The Palm Pixi was here at CTIA 09, but not in a big way. Sprint reps had it on hand and gave us some time with it. There's nothing new here, honestly - it's the same build we've seen before with webOS 1.2.9 (but don't read into that version number too much, the '.9' there is pretty much just an internal build number tossed on there for testing), Facebook app, Yahoo integration into Synergy, and so on.
Still, the form factor continues to amaze, the lack of WiFi continues to disappoint, and the fact that we don't yet have firm pricing or availability continues to frustrate. All of the preceding emotions will be amplified for you as you gaze upon our Pixi gallery, after the break!
Update: What's a hands-on without the video proof? Video embedded after the break as well :D
Comments
Why aren't there any Facebook app photos? Were you not allowed to?
Nice form factor indeed on the Pixi. I wonder why they didn't use the orange accent colors on the Pixi's keyboard. Would that have really cost that much more?
I wonder if it is slowly leaving the orange circle branding. Maybe the Pre was the last hint of it?
I always thought the color accent was a functional / user experience decision first, and the choice of orange a branding / asthetic decision second.
Even if they were migrating away from orange (which I doubt), some sort of visual distinction for the numbers and orange 'function' key is helpful in locating those keys.
I agree. If they are both white, it is a functional confusion. Perhaps the colors of the overlays were different than the production color to tell if one got out?
I'm thinking maybe a cost savings? (single color vs 2 color)
If you think about it though... are any of the symbols on the Pre orange? Nope, yet the orange key is still designated to type them. When you look at the Pixi's keyboard, you clearly have a shift key for capital letters, which leaves the solid key with only one logical function; coloring it is really unnecessary.
So all you're left with is that it would be nice if they colored the numbers to make them more distinguishable... maybe they figured since the keyboard is exposed, that it looks more uniform to have all the symbols and numbers the same color.
All that being said, I think the orange looks cool on the Pre. If I switch to the Pixi (which is likely), I'll miss that particular stylistic accent.
EDIT: Woops, I thought I clicked reply on rlopin's post. Oh well, we're all talking about the same thing here :P
No wi-fi = no deal, for me at least. Hopefully, the third webOS device isn't too far off.
yes, without WIFI is has not worth for me!
Man, I wish I hadn't upgraded in August!! My wife would have loved that phone. I suppose I can go on ebay in a year or so but I'd love to have given it to her for Christmas this year.
rlopin: I think on a previous new article it was mentioned that the non-colored keyboard is because this is a test device. Production models will have the key coloration like the pre.
Thanks jcookkatzerg -- that makes total sense. I nearly missed your comment. It would have been better if you hit the reply link so that your comment shows up indented right under mine.
The Pixi is nice and everything, but you have to admit our PRE's are "ALL THAT!" I have always believed that if you are to going to commit yourself to a contract (regardless of how long it it is) you might as well have a phone with all the bells and whistles on it to carry you through. The Pixi seems like a great phone for someone who wants to upgrade from a Centro.
My wife is absolutely going to LOVE the Pixie. I wish they would give us a release date......
Very nice set of comparison photos. Was having a hard time visualizing relative screen/keyboard sizes before. Don't know that this helps my decision yet, though. Thanks, Dieter!
I haven't heard this confirmed elsewhere, but it looks like this is the same battery ... again. If they truly are going after budget-conscious Centro owners then they really should push that as a selling point.
Smaller screen and lower power processor will help run time with the same battery as the Pre. I bet battery life won't be too bad for a modern smart phone.
And I had been considering how anemically thin it is as a battery advantage. Throw the monster 2600 mAh battery in there (once Seidio gets on it) and you'll still have a reasonably sized handset that can go for miles.
Until they have a Touchstone back for Pre or Pixi extended battery, it is a no go for me. I stream more music than even the 2600 can keep up with while at work and love the touchstone for this.
Dieter, did you get to run any apps to get an idea of processor speed vs Pre? Many developers are wondering if we need to scale anything back to keep the app performing the same. (Hope you got a chance to get some sleep as well.)
Interesting that the cards keep the same form factor as the Pixi screen when they minimize. That looks odd to a Pre user. :)
I'd rather have no GPS and have Wifi. Why no wifi?
Best everyone can figure is cost and product differentiation.
At the engadgetshow, the CEO said it was Sprint's decision to remove the WiFi. No one could understand why, but that is what he said.
does it mean, that that pixie can be with WIFI in other countries?
I'm guessing the price will probably be set $49.99 w/ 2-year agreement.
and without the 2 year agreement, what do you think?
I wouldn't pay no more than $350. This looks like it could be the next centro.
This indeed might just be the phone that breaks my wife and gets her to make the "leap" to smartphone! I get so frustrated watching her text on her Rumor....
No wifi and horribly slow.. bad move with a great form factor. Oh well
why is it soooo slow
I thought this was "Pre"central, not Treo-central or Pixi-central or Palm-central!! Why even promote or give a damn about this Centro replacement? The Pre is where our concentration should be.
no consider this as weboscentral, this site will have all webos based phones, didn't you see there is a Pixie forum already. So take a hike as allot of us want to know this kind of stuff.
Although I agree in spirit with your comment, there is a lot nicer way of saying it. By the way, there is no such word as 'allot'. It's two words: a lot
Actually, "allot" is a perfectly fine word, albeit not in the way it was used. ;)
Ah, yes. You are indeed correct on both points. :-)
What a retarded response! You act like this website is the only place where you would be able to find out about Palm products! The site is name PREcentral, not WEBOScentral! I don't give a shit what you "consider this" as. I am just pointing out that the focus of this site has ONLY been on the Pre since it was created, not all webos devices. And furthermore, why would I have "take a hike" even if it did talk about all webos devices?! You either have the mind of a 7 year old bratty girl or you are just a simpleton!
Ecoteric, you are not doing yourself any favors with that response. Silence would have left you on the moral high ground, but I am afraid you have stooped down a level, especially with the inclusion of a needless curse word and more name calling. C'mon guys, can't we all play nice here?
"I am just pointing out that the focus of this site has ONLY been on the Pre since it was created, not all webos devices."
that's simply wrong. you can also say, it focus was always on all webos devices, but as long, as the pre was the only one, it was not that obvious.
One catch...if you want to charge the dang thing you gotta pay Palm for the Touchstone charger...anyone else notice that the USB port is BEHIND the back cover, so to access it you have to take the cover off...now that would be a pain everyday. So for this phone, TouchStone is a MUST.
I am thinking when it first comes out the price will be $99 and then $50 for the Touchstone...so $149 just like the pre without the charger. Still not bad for a phone for my wife. I will stick with the Pre and hopefully UPgrade to the newest WebOS Treo Pro or at least Pre2
You were either misinformed or not aware, but for the Palm Pixi there is also a door cover for the USB port. It's designed quite differently but if you go on YouTube and check those demos out, you'll see what I'm talking about.
The Pixi surprisingly is catching my eye.. not only is the form factor nice, but the build quality has to feel better than the Pre. Big reason .. "BUILD QUALITY!"
I think the back is rubbery over the port and you just bend it back?
Memory, i it 8GB or 4gb???
(considering that other recent video...)
I am pretty sure it is 4GB
Nope, it's 8GB. I believe it's either 6.9GB or 7GB for user space.
I'm perfectly fine with no Wifi on the Pixi but the slow processor could very well be the deciding factor. That lag was just awful... my loaded up Centro is more responsive. Guess I'll wait until a good number of people run in through some real world tests before I jump.
I wish they would please hurry up and tell us a date and price already!
This is great for people leaving BBs imo.
Fugly phone...ick
Did I take a wrong turn and log on to PixiCentral.net??? I thought this was a website devoted to the Pre.
Most of us want to know about the Pixi. But if you want to exit there is one over the wing to your left... Keep in mind it may be behind you. =D
who cares is anyone really going to dump their pre for a pixie.
People interested in following Palm care, of which there are many on this site.
the only thing this phone is good for is the chassis...whether or not palm can realize/actualize this is another story...but, you loose that stupid-a$$-keyboard, fill the whole front with a touchscreen and you've got not just an iphone killer but the end-all-be-all touchscreen, webos monster...i don't think palm can see it or pull it off..oh well.
The physical keyboard is one of the most oft quoted differentiators to the iPhone. If you get rid of it and fill the front with the screen won't it just look like an iPhone running WebOS?
There has to be some visible hardware differentiation a consumer can recognize at a glance and not just a software differentiator.
true but they are trying to steal iphones customers so why not make the same product just running their software, shit I'd trade my palm pre for that as long as it had the same processor as the pre. That lag is unbarable.
It is truly sad to see all the hostility around here. The Pre seems to have attracted a different crowd than the Treo family did. The mood at TreCentral always seemed civil to me. Around here, people fight and bicker and call each other names at the drop of a hat. Some people demand that Palm provide backward compatibility with PalmOS or the Pre will fail! Now that Classic 2.0 is out, people wonder why anyone is wasting their time on old out-dated software! What??? Which is it? Now there is an argument whether the Pixi should be covered on "PreCentral". Ultimately, it is up to "The Smartphone Experts Network" to decide what they want to cover and where.
HINT: If you do not want to read about the Pixi, you can skip that entry!
I realize I may post some responses that are critical of Palm for some of their decisions, but I try not to attack my fellow: Preons? webOSers? Palm fans? Smartphone enthusiasts? Friends?
Let us all take a deep breath and calm down. OK?
I guess that's the fat middle difference ;-)
How did you know I had a fat middle?
:-)
+1
I'm wondering what the default WebOS screen size will be. That is, how will developers set up their user interfaces? 320x480 for the Pre or 320x440 for the Pixi? There will probably be more Pixi's sold. Also, it's a lot easier to not use screen space on the Pre then it is to squeeze it down on the Pixi.
No, it can't all be done automatically by WebOS. If you're making a chess app, you want the board to be square on every screen and have room for other UI at the bottom.
It's a nice phone, but looks to be quite a bit slower compared to the Pre. I'll stick with the Pre personally, but the Pixi does make me nostalgic for my Centro.
yep, I LOVED my Centro, stil do. Don't think I would be switching to a pixi from the Pre though...
Okay, the size and no moving parts have finally convinced me. Give me the retail price, I'll part with my Pre if I can afford it :P
Why would anyone want to downgrade to this from the Pre? School me, since I'm new to the whole smartphone thing. I certainly wouldn't move to a netbook from a laptop, for example.
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