Best Buy to launch Palm Pre in 2 phases

Thanks to a source, BGR got their hands on information meant for Best Buy reps, which deals with how the retailer plans on selling the Palm Pre. Because of the shortages that will apparently limit to 4 the number of Pre’s each participating store will have at launch, the big box retailer is selling the smartphone in 2 phases.



Phase 1:

Launches Saturday, June 6th and runs until July. During that time period, advertising of the Pre will be “minimal” and stores could go weeks without having inventory replenished. Employees will not be allowed to purchase the device and sales will be limited to one per customer.

Phase 2:

Starts in late July/early August when stores are expected to get a larger number of handsets to stock. During this phase, it is expected that there will be no shortages.
Right now, it is expected that only 300 stores will have working demos of the Pre. The remainder of the stores will be selling their entire inventory. Until Phase 2 brings a tidal wave of phones to the stores, the allotment of Pres will depend on how many Sprint phones were sold previously at each unit.


[Originally posted at BGR Via webosarena]

Meet “Google Maps” on the Pre

It’s no secret that there will be a Google Maps app on the Pre but the question is, is it any good? Yes! As good as the iPhone’s? Maybe better. (Certainly faster) The same functionality is there, the app just seems to respond a little better, snappier on the Pre. Given that I didn’t build it, I can’t tell you why that is… but I can show you how it works.

Launch the app and it should default to map view but a quick tap on the “Menu” button will allow you to switch over to satellite view. Wondering what that blue dot is on the map? That’s the phone’s location obtained from the GPS. All I had to do to obtain that was click on the button right next to the “Menu” button down at the bottom right.

[Originally posted at palmgoon.com]

SlingPlayer coming to Pre "at or near launch"?

webOS' web technology-based app architecture seems to become less and less of an issue by the day; most of our fears were allayed the moment we saw Classic break cover, and this is another strong sign that the Pre's going to be able to handle just about any multimedia-rich stuff we throw at it. A Sprint-sourced page out of a Pre slide deck entitled "The Pre Application Story" lists a series of "showcase apps" that the carrier thinks (or, at the very least, optimistically hopes) will be available around the time of the phone's launch, and the most interesting thing on here has to be a listing for Sling Media -- you know, those cats making Slingboxes and SlingPlayer builds. Beyond that, we don't have anything -- it could be 3G or WiFi-only (though the fact that this is on a Sprint slide gives us hope that they'll leave EV-DO enabled), it could launch next month or next year, and for all we know, it only works with boxes that aren't even out yet. It'll be kind of cool to see this app running as a card on the Pre's interface, won't it?

[Originally posted at Engadget.com]

Things You Might Not Know About The Pre

Consider this a PSA (Public Service Announcement). I was just sitting here and thinking myself, “There are some small, yet important facts that not everyone knows about the Palm Pre. I must rectify this wrong!” Or something to that effect. Like what, you ask? I’m so glad you did, because I was going to tell you anyway.

Continue Reading full Story here

Meet the Web Browser on the Pre

Again palmgoon has posted another good post this time about the web browser enjoy reading it here.

Meet the “Tasks” app on the Pre

Someone was asking earlier to see how the Tasks app worked on the Pre since it hadn’t been shown before and I am nothing if not accommodating. ;) Below is a brief overview of what you can expect. Enjoy!

Continue Reading full Story here

Palm Pre Memo App

In the style of our “Meet the ‘Tasks’ app on the Pre” story, Palmgoom figured they’d also introduce you to its sibling, the Memos app. It’s just as useful and intuitive as the “Tasks” but simply serves a different purpose. Have a look.

Read the complete article at palmgoon.com