CES: Palm's Pre Is One Heck of a Phone

You had to see the demonstration to really understand what I'm trying to relay. In the best Apple style, a mesmerized audience watched and applauded as each new integrated feature was discussed and displayed. Take messaging, for instance. On the Pre there's little difference between corporate email, personal email, SMS or instant messaging. They can all be displayed on one screen and when you answer the Pre will send your reply via the proper methodology. It's that kind of advanced thinking that makes Pre very special. And I'm just scratching the surface. It took Palm more than an hour to present a very basic overview of what the new smart phone can do.

Unfortunately, the world will have to wait for the Pre. It needs to get approval from the Federal Communications Commission before it can be sold here. Palm will only say that it will be available in the first half of 2009. I can tell you the company is hoping it won't take that long. Palm could use some sustained good news.

Sprint will be the first to market the Pre and it hasn't set a price yet. I'll be very surprised if Sprint chooses to price it much more than a comparative iPhone.

(Photo gallery: 2009 Consumer Electronics Show)