Palm Pre Release Date: Rumor Roundup
Those of us who cover the mobile tech space are familiar with the old adage: you can tell how popular a device is going to be by the rumors about when it will be released. This holds true for most mobile devices, and by how often (and how many) rumors are cropping up dealing with the release date of the Palm Pre, it’s safe to say that this is a hotly awaited phone. I can’t say I remember when a phone has generated as much anticipation as the Pre. Let’s take a look at all the rumors that are appearing about the launch (most recent to oldest):
No earlier than May 16 — leaked Sprint planning document
April 30 —Twittered by a beta tester (since pulled down)
Second quarter — Sprint internal product roadmap (code-named P100)
May-June — Sprint retail employees forbidden to take vacations in May (multiple sources); they’re being trained in May, too
May 17 or June 29 — Sprint plans on two launches, first optimally, second if inventory is not great enough
Two rumors didn’t hit, so it shows how little stock should be put in rumors:
Mid-March — CNET
Feb. 15 — PreCentral
Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
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“I can’t say I remember when a phone has generated as much anticipation as the Pre” – you don’t think the iPhone had as much or more anticipation? I think a lot of folks are excited about the Pre (I can’t wait to try one out myself), but from what I can remember, the anticipation factor was much higher for the iPhone – at least for the initial release. It was almost fanatical and cult-like.
I doubt that you will see people in lines waiting for the Pre phone. Even in my little town there was a line on opening day for the iPhone.
I do think that the phone _has_ to be out before the next iPhone shows up or it’s doomed. (assuming that the next iPhone is real and interesting).
My iPhone plan is up in June, gosh, probably right when the new model arrives and I’m thinking that 32Gig, 3G phone would be a nice update over my current 1st gen phone.
That said, I have fond memories of my Treo (1st gen) and hope that Palm pulls it off since competition is good for everyone.
I hear what you’re saying about the iPhone anticipation. What gets me about the Pre is how Palm has cagily not said when it will be released and that’s intensified the buzz. If I recall correctly with the iPhone while the buzz was huge we knew pretty much when it was coming. It’s very similar with the Pre though so Palm is obviously doing things right.
Yeah, we knew when the iPhone was coming, so people could plan ahead to stand in line for it (or not). How is Palm going to translate that buzz into sales when people don’t know where or when to get the Pre and how much it will cost? I am strongly inclined to believe Palm is on track to kill that buzz with a high price point and poor timing.
That said, if they take the split release path, starting with a low initial price before bumping up to its regular price, then I think they could adequately turn that buzz into sales.
I think the main thing they’re doing right on this one is that the technology looks better than anything out there, and the next thing seems to be having production quality control that they apparently missed on the first Centro.
They also have had marketers demonstrating it without a glitch.
It looks like the last consideration is an exact release date, though bringing it in around the time the first iPhone contracts are up seems to be the real deadline.
I’d like to announce that I am available for beta testing, if such an announcement would put on in my hands.
Could someone please tell me why this phone is so anticipated? I don’t see what this phone offers over other smartphones. In fact to me it seems to offer less.
You can have multiple apps running simultaneously, float between them without losing your place or closing anything, and it automatically integrates a variety of your web apps without having to tell it to–multiple calendars, contact lists, email accounts, etc.
I also apparently runs old Palm apps as well.
The languages developers need to use have been out for years, linux, html, Java, so the promise of tons of third party apps.
Other than that, it’s just another smart phone.
You should google the phone and watch the CES presentation. Then you’ll understand. It’s too much to explain.
Speaking about the release date, I think it’ll be around mid-June, just after the new iPhone (which will probably be unveiled on 6/8 @ WWDC) to try to blur it…
my contract with sprint has already expired, i’m free to go where ever i please… if something else on a different carrier comes along before the pre i might just have to get it. i’ve been waiting for this phone since January and i can’t wait around, with my big and heavy treo 700wx, much longer!
I have 5 phones on my plan, 3 of which are Palm 755p’s. They have the functions I need, but the operating system needs resetting on each phone at least 3 times per day. In short – they are not worth the trouble. 4 of my phones are up for renewal, and if Palm/Sprint waits until June, they will lose me because we just can’t wait any more. The 32gig Iphone is sounding sooo much better because of time and the size of storage!
I to am getting tired of waiting for the pre and after reading I’m going to start looking at the new iphone
I agree if it is not out soon. i just cant wait for a new phone. Thats all i know.
Although I’m quite annoyed we don’t know much of anything yet, I will still wait. Sprints monthly all inclusive plans blow the I phones out of the water.