General

Third Party Application: Evernote

One of my favorite desktop applications is Evernote. It's a handy tool for clipping websites or partial web pages, making lists, keeping notes,and storing images which Evernote makes searchable. Evernote for Palm Pre was one of the first applications I downloaded from the App Catalog.

My experience so far has been disappointing. This isn't even version 1.0, however; it is version is 0.1.10, so I'll give them some slack for the lack of features. The main head-scratcher is the lack of zoom. Half of my notes in Evernote are images, either scans or … Read more

Reader's Questions About the Pre #1

I'm asking my blog readers and Twitter followers to submit their questions about the Palm Pre.

Here are the first two questions, both from Scott Makis, a fellow Palm fan on Facebook.

Do you really consider the Pre the Iphone killer or is that just hype?

No, I wouldn't even compare them. To me, Palm's devices are built for the business user. The iPhone is made for entertainment. They both have their place, but personally, I have zero interest in an iPhone. While the Pre is short on apps, it's big on organization and usability. I'… Read more

SLAM! And Stay Out! Why Apple Shutting the Door on Pre Users = Marketing Fail

My thoughts about Apple's new iTunes update which effectively shuts the door on Pre users.

Okay, full disclosure: I own a Pre that I purchased, in part, because it would sync seamlessly with iTunes. I like iTunes. I love my MacBook Pro. I have owned multiple iPods and still use my Nano with Nike+ on runs.

But I am also one of those proverbial Kumbaya-singing liberals who is perhaps just a tad naively optimistic about our human potential to get along and, one day, become one, giant, well-adjusted human family--if only...and this is where the ironic cynicism comes in...people would just stop being so anti, well, getting along. And by "people," here, I include those who run corporations.

iTunes Version 8.2.1

So I am listening to NPR talk about how Apple's recent attempt to block the Pre from syncing with iTunes Version 8.2.1 (which Apple says, "provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices") might escalate anti-trust allegations, and it's got me questioning why Apple responded as they did to Palm's challenge.

Now, I am not a lawyer and I do not study copyright or competition law, so I can't speak to whether or not this will lead to a lawsuit that Apple should fear or pursue. I am, however, a consumer (make something worth buying that I want or need and can afford and there is a good chance I will buy it) who has been a big fan of the Apple brand image for about 4 years now.

This consumer's response

Not positive. I mean, I can not update iTunes (big deal, there isn't any benefit to consumers in it anyway) and there are obviously non-iTunes options for syncing media on the Pre, but I don't 100% get why Apple decided to respond so predictably to Pre's sticking their foot in the door. Sorry to mix metaphors here, but maybe they saw a slippery slope ahead and imagined the rest of the media-device-making market jumping on their backs if they let this go.

Apple's response kind of makes me wonder, though, if Apple execs somehow forgot to consider seriously that this presented them with a terrific opportunity to increase their customer base and add a fresh, new dimension to their brand image--a dimension that would associate Apple with the forward-thinking ideals of a more open, global economy. Instead, by dedicating themselves to slamming the door (impressively fast) they essentially did the work of propelling Palm into this progressive role and defined themselves as gate-keepers, defenders of the establishment. Doh!

Exploring Facebook

I am a big user of Facebook almost solely for the messaging system. Trust me, you do not really want to know why. Point being, seeing me friends with iPhones and even advanced Windows Mobile phones being able to post messages in our threads with ease was frustrating for me and my Centro, which had only rudimentary web support for Facebook. I am pleased to note how well the Pre handles Facebook on the web.

For one, it has built in contact support so that once I synced my account, every one of my friends who had a mobile number … Read more

Pre In Waiting

I'm beginning to feel like my Pre is pregnant. Like I know what's in there, but I haven't had the chance to really meet it, nor will I till it's on my own phone number and I can be rid of this "two phones to cover my life" deal.

I've got contacts texting me on two different numbers. Friends and family alike are confused. Do you have any idea how confusing it is when they send one text to the new phone, you reply, and then they replay to the old phone? Unless you have them both in your hand, you miss that last reply and the conversation comes to an abrupt end. … Read more

It's Official: I'm Sticking with the Pre

Why I am keeping the Pre as my primary phone.

Today I decided to keep the Pre as my primary phone--beyond the term of this test drive. I sold my Blackberry Pearl (no tears shed there) and installed an Invisible Shield to protect the Pre I purchased 30 days ago today. This means that I am locked in to a 2 year contract for this Pre (unless, of course, I want to pay the buy-out).

Why I chose to stick with the Pre I purchased and not the "free" demo Pre I was given for this test drive … Read more

Love iTunes + Pre syncing? Don't Upgrade to 8.2.1!

One of the great things about the Palm Pre is that it slightly clunkily syncs with my iTunes library without the use of intermediary software (like BlackBerry Media Sync). Word is trickling out that the latest iTunes update, version 8.2.1 kills the 'unauthorized' Pre syncing ability.

Hopefully Palm will introduce some sort of work around, or release a piece of software that allows for iTunes syncing in the near future. Until then, you do have the option of purchasing Markspace's Missing Sync for the Pre which at $40 might seem expensive, but syncs not only music but … Read more

Text Messaging Interface-Off

Text messaging is becoming more and more common in today's world, even with the older generations. Texting is a convenient, quick, and reliable way of getting in contact with them. The Palm Pre did seem to take the colors and tried to mimmic the Iphone's but, less screen space gives you less to work with. The big question is since you have used both what do you prefer? "To start my review is going to be on the interface alone and not the way it is typed in since there are pros and cons for typing on … Read more

Syncing the Pre with a Macbook Pro

About my experiences using a few of the most common syncing/file transfer options on the Pre.

I understand that the Palm profiles we create when we set up the Pre backs up certain device info; however, I have read at PreCentral that not everything is backed up. Since I am planning to return one of the two Pres I currently have in the next couple days, I was concerned about losing photos (primarily) that I had taken with my first Pre. This issue and my general curiosity prompted me to play with back-up and syncing options. Here's an article about this subject for further reading.

Syncing with iTunes

This process works pretty seamlessly. Aside from the fact that protected media (TV, video, games, and some music) won't sync, the Pre syncs with other content as an ipod would. That's been pretty well documented.

Using Pre as a USB Drive

This option, offered when you plug the Pre into your computer, is pretty nice for manually adding files to the Pre. I wanted to pick and choose certain pics from different files on my Macbook Pro, for example, and with my Pre connected as a USB drive, I could basically go through files and images and drag and drop the ones I wanted onto the Pre icon that appears on your desktop when you choose this option.

Syncing with "Missing Sync"

Prior to trying a corded sync last night, I had only attempted the automatic "proximity sync" with "Missing Sync" (Beta for Pre) and not had any luck--seems my Pre and Mac just wouldn't play together wirelessly. Last night, when I connected my Pre to my Macbook Pro, "Missing Sync" automatically launched and did its thing. I played with the settings and took a few screen captures so you could see how it works.

Gestures - Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

...well, almost.

I must admit, I love the gesture area and functions of the Palm Pre. Being able to go back to the previous page of an application instead of shutting down and reopening it is genius.

The placement of the gesture area is also wonderful. If the keyboard is open you can just reach up with your thumb and slide back to the previous task. Otherwise, you can use any finger you want. I also like that the gesture area is not actually on the screen because the gesture area gets a lot of the use and the fingerprints … Read more