Palm pre for hero

[alan7467]

The Pre did indeed get a update (to version 1.4). I used it for a week before turning my unit in for replacement. The speed improvements they implemented are superficial though. They've added a "placeholder" that comes up immediately anytime you load up a card. It gives the impression that things are happening more quickly. When in reality they aren't. In fact, I found that loading up essential apps such as the dialer took substantially longer (my GF noticed the same on hers). Also, my calendar stopped working all together after the update. The dreaded "too many cards" error also wasn't fixed. Making playing any of their new 3D games near impossible without a soft reset every time. A hard reset didn't fix any of my issues.

Sorry to sound so negative, guess I'm just venting. One certainly can't say anything remotely critical over at PreCentral without getting vigorously attacked. So I must have some of this bottled up

I was listening to a podcast yesterday and someone put the state of WebOS perfectly. They said Palm's release of 1.4 is basically the Pre's 1.0, because it's very much so been a beta experience thus far.

 

[unixpsycho]

There are a bunch of trolls and brutal dictatorial control-freaks at Pre|Central. They usually drown out the good people over there.

but I have no hard feelings...

 

[qst4]

I've been pretty happy with the Pre, although I have also bought a Nexus One, just to try out Android and to use as a world phone and I'm equally happy with Android, but not convinced its as great as many of you all seem to think, but it is great. Each phone seems to also have equally distasteful elements. Plain and simple, I'm on my second Pre and would have to say physically the Pre needs work, but I definitely prefer WebOS to Android. It's just easier to get around when you are doing a lot of things at once. I didn't think I would like Androids widgets and homescreens, but they are really growing on me now. What I don't like is getting around in Android, although it multitasks, its still this "in and out" of programs movement that really caused me to hate to hate iphone anything. But I think the hardware on almost all Android phones is superb and really compliments the OS.

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

have you tried holding the home button when in a program? It pulls up your 6 most recent apps making the multi-tasking just as easy. Hands down my Hero runs better than any of my Pre's. Once you get past the flashy OS, you're still missing key features in calling. Bluetooth problems seem to have finally resolved, but no new features such as file transfering has been supported yet. While 1.5 Android users are stuck with the same dilema, 2.0+ android users don't (app in market called Bluetooth File Transfer). While this isn't a necessity, It would be nice to send files to my macbook and back without having to mount the SD card and lug the cable.
Palm still hasn't made available an API for the mic. Apps like Shazam, which may seem pointless (I actually use it a lot) aren't even possible. So that means no voice memos, no voice activated dialing or searching. I found it sad that not taking apps into consideration, my LG Dare was a much better device (and built like a f'n rock! Pre, not so much). An LG Chocolate looks more desirable to me and any Palm product.
I have to say, I didn't want a Hero originally. I wasn't really jealous of the Android platform when I got my Pre, until I sat there waiting, and waiting, and waiting. What broke the camel's back was their synergy syncing losing every single contact of mine. They told me that they could fix it, and after 3 months (after being told they would call me within a week), I got tired of empty promises. They called 3 times total (well after 1 week) and no fix was found. My technical issue was upgraded to Level 3 Tech support or some BS. I finally called Sprint and explained all my issues outside of the 4 replacements I received that they could see. I told them I had no problems paying the ETF and leaving unless they could offer me something better. They allowed me to pick any phone other than the HD2. I talked to the repair center and asked which Smartphone does she see the least for replacements, and she mentioned the Hero and the Moment. The Hero just looked better (even though at the time, I did want a physical keyboard). So I jumped on the Hero and fell in love. I found the love I had with my LG Dare (and no VZW ridiculous plan), plus the benefit of apps and widgets. I'm happy.

 

[qst4]

@rufflez, thanks for mentioning holding down the home button, thats made it alot easier to get around, although my vote is still for the Pre's multitasking its just slightly more elegant and intuitive. Also great point on the voice API, I haven't used it yet but as I begin to use the system more I can see its potential. I'm going to check out the bluetooth thing also, I'm pretty much getting sick of having to connect my Pre to my laptop to move files between them, I can't believe Palm didn't do more with this. It was one of the things I loved about my old T2. Thanks again for the Tips!

 

[alan7467]

Somebody over at XDA is developing an app to bring Pre-like task switching to Android. Looks promising:

TaskOS For Android Updated with Video | xda-developers

 

[Tikerz]

Somebody over at XDA is developing an app to bring Pre-like task switching to Android. Looks promising:

TaskOS For Android Updated with Video | xda-developers

Interesting

 

[WeGlobal]

I once thought about a Pre late last year while I still had my BB, but my wife gave me sound advice to avoid a "slider" phone at all costs. After hearing numerous horror stories of people having multiple Pre's as well as other "slider" phones falling apart and stuff.....I'm glad I didnt get a Pre.


My Hero is my Hero of the smartphone world