Palm Pre Canadian Release Set For Bell Mobility In 2H09
Bell Mobility and Palm have announced that the carrier will be the exclusive debut for the Pre smartphone in Canada. Set to launch in the second half of 2009, the smartphone will be the same 3G EVDO Rev.A handset as Sprint users will get in the US.
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 NetworkTORONTO, 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 320x480 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.