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Pixi to hit Sprint on November 15 for $100 (after rebates)

Palm is trying to reinvent itself into something resembling a popular smartphone maker with its new devices running webOS. The Palm Pre garnered quite a bit of praise when it hit the market a few months ago, however, sales of the device proved somewhat disappointing.

Palm and Sprint have now announced that the WebOS-based Pixi will be coming to Sprint exclusively for $99.99 on November 15. That price will require a new 2-year agreement along with $50 instant rebate and a $100 mail-in rebate. The device will hit Sprint stores and will be available online starting on November 15.

“We are excited to offer the new Palm Pixi to our customers in time for the holiday season, and it’s a great addition to Sprint’s industry-leading device portfolio,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “Simply put, this phone is fun and easy to use; with its multi-touch screen and full QWERTY keyboard, it’s a great device for messaging and social networking at a price everyone can enjoy, and delivers so many of the great features people love about Palm Pre™ in a fantastic new form factor, making it a huge hit for consumers.”

The Pixi runs the same webOS with the same features as the Pre. The Pixi will also include a new Facebook application allowing users to comment on posts from friends and make new posts. The Pixi will also be compatible with the Touchstone charger that is already available for $79.99. The Touchstone charger back will be available separately for $19.99.

Sprint requires the Pixi to be purchased with an unlimited data plan.

The Pixi features a 2.63-inch screen with 18-bit color and a resolution of 320 x 400 and will operate on the Sprint EVDO Rev A network. Other features include Bluetooth, 8GB of storage, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an exposed QWERTY keyboard.

Comments     Threshold


WiFi > Price
By voodooboy on 10/26/2009 11:32:41 AM , Rating: 2
Honestly, I was ready to switch carriers and get the Pixi just for the form factor (I have a Centro right now). The smaller screen resolution and lower quality camera aren't that big a deal for me. But what utterly and completely kills the deal is the lack of WiFi on this thing.

I find it hard to believe a modern smartphone with an OS that's all about staying connected is launched without WiFi. Bad call Palm/Sprint.




RE: WiFi > Price
By tacoburrito on 10/26/09, Rating: -1
RE: WiFi > Price
By bissimo on 10/26/2009 12:09:50 PM , Rating: 5
As opposed to, "I'm a fool that pays $50/month for crappy mobile service when WiFi's readily available for free in most locations."

Note: not stolen, free. My WiFi at my house is not stolen, my WiFi at work is not stolen. Most businesses provide it free. If they don't, it's probably not a place where you should goofing off on the internet.


RE: WiFi > Price
By tacoburrito on 10/26/09, Rating: -1
RE: WiFi > Price
By quiksilvr on 10/26/2009 2:32:42 PM , Rating: 2
The problem that most of the cellphone providers have is that they make it a REQUIREMENT to get a data plan for certain phones (which is BULLSH|T). So having Wifi is kind of pointless when you already have 3G forced down your throat.


RE: WiFi > Price
By clovell on 10/26/2009 5:14:03 PM , Rating: 2
Everything Data after my corporate discount totals out at $55 / month, but whatev.

Also, if you're travelling in some larger cities, Wi-Fi generally comes at a cost - especially at hotels.


RE: WiFi > Price
By Keeir on 10/26/2009 7:10:27 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Also, if you're travelling in some larger cities, Wi-Fi generally comes at a cost - especially at hotels.


I think this can be a real issue... usuability of free wi-fi. I live in a fairly tech oriented City, yet I have used the Wi-Fi option of my phone just a few times over the course of a year. (Of course in my home or friend's homes I use Wi-Fi ALOT more)

If the Pixie is not oriented for real convient web-browsing, I might turn on the computer to run real internet rather than use my phone, regardless if it has Wi-Fi or not... Emails and Mobile sites run about the same on 3G or my personal Wi-Fi, so losing the WiFi wouldn't be the end of the world for a smartphone (though it must cost a tiny amount for the actual hardware to through b/g wireless on the phone...)


RE: WiFi > Price
By theapparition on 10/26/2009 12:54:54 PM , Rating: 2
Considering Sprint will not sell the phone unless you purchase an unlimited data plan (someone didn't bother reading the article), your point of someone being too cheap is not correct.

So even if the device comes with unlimited data, the advantage of wifi is it provides a much better data bandwidth with better latency. That's not someone being cheap, it's someone wanting the best they can get.


RE: WiFi > Price
By tacoburrito on 10/26/2009 1:18:19 PM , Rating: 1
Wifi is the worst way to connect to the internet. Ever use it at your local Starbucks or Borders? You are sharing bandwidth with 50 other people. If you are using the wifi feature on the cellphone at home or business, I'm guessing you don't have a single computer at home or workplace.
I'm not saying that 3G or 4G or whatever else they are coming with is good, but having a dedicated connection beats Wifi anyday.


RE: WiFi > Price
By angelkiller on 10/26/2009 3:01:25 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
Wifi is the worst way to connect to the internet. <snip> You are sharing bandwidth with 50 other people.

You think you're the only one using 3G?


RE: WiFi > Price
By theapparition on 10/26/2009 5:31:36 PM , Rating: 2
Don't bother. He has no clue.


RE: WiFi > Price
By tacoburrito on 10/27/2009 12:52:42 AM , Rating: 2
Complaining about lack of wifi on new cellphones is like complaining that your brand new computer doesn't come with AOL preinstalled.

Why certain people insists on using wifi to connect their phones to the internet is beyond me. There are 3G, 3GS, 4G connection that are ALREADY on the phone that are miles faster than whatever wifi connection you can find.


RE: WiFi > Price
By theapparition on 10/28/2009 7:16:27 AM , Rating: 2
Nice way to dodge the facts.

Fact:
You were wrong about saying people were too cheap to buy an unlimited plan, however Sprint requires you to purchase an unlimited data plan. You still fail to man-up and admit you were wrong.

Fact:
Wifi(G) provides speeds up to 50Mbps, and even while it may be shared, provides better latency. For most browsing situations, the experience will be better than the phone connection. Most 3G runs aroung 1.5Mbps, some higher speed networks are running closer to 7Mbps (theoretical) which the carriers also have to share. Yes, it's a dedicated signal to your phone, but then it gets multiplexed with
every other users. Overall tower capacity is limited, so your same point about sharing bandwith applies there too.

And last but not least, Wifi consumes less power than the cell broadcast, so you can browse longer on the same charge.

4G is a red herring (nice try) since virtually no 4G devices exist and it is only being tested in a few markets. Verizon will have the first LTE network in consumer operation in approx 2011.

So you may see no need for it, so be happy living in ignorance.


RE: WiFi > Price
By rudy on 10/26/2009 3:16:00 PM , Rating: 2
Not really with sprint their plans are pretty damn cheap for unlimited data. But you still want wifi in case you cannot get a signal or you just want to use it faster in your house.


RE: WiFi > Price
By TheMouse on 10/26/2009 11:26:02 PM , Rating: 2
I am in the same boat. My weekend home is in a spotty area for all (digital) providers. I need to keep on email 24/7 to manage my business... so I rely on WiFi when I'm in that home. I would be a real pain to lug around a laptop or netbook with all the stuff I do around there during each day there (swim, hike, massage, suana, golf etc).


just to be more clear on pricing
By RandomUsername3463 on 10/26/2009 11:16:48 AM , Rating: 2
List Price: 249.99.
Instant Rebate: $50.
Pain in the Butt MIR: $100.
...out the door price = $199.99.

I'd just pay the extra $50 and get the Pre. You get a 480x320 screen on the Pre, too, which is better than the 400x320 of the Pixi.

Why do people care about an extra $50 or $100 on a smartphone price when the minimum plan is $70 / month???




RE: just to be more clear on pricing
By Motoman on 10/26/2009 11:24:26 AM , Rating: 1
Because saving money is saving money.

The thing looks like a Blackberry to me. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing...although I prefer phones (like the LG Envy Touch for example) that flip open sideways for a wider keyboard.


By melgross on 10/26/2009 4:22:14 PM , Rating: 2
With the Pre being sold at Walmart for $79, and being given away for free at O2 when it's introduced there, do you really think the Pixi will be sold for $99 at Sprint? I predict they'll have to sell it for $49, or even give it away, shortly.

Let's face it, the Pre has proven to be very unpopular. An estimate of its real sales to end users who activated it in the first 3 months is just a measly 375,000.

With estimates that Palm would have to sell 2.5 million at the original pricing to break even the first year of sales, and 3 million to make a profit on the thing, this doesn't look good.

Unless someone with deep pockets buys the company, I don't think it will survive.


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