Palm Pre Review

Posted by Ronan on Feb 28, 2010 in comment, phone, technology | 1 comment

So when I first got the Palm Pre I thought it was the worst phone I ever owned.. it’s now 5 weeks – has my opinion changed?

Hell yah!

My biggest two problems with the phone were battery related. The batter problem blinded me from the greatness of this phone. I got so frustrated with the phone because of :

1/ Opening/closing the phone or throwing it on bed would cause the phone to go dead

2/ Using the phone to get auto-retrieve email/tweets etc would drain the battery in less than 16 hours

So, to fix number 1/ slide a piece of plastic between the battery and the case. This will prevent it from moving around and stop the phone from going dead!

To fix number 2/ Set the email retrieval to  auto, likewise with Tweed. In ‘Location Services’ set the Auto Locate to OFF and Background Collect to OFF also.

These two simple changes (ok DIY fix)  make the phone very usable! I now get (sometimes over) 2 days out of the phone.

The phone is pretty nice. The User Interface is fast and clean. The touch screen is really responsive (and yes I have used a iPhone/Touch). The ability to have multiple programs open, as cards,  and easily switch between the cards is very cool. While the phone is in it’s closed position, there is a single button the maximises or minimise applications. When clicked it allows you to swish left or right  between the cards. Flicking an application upwards (out of the screen) closes the application.. I really like this!!

For a full information of all the features.. check out this 10 minute review

Here is some of things that get to me but not a deal breaker.  Comparing it to other phones;

- it’s keyboard (but I love the fact it has a qwerty keyboard) is a bit cramped compared to the 8900 BlackBerry Curve

- the browser isn’t as fast as the iPhone

- the camera isn’t as good as the Nokia N82 one

- It doesn’t have _proper_ navigation software like Nokia Maps on the N82.

The Palm Pre has a nice feel about the it. Very smooth, fits nicely in the hand and doesn’t appear too big while in the pocket.  I’m a tactile kinda of person and I love sliding up the phone to reveal the keyboard and the satisfying clunk noise it makes when you close the phone.

Palm Synergy makes asks you to select and sign into the services you use – like gmail, twitter, facebook and linkedin. Synergy then goes off and links all your contacts (from the various services) and merges then into your contact list. It brings all the emails, phone numbers, picture etc.  This is just fantastic and saves you such much time.. 10/10 for the synergy app alone.

Now that web OS 1.4 is out which promises improved battery life –  I think this could be a winner!!

8/10 for the Palm Pre phone