The Gadgetress ~ TV, mobile and Internet: Covering technology's monthly bill

Palm gets back into the phone game with the Prē

January 9th, 2009, 6:52 am · Post a Comment · posted by

By now, you’ve probably heard that Palm has introduced a completely redesigned Palm PDA — and a new way for people to use it.

The Palm Prē is the once-mighty PDA company’s answer to the iPhone. 

The Prē has a touch-screen, a slide-down QWERTY keyboard, a 3-megapixel camera and lots of other expected features. But really what intrigued me most was the way it works.

Like the Google phone, which syncs automatically with your Google e-mail and other accounts, the new Palm webOS goes much further. It pulls your Web life down to the device, including Gmail, Facebook, Yahoo and other sites that may store your friends and contacts. On the new Prē, you won’t have to constantly sync or update the phone — its always-on Internet access does that for you. 

Other notable features:

  • The software combines web-based instant messaging accounts, e-mail and calendars.  
  • Palm Prē has EVDO, Wi-Fi (b and g), Bluetooth, GPS, 8 GB internal storage, a 3.1-inch screen, a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, microSD slot and mini-USB for charging. Oh, and a removable battery.
  • Sprint will be the first company to offer the Prē and will begin selling in the first half of 2009. No details on price or actual launch date were offered. 
  • Palm must be envious of the Apple Apps program for the iPhone and iPod Touch. All programs on the phone use standard stuff — CSS, HTML and JavaScrip. It encouraged developers to create new programs for the phone.

And in keeping with one of CES’ themes of alternative energy, Palm plans to add a wireless charging dock. Called the Touchstone (picture on right from Palm), the charger uses magnetic induction to wirelessly charge the Prē. Just place the Prē on the “stone” and it starts charging. Really cool to see an actual application of this technology, as mentioned earlier with the PowerMat

Lots of photos from the press conference (click each to enlarge):

          

Earlier reports from CES 2009:

Posted in: news
 
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.
  1. Keep it civil and stay on topic.
  2. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks.
  3. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
  4. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Register publications without any notification or payment.

SEO Powered by Platinum SEO from Techblissonline