Official at last: Palm Pre on sale June 6 for $199

Tue May 19, 2009 7:25AM EDT

See Comments (24)

The waiting game is (almost) over. Ending months of speculation, Sprint and Palm have officially announced that the hotly anticipated Pre smartphone will arrive in the first week of June for $199 with a two-year contract (plus a $100 mail-in rebate).

In a press release issued this morning—that's right, an actual press release, no leaked memos or flyers this time—Sprint tells us that the Pre will go on sale June 6 (right around the time suggested by the latest rumors) at Sprint stores and on Sprint.com, as well as at Best Buy, Radio Shack, and "select" Wal-Mart stores.

As expected, the Pre (click here for details, and here for my hands-on impressions) will be available with Sprint's "Everything Data" plans, which start at $69.99 a month and include 450 voice minutes, plus unlimited data and text/picture messaging.

You'll also be able to snap up Touchstone, the Pre's wireless charger (which looks a bit like a hockey puck), for $70.

June 6, of course, is just two days before Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco, where many are expecting Apple to unveil a new, souped-up iPhone. Based on the timing, it looks like Palm and Sprint are doing their best to steal Apple's thunder—although that could always backfire if the (supposed) new iPhone is particularly impressive.

So, who's looking forward to the Pre? Think it'll outshine whatever Apple has up its sleeves?

 

 

Comments on Official at last: Palm Pre on sale June 6 for $199

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 1 Posted by wolverinemarky on Tue May 19, 2009 11:12AM EDT Report Abuse

    lol no hope of outshining the new iPhone, or even the iPhone 3G once the new OS comes out, Sprint isnt one of the top cell carriers its been Verizon and At&t for a while now with T-Mobile gaining some steam so dont really see a lot of people switching to Sprint like they did for the iPhone. The Pre will be a good phone but in the end it wont steal any iPhone thunder because the rumor now is that there will be no iPhone at the WWDC in June and that new iPhone news will be made later in the month

  • 2 Posted by mkao12000 on Tue May 19, 2009 1:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    If I remember correctly, Apple has a patent on multi-finger swipe gestures in this industry. This is why other cellphone manufacturers (including RIM) have not copied Apple's multi-finger swipe gestures. From what I have read in the past, the Pre has multi-finger swipe features. So I would not be surprised if Apple applies for a court-approved injunction before the Pre is released for sale to customers. One could ask why wouldn't Apple have filed for an injunction before today, and a corporate attorney will tell you the legal reasons why Apple hasn't filed yet.

  • 3 Posted by lewinjon on Tue May 19, 2009 2:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Palm Pre is a most welcome addition to the Sprint lineup. I'm glad to see a 180 degree change in how Sprint cares for existing customers. Indeed, they lost customers in droves the past couple of years. Last Fall, I couldn't even get a deal at all on my Blackberry Curve. If I wanted one then, I'd have to pay $450! A couple of months ago, Sprint offered me the Curve for the same price as the Pre $199 + $100 mail in rebate. Sprint plans are a good value and call quality is the best I've ever had and I've had cell service since the late 1980's. the phone itself, whether it be a Palm, Blackberry or iPhone is only one component. Look carefully at the carriers and the plans and see what they are really offering you for your money.

  • 4 Posted by mkao12000 on Tue May 19, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hey lewinjon, what job position do you have with Sprint? I used to have Sprint a couple of years ago. I left because of the horrible call quality in my area (frequently dropped calls and voice reception cutting in and out) and extremely poor customer service. Why do you think millions of people are leaving Sprint? Sprint has even admitted to these problems. In a recent conversation that I had with some relatives, I gathered that problems with Sprint got worse. One of the few things that is currently saving Sprint from performing worse (financially) is Boost. Do you remember what Sprint's previous CEO said about his customers?

  • 5 Posted by jd_purvis on Tue May 19, 2009 6:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wish the phone was available on other carriers, but I'd consider switching to Sprint for this phone if it were available in my area.

More Posts: First Prev 1 2 Next Last

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.