If you have been around this site for any length of time, you know that I had (note: I said "HAD") an unhealthy addiction to my previous SmartPhone. Honestly? I didn't think that anything would pull me away from that phone. Then, I got snowed in at Nashville and spent some time with one of my favorite local bloggers. She had just received her new Palm Pre Plus and was having a ball with it. About 2 weeks later, I asked her on Twitter if she still liked her new Palm Pre Plus. The next day, Verizon contacted me and asked if I wanted to try one out!
Well - all I can say is: "What Crackberry? I'm in love!"
How do I love my new Palm Pre Plus? Let me count the ways:
1. The Touchscreen: this is my first phone with a touchscreen and I have to admit - I was a little worried that I wouldn't get the hang of it...but after a few days it became second nature!
2. Web Browsing: The web browsing is the closest I have seen to actually sitting at my laptop (just quite a bit smaller). I can even log in to my own site and create posts the same as if I was sitting at home (which I could NOT do with my other phone). The web browser is crisp and clear.
3. Multitasking: I can have several windows open at once (Twitter, Facebook, calendar, etc) and switch between them with the flick of a finger.
4. The Facebook and Twitter Apps: MUCH better than the applications that I used before (and funny thing? I was pretty happy with the applications on my old phone...until I tried Tweed and the built-in Facebook application)
5. The Camera: the pictures are sharp and I don't have the problem of the tiniest little "shake" giving me blurry pictures. I took the Palm Pre Plus to a birthday party and the pictures came out just as good as if I had used my "regular" digital camera!
6. The Apps: Right away I found a great application called "What's For Dinner?". This allows me to search the most popular online recipe sites based on the ingredients that I have, select the recipes that I want and add the missing ingredients to a shopping list. It's been a HUGE help with menu planning! (and the "Lite Version" is free - bonus!)
7. The Phone: It is, after all, a phone. For me, this was no big change because I was already a very happy Verizon Wireless customer. I have no problems with dropped calls and I always have plenty of bars (even at my children's school, where some of my friends on other networks can't get a signal)
The only issue I have so far? My husband has a hard time working the keyboard. The Palm Pre Plus seems to have been designed for (and marketed to) women. I have absolutely no problems working the keyboard, but the buttons are smaller than my previous phone. Those with large fingers may have a period of adjustment to the smaller buttons.
Bottom line? Me likey the Palm Pre Plus!
Fine Print: I wrote this review while working on a Verizon Palm Pre Plus campaign on behalf of Verizon Wireless and have been given a Palm Pre Plus to facilitate my review. The words and experiences are mine, mine, mine.
Jen
Thanks for the review! I get to upgrade my phone at the end of the month and am trying to decide what I want to look at and go with. I currently have an ipod touch and my cell phone that I carry around and want to get a smartphone of some kind. Glad to hear you like it!
Jen
Thanks for the review! I can upgrade my phone at the end of the month and am wondering what to look at. I currently use an iPod Touch and love the apps but want something that combines that with my phone. My husband has a blackberry and I just don't like the format of it. I'll give this a look-see! Thanks, again!
Audrey Peters
The Palm Pre Plus price just dropped to $49.99 at Amazon for the Verizon network. It's a terrific phone to keep you organized, get driving instructions and even listen to free radio. By the way, the phone is certainly not designed for any particular gender - it has serious business applications. There is a virtual keyboard for those who prefer it. The actual keyboard has to be small because PALM was trying to keep the overall size of the phone small. There are always trade-offs. For more information and in depth reviews, see: http://www.squidoo.com/palmpre-or-pixi and http://www.businessissuestoday.blogspot.com If you have any questions, I am very familiar with this phone so ask away.
.-= Audrey Peters´s last blog ..The Internet Is Changing The News =-.
Marie
By any chance do you know the cost of web connection and other fees?
Audrey Peters
Marie,
It depends on the network you choose. I know that Verizon has a $99 a month for unlimited everything. With Sprint, there is a new package at $69 which gives you unlimited internet access, text and unlimited mobile to mobile calls on any network, plus 450 mins. to land lines. Sprint also has the unlimited everything at $99.
You can also follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1266158314
Twitter: http://twitter.com/appeters
Marie
Thanks Audrey, appreciate your info.
Mindi Cherry
As far as I know, the Palm Pre Plus is only available on the Verizon Wireless Network. They have all different packages based on the number of minutes that you need, and then you get a "Data Package" for the Palm Pre Plus that should run about $30/month.
I haven't got my first bill yet for the Palm Pre Plus (full disclosure: Verizon is giving me the phone to keep and paying for the first 2 months of service), but I understand it is very similar to what I am paying now for my Blackberry - about $80/month for 900 minutes and unlimited texts + $30 for the Data Package (although I will be dropping that package down once I start paying my bill again - since I have my 5 unlimited phone numbers and I can call anyone else on the Verizon Wireless network for free, I don't go anywhere near 900 minutes. I'm dropping down to the next level to save about $20/month)
Audrey Peters
By the way, The Palm Pre and Pixi will be coming to AT&T (for those of you on that network), very soon. I'll be posting in Facebook and my Blog (see earlier posting for reference) when there's more substantial news on release dates. I suspect the monthly pricing will be at $99 unlimited.
Tirade
"have been given a Palm Pre Plus to facilitate my review. The words and experiences are mine, mine, mine."
Mmmmhmmmmm.
How many people here would write a bad review for the fancy and expensive product that they just received for FREE? Yeah, I didn't think so. I wouldn't want to risk losing my free swag, either.
Audrey Peters
I have not been given a free Palm Pre and yet I have written and published several articles stating why this is a great phone. Some of these articles have been re-published by various technology site. Check out my dedicated page at http://www.squidoo.com/palmpre-or-pixi and http://www.businessissuestoday.blogspot.com to get the real facts. And it's not expensive at under $50! As an ex CEO/VP in technology for over 20 years, not affiliated to Palm, my view is based on tons of experience. Now, if you have something intelligent to say about why you don't like the Palm Pre, please tell us.