In defense of Sprint and the Palm Pre
(Credit:
PreCentral.net via Engadget Mobile)
As you may have seen by now, PreCentral.net got ahold of an internal memo from AT&T comparing its precious iPhone 3G with the Palm Pre, and not surprisingly, bashing the Pre as an inferior device.
Now, you know I haven't been particular happy with Sprint or Palm about the way the company's been handling the Pre, but I'm coming to its defense here and saying that this is just plain laughable. Let's take a closer look, shall we?
First off, AT&T has a couple of legitimate points. The iPhone has the advantage of international world roaming and comes in a 16GB capacity, whereas the Pre isn't a world phone and only comes in an 8GB model. Fair enough. However, the carrier then criticizes the Pre for only coming in black and being thicker and heavier than the iPhone. Well, if you want to nitpick, AT&T, the Pre is shorter and smaller in width, and I'm sure the whole 0.07 ounce of extra weight will slow all Pre owners down.
Next, AT&T makes several baseless statements, saying that the Pre's touch-screen gesture controls are "not intuitive" and that it has an "unproven App catalog." Unless AT&T has some moles embedded in Sprint's and Palm's labs, how do we know this is the case? Hey, I'll be the first to give Apple credit for the iPhone's ease of use, multitouch screen, and iTunes App Store, but does that mean the Pre will be unintuitive and have a crappy app store? No. The fact is, we won't know for sure until it's out, and to make this argument on pure conjecture is weak.
What else? Oh, right. The Pre's limited, free Wi-Fi access. While Sprint's customers might not have free access to 17,000 AT&T and Starbucks hot spots, AT&T, can we talk about your wonky 3G coverage? Also, the poor Pre "can't receive map updates or location assist in most of the world due to the lack of GSM capability." True, that's unfortunate for the around-the-clock globetrotter, but I'm guessing a majority of the time these smartphones will be used domestically, and, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the Pre that will have turn-by-turn navigation at launch while the iPhone will be dependent on third-party apps? It's also funny how AT&T left out the parts about the Pre having a removable battery, a better camera, multitasking, and support for Bluetooth tethering.
Listen, this post isn't meant to be an iPhone bashing session/Pre lovefest. It's just about putting things into perspective. Many people are saying that this is a sign that AT&T and Apple feel threatened by the Pre and felt they needed to go on the offensive--could be. I'd agree that the Pre is a formidable competitor to the iPhone, but the fact is, until the Pre actually launches and we see how it performs in real life, we simply don't know. Trust me: whenever we get the Pre, we'll put it through the wringer and see how it stacks up against the competition. But, until then, it's unfair to pick one as the "winner." I won't do it.
Also, here's a thought: Does the Palm Pre really have to beat out the iPhone? Can't it just be about giving customers a choice? Discuss.
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie. 
although I prefer the iPhone any day
I admit that the Pre's multitasking cards interface is a very impressive feature !
but till the pre launches any Comparison is FUD I'm afraid
Also, the "memo" of sort, does show that, at least, some AT&T staff is a bit worried that Palm's newest phone will take back some lost market share that the iPhone had when it was introduced. Do we remember when the iPhone first became available? There was quite a bit of chatter about its touchscreen keyboard, menus, inability to swap the battery, external memory reader (big thing with me), etc.
There is a lot you can do with the iPhone, but there's also a lot you CAN'T do with it that doesn't necessarily make it the best choice for a business phone. For example, that drag-and-drop for music also includes all other types of files too. Some people don't appreciate being tethered to iTunes and having to convert back-and-forth between formats just to transfer music. Today's Palm Treo 700w acts almost like a handheld PC that can also make phone calls & send text messages. There is some rhyme and reason to Palm's simplicity.
I'll admit that I do like the iPhone for the new tech that it has helped usher in to the mainstream for cell phones. But I won't call it perfect....at least for me.
Absolutely a true story. Sprint has the very worst customer service. All four major mobile providers have terrible service but Sprint wins hands down.
Your need to turn it into a spectacle speaks more volumes about you rather than Sprint.
I can't wait for the Pre. I've had two palm-based phones in the past, and I loved them both. The first was a Samsung i500 palm flip-phone, and the other was a Treo 650. I really miss all the things they could do that the phones I've had since couldn't. My current phone, an Instinct, is great, but it's just a phone. When it was hyped as an "iPhone killer," that was nothing but hype, but the pre really does look like it could be. The only thing the iPhone will keep as an advantage is the yuppie-cool factor that Apple products all carry.
The answer to all of those questions would be no.
Of course, you're not an insider. If you were, no doubt you'd recall that Palm was started by former Apple employees who had worked on the Newton.
I must blushingly admit I giggled like a schoolgirl to see you combat the charge of "limited free wi-fi access" by pointing to AT&T's "wonky 3G coverage." Yep, there's a relevant argument. Shot down in flames, AT&T was.
And your second-to-last paragraph is a big ol' mess. You mention that "I'd agree that the Pre is a formidable competitor to the iPhone", then, in the very next clause, you add, "but the fact is, until the Pre actually launches and we see how it performs in real life, we simply don't know." You know, *and* you don't know? How delightfully nonsensical! Then you say "it's unfair to pick one as the 'winner.' I won't do it." Goodness, you're so brave! Just curious -- who sold you the strawman, and for how much?
Your last paragraph is the only one that contains anything worth a positive response. There's obviously room in the segment for another good smartphone, especially since the Pre is CDMA. I'm looking forward to the Pre, and I'll definitely be checking it out when it arrives. Too bad it's not on Verizon; maybe soon?
"Senior Editor", huh?
Sigh.
The big thing about this article, is to point out how ridiculously biased and spun the AT&T comparison paper is. They left out the multi-touch screen of the Pre. They left out the fact that the Pre multi-tasks -- something the iPhone can't. They left out the better camera, etc. They left out the internal accelerometer (like the iPhone has), which automatically rotates the display 360 degrees (something the iPhone's doesn't do). They left out the Pre's removable battery. I mean, really.
As to how ridiculous the AT&T doc is, tell me: If you were the head of sales at AT&T, and you -- haha, can't finish that hypothetical with a straight face. Instead, I'll just point out that AT&T is trying to sell iPhones, not Pres.
I'm pretty sure when apple's apps store first came out it was "unproven" also... and I agree with tweet about apple/at&t trying to monopolize the sector....
and how is it limited wifi? because they can't use the "at&t hotspots?" Please.
stop being so obnoxious.
I mean, if you're going to parse intent this much, why not attack her for implying that the weight difference with the Pre is negligible?
Finally, as a longtime Verizon person, I'm jumping ship for this phone (likely - we'll have to see how it actually turns out). For a while I thought I'd just hold out and wait for it to come to Verizon, as Sprint's exclusivity agreement is only to the end of the year, I believe. But then I decided that I could go to Sprint and get unlimited data and messaging for roughly the same price I'm paying right now for no data plan whatsoever. I also don't trust Verizon to actually open the phone up and let people really use its features. Verizon loves the whole 'walled garden' approach, which is something I'm begrudgingly accepted for years.
So you're defending at&t's right to put out ridiculously biased information by attacking some counter-arguments that are a little biased about said information's rediculousness? I'm confused
Btw, yes I know it's at&t marketing's job to convince people to buy iphones but it's also Bonnie Cha's job to educate consumers so they don't make decisions based on biased info, so to put it simply, at&t apparently needs to lie to get people to buy the iPhone and Bonnie Cha needs to call them out on it, there isn't meant to be peace in this system so don't get so worked up about it
But what am I saying, I should also include the third part of the system: People that don't have much respect for themselves need to troll and try to tear apart everyone else's arguments and insult them so that they can feel good. So yeah I guess I shouldn't lecture you for playing your part
Repeat after me: It's an internal memo.
There's nothing being "put out."
yes it's being "put out"
"Splashes", huh? "Blushingly admit I giggled like schoolgirl"? You're a poet.
Strategic shortcomings of Pre in the post-iPhone era
http://counternotions.com/2009/01/12/pre/
I used to have a palm way back when and would have a phone that uses those apps i loved, many freeware or shareware, if tmobile offered any that looked cute and had a good camera.
I now have an itouch, which i got because of the app store. My phone has been different sidekicks, a useful and fun little device many overlook thinking they are for little kids. But will give both those up for the G2 when it comes out. Android os just kicks ass, plain and simple
Although the phone selection is not great, i'm NOT EVER GIVING UP TMOBILE SERVICE both connection wise and most fantastic customer service EVER
Or maybe they'll both be good products? Nah, can't be. We must have winners and losers!!
At&T is in deep trouble.
- by lgmack April 22, 2009 8:51 PM PDT
- Im leaving at&t for sprint and picking up a Pre.... in my area.. lack of 3g and dropped calls finally drove me to do it...yay!
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