Palm Pre Plus (Verizon Wireless)

Summary: The Pre Plus multitasks like a champ; I've routinely had 10-20 apps open without a problem, all of them running very smoothly. It's gesture area may seem like a gimmick at first, but I can tell you that the concept of swiping to the left to automatically go to the previous page of WHICHEVER app you are currently using is a huge help. Its overall navigation is also very simple and easy to use; not only that, you can customize icons and such as you would on iPhone or Android to make it your own. The screen is very responsive.

The iPhone's interface may be more straightforward, but once you spend that 15-30 minutes learning how to use a Pre/Pre Plus, you'll come to appreciate how much quicker and more powerful WebOS' interface really is. For instance, on a Pre, I can listen to my music, manage my Wi-Fi settings, write an email, download an app, play a game, and oh so much more all at once without breaking a sweat, whereas on an iPhone it must be done one at a time (save the listening to the music part, I suppose). When I use my iPod Touch, I almost feel cheated now.
As for WebOS vs. Android in terms of interface, it's not even close. Android is very powerful, but still needs UI work.

The Web browser is second only to mobile Safari, and makes excellent use of the multi-touch display. However, once mobile Flash comes to Palm's web browser in February, I would call them even. Even then Safari will still be easier to use via small UI aids, but having Flash is a gigantic advantage...

Anyone who's used a BlackBerry for long enough will swear by its integration of your Facebook and your Twitter and Exchange and what not. The Pre does the exact same thing, but because of WebOS' powerful interface, it does an even better job of it. When I type in a friend's name, I will instantly see their Facebook account, home number, cell number, work number, et al, but in an easily distinguishable way (unlike BlackBerry!). The universal search feature is a big help here too.

Now for the cons. The keyboard, while it is indeed improved from the original Pre, still needs some work before this phone can be a true messaging monster. I definitely have sausage fingers and I've gotten pretty used to it, but I'm definitely not as fast as I was on my favorite messaging phone: the LG env2. People with medium-sized fingers and smaller will have no troubles at all. Those with larger fingers, don't worry, you CAN get used to this keyboard; it just takes a little while.
The slider on the keyboard can feel just a little bit loose sometimes. It doesn't affect the phone's functions at all, but I suppose it could get irritating.

Battery life is decent, but not anything to write home about. It lasts a full day on a charge without problems, but don't expect it to have the juice to rumble with Day 2 on one charge.
Speaking of charging, the Touchstone is pretty sweet. I don't know if it's worth 50$, but it's definitely cool.

Now for the million-dollar question: apps. The App Catalog that Palm has is starting to fill out well, but it's obviously nowhere near as big as the App Store juggernaught. However, the gap is not quite as wide as you'd think. How many of the iPhone's apps are for farts, or making gun noises, or playing touch air hockey or other such endeavors? You'll find plenty of productivity, news, finance, and like apps on the App Catalog; what's more, the Catalog's apps are just as good as the iPhone's, even if they're a bit pricier.
But if you're looking to play lots of Super Monkey Ball, Ocarina, or general gaming on your phone, the Pre is probably not for you. That could change in the future, since Palm - finally - released the 3D game SDK to developers. Assassin's Creed for Palm just came out, so I guess have fun with that.

On the whole, WebOS is probably the best mobile OS out there, and here's why: it matches - and in some cases, surpasses - the iPhone's overall ease of use, retains the open-source nature of Android, and comes very, very close to BlackBerry's capabilities as a business phone with its truly inspiring integration of your entire digital life. Each of the other platforms has its own niche where it is the best device, whereas WebOS is either a CLOSE second or the champion in almost any aspect. It's also hands down the most developer-friendly, with its Linux underpinnings and the ability to program for it with only Web languages.
If Palm can just work on the keyboard and the battery life, I would have zero hesitation naming this the current king of smartphones.

Updated on Jan 31, 2010

In my review I boneheadedly forgot to mention call quality. I apologize.
I've been on Verizon for two years, and I can honestly say I've never dropped a call and that the only time I ever have less than four bars of signal strength is . Thus far the Pre Plus seems to be working just as well. Call quality is loud and clear, and people on the other end tell me that I sound completely normal; some said it didn't even sound like I was on a cell phone.
The speakerphone isn't so great, it cannot render bass-heavy sounds very well. It also isn't the loudest, but it's loud enough that I can put it on the passenger seat of my car while driving and can hear it without problems.
But if your area doesn't get good Verizon service, by no means should you get this phone. I figure that goes without saying, but you never know who's reading this.