost 35% after the Pre announcementGizmodo: Palm Stock Jumps 34.85% on Palm Pre News (January 8, 2009)
  14. Palm Pre is the cheapest over the course of a two year contract. http://www.billshrink.com/blog/iphone-versus-palm-pre-versus-android/
  15. June 24, 2009: Reach 1 million app downloads (18 days after launch) http://www.medialets.com/blog/2009/06/24/palm-pre-app-catalog-reaches-1-million-downloads/

• Public Reaction

  From the crowds at CES to the stock market, the public reaction to the debut of the Palm Pre was a positive one. Many analysts said this actually gave Palm a fighting chance for a comeback and stocks for both Sprint Nextel and Palm soared on the news.Bloomberg.com: Palm Pre Takes On BlackBerry, IPhone... (January 8, 2009)

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