Late game bombshell?

**asforme** · 04/30/2009, 09:55 AM

I'm thinking it's most likely Video recording. One reason is the new widgit on the now network site with the pre saying how many videos are being uploaded, secondly cupcake just added, thirdly I think it's most likely going to be on the new iPhone. For the average customer, pre not having video compared to G1 and iPhone would not go over well.

**Rhody** · 04/30/2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by hparsons

So, Asforme, out of that list, what do you (and others) think might have been the thing they, Palm, felt the Pre needed to have right away? (assuming what I heard was even true).

My bet is:

o Video recording
o Video playback (MPEG-4 & 3GP formats)

I would add copy and paste in browser.

**emuneee** · 04/30/2009, 10:44 AM

WiMax/4G would be a bombshell, but from Palm's perspective, the cost of adding another radio (on top of the CDMA, WiFi, and bluetooth radios) just adds to the expense and cuts into the profit margin for a feature that is not even rolled out into most markets.

**JaMart** · 04/30/2009, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Rhody

I would add copy and paste in browser.

Both selecting in the browser and video recording would fill in holes that are needed.. add in dial up networking as a tether... i think people wouldnt have anything left to complain about! thats my wishlist anyway

**Protagonist** · 04/30/2009, 11:04 AM

It is probably something boring like: "Updated with latest Webkit browser & Squirrelfish Javascript engines"

**wynand32** · 04/30/2009, 11:06 AM

Software-wise, I think a great last-minute addition that could have some promotional legs is a Hulu client. Hulu's a fairly well-known service given their Superbowl ads, and would be an outstanding addition to an always-connected mobile device like the Pre. Would probably kill battery life (what doesn't?) but man, that would be awesome!

**Felipe** · 04/30/2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by emuneee

WiMax/4G would be a bombshell, but from Palm's perspective, the cost of adding another radio (on top of the CDMA, WiFi, and bluetooth radios) just adds to the expense and cuts into the profit margin for a feature that is not even rolled out into most markets.

im thinking this will be it though.

**dwhitman** · 04/30/2009, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by emuneee

WiMax/4G would be a bombshell, but from Palm's perspective, the cost of adding another radio (on top of the CDMA, WiFi, and bluetooth radios) just adds to the expense and cuts into the profit margin for a feature that is not even rolled out into most markets.

As exciting as this would be, I am profoundly skeptical that they'd add a new hardware feature (like the radio needed for 4G) this late in the development cycle. The disruption to manufacturing would set them back months and would require scrapping whatever stock was in the pipeline already.

OTOH, adding a new software feature, while not trivial, can be done even after devices have been shipped from the OEM, by flashing a different ROM image.

I'm with those who suspect video capture.

But...we've also heard rumors that MS Office support on WebOS might only offer viewing, not editing. Dataviz just recently announced Docs 2 Go for Android with full editing support. Perhaps the full Docs to Go was close to release for WebOS, and Palm wanted to include it at release to avoid an unfavorable comparison to Android?

**patchs** · 04/30/2009, 01:42 PM

A built-in Web OS Sling Player app would be nice.
Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

**ToolkiT** · 04/30/2009, 01:52 PM

Have you seen the news on the EOS rumour?
IF that is true it would be a late bombshell IMHO...

Not 1 but 2 WebOS devices to launch!

**palandri** · 04/30/2009, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by ToolkiT

Have you seen the news on the EOS rumour?
IF that is true it would be a late bombshell IMHO...

Not 1 but 2 WebOS devices to launch!

Nice looking phone. Looks a lot like the Pro

**prereferee** · 04/30/2009, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by ToolkiT

Have you seen the news on the EOS rumour?
IF that is true it would be a late bombshell IMHO...

Not 1 but 2 WebOS devices to launch!

I am not convinced that is a likely bombshell. Something tells me heads are rolling at Palm over this leak and Sprint is equally/more pissed. Sprint doesn't want news of another Palm WebOS device on a different carrier. It would be good to spur developers, with eyes of a larger market for their applications, but the question is does it hurt sales of the Pre. Remember they need strong Pre sales to even get to the point of releasing that second WebOS phone.
This would not be a good bombshell because it could make some people take a pass on the Pre.

**ToolkiT** · 04/30/2009, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by prereferee

I am not convinced that is a likely bombshell. Something tells me heads are rolling at Palm over this leak and Sprint is equally/more pissed. Sprint doesn't want news of another Palm WebOS device on a different carrier. It would be good to spur developers, with eyes of a larger market for their applications, but the question is does it hurt sales of the Pre. Remember they need strong Pre sales to even get to the point of releasing that second WebOS phone.
This would not be a good bombshell because it could make some people take a pass on the Pre.

good point I hadn't thought about it that way yet...

**Rhody** · 04/30/2009, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by prereferee

I am not convinced that is a likely bombshell. Something tells me heads are rolling at Palm over this leak and Sprint is equally/more pissed. Sprint doesn't want news of another Palm WebOS device on a different carrier. It would be good to spur developers, with eyes of a larger market for their applications, but the question is does it hurt sales of the Pre. Remember they need strong Pre sales to even get to the point of releasing that second WebOS phone.
This would not be a good bombshell because it could make some people take a pass on the Pre.

My first thought was that it was an intentional leak to steal iPhone thunder.

**jhoff80** · 04/30/2009, 05:42 PM

If it's true this is an AT&T device, AT&T might've leaked in in order to keep people who might switch to the Pre waiting with them.

**Bigchris** · 04/30/2009, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by jhoff80

If it's true this is an AT&T device, AT&T might've leaked in in order to keep people who might switch to the Pre waiting with them.

Very good point.. Its a Win-Win for AT&T if they did do it.

**Aridon** · 04/30/2009, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by prereferee

I am not convinced that is a likely bombshell. Something tells me heads are rolling at Palm over this leak and Sprint is equally/more pissed. Sprint doesn't want news of another Palm WebOS device on a different carrier. It would be good to spur developers, with eyes of a larger market for their applications, but the question is does it hurt sales of the Pre. Remember they need strong Pre sales to even get to the point of releasing that second WebOS phone.
This would not be a good bombshell because it could make some people take a pass on the Pre.

Two different phones. Both of which will eventually end up on other networks so I really don't think its going to hurt sales in anyway. Regardless the Pre's form factor with the larger screen is, IMO, more preferable to the mass market especially with the Iphone's larger screen seemingly the norm these days.

Frankly, i'm of the belief that most people buying these fairly expensive devices won't think twice of paying the ETF and switching carriers for a significantly better device. I don't.

**pufftissue** · 04/30/2009, 07:08 PM

There are no positive surprises left for the Pre, only negative ones. When was the last time a device released earlier than expectations and had a meaningful surprise thrown in to boot?

**Felipe** · 04/30/2009, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by dwhitman

As exciting as this would be, I am profoundly skeptical that they'd add a new hardware feature (like the radio needed for 4G) this late in the development cycle. The disruption to manufacturing would set them back months and would require scrapping whatever stock was in the pipeline already.

OTOH, adding a new software feature, while not trivial, can be done even after devices have been shipped from the OEM, by flashing a different ROM image.

I'm with those who suspect video capture.

But...we've also heard rumors that MS Office support on WebOS might only offer viewing, not editing. Dataviz just recently announced Docs 2 Go for Android with full editing support. Perhaps the full Docs to Go was close to release for WebOS, and Palm wanted to include it at release to avoid an unfavorable comparison to Android?

do we know what radios are in the pre? have we seen the fcc filings?

if not then its still possible 4g chip was included.

the first 4g phone on the sprint network. win win for all. . .

except maybe for battery lovers.

**asforme** · 04/30/2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by Felipe

do we know what radios are in the pre? have we seen the fcc filings?

if not then its still possible 4g chip was included.

the first 4g phone on the sprint network. win win for all. . .

except maybe for battery lovers.

And those who know they won't be getting 4G in the next 2 years and would rather they not have an excuse to raise the price.

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