Check out the advert after the cut

Filmed in a remote part of China together with plenty of blue-screen work, the piece is already prompting heated debate.  Some approve of the calming attitude and refusal to blatantly take on rivals on a feature-for-feature basis, while others are more critical, believing the ad doesn’t show off the Pre to its best advantage and is, even worse, unmemorable.

We’re left wondering what has happened to the huge Facebook set that was spotted back in May.  At the time, it was tipped to be part of the Pre’s launch campaign, but unless it’s hiding behind the kung fu experts, just over the mountain, it’s not made an appearance in “Flow”. 

Check out our full review of the Palm Pre here.

[via My Pre]

More Palm Pre news after the cut

Meanwhile, AT&T’s CEO Randall Stephenson has admitted coveting his (cellular) neighbor’s ass – if by “ass” you mean “Pre”.  Talking at the D7 conference that’s running in parallel with Google I/O, Stephenson told reporters that he sees AT&T carrying the Palm Pre – presumably a GSM version, no less – as soon as Sprint’s exclusivity deal expires. 

Back to feature-sets, and a leak from a talkative webOS tester revealed that the Pre will support IMAP IDLE, aka push email from GMail.  In fact he suggests that messages are coming through faster on the Pre than on his BlackBerry.  Finally, the Boy Genius Report are heralding what they say is the first exclusive write-up of the Pre, and it’s a mixed bag of results in their opinion.  Our boy Steven disagrees with some of their points, so make sure to check it out.

Want to know more about the Palm Pre?  Check out MyPre.com

Palm Pre HTML5 demo:

This is great news for Pre users. Currently, the only phone to support GMail push is the G1 (and soon the HTC Magic or any other Android device). Palm’s close relationship with Google and their heavy incorporation of GMail into Synergy and the Pre’s contacts and calendars is proving to be extremely beneficial for soon-to-be Pre users.

There have been some complaints recently over the inability to select which contacts are synced through Synergy on the Pre from sources such as GMail and Facebook. The system is an All-or-Nothing system, and makes it frustrating for users who have hundreds of useless contacts. This news of Push GMail however, makes it worth it to dig through those GMail contacts and clean it up.

[Via My Pre]

After the cut, possible OS incompatibilities?

The documents come courtesy of Coal at the Sprint Gurus forums, and detail everything from the hardware specifications of the Pre, through its Bluetooth profiles, preloaded apps and battery life, to gestures and troubleshooting.  If you’ve been desperate to know ahead of June 6th how to link up contacts in the Pre’s Synergy address book, then these are the leaked documents for you.

Interestingly, the Pre Factsheet flags up what could be a few issues for those wishing to hook their Pre up to a computer.  Under “System Requirements” only Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista 32-bit and Mac OS X are listed; no mention of Windows 7, the beta of which many are trying out at present, nor the 64-bit version of Vista.  Now this could be a sign that the list isn’t complete, or that Sprint/Palm haven’t explicitly tested the Pre out with those other OSes, but it could also present some compatibility problems at launch.

The next bit of information is the entire business sales guide for the Palm Pre. The guide covers everything from an overview of the Pre as it pertains to business customers to the guiding questions the sales staff must ask to determine if the Pre is right for a business user. We also learned that the battery will give the Pre a 5-hour talk time for users. That’s some good information to know.

June 6th can’t come soon enough for at least one of the Staff members here at SlashGear (me). I’ll be camped out for the Pre bringing you exciting play-by-play news of the Pre’s release, knowing full well that the limited supply of Pre phones could result in a frenzied struggle to snag the device. We’ll also be out at the Pre launch party in Hollywood to bring you some great coverage from that event as well, so make sure you check back here on June 3rd and 6th!

Meanwhile, a separate RadioShack tipster has confirmed that 721 of the company’s stores will be selling the Pre on June 6th, “limited to high coastal areas like New York, New Jersey, California, Miami, Texas, etc.”  While specific stock figures are unknown, he estimated just two Pre devices per RadioShack.

After the cut: Best Buy Palm Pre waiting list opening this weekend?

One of the forum members at My Pre, chronofire, was told by an employee at their local Best Buy that the retailer would be starting a waiting list for those interested in buying the smartphone.  That list, which will apparently begin accepting names this weekend, does not guarantee a Pre on June 6th; instead, once the store finds out exactly how many handsets they’ve been allocated, they’ll contact people on the waiting list to arrange reservations.

If these figures pan out, there could be some serious disappointment on June 6th and, as we suggested before, quite a few would-be buyers left holding their money in time for Apple to potentially announce a new iPhone at the WWDC a few days later.

[via My Pre]

Actually, I say “old-fashioned”, but Sprint and Palm have picked a somewhat unusual theme for the event.  The party, which is being held in Hollywood, is at an “interactive California Farmers Market and Cocktail Reception”, attended by Jerry Seinfeld and benefiting Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

We’ll have photos and video from the launch party, to tide would-be Pre buyers over until June 6th and the smartphone’s official release.  Plus, we’ll be taking advantage of hopefully tipsy Palm execs to pester them about the launch of the GSM Pre!

[via My Pre]

“We don’t intend to advertise it heavily early on because we think we are going to have shortages for a while. We won’t be able to keep up with demand for the device in the early period of time.” Dan Hesse, CEO, Sprint

Right now it’s unclear whether that 30,000 figure is specific to one launch partner – the Pre will be available from Sprint stores and web retail, together with Best Buy, Radio Shack and select Wal-mart stores – or refers to the total number of handsets available.  If the latter, it seems almost certain that many would-be buyers will go home disappointed.

It’s not the first time that doom has been forecast for Sprint’s Pre launch; Collins Steward analyst Ashok Kumar prompted controversy at the start of May by suggesting that hardware and software issues had led to reduced Pre production.  The danger now is that, with a new iPhone tipped for announcement at Apple’s WWDC just a few days after the Pre is released, buyers who would have picked up a Pre will instead be tempted to wait for the next-gen iPhone rumored to hit the market on July 17th.

[via My Pre]

That means the same WiFi b/g, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and 3.1-inch capacitive 320 x 480 touchscreen, and Palm’s new webOS platform complete with Synergy wireless synchronization.   Bell Mobility claims to have the largest 3G network in Canada, which is useful considering so much of what the Pre does is underscored by high-speed network connectivity.

Pricing and a specific launch date are, unsurprisingly, still unconfirmed at present.  Those interested in knowing more can sign up for updates at www.palm.com/ca or Bell.ca/pre; meanwhile there’s more Pre news and information over at our sibling site, My Pre.

[via My Pre] 

Press Release:

Palm Pre to Arrive in Canada on Bell Mobility Network

TORONTO, May 06, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ:PALM) today announced that Palm Pre(TM), the first phone based on the new Palm(R) webOS(TM) mobile platform, will debut in Canada exclusively on Bell Mobility’s 3G high-speed mobile network in the second half of 2009.(1)

“We’re excited to bring Pre to Canada with Bell Mobility,” said Brodie Keast, senior vice president of marketing for Palm, Inc. “We’ve seen enormous interest from mobile operators worldwide and fully expect to continue to expand distribution for Pre, putting it within reach of more and more customers.”

Palm webOS is invented exclusively for mobile use. It’s the first mobile platform to automatically bring your information from the many places it resides – on your phone, at work or on the web – into one simple, integrated view.(1) The new Palm Pre and webOS are designed to be so in sync with your needs that it feels like Pre is thinking ahead for you.

Pre has a breakthrough user interface and hardware design that makes it the most integrated and user-friendly mobile phone. Featuring a smooth, rounded ergonomic design and a physical keyboard that slides out only when needed, Pre is engineered to feel natural in your hand and comfortably small in your pocket. When closed, Pre is ideal for phone calls, web browsing, music, photos and videos; when open, Pre is optimized for email and text messaging. It provides an exceptional experience for phone calls, whether held to your ear, over speakerphone or via Bluetooth. With its curved slider and gesture-controlled touch interface, Pre fuses exquisite design with the revolutionary webOS software for fast access to content on the device or web. It’s an instinctive user experience that seems to anticipate your needs.

“Bell is excited to be only the second carrier in the world to announce the 3G Pre,” said Adel Bazerghi, senior vice president of Products for Bell Mobility. “With the unique user experience of the world’s first webOS phone, running on the country’s largest 3G network, we’re confident that Canadians will embrace Pre as the phone for their lives today.”

Your Life, Brought Together

Palm webOS introduces Palm Synergy(TM), a key feature of the new platform that brings your information from all the places it resides into one logical view. You don’t have to worry about tracking multiple calendars, contacts and messaging applications – Synergy seems to think ahead to bring you a more comprehensive and truly representative view of your life.

Linked contacts – With Synergy, you have a single view that links your contacts from a variety of sources, so accessing them is easier than ever. For example, if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook(2), Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they’re the same person and links the information, presenting it to you as one listing.
Layered calendars – Your calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view, combining work, family, friends, sports teams, or other interests. You can toggle to look at one calendar at a time, or see them all at a glance.
Combined messaging – Synergy lets you see all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with text messaging. You can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts or email, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

Your Information, Effortlessly

By smartly integrating your information, webOS is designed to think ahead for you and keep you on top of the things that happen in your life, but that’s just the first step. The platform’s unique interface brings your information to you with the ease that only Palm can offer.

Run multiple applications at the same time – Palm’s revolutionary webOS lets you manage multiple activities more effectively than any other mobile platform today. It lets you keep multiple activities open and move easily between them like flipping through a deck of cards. You can rearrange items simply by dragging them; when you are done with something, just throw it away by flicking it off the top of the screen. (3)
Web-connected applications – Applications are seamlessly connected to the web and always active(3), ensuring you have the most up-to-date information.
Universal search – Finding what you need is easy with universal search – as you type what you’re looking for, webOS narrows your search and offers results from both your device and the web.(4)
Intuitive and unobtrusive notifications – When important things come up or new updates arrive, you’ll receive notifications with a diplomacy that’s a radical departure from other mobile platforms. For example, if you receive a text message or email, a scrolling notifications bar at the bottom of your screen lets you address it right away or leave until later. webOS alerts are one step ahead, ensuring that you never miss a thing, but never lose your place or train of thought.

Palm Pre Features

3G EVDO Rev. A high-speed connectivity
Integrated GPS(5)
Large 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320×480 resolution HVGA display
Gesture area, which enables simple, intuitive gestures for navigation
Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
Email, including Outlook EAS (for access to corporate Microsoft Exchange servers), as well as personal email support (POP3, IMAP)
Robust messaging support (IM, SMS and MMS capabilities) (3)
High-performance, desktop-class web browser
Great multimedia experience and performance (pictures, video playback, music), featuring a 3-megapixel camera with LED flash and extended depth of field, and a standard 3.5mm headset jack
Bluetooth(R) 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
8GB internal memory (~7GB user available)(6)
USB mass storage mode
MicroUSB connector with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Proximity sensor, which automatically disables the touch screen and turns off the display whenever you put the phone up to your ear
Light sensor, which dims the display if the ambient light is dark, such as at night or in a movie theater, to reduce power usage
Accelerometer, which automatically orients web pages and photos to your perspective
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g(7)
Ringer switch, which easily silences the device with one touch
Removable, rechargeable battery
Dimensions: 59.57mm (W) x 100.53mm (L, closed) x 16.95mm (D)
Weight: ~135 grams

An array of compelling accessories also will be available for Pre, including the first inductive charging solution for phones (sold separately). Simply set Pre down on top of the elegantly designed Palm Touchstone(TM) charging dock without worrying about connection, orientation or fit. Pre is active while charging, so you can access the touch screen, watch movies or video, or use the speakerphone.

Availability and Pricing

Palm Pre is scheduled to be available in Canada exclusively from Bell Mobility in the second half of 2009. Bell Mobility’s pricing for the phone has not yet been determined.

Customers who would like to register to receive additional information about Pre and be notified when it’s available can register at www.palm.com/ca or Bell.ca/pre.

About Bell

Bell is Canada’s largest communications company, providing consumers with solutions to all their communications needs including Bell Home Phone local and long distance services, Bell Mobility and Solo Mobile wireless, high-speed Bell Internet access, Bell TV direct-to-home satellite and VDSL television, and IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell is proud to be a Premier National Partner and the exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. For information on Bell’s products and services, please visit www.bell.ca. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca

About Palm, Inc.

Palm, Inc. is a leading mobile products company, creating instinctive yet powerful mobile products that enable people to better manage their lives on the go. The company’s products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm(R) Treo(TM), Pre(TM) and Centro(TM) phones, as well as software, services and accessories.

Palm products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world, and at Palm online stores (http://www.palm.com/store).

More information about Palm Canada, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com/ca.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Multimedia materials, including photos and video, are available at www.palm.com/MeetPre or from Laura Butcher (lbutcher@environicspr.com) at Environics Communications for Palm Canada.

Please add the tag #Palm#Pre to your tweets or “PalmPre” to your blog posts about the Palm Pre phone, and follow Palm on Twitter at www.twitter.com/palm_inc.

(1) Use of this device requires providing a valid email address, mobile phone number, and related information for account setup and activation. Unlimited usage data plan strongly recommended; additional data charges may apply. Within wireless coverage area only. Number of applications and actual performance will vary depending on applications used and actions performed.

(2) Within wireless coverage area only. Requires data services at additional cost. Microsoft Direct Push Technology requires Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 with SP2 or Exchange Server 2007. Additional fees may apply.

(3) Within wireless coverage area only. Use of some third-party web applications may impact performance.

(4) Searches web and user’s applications, contacts, and dialing information. Web search within wireless coverage area only, requires data services at additional cost.

(5) GPS requires data services at additional cost. Coverage not available in all areas at all times.

(6) Storage estimate subject to change based on system software and application usage.

(7) Within range of 802.11b/g Wi-Fi network. Some Wi-Fi hotspots require fee for usage.

Palm, webOS, Pre, Synergy, Touchstone, Treo and Centro are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.

The shots were not taken on a Pre handset, but from the Palm Emulator which developers can use to test their code without having a physical device.  There’s no particularly fresh information contained in the images – we’re particularly disappointed to see no sign of the YouTube application that was spotted in the wild earlier this month – but it’s always a pleasure to see Palm’s well-designed menus.

What the Synergy settings page – which shows Microsoft Exchange, Facebook and Google options – doesn’t tell us is how many of each account is simultaneously supported.  Many people have more than one Google or Exchange account they’d like to use, and so far it’s unclear whether having them all active on the Pre will be entirely possible.

[via My Pre]

Full details after the cut, plus photos and video

There are details and a demo of the contacts app, making a call and a general overview, as well as some of the third-party content including Sprint TV, Fandango and Pandora.  There’s also new details on the Pre’s Amazon music store.

For the full Palm Pre CTIA 2009 coverage, head over to My Pre.  There’s video of the contacts and Fandango apps, among others, and we’ve embedded the FlightView demo – an app which we’re told will already be on the Pre, and which costs $9.99 from the Apple App Store – below.

There’s certainly no shortage of content over at My Pre: the site was the first to offer a full 26-minute demo video of the Palm Pre in action, together with the news that the first ever sighting of GSM Pre handsets were using the Vodafone data network.  Coming up, there are some exclusive Pre webcasts, which My Pre will be bringing all the juiciest details from.

You can find My Pre at http://mypre.com/  The forum is free to sign up too, and there’s both RSS and a Twitter feed to keep up to date whether you’re at home, in the office or on the move.