[General Questions and Answers] LWBIIPLLC:
Palm Pre or HTC TOUCH PRO (I/II)

I think it totally depends on the reasons for which you intend to use the prospective phone. For example, if you are primarily looking to use the phone for voice calls and internet service and that is all, the Pre becomes a very attrative option (notwithstanding allegations of design and manufacturing defects in relation to the device's housing, LCD, keyboard, and sliding mechanism. See ZDNET.com and conduct a search with this in mind.) Assuming those alleged issues are either non-issues or have been resolved, the Pre seems to be ideal for the non-power user. Beware however, I understand the Pre does NOT have Bluetooth capacity. This, it seems to me, could pose to be a deal-breaker for a number of users who rely heavily on Bluetooth headsets, REDFLY Mobile Companions, remote contact synchronization, and add-on QWERTY/Mice solutions.

As to the Htc Touch Pro line of devices and their varied analogs: There has been some allegations of slow performance notwithstanding the processor installed therein. In fact, I've tested the Diamond (I) and Pro(I) extensively and found the Pro(I) to be significantly zippier than the Diamond (I). But if you consider the impending release of devices such as the Toshiba TG01 and HTC THOTH (fouth in the Advantage line of devices) both of which are slated to sport 1GHz processors and greater than 4" displays. This is quite compelling when you consider the existing specs of the Pro(I) and Pro(II). Conversely, the Palm PRE is a tiny little package for what you get and all that it does to simplify how users interface with the phone. Toward that end, I recommend comparing the Palm Pre with the SAMSUNG S30. Also use caution when signing two-year agreements that fundamentaly change your rates, data access terms, and do so as a REQUIREMENT to getting the phone AT ALL within your upgrade eligibility.

SOLUTION: I recommend getting either a Toshiba TG01 or HTC THOTH if you are a "super-duper" power user. If you are a regular power user, get the HTC Touch PRO (II), (I), or something in the Diamond line of devices (in that order). THEN, go to palm's open source website, and download the background picture of the "Today Screen" for the Palm Pre. Open the cab file in the Pro's Picture/Video application. From the right menu option, choose the option to set that picture as your today screen, reducing the brightness according to taste. Then, go to your TouchFLO 3D settings and do the same. Presto! You have an HTC TOUCH PRO series device and all the beauty that can be found in any of the ROMs herein at your disposal. Be sure to donate accordingly. Plus you have it with the Pre "look and feel". Alternatively, you could (if relatively industrious) snag a copy of TealPoint's TealOS, and try running it's trial version on an old compatible Palm device if you have one collecting dust, just to see if you would indeed enjoy the interface, or get tired of it after a while. I do both of these options in re my Touch Pro (I) and Palm LifeDrive. My LifeDrive is the largest Palm Pre human-kind will never know. It's actually quite novel. I think of it as my "Jump-Drive-With-A-Touchscreen", As I also run ANDROID on both devices, I have a "dual-OS" for each--providing a measure of continuity between the two. Again, it's not overkill, because to me, the LD is just the mother of all jump-drives--nothing more.

Hope this discussion helped and these examples provide you with useful ideas. Keep in mind, above all, give some real thought and reflection to exactly what kind of "user" you actually are, not what you want to be or would like to think of yourself as being. If the most you do on a daily basis is make calls and surf the net . . . I'd be dubious of making a substantial investment into ANY phone that provides "everything & the kitchen sink". Do not for that matter, be overly swayed by hardware-based QWERTY keyboards included thereon. Virtual keyboards are getting better and better these days--and if the keyboard is there, eating up some memory anyway, us might as well use it. I think you'll be surprised even with a hardware QWERTY, how much LESS you end up using it than anticipated.

Good luck to you,

LWBIIPLLC