Facebook Needs Palm WebOS?
Kevin Tofel puts forth an interesting idea: that of Facebook being a potential buyer of Palm, Inc. Exactly why would Facebook, a non-handset maker, want to do that? One reason, Tofel explains, is that the WebOS Synergy feature already integrates Facebook contacts into Palm phones. But then, Apple’s iPhone OS 4.0 hints at the same sort of possibility, plus additional benefits gleaned from recent Apple patents. Don’t forget the fact that there are also more Apple phones out there than Palm phones. Then again, if a search engine (Google, who seems to be anything but these days) can have their own Mobile OS and phone, why not Facebook, who is challenging Google online in a number of ways? It just might be something of value to both companies.
Palm CEO Rubenstein Has a Plan
Palm CEO Jon Rubenstein, a former Apple employee, says that he has a plan. If so, share it with us, I say. Do you read websites, Jon? You’re likely about to be ousted. Better implement that plan fast, or hire someone with marketing skills. Heck, why not ask one of your primary investors to do be a Palm spokesman. His name is Bono and he’s a rock star, if you didn’t know. That might revive interest in the company, if Bono appeared in media saying how much trusts the company to recover, yadda yadda yadda.
Here are a few plans for you: license Palm WebOS (yes, you said you would), get Bono front and center, come up with more apps, offer free tutorial videos to get people developing, change the fee structure, come up with a killer device. And maybe even add an Android wrapper around WebOS. You’re welcome.
Verizon’s Palm Mobile Hotspot Option is Now Free
Some people thought it was an April Fool’s joke when numerous websites announced that Verizon’s mobile Internet tethering option, via Palm WebOS phones Pixi and Pre Plus, dropped from US$40/month to nothing — especially given the beating Palm’s stock took recently, dropping to as low as US$4/ share. However, I think Verizon has another strategy in mind: capture the interest of all those people about to buy an Apple iPad.
As someone who just picked up a Palm Pre Plus last week in order to build mobile apps for the company’s WebOS platform, I’m more than happy about this. (What’s more, if you’re already paying for the tethering option, Verizon will credit you in your latest bill.) Consider: I already have two phone numbers — one for my iPhone, with which to build & test my iPhone SDK apps. So having to pay for a calling plan plus a cellular data plan plus tethering (since AT&T doesn’t offer it for the iPhone) gets expensive and means I spend over $1000 per year just to be able to test my Palm WebOS apps.
Now it’s easy to think that Verizon might be wanting to clear out their Palm inventory, but the beautiful thing about this deal is multifold: My wife and I work online a great deal (me almost entirely) and we travel locally a fair bit, so having the Mobile Hotspot means almost always having an Internet connection on the go, at no extra cost. What’s more, when I line up for an Apple iPad WiFi-only model (for develop apps, yet again) later this morning in Palo Alto, I know I’ll be able to connect online immediately.
Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.
Palm Not Switching OS from WebOS to Android
Beleaguered mobile device maker Palm, Inc’s stock may have dropped to $4 (should we buy stock?), but there is no plan to switch platforms from WebOS to Google’s Android, despite recent rumors of an internal memo suggesting CEO Jon Rubenstein is showing support for Android. If this switch does happen, it would be more of an integration of the two mobile platforms, not a replacement.
This is a relief, considering I just bought a Palm Pre Plus a few days ago, both for development use and for its MiFi feature that — for an extra monthly fee — allows me to use the phone as a mobile hotspot to connect five devices. This feature came in hand the very next day after purchase, and it’ll be a boon when I get my hands on a WiFi-only iPad soon, also for development. While I’d personally prefer to program in C++ over Java (Android), but if integrating/ switching to Android keeps Palm alive, I support the move. On the other hand, there are some other things that Palm can do to stay alive, including using some of their $500M in cash reserves for better marketing. Also, educate developers with the same massive quantity of video tutorials and college courses that Apple has been doing for the iPhone SDK. Show developers and consumers that you plan to stay with WebOS for the long haul.
Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.
Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus Land on Verizon
There you go, Verizon has finally made the Palm Pixi Plus and Palm Pre Plus available for its customers. As announced earlier, the Palm Pixi Plus and Palm Pre Plus are available for $99.99 and $149.99 respectively. Both phones require a two-year activation.
Now, here’s the best part – Verizon is offering some great deals tied up with the two phones. If you get the Palm Pre Plus, you will be entitled to get 3 phones for free. The bad news is you are only given two phone choices – the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone and the LG VX5500. You if you avail of these free three phone promo, you’d end having two phones of the same model.
The Palm Pixi is on a buy-one-take-one promo. That means you’d get two units for the price of one but would also require you another 2-year activation plan.
As a review, the Palm Pixi Plus features full QWERTY keyboard, Palm webOS, widescreen display plus all the goodies you’d normally find in most smartphones available in the market today.
The same thing goes true for the Palm Pre Plus but it has an advanced touchscreen, full keyboard display. This phone’s keyboard was built on a slide out style.
So, are you getting any of these Palm Phones? Which one are you most likely to get?
Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Pricing Finalized
Finally Verizon and Palm have set the pricing scheme for the soon to be released Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi smartphones. According to the blog Electronista, the Palm Pre Plus will have the same pricing as its older Sprint counterpart on Verizon, that is – $150 under a two-year Verizon plan. The Palm Pixi on the other hand will cost $100 under the same two-year Verizon data plan. But in addition, the Pixi will be offered on a buy-one-get-one deal.
In relation to the pricing schemes of the said Palm smartphones, Verizon is also offering the Palm Mobile Hotspot which uses the Palm Pre or Palm Pixi as access point. Cost of said hotspot access is at $40 and will be added to existing plans owned by users. It will also have the same 5GB transfer cap and 5 cents per MB overage fees as a stand-alone modem.
Seems like a pretty good deal, right? All you have to do now is wait for January 25 when both the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi smartphones become available on Verizon. Both smartphones will carry the latest version of Palm’s webOS which currently – version 1.3.5.1. But come February, this will updated to version 1.4 and will have video recording plus other features as enhancements.