The Palm Pre’s official launch date is set to be unveiled tomorrow in the Wall Street Journal. But it looks like the New York Times may have one-upped its rival with a story today giving a launch window for the device. While it doesn’t give an exact date, NYT reports that Sprint will be released in the first week of June, citing people briefed with the company’s plans.
And the story goes on to say that Apple could launch a new iPhone on June 8 (the WWDC keynote), which would be “just a few days” after the Pre’s launch. While earlier rumors had the device launching on June 7, the day before WWDC, newer reports have suggested the date could be June 5 — that seems more in line with the “few days” statement, though it’s possible NYT doesn’t know the exact date.
Either way, the Pre’s launch hype looks likely to run into a shiny buzz saw that is the iPhone. And while a spokesperson for Palm tells the Times that the Pre isn’t a “bet-the-company device,” given the amount of money the company is losing, there’s a wide belief that if the device is not a success, Palm will be in very serious trouble. Palm is also working on a second, smaller device that will run its new webOS, we learned a few weeks ago. But that device is unlikely before the Fall or late 2009.
The other big variable still unknown about the Pre is its pricing. It seems likely that it will be around the $199 that the iPhone is after subsidy, but the details of a recent survey suggest that Palm thinks the Pre is worth $542.01, which is ludicrous.
naanan nana na i have Palm Pre
Packaging fail, Chinese ppl over did it.
http://www.epiclosers.com/load/8-1-0-374
If anything, they should do it a couple of days after the iPhone announcement.
Apple marketing abilities to respond to such a device would be limited then.
Isn’t being smarter worth more that showing off?
The Pre is a”Galactic Fail” in the making.
Why’s anyone excited about a new Palm product? I didn’t know they were even still in business. Who heard of anything from them in the last 5 years.
well then you have a lot of catching up to do
I have yet to see men with big hands typing fast with 2 thumbs on an iPhone, therefore I keep my BB, and look fwd to the Pre.
Well, then, I wish you could see me
Ever heard of landscape mode? Most big handed men use it. Sigh.
LOL, Palm is going to shoot them selves in the foot by doing this! They can’t compete against the iPhone on hype.
I guess the best way to describe this idea … is a Palm pre(fail). Feel free to smack me, I just had to.
What is a prefail? this is the worst pre joke I’ve read (and I read a lot of pre jokes)
IMHO, no new iphone launch or mention at WWDC – as long as Steve Jobs is still in the picture, Apple will time his return and new iPhone announcement at the same time – maximum buzz.
As far as Palm’s decision to release just before WWDC, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, really stupid move, but on the other any press related to either platform will include the other, so its a strategic move that may take advantage of the iPhones popularity by piggybacking on it that’s likely to be successful.
While Apple could use another event for iPhone announcements a few weeks after WWDC, last year’s was the launch of the iPhone 3G and if the Pre really is out on June 5, what better a time to blunt its buzz?
Yeah if Apple decides to release at WWDC it’s going to be really hard for the pre to keep up with the hype. Even if the tech blogs give the pre respect, the general public is going to be overwhelmed with iPhone news and will likely miss the pre launch entirely.
I also agree that the pre is likely to be a big fail. IDK about you guys, but most of the people I know would never go for Sprint.
Well, they (Sprint/Palm) are supposed to have a big ad in the WSJ tomorrow with release date info. So, while it may actually ship right before WWDC, people should know a lot about it in the next few weeks – so, no big deal, IMO.
And for those who keep saying “fail” – not everyone in the world wants an iPhone. Yes, I know, hard to believe. Some of us actually use a mobile phone to make calls with – something that ATT doesn’t seem to care much about.
It’s true that not everyone wants an iPhone… but I suspect even less people will want a Pre.
I want a Pre. Why? Because the iPhone is only on AT&T. I’ve had Sprint for over 4 years now, and have had no issues. The monthly rate is cheaper and service is good. I pay $75/month for 450 minutes, unlimited web, text, email, navigation, etc. I refuse to pay extra on AT&T just to have an iPhone.
$75/month ? O M G….
I pay $20 every 6 months on pre-paid with my Nokia N95-3.
I wouldn’t trade it for a pre, or a BB or an iPhone. They all suck if you ask me. Stupid unchangeable batteries, crappy touch screens, lame cameras. The N95 beats ‘em all.
DP: I would agree with you except for the fact that I’m on the road a good amount and need something more than pre-paid. Also need web and email access on the fly.
FYI – I want a Pre BECAUSE its Sprint. I’ve had all major carriers going back to the early 90s, and Sprint has been consistently the most reliable (YMMV). Constant problems with AT&T forced me to leave them just before iPhone launched, and I haven’t regretted that decision yet.
The Pre launch will do fine, and the Pre itself will spur more advanced features in the smartphone market (already seen in upcoming iPhone 3.0 and new Android sets). Competition is good.
AT&T suck$ balls with their restriction on the sling mobile player app on the iphone. yes, we all want to use sling only in 3G. Sprint may not be that great, but at least there is no restriction. AT&T’s network is not 3g, it is hardly a 2.5g.
pathetic.
I’m an iFan, but even still I want the Palm Pre to succeed.
Reason? Apple needs some real competition to keep them from getting cocky (and to keep on developing a better phone).
I was hoping Blackberry (via Storm) would do it, but a couple of my friends are not too thrilled with it (one returned it back).
Blackberry Storm is pretty bad. I agree, it would be nice if iPhone wasn’t the only option.
a few days before won’t help. too much energy going into the anticipation of the new iPhone. Like the Oscars/Golden Globes, do it a month before, take all the thunder and/or all the pain and enjoy the spotlight alone.
People seem to be confused – the Pre is due for RELEASE the 1st week of June (not confirmed yet)
Apple has not even announced any new iPhones. Which is what they are planning – the announcement of the iPhone(s).
Don’t expect the launch to be in June more like mid July or August so prepare for Sprint to push Pre aggressively.
Verizon will also be touting the new Blackberry Tour and at&t has the new Blackberry 8900 in June so Apple has some competition.
Trend shows that previous iPhone users are a large % who buy new models (similar to their other products). Reality is their sales have been flat and falling for months so even a new device will not turn that around with mostly older iPhone users upgrading.
The iPhone buzz is pretty much dead – the latest cellphone crowd has moved on to the next best thing and face it iPhone is not so sexy anymore.
Recent travel shows this with the majority of people with Blackberries – I saw at least 9 -2 difference and the biggest thing causing this is Blackberry is cross carrier.
Apple really has no desire to do this as they enjoy the margin and profit they get now. I doubt Verizon will agree to the same terms at&t did.
I agree with Mr Castle, i dont think the other carriers would give up what att has to get the iphone. Apple doesn’t seem interested in pushing the iphone on other carrers either. If the iphone was cross carrer it would be the death of alot of phones. Palm and Blackberry will always be the “working mans” phone and the iphone the “hipster” phone.
When they hit the stores the wife and I will be looking. We have 2+ year old Verizon phones and would live to merge the phone, palm organizer and music/radio player into one device. Add the 3mp w/ flash and gps to it and so far it sounds like a very good smart phone.
IMHO IPhones are overrated and Apple is too restrictive on what dev’s can do. More like M$ every day it seems. They have a bad case of believing their own hype and forget that 90% of the computer/phone buying public does not love everything they pump out.
Competition is good so root for it.