The Palm Pre is a last effort from the former giant in handheld smart devices. It is a smartphone that hopes to save a now whimpering brand, desperate to stay relevant in this more dynamic and challenging environment. And this last effort, this last stand, proves to be a rather good one. Granted, it may not be the best product out there but it is certainly a respectable effort from a company most people have already written out.
The Good Parts
First, one has to look at the software behind the Palm Pre. It has a fairly simple interface, with rather slick icons, a three screen menu system (which houses all the applications), as well as a 5-application launch bar. Although there are some problems with the interface (some might say that the screen is a little too free and spacey, or that it limits you to opening only 5 applications at a time, etc.), it is still a respectable operating system and can hardly be considered a weakness.
Yes, the operating system is at par with the current smart phones in the market but it is in their Web Operating System and the touchscreen that Palm has really differentiated itself. The Web OS allows for the Palm Pre to really outshine all the other shiny gadgets out there. It is an internet-based platform that is very coherent and quite possibly, out performs even the Google Android in connectivity. This Web OS is truly a revelation in the mobile market.
The touchscreen is also a huge selling point for this mobile phone. The multitouch is more responsive, more accurate and basically better than the Iphone’s or other mobile phones out there. The addition of the “ripple effect” also partly solves some of the chronic problems regarding the passive feedback.
The Bad Part
The main problem is the hardware. Yes, the Palm Pre looks good, has a nice screen (actually with crisper clarity than the Iphone’s) but once you slide it up to reveal the keyboard, you also reveal its flaws.
For one thing, the keys of the keyboard are far to close together often making you hit more keys than you would want to. The keys also feel a bit sticky and even rubbery to be considered pleasant. The keyboard is, at best, a minor nuisance.
Upon sliding up, you also reveal an oddly sharp ridge that threatens to pierce and cut the skin if you’re not careful. This is odd since the outer shell is so smooth. It’s odd to see something with an outer casing that smooth (almost like a finely polished stone) to have absurdly sharp sides.
The casing also is a bit flimsy, especially when the two parts are apart. You can feel the two sides twisting, almost like an Oreo cookie. This may not be a deal-breaker but it is definitely very annoying.
Is It Worth It?
In the end, the Palm Pre has two polar parts; its software and its hardware. It software is beautifully designed, capable, smart and agile. It hardware, put it simply, is definitely a liability. Together though, it isn’t at all bad. It is respectable, it is different and it is something worth looking into. As a last stand, it is a good one.
Originally posted 2009-11-16 23:06:08. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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