I'm wary of saying "yes" or "no" the very day the device was launched, since I'm not really a gamblin' man, but I will say that I very much hope the platform and the device is successful.
I am a loyal iPhone user and have been since day one, but I by no means consider it the end-all-be-all mobile device platforms.
From what I've seen, the Pre has already tackled 2 things I very much find troubling about the iPhone (I'll ignore other touchscreen devices for the time being as I feel they are all still trying to catch up to the iPhone whereas the Pre appears to have surpassed it in certain areas).
First off, a huge complaint I have about the iPhone is that background processes are not allowed to run. Multi-tasking is not its strong suit. You're either doing one thing or nothing on the iPhone, and that's a pain. A self-imposed limitation. The Pre's multi-tasking abilities when it comes to background processes and multiple applications being juggled at once already puts the iPhone to shame, even in the beta stages we observed today.
Secondly, the Pre has something I've been wanting since day 1 on the iPhone: a cleverly disguised (until you need it) physical keyboard. Apple will likely never add one to the iPhone, it would add bulk (which they are all about lessening) and not to mention, they're stubborn. They've put all their eggs in one touchscreen basket.
But there's more to the iPhone's success than mere hardware and software. Millions of people around the globe are now thoroughly invested in the iPhone OS both emotionally and financially. Either they've purchased a bunch of Apps on the iTunes store or use their iPhone as their iPod. The list goes on.
The biggest question is whether this just came too late. Whether people are still willing to listen and be open to a new mobile experience. Apple, Google, Microsoft, RIM, and Nokia won't just be sitting idly by. All five have some breathing room to now sit back, take a good look at what competition is coming down the pipeline in 2009 and hopefully try and make something better.
And in regards to Sprint, well, they needed something. They were the original launch partner for the Treo back in the day, so it's little surprise they will be again for the Pre. That being said, it will be to Palm's advantage to get GSM and a Verizon version of the Pre out the door as quickly as possible. People don't like switching carriers. And I doubt the Pre will have the pull to tear people away like the iPhone did.
There's also concern about pricing and timing. If the Pre is priced above $199 for the 8GB version I don't know how well that will look. Especially since Apple will no doubt be releasing an updated iPhone in the summer which will garner tons of media spotlight soon after the Pre filters into stores.
Lots of questions remain unanswered. But I hope the Pre succeeds. No mobile OS is so great that there isn't room for improvement.
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I hope so.
I'm wary of saying "yes" or "no" the very day the device was launched, since I'm not really a gamblin' man, but I will say that I very much hope the platform and the device is successful.
I am a loyal iPhone user and have been since day one, but I by no means consider it the end-all-be-all mobile device platforms.
From what I've seen, the Pre has already tackled 2 things I very much find troubling about the iPhone (I'll ignore other touchscreen devices for the time being as I feel they are all still trying to catch up to the iPhone whereas the Pre appears to have surpassed it in certain areas).
First off, a huge complaint I have about the iPhone is that background processes are not allowed to run. Multi-tasking is not its strong suit. You're either doing one thing or nothing on the iPhone, and that's a pain. A self-imposed limitation. The Pre's multi-tasking abilities when it comes to background processes and multiple applications being juggled at once already puts the iPhone to shame, even in the beta stages we observed today.
Secondly, the Pre has something I've been wanting since day 1 on the iPhone: a cleverly disguised (until you need it) physical keyboard. Apple will likely never add one to the iPhone, it would add bulk (which they are all about lessening) and not to mention, they're stubborn. They've put all their eggs in one touchscreen basket.
But there's more to the iPhone's success than mere hardware and software. Millions of people around the globe are now thoroughly invested in the iPhone OS both emotionally and financially. Either they've purchased a bunch of Apps on the iTunes store or use their iPhone as their iPod. The list goes on.
The biggest question is whether this just came too late. Whether people are still willing to listen and be open to a new mobile experience. Apple, Google, Microsoft, RIM, and Nokia won't just be sitting idly by. All five have some breathing room to now sit back, take a good look at what competition is coming down the pipeline in 2009 and hopefully try and make something better.
And in regards to Sprint, well, they needed something. They were the original launch partner for the Treo back in the day, so it's little surprise they will be again for the Pre. That being said, it will be to Palm's advantage to get GSM and a Verizon version of the Pre out the door as quickly as possible. People don't like switching carriers. And I doubt the Pre will have the pull to tear people away like the iPhone did.
There's also concern about pricing and timing. If the Pre is priced above $199 for the 8GB version I don't know how well that will look. Especially since Apple will no doubt be releasing an updated iPhone in the summer which will garner tons of media spotlight soon after the Pre filters into stores.
Lots of questions remain unanswered. But I hope the Pre succeeds. No mobile OS is so great that there isn't room for improvement.