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Palm Announces Two New Handhelds And More [UPDATED]

Posted in Commentary with tags , , on January 7, 2010 by itnerd

Since the WebOS revolution began over at Palm, they’ve release two devices. The Palm Pre and the Palm Pixi. You can add two new devices to that list. Palm announced the Palm Pre Plus and the Pixi Plus today at CES. I’ll start with the Pixi Plus. It’s basically the Pixi with WiFi from what I can tell. Yawn. However the Pre Plus is far more interesting. It has 16GB of RAM (the original had 8GB), a standard induction cover for Touchstone charging (it was an option before), and no navigation button on the front panel. A new feature that both smart phones have is the ability to be used as a mobile hotspot for up to five devices that want to surf the Internet. If you use that feature, make sure you have a great data plan or it will get expensive in a hurry. In any case, both phones are coming exclusively to Verizon at the end of the month, no word on international carriers for these phones.

Palm also announced WebOS 1.4 which will have video capture, edit and sharing capabilities. Good, but this news is better. Flash 10 support is coming to WebOS (iPhone users take note). Expect WebOS 1.4 to hit the streets in February.

There’s also going to be 3D games available for the Pre (sorry Pixi users, you’re out of luck) from companies such as EA available soon. From the brief shots that I saw on the web feed I was watching, they look very iPhone like.

Finally, developers who want to make WebOS apps can get to work right away according to Palm:

The Palm developer program is designed to promote a thriving environment for all developers to create, distribute, promote and monetize the delivery of valuable applications to Palm customers. It extends the unique web orientation of Palm webOS, providing innovative opportunities for developers to grow their businesses by leveraging the web as a promotional channel for applications.

Each element of the Palm developer program is designed to help developers promote their work and ultimately drive application sales and downloads. Developers receive a 70/30 split (developer/Palm) of gross revenues generated through sales (after applicable taxes).

Sounds interesting. We’ll see how many people take them up on that offer.

IMHO, the biggest news here is impending Flash 10 support. Seeing as the iPhone and the iPod Touch don’t have Flash 10 support, that’s sure to get the attention of somebody in Cupertino CA.

UPDATE: A press release about Verizon getting Palm smart phones has just appeared.

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iTunes Update Stops Palm Pre From Syncing….. Yet Again

Posted in Commentary with tags , , , on October 30, 2009 by itnerd

To paraphrase the Cylons, it’s happened before and it just happened again. The latest version of iTunes which was punted out to the planet yesterday by Apple has once again stopped the Palm Pre from syncing with it. So, the only question that really matters is this: Will Palm finally do the right thing and do what RIM has done which is to write software that can access an iTunes library without having to pretend to be an iPod, or will Palm just continue with the same craptastic nonsense of pretending to be an iPod. This cat and mouse game that they’re playing doesn’t help their users who are likely sick of this circus by now.

So Palm, will you finally do the right thing? Will you?

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Palm Kicks Out WebOS 1.2.1…. iTunes Syncing Is Back

Posted in Commentary with tags , , on October 3, 2009 by itnerd

I guess that Palm really wants to tick off Apple and the USB Implementers Forum as the just released WebOS 1.2.1 has re-enabled the iTunes sync ability of the Palm Pre. But this update isn’t all about stirring up a hornet’s nest of trouble. This update also fixes a bug that stopped Exchange 2007 from working with the Palm Pre. That’s kind of important if you want to sell these to corporate types who don’t want a Blackberry. But of course, that won’t be what people talk about, now will it.

One wonders how long before iTunes syncing is broken again. Or worse for Palm, how long will it be before Apple sends in the iLawyers or the USB-IF brings the smack down on them.

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Latest Palm WebOS Update Doesn’t Sync Apple’s iTunes…. Hmmm

Posted in Commentary with tags , on September 28, 2009 by itnerd

Just when you thought this circus with the Palm Pre was over and done with, comes the news that the latest version of Palm’s WebOS has hit the streets. Of interest, this is the first WebOS update that does not restore the ability for the Palm Pre to sync to Apple iTunes. But it does lots of other things that might be of interest Palm Pre owners.

Perhaps Palm has learned it’s lesson and plans not to try the iTunes syncing stunt again? Nah, I figure we’ll see it shortly.

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Verizon Says No To The Palm Pre? [UPDATED]

Posted in Commentary with tags , on September 25, 2009 by itnerd

According to The Street, Verizon has decided to pass on the Palm Pre after saying that it would be on their network early next year:

The reason for Verizon’s change of heart on Palm has to do with several factors, say these sources. The fact that the Palm Pre has not been the blockbuster in sales that it was expected to be is one problem. To date, Sprint’s fading No.3 status has not been compelling enough to get the Pre phone sales over the crucial 1 million-sold mark.

Another snag is that Verizon wants VCast, its applications and mobile media download service, to be featured heavily on its phones. This is in direct conflict with Palm’s app store, according to these sources.

If this is true, that is a major kick in the testicles for Palm who need all the friends they can get at the moment. Why? Verizon has a massive subscriber base which I think would really help this phone to gain some market penetration. Sprint on the other hand is bleeding customers. Not good if you are trying to sell a smart phone that was intended to save your company. Perhaps they should have went GSM as I’ve been saying for a while? That might have given them a few more “friends” to work with.

Oh well, I guess it might be time to start planning the funeral for Palm.

UPDATE: The Boy Genius Claims that Verizon will get the Palm Pre. Others seem to agree. Perhaps Verizon and Palm would be nice enough to put this to rest and say that it’s going to be available (or not).

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Palm Gets Slapped For Trying To Sync With iTunes

Posted in Commentary with tags , , , on September 22, 2009 by itnerd

Frequent readers of my blog will recall that Palm has been playing a cat and mouse game with Apple by trying to get the Palm Pre to sync with iTunes. Palm tried to up the stakes by reporting Apple to the USB Implementers Forum for trying to shut out competition. Today, they got their answer back and I don’t think that anybody at Palm is going to be happy:

In a letter submitted to Apple and Palm today, the group dismissed Palm’s claim that Apple has violated its USB-IF Membership Agreement. Worse, it took issue with Palm’s alleged use of Apple’s Vendor Identification Number (VID), which it says violates USB-IF policy.

Oh, it actually gets worse than that. Palm was sent a letter that includes the following:

I attach for your information the USB-IF’s adopted and published policy regarding Vendor Identification Numbers (VIDs). Under the Policy, Palm may only use the single Vendor ID issued to Palm for Palm’s usage. Usage of any other company’s Vendor ID is specifically precluded. Palm’s expressed intent to use Apple’s VID appears to violate the attached policy.

Please clarify Palm’s intent and respond to this potential violation within seven days.

That’s craptastic if you’re Palm. Clearly Apple now has the upper hand in this war. The question is, will Palm now play nice or will they once again raise the stakes?

Speaking of iTunes, the latest version of iTunes has hit the streets tonight. Get your copy here. Here’s what this version fixes:

  • Resolves issues browsing the iTunes Store.
  • Addresses a performance issue where iTunes may become unresponsive.
  • Fixes a problem where iTunes may unexpectedly quit.
  • Fixes a problem syncing Podcasts in playlists to iPod or iPhone.
  • Fixes a problem sorting albums with multiple discs.
  • Addresses an issue with the Zoom button not switching to Mini Player.
  • Improves application syncing for iPod touch and iPhone.
  • Genius is now automatically updated to show Genius Mixes.

    • Download away! Unless of course you have a Palm Pre which likely won’t work with iTunes.

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    Palm Pre “Phone Home” Feature May Be Worse Than Thought

    Posted in Commentary with tags , , on September 1, 2009 by itnerd

    You might recall that the Palm Pre phones home to report a users location. We may now have a reason as to why it does it. Location based adverts.

    All together now. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot?

    The Boy Genius has gotten a tip to this effect via a US Patent that Palm has filed:

    Based upon the location data from the appointment and the location of device 310 (or other alternative location provided by the user), processor 340 may then provide advertisement data (step 386), for example, along the driving route between the location of the appointment and the current location of device 310 within a predetermined distance of the location of the appointment and/or the current location of device 310, and so on.

    Well that’s craptastic. It’s actually worse than that according to The Boy Genius:

    Palm’s concept goes even further to pull appointment information out of your calendar in order to serve contextual ads based on your destination location in addition to your current location. While this concept is pretty brilliant, it’s also remarkably invasive and just a teeny tiny bit frightening.

    No kidding! Palm really needs to come out and deal with this, and they need to do this without marketing spin. Otherwise, the backlash against them might just do more than hurt their public image.

    It may spell their doom.

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    Two New Palm Pre Ads From Bell… One Disses Yanks… Why Bell, Why?

    Posted in Commentary with tags , , on August 31, 2009 by itnerd

    You know, Bell was doing so well with their new Palm Pre ads. Until I saw these two new ads this weekend. Episode three is cute, but I have a problem with Episode four. It takes a few pot shots at our neighbors to the south. Something that may play well to some Canadians, but I think might be a bit over the top. After all, not all Americans are obese people who drive pickup trucks, who are missing teeth and who have been inbred for generations.

    In any case, how about you take a look and judge for yourself.

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    Bell Posts Palm Pre Ads On YouTube… Shows That They May Actually Be Creative After All

    Posted in Commentary with tags , , on August 27, 2009 by itnerd

    On the day that the Palm Pre ships in Canada, Bell has posted two videos on YouTube called “Meet My Palm Pre.” Now unlike the not exactly original commercial that they released last week, these ones are not bad. The two videos below have a guy showing off the Palm Pre on the streets of Toronto, specifically in Kensington Market and in a nail salon called The Ten Spot. The guy in these videos shows off the features of the phone and that comes across well to the viewer and at the same time he increases his chances of getting some action later with the ladies. There’s also a Facebook page supporting this as well. Clearly Bell is trying to be aggressive in the way this phone is marketed so that they have something to fight Rogers and the iPhone juggernaut.

    Perhaps Bell’s creative department does have some creativity left. The only way that will be proven is if this phone sells well. In the meantime, have a look at the videos and let me know what you think of them.

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    Bell Launches Palm Pre Ad…. Looks Like An iPhone Ad…

    Posted in Commentary with tags , , on August 21, 2009 by itnerd

    You have to wonder exactly who works in Bell’s creative department. Following on the heels of some rather “interesting” advertising for their Internet service, comes the following advertisement for the Palm Pre which is due to launch later this month. It seems like a rather blatant ripoff of an Apple iPhone ad to me. But you can judge for yourself if Bell needs to find staff for their creative department who are actually creative.

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