Pre to hit AT&T Soon? 17

by Robert Werlinger Tue, 27 Oct 2009 1:02 pm EDT

We already know that the Pre is coming to Verizon in early 2010, but we're wondering if AT&T is going to get on the train. A tipster, in attendance of the Sprint Open Developers Conference has informed us that Palm gave a demo of the Pre running on AT&T's network just hours ago. We're assuming that the folks at Palm aren't stuck using a German QWERTZ - so either this is a sign of things to come with AT&T or it's just Palm showing off (no, we're not bitter, not at all).

Tell you what, Palm, if AT&T takes a flier on the Palm Pre -- just like they did with the Treo Pro -- we recommend you follow the same strategy you did with the Treo Pro: offer an unlocked GSM Palm Pre. Open platform, open development, open applications... it's time the Pre was also available with an open - which is to say non-existent - contract.

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17 Comments

Posted by vara411 on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:08 am EDT

An unlocked GSM Pre without the QWERTZ keyboard would be very desirable to many people... and a good move by Palm. ;)

Posted by kjb86 on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:20 am EDT

Well, yesterday I was just browsing around on the Pre like every day and I came across these 2 links:

http://www.welectronics.com/gsm/PALMONE/PALM_PRE.HTML

http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?product...

Both are claiming to be unlocked, QWERTY. Not sure if they are lying, but if anyone wants to do some further research on it do it up!

Posted by atremorer on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 9:05 am EDT

OK, glancing at these links is encouraging. Even more encouraging is that when looking at this site:

http://www.welectronics.com/gsm/PALMONE/PALM_PRE.HTML

...there is a link at the bottom to "CLICK HERE TO GET THE MEMORY CARD FOR PALM PRE" which takes us here:

http://www.welectronics.com/Accessories/PALMONE/PALM-PRE-MEMORYCARD.HTML

It shows a 2 GB memory card (though it is vagues as to whether it is micro/mini SD).

If the Pre came with memory expansion, it would TRULY rock.

Posted by jordan23945bulls on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 5:33 pm EDT

Posted by jbern8 on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:18 am EDT

palm employees have unlocked gsm pres for their own use, this has nothing to do with future production.

Posted by grymtyrant on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:19 am EDT

I doubt it will be on AT&T. Apple doesn't want competition for the Iphone on the same network. Plus if its already on Sprint and going to Verizon..... Don't think its going to hit three major US carriers. At the most 2.

Posted by DogEars on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:24 am EDT

Completely untrue.

AT&T will be losing their exclusive access to the iPhone in the near future. And this is about $$$ man...they can easily charge the same data rate as they do for the iPhone.

More phones = more money, and the space is big enough for the iPhone, webOS devices, and Android devices to all co-exist peacefully.

Posted by jumbeaux1 on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:27 am EDT

Yeah. that will solve the 'no launch plan in Asia' issue. Fanboys can get our hands on Pre early with some modifications (if any) to be able to make the device function as phone, MMS and 3G browsing. I couldn't care less about 'cloud'. this was what happened in Spore with iphone a couple of years back.

Posted by Ana2680 on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:43 am EDT

Good for palm, however AT&T plans are horrible and expensive compare to sprint and verizon.

Posted by cowpen on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 2:14 pm EDT

Oh PLEASE let it be true! My T650 is running on fumes. ?

Posted by addiarmadar on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 2:24 pm EDT

Maybe the Pixie for ATT but not the Pre, unless ATT and Apple are getting a divorce and dropping the iPhone all together. Ok maybe when the unlocked GSM Pre is out sure..

Posted by jfa1 on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 3:20 pm EDT

I would like to see an ATt pre or pixi withiout a slider or physical keyboard and thin with a larger screen

Posted by coasterer on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 7:49 pm EDT

I believe you are describing a totally different phone - one's that available now on AT&T.

Posted by Who? on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 7:34 pm EDT

No one is going to pay full price for a Pre and then pay AT&T full price for their plans. See anyone with a Treo Pro?

What a dumb idea.

Posted by spectralfish on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 9:43 pm EDT

Im locked in an AT&T family plan, so I have to use AT&T. However, i really like Palm's new products. I really REALLY hope palm releases the pre on AT&T, or at least the pixi. It's the only way i can get to use webOS.

Posted by jmg_P1OS21 on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 1:15 am EDT

Although I am on at&t, I shall do what I did with my T680... buy it unlocked *ORANGE* (to remind of of my handspring PDA)... ok, there shall be no orange version BUT I want an unlocked Pre... or... makes me wonder if I shall gamble and wait for PRE II or PIXI II (with 16gb of Ram?)

I know...

Posted by D.E on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 3:55 pm EST

COMING IN MAY! -- According to the FCC, the Palm Pre is coming to AT&T May 2010 - http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/02/12/palm-pre-on-att-release-date-c...