Comments on: Can a Palm Pre multitask better than an iPhone?

The mobile pioneer's impending smartphone has generated more buzz than any product since Apple joined the market. But breaking out from the pack hinges on a few key features.

[mikehill33]

Great article TALKING about what the Pre will supposedly do.

Now RELEASE the thing and let's see.

Getting sick of all the pre-launch hoopla with no substance.

[jkohut]

"yes but this topic is about modern O.ses with desktop class apps
Nokias and blackberries have had great batterylife for years
but they don't really cant be compared to the iPhone and other multi-touch phones ! "
Symbian S60 V5 has touch as well as the rest of the great S60 (multitasking, cut and paste, etc...). As the user pointed out about the E71 (which has pretty much everything but touch), it is already here and just works. While iPhone and Pre are getting a lot of hype (they are decent Smartphones), I keep hearing article after article saying that they are getting this feature or that feature that Nokia (and other Symbian phones) already have.

[jCounsel]

I would compare the "new" iPhone 3.0 to the Omnia i8910 HD. One uses Apple's OS, and the other uses Symbian Touch. If I can get it over here in the USA, I will be buying the Omnia i8910 HD--simply put, I like to be able to install what I want on my phone. A store is great, but a "big brother" telling me what "is acceptable" is not for me...

I would also like to see more "smart" in the iPhone. However, we all do realize it isn't a multi-tasking device like the symbian or Winmo devices? Right? I am not sure about RIM as I have never used a Blackberry before...

A NokiPphone with a simplified UI might fit the "average joe" who just can't get enough of their iPhone. I've had my iPhone since it was released, and I want more--even willing to "lose" the money spent on apps that I will have to replace.

Apple's success with the iPhone is only part of their strateegery :) Selling apps will make people less willing to change platforms/OSes at a later date. Therefore, the success of the app store might be the bigger success that guarantees continued revenue.

Just a thought...

[gsimmonsonca]

I really like what I see in the Pre, and am interested in buying one (in fact, I am holding off replacing my current phone until I can touch the Pre). BUT, I have 2 conditions that need to be addressed first...

- Capacity. Either a 16gb model needs to be available. 8 is NOT enough.
- Canada. I live in Canada, so we need the local carriers to pick it up!

[bringer666]

According to
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/palm-pre-definitely-coming-to-canada-on-bell-mobility/
it will be available on Bell Mobility in the second half of 2009.
As far as the capacity is concerned, you may have to wait another 6 months for a 16Gb version.

[swenk22]

I'm very interested in the pre... I'm still using my old palm tx and cellphone and iphone hasn't quite matched that yet for me... The problem with the pre is the sprint. I'm not going to switch to sprint. Sooo with the next iphone software which is supposed to have universal search... that is probably the direction I will go... unless pre opens up to other services.

[Breezy1601]

So why not consider Blackberry as well? I have a Storm and it truly multitasks.

[denisgoodwin]

i find it interesting that folks have already declared the Pre a winner without seeing it in the wild. I haven't seen a real hands-on review that lays out battery life, application performance, overall system feel, etc... I'm very curious to see if this thing really delivers. Plus, let's not forget that it'll really be competing against a new iPhone OS and new hardware (maybe more than one). What has Palm done recently to deserve this level of admiration for a product that nobody's used?

[AppleSuxLeo]

It has been "seen in the wild' countless times. As well as being used by Bono , Jimmy Fallon , Angelina Jolie to name a FEW celebs.
Use the internet much ???
Was also shown on CNBC countless times.

[jCounsel]

Everyone always jumps on the "new guy" or the "comeback kid." I am not sure why many seem to be anti-Palm when I think the Treo 650 really "kick-started" the touchscreen craze.

Sure, there are many questions, but I doubt there are more questions now than there were prior to Apple's release of the iPhone... Remember, Apple wasn't IN the phone market at that time.

Either way, the Pre is GOOD news. If nothing else, the Pre's release has made other companies address issues that most of us want to be addressed (e.g., fixed, updated, added...).

Competition is a good thing. Even if the Pre fails, it will have pushed the envelope forward. While I would have preferred it to arrive on AT&T (a larger market in the world), I worry that Sprint's track record and lack of customer support might hurt the Pre more than anything "lacking" on the device itself.

I, for one, have had Sprint "service," and I will not have it again. I actually did not renew my Nextel service shortly after Sprint purchased Nextel.

I wish the Palm Pre (and the Omnia i8910 HD, Nokia N97 and 5800, and all of these "new" phones) much success since they will drive phone development forward even if they, themselves, do not grab enough marketshare to continue on their own.

[Squashman2]

I don't think Palm has any intentions of going away anytime soon. The Centro was a bigger seller and helped them get thru the past couple of years.

It is unfortunate that Palm waited so long to reinvent themselves. They were innovators at one time. They had touch screen phones long before anybody else did.

I wish the PRE had more than 8gb's of storage or at least a microSD card slot like my Centro has now. I don't think that is going to be enough storage for me if I am synching up Podcasts and Music on it.

[DEPjrTX]

I have used a Palm for the same reason that many users choose a BB (schedule management and business communication). My employer utilizes Active Sync so I receive work related communications instantly and sync my calender etc. However one big plus for me and my company is that I do not have the additional cost associated with the BB service. I have never understood why someone would choose a BB over a palm (aside from the fact that Palm has needed a new device for a few years)

I like what I know about the iPhone but have always though it was built for Apple fanboys and folks that are easily distracted by shinny objects but isn't a serious tool for business users.

Personally I think that the Pre will carry the same business functionality that you have always seen in the Treos and improve the way users interact with their tool. I can't wait to get my hands on one.

[DMAN3k]

If only Sprint would honor my SERO plan...

[wratbatblue]

One factor going against the Pre from the gitgo:
It's on Sprint. I haven't been paying attention, and I didn't know that until today. I got pretty interested while reading the description of everything the phone has going for it (I'm an iPhone owner, but a former Palm devices guy) until I found that out. Been there. Not going back. And, if the Pre is anything but a huge success, neither will anyone else, because Sprint will have gone broke. It's already close.

One thing the iPhone will always have going for it that nothing non-Apple will get:
iTunes integration. I've nearly tossed mine in disgust a couple of times, but kept it for that reason alone. And Apple does keep improving it, with AT&T huffing and puffing mightily along with sporadic, location-specific network improvements. Hard to beat.

It's gonna be really, really interesting this fall. I love it.

[LuvThatCO2]

I hope the pre does well. With its JS/CSS based devlopment system, that will make the Pre much more approachable to developers (ie, you wont need a mac to compile for the pre). If they dont lock it into one store like Apple does, I think businesses and organizations that rely on vertical applications will take to it prety quickly because they'll be able to install their own apps without having to hope Steve Jobs gives them permission.

[BogusBasin]

monkeyfun14 = Steve Ballmer

Amen

[bonesbautista]

Tom, I'll be looking at a Pre, but I want one or something like it to replace my iPhone or my Storm, and I'll be checking out the unlocked GSM variant and a CDMA version when it hits Verizon. Sprint's network just doesn't cover the Pacific Northwest enough for my taste, and I'd be roaming on VZW's network most of the time anyway.

Multitasking is a feature I find handy, and I'm interested more in the calendaring and contact management and how those two databases are integrated into the OS. I don't need a keyboard as much as I used to, and prefer touchscreen devices now. The iPhones fettered firmware and the Storm's buggy interface leave me wanting a device that has an extensible OS that can free me from having to keep bringing the laptop with me all the time. If Vlingo or Nuance makes an app for the Pre for notes and quick memos, TMs, and emails - then Palm's got a buyer.

[Lethality]

People are giving Palm way too much credit in this.

[jypeterson]

@ pjhenry1216

If you want to run muti-taked applications on an iPhone, just jailbreak it. You can download Backgrounder which allows you to do that. However, you will notice that it's not very efficient, and unless you phone is plugged it, the battery life will drain fairly quickly.

[shycelticwitch]

:::::yawn::::: wake me up when someone thinks of something that Apple hasn't already done, or given them the knowledge to do.

[sestone]

Most of the 'innovations' Apple has done are all remakes. What have they done of their own accord and without another's idea?

[AppleSuxLeo]

There?s been a lot of hype about the Palm Pre, and as we get closer to June the questions about it get more frequent. Here?s some of the more popular questions that I?ve encountered and am able to answer.

The backup feature, does it cost anything more?

Nope, it?s all included for free as a part of the service provided by Palm included with your Pre.

What happens to my phone when it?s in USB Mode?

All calls are routed to voicemail when the Pre is in USB Mode. Slight downer, I know ? but how often are you really gonna have the Pre in USB Mode? And even then, not more than a couple minutes @ a time.

What IM services will the Pre support for real-time status indicators?

Google Talk (GTalk) and AIM at launch. Do you really know anyone without a Gmail address?

In the Calendar, can I choose my own colors for the appointments?

Yes! it?s easily selectable, or can sync with your Outlook category colors with Exchange.

What about the web browser, can I disable cookies?

Yep, it?s an option in the Web Preferences.

How do I get the calendar to do the cool ?compress? when displaying?

Simple! it just has to be a block of time that?s 2 hours or more.

Can you have multiple IM conversations going at the same time?

Yes, the possibilities are limitless ? talk to everyone, share the Pre love!

Office 2007 ? Any issues?

Nope. Go ahead, tell your boss about it, and bring it to work. Welcome to life with the Pre ? it just works!

Can I use Pictbridge (wirelessly sending pics to a printer)?

There?s not a profile for it yet. Hang in there, grasshopper.

With the new webOS, what about virus protection?

The core is not open, and isn?t subject to any viruses, in other words, you?re covered!

What about Calltones?

Would you expect any less? It?s a network feature, so they?re 100% supported, no problems.

Can I save music as a ring tone for my Pre?

Sure, customize it all you want.

Family locator ? can I track my son with his Pre?

While it?s great you?d get a Pre for your son (umm, sure!, lol), you won?t be able to track lil Timmy with it just yet using Family Locator.

Can I take videos with my Palm Pre?

Not at launch, but hang in there as great things are on the way, and as the Palm Pre uses the webOS, updates are just a gesture away!

Can I send pictures as a text message?

Using MMS, of course. You can?t however crop pictures yet, so be aware of any size limitations the receiving person may have with their device or carrier, or adjust the camera settings.

That?s all for now! Don?t forget about the folks over at SprintGurus, where you can discuss not only these Palm Pre FAQs, but anything Sprint related. I do monitor and reply to the comments here on the blog as time permits, but there?s a great community of people there that are very knowledgeable, and if you?re looking to discuss Sprint or the Pre, it?s the place to be!

[AppleSuxLeo]

http://insidesprintnow.wordpress.com/

[Constable Odo]

The Palm Pre is vaporware. End of discussion. Multi-tasking is really just used as an advertising gimmick. Probably 95% of smartphone users don't require such a feature. I may be nice to have the capability, but not at the expense of battery life if such is true. I do agree that eventually that Apple will allow multi-tasking when the platform can support it without problems. The SDK is still not even a year old and I believe Apple just needs more time to solidify the platform. If Apple designs it's own support chips, I do believe they will get around most possible multi-tasking problems such as battery life and slowing down of foreground apps. I think Apple's time is better served on iPhone OS stability