Need more proof that Apple (and AT&T, by proxy) is taking the
Pre kind of seriously? Enter this internal document from the iPhone carrier exposing the Palm phone for what it really is --
a second-rate claptrap that is doomed to failure because of its inferior and stupid design. Among the highlights in this no-holds-barred slamfest -- similar to
this Verizon / G1 hit piece -- is the comparison between WiFi (somehow the Pre has "limited WiFi access" because it can't connect for free in Starbucks), and the nasty burn which points out that the Pre is available "in black only." Ouch... Palm might want to stock up on aloe vera. In truth, though, the doc does point out some issues with the Pre that are very real, namely its lack of roaming capabilities outside of the US and an SDK which thus far won't allow for CPU-intensive apps like 3D games. It's significant that AT&T has deemed the phone worthy enough to address (internally at least), but it's also significant to see just how far the company seems to be reaching on a handful of these points. Just remember guys -- competition is a good thing.
posted Apr 22nd 2009 12:32PM
AT&T is hating from the sidelines.....
now why oh why would they put out this little memo if the Pre sucks as much as they say?????
They're just looking out for our best interests. If they didn't put out the memo, we might have wasted our money on an inferior POS. And then we would have been sad!
I think your sarcasm detectors are broken.
right, they didnt do this for the G1 nor the Storm. They are really scared this time.
@Emilio
They most definitely did for the Storm: http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=1912
Really?....they forgot to include the ungodly amount of iFart apps the iPhone has. This will really test the iPhone in how its precived. Its easy when the compition releases crap its another when it may(stress this because i dont have one) exceed what you have to offer. Both phones will probly rock. No fanboy here:)
Reaching a little ATT? How about multitasking, removable battery, synergy, PHYSICAL KEYBOARD, EVDO revA (with 20 times the coverage of ATT high speed), emulator to run classic palm aps, and sprint nav, tv, and streaming music?
Doesn't the iPhone have a plastic casing as well? Metal bezel doesn't really count does it?
the iphone does have glass over the screen. it is fairly scratch-resistant too. nothing a decent screen protector can't take care of for the pre though.
iPhone is also plastic - Nice try AT&T
Limited WiFi? - Pre can use ANY WiFi including FREE ones WORLDWIDE, just as an iPhone can.
WorldWide Roaming - Umm, CDMA is in Israel, India, China, New Zealand, Mexico, South America, Australia, Japan, Korea, and Canada. What they meant to say was it wont roam "Europe and Africa"
GPS - GPS will still fetch a location anywhere, even without coverage, however the MAP will not show unless its already installed on the phone and is not network dependent. Who the hell would load data in another country WITHOUT an unlimited plan like Sprint has Data Worldwide Unlimited $40.00 a month.
App Store - Who cares?! Point is, Apple has had a full 2 year start ahead, give it time
Music integration - Personally I like dragging and dropping the music I WANT on my phone, not my entire iTunes Music catalog hogging up all the memory.
THANKS AT&T - there is one more reason I disconnected you and went to Sprint. While I HATE HATE HATE PALM and think the PRE is going to fail, I dont think its an inferior phone to the iPhone at all. I think its the first REAL competitor.
we haven't had that CDMA crap in Australia for a few years now.
I have a CDMA phone in Korea, and I can't roam at all to another country. Most GSM phones have roaming built in, whereas many CDMA phones don't.
Why would they put out this little memo?
Probably because that crazy guy from Palm said the Pre would be the iPhone killer. IMO, I don't think any phone can kill the IPhone.
They could've brought more substance to the argument, can you see a rep trying to sway someone w/that one color argument?
They forgot to mention the best part of the iPhone on ATT!
You have the pleasure of paying $90 a month instead of $30 for your Sprint SERO plan!
2 HUGE differences:
AT&T's HORRIBLE network / Sprints GREAT fully 3G network. AT&T might have the worst network overall.
Sprints pricing plans CRUSH AT&T's...forget to mention that in the memo!
AWWWWW, looks whos getting worry that Sprint's gonna steal back the customers that At&t took from them.. Again, Ill have both and will do the side by side comparison... i just cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Poor AT&T getting worried!!!! Someone is jealous that all the attention is on Palm and not iPhone. A third generation iphone will be coming out and so far no hype. Does anyone really care about the third gen iPhone....hahahahahahaha
Love IT!!!! I know A LOT of iphone users between work, family, friends and acquaintances and all of them complain DAILY about it. 90% keep it because of the app store and don't want to carry a separate MP3 player (exact quote).
The Pre and iPhone are in two different markets.
The Pre is for people who need:
1. multi tasking
2. physical QWERTY
3. not wanting to carry the same phone as the 13yr old kid next door
The iPhone is for people who need::
1. everything else except for the things above
I think iPhone gives first time smartphone users a better comfort level of using the device, mainly because they have heard of the brand Apple.
It doesn't say "limited WiFi access" it says "limited free WiFi access"
All AT&T proves with this little memo is that the Pre has them worried.
As for the IPhone killer comment by Nick B I agree. The IPhone is revolutionary. It shook the entire industry to it's core in a good way. With that said, any phone that falls short of accomplishing what the IPhone did cannot rightfully call itself an IPhone killer.
I'm by no means a fanboy. Hell, I've never owned an Apple product and that's by choice. Besides, the shortcomings of the IPhone have been well documented.
There isn't even 205 countries in the world, i didn't know memory was available in black and white, and i thought the Pre's multi touch gestures were so similar Apple was gonna sue. This document is worthless.
good call about the number of countries
ATT - http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/6567662/2/istockphoto_6567662-biting-fingernails.jpg
ATT better hope their's looks like this - http://blog.syracuse.com/newstracker/2009/02/Long_Nails_Broken.jpg
The iPhones weakness is that it is only available on AT&T. Let apple bring out a CDMA Rev A. version for Sprint or Verizon and then will see how many iPhones AT&T gets to sell vs anyone else. As in the old days, AT&T wins by means of being a monopoly rather than due to being the better competitor.
After 6 months of dealing with unionized, robotic, know-nothing customer service and abysmal 3G service, switched to Verizon. Until apple decides to open their phone to other carriers in the US, thanks but no thanks.
"SDK which thus far won't allow for CPU-intensive apps like 3D games. "
Didn't the iPhone start out this way??? ATT is just a terrible network. It doesn't really compare to Sprint. I have no problem with Sprint (as long as I don't have to talk to a CS rep, which I almost never have to). Their physical service is great (data, phone, etc). 10+yrs with Sprint and even the iPhone has not made me change. I like the iPhone for what it is, but it's not all that. Trendy, absolutely. Real business use, not really. I'd rather have an iPod touch and keep my Sprint service with an affordable plan and be done with it.
It's all good though. I'm not hating on the iPhone. AT&T users, good for you for having a cool phone. I'll try the Pre as I'm already liking the WebOS and it's design. Real multi-tasking and removable battery, YES, I'll take it. No video and only 8GB is a bit disappointing but I'll live.
Ok so lets see Point 1.... thinner, lighter, bigger screen, metal & glass. So yes its thinner, no keyboard, lighter? yes ... again no keyboard. The rest? WHO CARES.
Point 2... the Pre isnt out yet..... WTF??
Point 3... the Pre isnt out yet..... WTF??
Point 4... Are they kidding? Do they mean to say iTunes is better or easier than just drag & drop??? OH I LOVE ITUNES...NOT!
Point 5... They already said it will also be available on GSM shortly after initial release, and pictures were already shown online of a GSM version.
Point 6... see point 5
Point 7....Are you kidding? Fee wifi access at SixBucks Coffee spots makes it better?
Point 8...See points 2,3 and 5.
I hate apple so much its redonculous
Funny how these guys are almost undoubtedly going to be the first american GSM carrier that sells the Pre.
But when?????????? I want a Pre but I need a phone that I can use in Europe for business/travel! We want GSM nao!
hands down the iphone is the greatest phone in years. no one will take that title from them, although my hope is that the pre will be just as grand. only problem is that iphone is on at&t and the pre is on sprint. everone (even at&t reps) know that sprints network AND internet are far better... just ask j.d. power and assoc.
so until the iphone gets on a better network i will remain happy with the palm pre
That's all well and good but it doesn't change the fact the the iPhone is a piece of crap that would even have trouble as a door stop!!!
does anyone know if the palm pre has the touchscreen that you can use a stylist on? i hate the fact that i have to use my finger on the g1 and iphone... i like the freedom of using my finger, or pen, or stylist!
ThinkGeek has some:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/a31f/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/b8dd/
Note they say they're for iphones, but they should work on any capacitive touchscreen.
i think ATT is getting ahead of themselves. I know this is a memo for the non "techy" workers who get asked about the Pre. I do think the Pre will be able to hold its ground with the iPhone. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles the iPhone has but its a linux based OS w/ java. What cant be done with it?!?! I love it. Also the fact that ATT doesn't allow insurance on the iPhone keeps me away from it, seen alot of friend with broken screens and havent seen a cover that protects it fully, that looks decent. So, I can throw my pre into a wall and get a brand new one, which I plan to do when a new Pre model comes out... Hmmmm, I wonder if it will be called the Post.
great- now offer customer service that doesn't take 45 minutes for a 3 minute process.
The Pre on Sprint should do well. Sprint's plans will go great with the Pre.
AT&T and VZW plans are way outdated. Times are changing and all inclusive plans are here and not going anywhere. They better adapt to the changing economy or it will get ugly.
Put the iPhone in a comparison chart with any smartphone made by Nokia, Samsung or Sony Ericsson and you'll see what a complete joke Apple's device is. The Palm Pre seems much more promising from my point of view. The fourteen top reasons why the iPhone is so inferior: http://geekedout.se/iphone.php
Don't forget that the Pre will have 4G. Seriosly though. I think AT&T is scared. Becuase this will be a good competitor to the iPhone. Do we know if it's gonna be an iPhone killer? No, we don't.