Sprint [S] has finally released a press announcement concerning the Palm [PALM] Pre launch: June 6, 2009 is the official release date. The earlier speculation about the launch date appears within the range, and it sounds like the pricing is in line with other current smartphones offered by other carriers.
A lot of people, myself included, are a bit torn about the Palm Pre. It lacks the venerable yet reliable Palm OS (Garnet), instead running on its new webOS platform. It also is not available to a lot of long-time Sprint contract holders as an add-on, instead requiring a new two-year contract (obviously with a new TOS).
Developer Perspective
To developers, webOS presents a thorny problem.
Previously, the discussion about mobile software development was focused on the existing players, and that includes Palm OS. Of course, in addition to merely developing the applications, finding the appropriate marketplace for sales and marketing is key to success. When we last visited this subject, it was noted that there was no official centralized marketplace for Palm devices.
Now that webOS enters the arena, there is further fragmentation of the developer support for Palm devices: first, it began with PalmOS (Garnet), then Windows Mobile, and now webOS. While Palm claims that using JavaScript with their proprietary Mojo framework will ease development, the fact that it signifies a considerable amount of retooling for dev shops and studios (already driving their projects with Java, Objective-C, NS Basic, and various C++ flavors, just to name a few) is problematic at best. Some smaller shops may have already ruled out webOS and the Pre as a result, waiting to see the larger developers’ experiences with webOS. Unfortunately, this means that the explosive innovation that has highlighted the dramatic success of Apple’s [AAPL] App Store may not occur for Palm and the Pre.
In the meantime, both Apple and RIM [RIMM] have already made further inroads in expanding their user bases through greater distribution channels and product repricing. Other vendors have already begun constructing their own mobile app stores, so Palm would have to provide work overtime to appear developer-friendly and provide open access to the developer SDK.
Business Perspective
To many consumers and businesses, Palm has taken a backseat to strong contenders in the smartphone market. For a few years, it has been RIM, followed by Apple, and now HTC/Google [GOOG]. For many people, however, the Centro has been quite an interesting slim form factor, and with its attractive low price point and availability across multiple carriers, it has been quite a success for Palm. The question becomes whether the Pre should really be positioned as a premier product in the same category as the iPhone, T1, Bold, and Storm.
As a business, features that appeal to you tends to revolve around the communications features and app-specific capabilities for work activities. But since those features already exist in current smartphones, there is little incentive to switch carriers and devices unless there are contract expiration opportunities. Also, there are convergence devices like the iPod touch and netbooks that obviate the need for smartphones under many user scenarios.
As a consumer, if you are willing to be an early adopter, this would definitely be something to try. But if you are already satisfied with your current smartphone and do not require third-party apps, there would not be much need to switch, either, except for curiosity’s sake.
N.B.
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