People cannot possibly compare the Sprint Palm Pre and AT&T's iPhone 3G together because although they are in the same market, they are in different categories: iPhone 3G is a full touchscreen and Pre is a small touchscreen with a physical qwerty. It's like comparing a pickup truck and a mini van. Yes, they both have some of the same features, but they are physically different which some users will have a specific preference for which comes to either a keyboard or a full touchscreen.
At the bottom line, there will be a challenge among users who will decide between iPhone and Pre but the next factor which is also under specific preference is the carrier. At the moment, iPhone is exclusively for AT&T and Pre will be available exclusively for Sprint. This is a very different "battle" than the G1/HTC Dream vs iPhone because it's not like you can unlock an iPhone or Pre and bring it over to the other carrier. Some people are still on contracts and some people are willing to pay termination fee, if any. Others have been waiting for their contracts to end so they could switch over because service or reception has been so bad or whatever their reason and now they finally want the phone that is exclusively available on their existing carriers. I'm content on AT&T and the ability to use unlocked GSM phones, so I won't find myself switching to another carrier any time soon.
Here are my opinions on five recent devices. Keep in mind I am not a "business user." Good music, videos, and photos integration would be nice, but not required on my list of requirements for phones (although they are basics).
Apple AT&T iPhone 3G
As an avid iPhone and iPhone 3G user for a year and a half, its simple to use, has powerful features and some great apps, but its a slow OS that lags, freezes, and locks up. With the capacitive touchscreen and multitouch, it was extremely easy to use and navigate after a short adjustment period with the keyboard. There are way too many crap apps flooding the App Store, the inability to multitasking the simplest things, and the extremely poor battery life which all made me hate and break away from my iPhone 3G. Its a 3G device so turning off 3G shouldn't be an option, and being that it boasts powerful games and wonderful apps, you should be able do all during a full day on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong, its a GREAT device especially in terms of music, videos, and photos (might as well get an iPod Touch which you cannot get the free OS updates), but it doesn't live up to my daily phone usage.
Sprint Palm Pre
I have not gotten to use it, but because the keyboard is physical, if the keys are as small as the Centro's, I would not be into this device. In addition, it's also Sprint exclusive which I'm not too excited for. Many of the features are very similar to Mobile OS X, so the only thing phone wise that would draw me in is hoping that opening and switching between apps would be much more faster and smoother. Although Palm still seems to be working feverishly on this device, I hope for Palm and Sprint's sake that this get's released fully operational before Apple announces their new iPhone device(s) this summer.
Android T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream (the Google Phone)
This would be the device for people with either preference specifically due to the new update ("Cupcake" v1.5)that is slowly rolling around to existing G1 users. There is the physical keyboard and an on-screen keyboard will be available. But battery life plays a factor which the G1 does not do well with, and the design isn't the prettiest. From my hands on, its not the easiest phone to pick up and use right away and the keyboard is flushed. Google features are supported and embedded into the OS which I love because my contacts, calendar, email, blog, and YouTube is Google based. There is the G2/HTC Magic coming out, but it's just a redesigned G1 without the keyboard.
Sharp T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009
With their revamped features, the new Sidekick really makes it worth its money. Featuring GPS, 3G, WiFi, a much higher resolution larger wide screen, social website integration, and exchange mail support, the Sidekick can now be considered a business device. The OS is locked down with no ability to customize and it looks designed for children and tweens to use. However, I would not mind going back to T-Mobile which I left for reception issues and using this Sidekick. From what I hear, its built really solidly and doesn't have that cheap feel to it like previous models.
Nokia N97
The phone that I've been crawling all over on the internet has not been released yet, but from what I've seen through videos and read about on hands-on prototype reviews, its a great device. Unfortunately, its a resistive touchscreen (although a beautiful 3.5-inch wide screen) which is normally used with stylus operated devices so I can't be as free to use my fingers on it like I used to on the iPhone and there is no opportunity for multitouch. There is a qwerty keyboard which irks me because its only 3 rows and the space bar is tiny and moved to the right, but they have placed much thought into their design that I think I can adjust to it. The OS is a slightly enlarged version of their outdated Symbian 60, but the widgets and improved web browser seems to make it much better. With 32GB on board and an expendable memory card slot and a 5MP camera, it makes for a great multimedia device which is what the N Series is known for.
