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Home Palm News and Rumors Webcast summary: Palm and Sprint talk Pre, webOS

Webcast summary: Palm and Sprint talk Pre, webOS

Today, Palm and Sprint held a joint webcast, or "webinar" in which some questions were answered, but many remained a mystery. There was a 20 minute presentation, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. Although much of the presentation was a recap of the CES and subsequent material, we always welcome a good talk on webOS and the Palm Pre.

Below is a summary of what was revealed (if we missed anything, you can comment below):

Hosts: The webcast was hosted by David Owens, Director of Consumer Acquisition for Sprint; and Matt Crowley, Product Line Manager for Palm.

Release Date: No new details; still "the first half of 2009".

Sprint/Pricing Plans: Device price is still undisclosed, but several service plans on Sprint were discussed, as well as other Sprint-specific elements:

  • Individuals: Choice of 450 minutes ($69.99), 900 minutes ($89.99) or unlimited plans ($99.99).
  • Families: Choice of 1500 minutes ($129.99), 3000 minutes ($169.99) or unlimited plans ($189.99).
  • Business customers: Ability to pool minutes together using an unlimited plan.
  • For Sprint applications, most exisiting software would be available, including exclusive NFL and NASCAR apps, navigation, and music software would be generally the same but "done differently on the Pre".
  • Sprint's "ReadyNow" is available at launch, offering personal training for new Pre owners, reducing return rate, allowing the consumer to get the most from their new smartphone, and promoting word-of-mouth about the network.

webOS Applications / App Store:

  • In regards to the App Store, Matt Crowley didn't reveal many details, but confirmed that over-the-air installs would be supported at launch.
  • Flash will be supported by the end of the year, reiterating the confirmation at MWC09.
  • The Pre will support "casual gaming" like Sudoku and web-centric, but 3D gaming will not be featured in "webOS 1.0"

User Interface:

  • The number of cards open would depend on memory, and how much memory each app is using. For example, large webpages would take up more than a contacts page.
  • The status lights in the lower gesture area light up depending on touch; one on each side, and the button illuminates when pressed. It doesn't seem that they double as status indicators (i.e. new messages)

Hardware:

  • As for 8GB integrated storage being the only option, Crowley mentioned it was a design decision, and a memory card would compromise the size of the unit.
  • The Touchstone inductive charger would be available from Sprint at launch, although no prices were given.
  • The standard charger will be supplied, and plugs directly into the microUSB port of the Pre

Other:

  • Sprint will continue development for Windows Mobile, and there is space for both WM and webOS smartphones in their lineup.
  • There are no plans to license webOS to third parties as yet.
  • The name "Pre" is anticipatory, indicating looking ahead to the future. "It's a smart name because it's a smart device. It's thinking ahead of what you want it to do", stated Owens.

Source

Precentral has posted a transcript and slides from the webcast.

Mypre has posted a 10 minute video of the webcast with a demo of the Pre

 

2 Comments

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  1. Why no release date yet?? It's pretty much just a review of what we already know.
  2. its good that it'll at least support casual and web games, not all games need to have fancy 3d graphics to be good. also i wonder what the price of the touchstone will be? Because thats something i'll get for sure

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