Palm Tries to Preempt Apple Again — Announces Pixi Ahead of iPod Music Event
Yes, Palm just announced the Pixi, rocking EVDO Rev A on Sprint. We knew Palm would be announcing what’s basically the Centro to the Pre’s Treo — a lower end device based on their new webOS platform. We just didn’t think they’d be gutsy — or crazy, depending on your read — to go head-to head with another Apple event.
Our sibling site, PreCentral.net, has all the details, videos, and first opinions you can shake an incredibly thin budget smartphone at, so head on over and check it out. We’re not sure about the lack of center button, tiny keyboard, why it didn’t go GSM on AT&T, or why they yanked the Wi-Fi out of the platform (Verizon snuck into the design committee?!) The latter may be especially irksome since EVDO Rev A doesn’t allow simultaneous voice and data, and unlike the Pre, the Pixi won’t have Wi-Fi to fall back on in a pinch.
Still, there’s lots to like here, including the mind-bogglingly slim form factor, artistic back panels (iPhone users need to shell out for a Gelaskin to match that splash), and especially the amazing pace Palm is setting by releasing a second form-factor of a brand new OS so rapidly. Available before the holidays at a rumored $99 price point, it could bring some hurt to the BlackBerry Pearls and low-end WinMo’s of the world. How it fares against a $99 iPhone 3G, however, remains to be seen.
As does the Pixi’s position in the news cycle once Apple starts “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it” and makes with the iPod and iTunes announcements while they’re at it…
September 8th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
there’s nothing wrong with a little competition
September 8th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Ummm booooo
September 9th, 2009 at 12:02 am
who u booN trick
September 9th, 2009 at 12:04 am
It actually looks and sounds (according to dieters article) pretty nice. Except lacking wifi. But @Rene @dieter does it have a mirror on the back of the phone??? This is on a need to know basis as every lady in their right mind who bought the Prē wants this, of course with a mirror on the back… I tried posting this on precentral.net but whenever I would type tipb.com (w/ or w/o www. In front) or theiphoneblog.com, it wouldn’t let me post. Ha it’s let me post though with other websites and no websites at all.
September 9th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Looks like they pulled an AT&T…scrambling to put something out that all other companies have had for a while while cutting the most mundane things.
September 9th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Looks ok, more a Blackberry competitor and WinMo though.
September 9th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Palm had been dead for a while now and this is just another rushed out “device”.
Next
September 9th, 2009 at 2:44 am
In the words of the Late Frank Zappa “Who gives a F#%k”?
September 9th, 2009 at 3:26 am
No WiFi= MEGAFAIL
September 9th, 2009 at 5:53 am
I wonder if they will still insist on one of their SE plans for this little toy, or if they are anxious enough for people to get their hands on a WebOS device to allow users to keep old SERO plans. I know far more people who would extend a Sprint (boo!) contract on their old SERO plan for this, than were willing to get a new contract and try a Pre.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Looks like a great phone and what a great price too. Competition is healthy.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I can see the business news now – Apple releases The Beatles to iTunes … iPods with cameras … an update to both iTunes and the iPhone. And oh, by the way Palm has that Pixie thingy. Who runs their marketing department? Must have been some pro athlete’s little brother because they have some serious lil’bro syndrome going. Big brother is a hero, little bro needs to be noticed. Sad.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:52 am
or lil brother could be the mike jackson of it all
September 9th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Slower with no wi-fi? I think not.
September 9th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Email sig.
“sent from my Pixi”. Too funny.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Is that a coffee cup it’s leaning against… or does it come with a little Rubbermaid trash can case?
September 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Everyone here booing is a grade A idiot. Of course this is a logical upgrade to the Palm Centro a device released late 2007. Why wouldn’t they release it.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
The Palm Prē is by far a more superior phone than any iCrap out there.