Dave's Download

Hopes Rise that Palm Pre Won't be Hogtied Like Apple iPhone

By David LaGesse

Posted: February 20, 2009

The Pre yearns to be free

The Pre yearns to be free

Hopes are rising that Sprint won't have a stranglehold over the Palm Pre -- at least not as long as AT&T has hogtied the iPhone.

Palm this week quietly demoed a version of the upcoming smartphone that would run on GSM networks. Sprint runs on different technology, indicating Palm is readying the Pre for other carriers.

Now, Palm may only be preparing for a launch in European countries that use GSM tech. But a Reuters report says Sprint's exclusive agreement is at least through the end of 2009. Reuters' source wouldn't comment on next year, but bloggers are widely reading the story as suggesting the Pre would appear on other carriers next year.

Or it's all hopeful thinking. The Pre would benefit from wide distribution as it battles the iPhone. As much as the iPhone has been a success in the U.S. market, it's been hampered by its exclusive deal with AT&T.

palm interfacing

I have been a long-time Palm user. However their being with Sprint hampers my use of the Pre since I don't have that service currently and I'm not about to change just for a phone. Additionally, when I upgraded from a Palm Pilot to a Palm Treo I was very disappointed that the data didn't synch over from one platform to the other. Now I see that would be the case again with the Pre. Why be a loyal Palm customer if upgrading to a newer/better model of their phones/PDA's doesn't do anything for you? You are in the same situation regardless of which brand you upgrade to - you have to enter your entire calender by hand again. That is not very customer friendly or encouraging to long-time Palm customers. Why not switch brands & try something new if you have to change all the data anyway? Very disappointed.

Pat Wilson-Perkins of CT @ May 05, 2009 10:32:41 AM

go palm pre

i can't wait til it comes out. i'll be waiting in line for one.

sprint fan of AK @ Feb 23, 2009 14:29:13 PM

Palm Pre on Sprint will be great...

The Pre coming to Sprint will be great. Over the last year Sprint has greatly improved customer service by implementing several programs such as the Sprint Premier rewards (http://www.sprintenterprise.com/premier), Ready Now program (http://www.sprint.com/readynow), Simply Everything plan saves you $480 per year vs. comparable plans from AT&T & Verizon (http://www.sprint.com/everything). I have friends and family with other carriers and Sprint is now as good or better in their customer service. Sprint’s customer care response times went from "worst to first" in 3Q08 and 4Q08 in a study done by Pali Research. Sprint answered 90% of calls in 30 seconds or less, AT&T 33%, T-Mobile 43% and Verizon 85%, Service and repair satisfaction passed T-Mobile and AT&T. Also, Sprint's network is performing great relative to the competition as seen in the Gizmodo eight-city coast-to-coast test of the 3G networks, guess who wins? Sprint (http://gizmodo.com/5111989/the-definitive-coast+to+coast-3g-data-test). So since Sprints customer service is now on par with the other carriers, their plans are cheaper and they have a 3G network over 3 times bigger than AT&T's, it is a no brainer to go with Sprint once the Pre comes out.

J Scott of MO @ Feb 23, 2009 11:10:46 AM

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Our in-house gadget guru, Senior Writer David LaGesse, checks out the latest technologies and gizmos, from computer software to GPS systems -- and reports back to you in plain English.


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