Palm Eos/Castle/Pixie set to spar with iPhone on AT&T's network

Cleve Nettles
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April 30, 2009
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The mobile device market is heating up just a bit over the past few weeks, isn't it?  The latest bomb is that Palm isn't just throwing the Pre on Sprint's network, it is also building a WebOS competitor to the iPhone for AT&T. 

The Palm Eos (codenamed Castle/Pixie) will cost $99 with a plan and be an ultra-thin version of the Pre with a non-slideout QWERTY keyboard.  

Engadget got the picts, specs and the details:

It is an "astounding" 10.6mm thin, will measure just 55mm x 111mm (about 2.1 by 4.3-inches), weigh 100 grams, and will tout a 2.63-inch, 320 x 400 capacitive display (that's 80 pixels less than the Pre or iPhone).  It also sports:

  • 4GB storage
  • Price: $349 (pre-rebate) ($99 after)
  • Camera: 2 megapixel fixed focus digital camera and flash / video capture
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 w/ A2DP and EDR, USB 2.0 via micro USB
  • Removable 1150 mAh battery (4 hours 3G talk time)
  • Messaging: SMS, MMS (picture and video only), integrated IM client
  • Contact sync with AT&T Address Book
  • MediaNet
  • Cellular Video
  • Email: POP3, IMAP4, and EAS support
  • A-GPS
  • Audio: WAV, MP3, AAC, AAC+ ringtones
  • Video Playback: MPEG4, H.264, H.263

And you wonder why Apple has been knocking on Verizon's door?

 

Comments (14)

Paulie D (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 12:35pm

What are those chicklet thingys below the screen?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 12:54pm

All these great phones - yet not a one of them work on Verizon except for the derided BlackBerry Storm. I've been a loyal Verizon customer for years, but now I understand that they really don't compete.

Verizon will likely be able to weather the storm for a few more months, as its marketing machine is exceptional. However it won't take forever for customers to realize that Verizon just doesn't have a viable smartphone.

And on top of that, Verizon doesn't even have an exclusive with the Storm.

It makes sense to me that Verizon is trying to play hardball with the cell phone manufacturers - Apple and Palm and Google included - and is coming up short EVERY time.

daPrinz (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 12:55pm

Looks like Palm received the wake-up call and is finally coming out the grave.
Although I don't like the Palm line I hope they do good and come back in the game to compete with RIM and Apple!

powers | April 30, 2009 - 1:02pm

So?

Won't find one in my pocket.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 1:08pm

The Palm Eos (codenamed Castle/Pixie) and costing $99 with a plan, the device is an ultra-thin version of the Pre with a non-slideout QWERTY keyboard. It is also very thin.

Bad sign. It seems like Palm is talking about their follow-up phone before their next phone is even released.

This doesn't bode well. They haven't even sold a single Pre, and they're already talking about the pipeline? It sounds like they're just setting their customers up: "Oh, the Pre wasn't that good, but the Eos will address all the issues! Don't buy a BlackBerry or an iPhone, just wait for us!"

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 1:16pm

maybe we'll get a real smartphone not a toy like the iphone.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 1:27pm

You are an idiot and a negative person.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 2:31pm

Why didn't you say that to the people who says things like "So? Won't see one in my pocket?"

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 1:50pm

Obviously a moron who has never used an iPhone

kevin (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 2:14pm

Get over it. the iPhone is an iPod -as said by big Steve himself. It's a great gadget & the marketing is superb.
Touch is NOT new...icons are NOT new...
get over it. iPhone has competition -this only pushes MORE innovation... get over it

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 4:16pm

OS3 is just giving us 3G iPhone owners the 2001 capabilities it should have when the original iPhone was shipped.

And I'm sick and tired of having to pay for ewvery little feature that should have been built into the phone.

Between the 2 year contract cost of the phone and nickel and dimed for the .01% of useful apps in app store I'm into the damn phone for about 3 grand.

Bring it on Palm I've been waiting to get out of Apple's Snobish little cult.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 7:47pm

I must have missed the memo that forced you to upgrade... or perhaps the memo that said this two year contract thing is a new, iphone-exclusive feature.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 4:16pm

OS3 is just giving us 3G iPhone owners the 2001 capabilities it should have when the original iPhone was shipped.

And I'm sick and tired of having to pay for ewvery little feature that should have been built into the phone.

Between the 2 year contract cost of the phone and nickel and dimed for the .01% of useful apps in app store I'm into the damn phone for about 3 grand.

Bring it on Palm I've been waiting to get out of Apple's Snobish little cult.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2009 - 2:30pm

I almost agree with you 100% i have been complaining for years now. Verizon's business model is the worst. historically VZ has only done things to benefit them. like for example slow device approval, crippling phone features (consumer doesn't benefit from that) , charging for features that are free on other devices. like the iPhones visual voicemail. VZ has also systematically lied to its costumers about locking down their phones. VZ has claimed many times in the past they don't do this. but there are very few ways around avoiding use of their horrible platform. it reminds me of Microsoft in many ways. they refuse or are slow to adapt to what people want.

" its marketing machine is exceptional? "

Just like MS. has yet to change. little has changed since the 90's in my eyes. The only positive thing i can say about VZ is that their voice service is really good. but that is only part of the equation.

P.S.

my provider is Verizon.