Palm Pre 2: The Final Evolution of Palm's Slider Smartphones
The Palm Pre 2 (styled as palm prē 2) represents a pivotal moment in mobile history. Designed and marketed by Palm, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard, this slider smartphone combined a multi-touch interface with a physical sliding keyboard, offering a versatile experience for users who demanded both tactile typing and modern touch navigation.
As the third device to utilize webOS—a Linux-based mobile operating system—the Pre 2 launched with version 2.0. Beyond its role as a communication device, it functioned as a portable media player, a camera phone, and a personal information manager, integrating location and navigation capabilities with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Last of its Kind: The Pre 2 was the final mobile phone to carry the Palm brand before subsequent devices like the Pre 3 and Touchpad were branded as HP.
- Enhanced Durability: It replaced the curved plastic screens of previous models with a flat Gorilla Glass screen.
- Hardware Boost: Features a 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 3630 processor for improved performance.
- Physical Design: Maintains the classic slider form factor with a 3.1-inch HVGA display.
Design and Hardware Improvements
While the Palm Pre 2 retained the general size and design language of its predecessors, several critical refinements were made to improve durability and usability. The most notable change was the transition to a flat Gorilla Glass screen, which provided better scratch resistance than the curved plastic used in earlier iterations. Additionally, the plastic door that covered the microUSB port—often criticized as flimsy—was removed for a more streamlined design.
Technical Specifications
Under the hood, the Pre 2 was powered by a Texas Instruments OMAP 3630 CPU clocked at 1GHz (ARM Cortex-A8), paired with a PowerVR SGX GPU clocked at 430Mhz. This was supported by 512 MB of 200MHz DDR DRAM and 16 GB of internal flash memory.
The device featured a 3.1-inch HVGA (320 x 480 px) 24-bit color LCD. For input, it utilized a multi-touch touchscreen, a physical sliding keyboard, and various sensors, including a 3-axis accelerometer and proximity and ambient light sensors.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Camera and Battery
The Pre 2 boasted an upgraded 5.0 megapixel rear camera. This camera included an LED flash, geotagging capabilities, and "extended depth of field" to improve image clarity. Powering the device was the "Palm BP1," an internal rechargeable removable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1150 mAh at 3.7 V.
Market Launch and Availability
Announced on October 19, 2010, the Palm Pre 2 officially launched on October 22, 2010, via the French carrier SFR. Its global reach expanded with availability through Verizon Wireless in the United States and Rogers Wireless in Canada. It was also made available as an unlocked UMTS developer phone for those wishing to explore the webOS ecosystem.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating System | webOS 2.0 |
| Processor | 1GHz TI OMAP 3630 (ARM Cortex-A8) |
| Memory/Storage | 512 MB RAM / 16 GB Flash |
| Display | 3.1" HVGA (320 x 480 px) Gorilla Glass |
| Camera | 5.0 MP with LED Flash |
| Battery | 1150 mAh Lithium-ion |
| Dimensions | 100.7 x 59.6 x 16.9 mm |
| Weight | 145 g |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Palm Pre 2 different from the original Palm Pre?
The Pre 2 introduced a flat Gorilla Glass screen, a faster 1GHz processor, an upgraded 5.0 megapixel camera, and removed the plastic cover over the microUSB port.
Which operating system does the Palm Pre 2 use?
The device runs on webOS, a Linux-based mobile operating system, specifically launching with version 2.0.
Was the Palm Pre 2 the last Palm-branded phone?
Yes, the Pre 2 was the final mobile phone to be branded under the Palm name; subsequent devices like the Pre 3 were branded as HP.
What were the primary carriers for the Palm Pre 2?
The device was launched on SFR in France, and was later available via Verizon Wireless in the US and Rogers Wireless in Canada.
Does the Palm Pre 2 have a physical keyboard?
Yes, it is a slider smartphone, meaning it features a physical keyboard that slides out from beneath the multi-touch screen.