I have never been so excited about the impending release
of a piece of hardware. From the first time I saw
it late in 2008, I have been smitten. The
announced release for this phone was set for "sometime
in the first half of 2009". I immediately signed
up to be alerted when they set a release date.
I have been a loyal Microsoft
Dogfood eater for over three years making sure that
the phone I owned used Windows Mobile OS. I know
full well that the Windows Mobile OS is inferior.
That it was one of those Microsoft divisions that really
didn't have their heart into creating a product that is
truly innovative. But it was usable and it was
Microsoft, so I used it.
Then, Apple released the iPhone
and while I had no desire to join in the craze, I did
admire the sleek and sexy form. But like much of
what Apple promotes, the form is more important than the
structure. Things such as a sexy glossy onscreen
keyboard is notoriously susceptible to typos,
particularly when used by a think fingered techie.
There was no native support for connections to Microsoft
Exchange, a deal breaker for many corporate users, and
of course the
But despite the typical Apple
highly polished turd approach, I found myself wanting
one. Why? The web browser and the fact that
support has been added so I can use it for
corporate email. I had one in the cart on att.com,
ready to start the checkout process when it dawned on
me: I hate Apple with the white hot intensity of a
thousand burning suns. I can't put money in the
pockets of this company that values style over substance.
No, not a single red cent from Dave O'Brien. I
wont buy an iPhone, I wont use an iPod or iTunes, and I
sure as the Good Lord created little green apples wont
ever own a Mac.
So the iPhone is out, what are
my options? My want list is short- Full Support
for Microsoft Exchange, 3G Speed Internet, and a full
QWERTY Keyboard. Then I saw a bit on Late Night
with Jimmy Fallon - and I am back to being stoked on the
Pre. It has a glossy full screen, touch screen
controls, accelerometer for detecting the orientation of
the phone, and a sweet slide out QWERTY Keyboard. Its
got everything I am looking for, except it isn't
available.
I am excited about the Palm Pre, so much
so that I am willing to wait till June, and become an
early adopter of a new gadget. Not only is it a
sweet-assed phone, but it will allow me to
reclaim the moral high ground and shout from the
mountaintop "Hey Apple - Suck it you Hippies!"