Palm none too happy about UK unlocked Pre retailers 18
Sat, 19 Sep 2009 1:11 pm EDT 
I’m sure plenty of you by now have seen that several retailers in the United Kingdom have been offering up an unlocked Palm Pre for pre-order. Apparently, so has Palm, and we wouldn’t go so far as to categorize their reaction as ‘pleased.’ The pre-order pages for the SIM-free Pre have caught the attention of Palm’s legal heads, which according to SlashGear, have been busy sending out letters that “requested in no uncertain terms that [the sellers] take down their listing.”
This is, of course, Palm stepping up to protect its exclusivity agreement with O2, and considering that many of the pre-order pages have hinted at a release timeframe (say, this fall?), it’s possible that Palm also wants to keep the spread of misinformation to a minimum. (Heck, even the Pixi has shown up for as a pre-order in GSM form). Though we at PreCentral will always advocate for more openness, we can also understand Palm’s point here: at launch the GSM Pre will be available in Europe only with O2 - though whether you can buy one from O2 without contract and/or unlocked is unfortunately still an open question.
We won't be linking to these pre-order pages here as even though many are through reputable dealers, none can yet fulfill the promise of an unlocked GSM Pre. Trust us, when it's officially available, we'll let you know.
18 Comments
1 word "wow"
Perhaps, Palm has no choice on putting out these "cease and desist" orders, but, trust me, if they know what's good for them...they wouldn't go after this market with a bull whip.
Unlocked GSM phones is one of the biggest advantages to a phone gaining significant market share and positive word of mouth in global markets. So, trust me...palm needs this, they just can't publicly say or act like they do.
Thinking longer term, definitely (and even Palm themselves might agree). Many phones seem to be getting launched on an "exclusive first, unlocked later" basis, though.
Makes me wonder... will the GSM 'UNLOCKED' be a paperweight like the user in the forum is experiencing after canceling his Sprint service?
I'd assume not... but...
PS Yet I thought France and other EU countries required unlocked versions? Won't be required under O2? (or just no official word yet?)
On the unlocked version requirement: Nope, that's not true. The carrier can do whatever he want. Some sell their phones locked (though that is less and less usuals these days) and some don't.
Since 99% of the locked phones can be unofficially unlocked, the SIM lock is IMHO not a problem anyway.
Still, over here in Germany, o2 already confirmed to sell the Pre also full price w/o contract and SIM lock. That's what I'll be doing kind off. With my old contract, and what I pay, I'don't qualify for full rebate. But that's ok, over the year I can almost afford to buy one phone full price, and still be better off than with the current contracts...
There are about 500 millon people living in the EU countries.
The O2 + Telefonica branded release reach less than half of this. So basicly close to 60% of the Europeans are left out and even more if you weigh in the fact that Europe consists of far more countries than those within the EU.
Palm should have hooked up with more carriers so that pretty much all countries could have it. Why should me and my fellow Scandinavians have to sit out and wait for a unlocked version that is delayed because there is a branded release in 6 of the 27 countries within the EU?
Amen to that.
Don't bother with the f***** carriers, just deliver the PRE unlocked like the Treo Pro was.
Thought it was 4 countries though...?
You're right but Palm is a small US company. If it never had significant European market penetration then it may not have the resources ready to convince other european carriers to carry the Pre esp when Palm is also trying to gain a foothold on asian markets.
I wonder if setting up exclusive contracts with bigger carriers also guaranteed some cash flow as opposed to selling unlocked phones to small dealers. Remember, wallstreet is looking at Palm very closely to see if they are viable in long-run. Getting loans may be easier if they can show contracts with big name carriers as opposed to saying we're going to sell unlocked phones and hope the consumer wants them.
Not sure why there'd be a point to selling a GSM version of the Pre if it won't be unlockable.
Unfortunately - or fortunately - the iPhone model of only making it officially available with a given provider has worked. Most British consumers in the UK wanting an iPhone switched to O2. End of.
If one wanted an iPhone without using O2, there are ways around it, but they're relatively messy.
I have nothing against O2, but would rather have the choice of my own carrier, or even better, buy an unlocked device to use on any and all GSM carriers I see fit. If my choice is between buying an unlocked, hacked handset and using it on another network, or buying an O2 locked handset, I'm not brave enough to buy the hacked one.
Problem is that Palm only hooked up with O2 while Apple sold it to other carries in those countries where O2 doesnt exist. So even it its locked to a certain carrier it atleast gives people a chance to buy the the phone. Now, all the non o2 countries have to sit and wait for an unlocked version that is delayed just because o2 have some kind of special deal.
It looks as though theres a micro sd card slot available, in the pic.
I just googled the unlocked pre and found in their specs, it is micro sd expandable.
Re the SD slot. Its a well known mistake that seems to have been repeated (probably from the same source)
the Pre does not have ANY sd slot anywhere.
BTW, how long will be o2 exclusive? that's a simple question because for instance in Italy o2 doesn't exist. does this mean that nations without this particular carrier will be cutted out until the exclusivity period ends? I HOPE NOT. that would be a PALM SUICIDE. like stated before o2 brings connectivity on 35% of all europe...what about the other 65%????
"We won't be linking to these pre-order pages here as even though many are through reputable dealers"
haha. Cowards.
Why is almost everyone assuming the Pre will be SIM locked to o2, and only be available with contract?
Funny!
Check this out: http://www.negrielectronics.com/product_info.php?currency=USD&products_i...
I have never heard of this retailer, but they are claiming a specific delivery date (November 20, 2009)!
There is another site http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?product...
Mobile City has been offering the Pre for quite some time, but no ETA.
FWIW. I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the unlocked (or AT&T) GSM Pre. Not sure I want to pay the steep early adopter's tax, but at least once it hits the market, it will only be a couple of months before the price comes down.
~aviduser