UPDATE 1
I picked up my phone this morning (June 6). Activation took about 30 minutes at the Sprint Store (Greenbrae, Marin County). 20 were waiting at the door at 8 am. Personnel were exceptionally well organized and trained, much like an Apple Store experience. The store manager, Cam, came out before the doors opened to explain the process. She offered to help those in line if the were eligible for an upgrade so they wouldn't be surprised later. She checked with customers to be sure they were satisfied.
Agents in the store were incredibly knowledgeable about the product and took as much time as needed to explain how it worked. I had them transfer my contacts from my iPhone to the Pre. When I left the store the contacts were not there, but appeared about 30 minutes later like magic. Apparently the work is done over the Web.
What strikes me most is how small the phone is, yet how usable the screen and keyboard are. It makes the iPhone look huge. The Pre comes with a tiny USB charger (cylinder shaped), a USB to micro USB cord, a cloth slip case, and user manual. If you buy the Touchstone charger you get a second back for the phone that's finished in soft touch matte black. It contains the circuit for the Touchstone. An optional leather case is well constructed with a ribbon to quickly pull out the phone.
The Pre is a very special phone that finally gives the iPhone some serious competition. It's the result of out of the box thinking, much in the way the iPhone was. Of course, it emulates many of the iPhone features that makes it less revolutionary. There's no doubt in my mind that the Pre will be a big hit. Ironically, now AT&T and Sprint have significant phones, while Verizon ad T-Mobile have nothing in the same league.
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The new Palm Pre goes on Sale on Saturday at Sprint stores nationwide for $199. There's been great anticipation for a phone that can compete with the iPhone, and the Pre comes the closest to doing that than any phone yet. It's smaller but thicker than the iPhone, and easily fits in the pocket or purse. The slide out keyboard is better than the iPhone's screen keyboard, but not as good as the Blackberry's Bold keyboard.
The WebOS software is snappy and very advanced. Multiple applications can be open at once. The touch screen responds to finger gestures much like an iPhone, but there are more gestures on the Pre.
The biggest weakness is a lack of applications from third parties. That takes time, but given the iPhone's 70,000 head start, Palm will have a challenge to compete in this area. What that means many of the functions easily accessible on the iPhone using apps (such as checking flight times, NY Times and other news, scientific calculators, Facebook, games, etc.) will not be available or will have to be accessed through the browser.
One of the neat features is you can use iTunes with the Pre. The software thinks it's connected to an iPod and will sync non-protected music and Podcasts. The Pre has an attractive shiny black finish in a contoured shape that feels great in the hand.
Note on networks: I love the iPhone, but find AT&T's network, at least with the iPhone, to be very spotty with lots of dropped calls. So I carry a Sprint phone as well and find its network to be much more dependable.
(A full review should be available once I get a production unit. Of all the reviews I've read from those who had phones for an extended time, this one is the best.
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