I asked this of peter via Twitter since he is the only one I know how has played with both extensively. He suggested asking here to get more feedback, so what do you guys think?
I would like Outlook integration as much as possible (we don't have exchange, though), and I would also like to make my phone my primary media player as well (and leave my Touch at home as an internet tablet in the living room). Which would be a better fit for me? Pre or Droid?
Discussion about
OK, Peter and others: I am on Verizon, so Droid now, or wait for Pre?
I think compared to the droid the pre is a dead end. If you want to wait for it for particular features like music then go ahead it will work for a while but I think you'll end up back at an Android phone.
As a Pre user for the past few months I would suggest the DROID. I love WebOS on the Pre, and the contact sync stuff is excellent. However, I think Palm is not going to last very long in this market, and so I feel obligated to steer you away from committing to the Pre. Also, the Pre hardware is very flimsy and lackluster whereas the DROID appears very solid.
I second this. I've had a Pre for a few months and I definitely love my phone, but I don't really know where Palm can go from here. If you've got Verizon, the Pre isn't worth waiting for.
I'm actually kind of hoping that at some point it'll be possible to get Android running on the Pre.
I'm actually kind of hoping that at some point it'll be possible to get Android running on the Pre.
Not to make your decision any harder but there is another Android 2.0 phone rumored to come out on Verizon called the HTC Passion/Dragon. It supposedly packs a 1 GHz processor with HTC's beautiful Sense user interface. Its an all touchscreen phone with a 4.3 inch 480X800 pixel display. Think of it as combination of the Droid Hero and HD2 slapped together all in one.
I am waiting for the rumors to pan out (BGR's ninjas put the release date on Black Friday or mid December). If they turn out to be untrue then I am going for the Droid.
I am waiting for the rumors to pan out (BGR's ninjas put the release date on Black Friday or mid December). If they turn out to be untrue then I am going for the Droid.
All touch kills it for me - I require a keyboard... that's why it was the Pre or the Droid.
There is a similar question already on another discuss thread: discuss.gdgt.com/motorola/droid/general/Droid-or-P...
My answer was the following:
" There is a very big difference between these two devices in my opinion. On one hand you have the Pre which is a beautiful device with a very new OS that has a small developer base and is run by a company that is hurting financially (Palm). Because this developer base is so small there really insn't too many 1st or 3rd party applications that can increase the actual usability of the Pre over time.
On the other hand you have the Droid which also runs on beautiful hardware (perhaps even more than the Pre). Droid runs Android (version 2.0) which is a development project run under the all mighty hand of Google. Android already has around 10,000 applications available for download to all Android devices.
If you're looking for a device that is going to move fast and grow gracefully with the market then the Droid is the device for you. A successful mobile device is 50% hardware and 50% software (UI, Apps, Marketplace, etc...)
Just my 2 cents and I hope it helps with your decision. "
My answer was the following:
" There is a very big difference between these two devices in my opinion. On one hand you have the Pre which is a beautiful device with a very new OS that has a small developer base and is run by a company that is hurting financially (Palm). Because this developer base is so small there really insn't too many 1st or 3rd party applications that can increase the actual usability of the Pre over time.
On the other hand you have the Droid which also runs on beautiful hardware (perhaps even more than the Pre). Droid runs Android (version 2.0) which is a development project run under the all mighty hand of Google. Android already has around 10,000 applications available for download to all Android devices.
If you're looking for a device that is going to move fast and grow gracefully with the market then the Droid is the device for you. A successful mobile device is 50% hardware and 50% software (UI, Apps, Marketplace, etc...)
Just my 2 cents and I hope it helps with your decision. "
I think the Droid is probably the better of the two phones, but it does come down to a matter of personal preference. WebOS is a more elegant mobile OS than Android and I kinda like the keyboard on the Pre, but for me having great Gmail (there's no better mobile Gmail experience than on Android), the high resolution screen, battery life, and larger app ecosystem make picking the Droid over the Pre a relatively easy decision.
The Droid has much better better hardware and a more vibrant app ecosystem. The Pre has much better UI and multitasking. Both of their hardware keyboards are uninspiring, but at least the Droid has an on-screen keyboard as an alternative. Interesting enough, I think the Droid is actually a lot more similar to the Pre than the iPhone. Of course, both the webOS and Android have Linux underpinnings, so that's probably not surprising. The Pre is still a lot more polished than Android (even 2.0). I would probably go with the Pre if I were choosing between the two, but I think most people would choose the Droid. It has a lot more mojo and momentum right now.
I'm not sure what you mean by outlook working on android if your not using exchange. If your using IMAP with your ISP for your e-mail it shouldn't matter if you use outlook, thunderbird, android, iphone, etc. as all your e-mail should be stored and accessed via your ISP's IMAP servers. If you delete it on your android, it should delete everywhere. I'd recommend IMAP for anyone needing their mail the same everywhere. Pretty much every ISP and major e-mail provider provides IMAP access. As far as calendar sync, i'm not sure there is a solution for you.
Yes, my ISP (ATT) uses Yahoo Mail as it's IMAP, so that is an option, but I have read here and elsewhere that the Gmail integration is just so good that I might see if I can end up using that interface somehow.
So, it is not really the email itself I am worried about, that I am sure I can get working one way or another. It is really the remaining Outlook stuff: Contacts, Calendar and Tasks. It would be great to have contacts sync rather than having to enter them in to Outlook and then separately into the phone, etc.
So, it is not really the email itself I am worried about, that I am sure I can get working one way or another. It is really the remaining Outlook stuff: Contacts, Calendar and Tasks. It would be great to have contacts sync rather than having to enter them in to Outlook and then separately into the phone, etc.
There are syncing tools that will sync outlook contacts and calendar with Google. Be very careful when you do this though. I once synced Outlook to Google. And my Blackberry to Google. The result was duplications of everything in my calendar for some reason. It was really annoying getting all of my alerts twice.
It would be wise to backup your Calendar and Contacts data before doing any kind of syncing just in case it goes nuts and duplicates everything.
It would be wise to backup your Calendar and Contacts data before doing any kind of syncing just in case it goes nuts and duplicates everything.
Thanks I will keep that in mind if I go this way (and I am definitely leaning toward the Droid). I suppose I could create a Gmail account and try some things out during this week to see how it goes (backing up, as you suggest, of course). If it does, then that will be a strong clincher.
I'll add one factor not mentioned in other comments. The pre's form factor is quite diminutive, while the Droid appears (at least from printed dimensions & pics) to be almost beastly, albeit a thin beast. But since you're looking for it to function as your PMP, I wouldn't overlook that issue. I will admit the Pre is my main phone, but I think the size in-hand is more important in day-to-day use than most people realize. After all, we are talking pocket gear instead of coffee-table gear like your Touch.
I really don't think that the Droid is any bigger or smaller than most of todays "smartphone" devices. The BlackBerry Storm, MyTouch 3G, iPhone 3G, Most Nokia phones (N85, N900, N97, 5800, etc ...) are all of similar size and some are much thicker. If you look at the Pre vs. Droid dimensions it looks like this:
PRE:
Height: 100.5mm
Width: 59.5mm
Thickness: 16.95mm
DROID:
Height: 115.8 mm
Width: 60 mm
Depth: 13.7 mm
As you can see the droid is thinner and only .5mm wider (not even noticeable).
Not bad eh?
PRE:
Height: 100.5mm
Width: 59.5mm
Thickness: 16.95mm
DROID:
Height: 115.8 mm
Width: 60 mm
Depth: 13.7 mm
As you can see the droid is thinner and only .5mm wider (not even noticeable).
Not bad eh?
The Droid is more than one ounce heavier than the Pre. I had an iPhone for about a day and found the weight of it a little bothersome. The Pre and the iPhone weigh about the same, but with the Droid being an heavy as it is (about 20% heavier than the Pre/iPhone) I am personally a little bit concerned about the pocketability of the Droid. Won't know for sure until I handle one, though, so I am keeping an open mind.
Craig, that is a very good point and I am a bit schizo since I would love for it be a slick and lean phone, but also a larger screen media player and app platform. I am currently using the Palm Centro and, despite its ancient OS and sluggish performance, I do like the smaller form factor. But, I am also carrying around an iPod Touch for media and apps anyway! So, rather than replacing a small device for a bulkier one, I am actually replacing a large device with one of a similar size and losing the smaller phone.
I just want to note that the Droid is fairly average in size compared to the IPhone and many other high end smartphones.
The fact is as of now you cannot get a large screen into a small phone :)
Also there are limitations on what you can put into a smaller phone as well.
I still haven't figured out how I am going to get outlook into the droid or even my emails. However with so many people using android I'm sure there will be apps very soon.
The fact is as of now you cannot get a large screen into a small phone :)
Also there are limitations on what you can put into a smaller phone as well.
I still haven't figured out how I am going to get outlook into the droid or even my emails. However with so many people using android I'm sure there will be apps very soon.
Right now we use POP at work on Outlook, with Yahoo Mail as our webmail when needed. I don't mind melding it with Gmail (since I understand I have to get a Gmail account anyway to use the App Marketplace) and it sounds like I can get faster refresh that way.
Here is another question: Right now I use the iPhone earbuds with the inline remote, which I find essential for managing a touchscreen device while it is tucked away in a pocket. Would this inline remote (and mic) work with the Droid, or will they be coming out with a compatible version?
Here is another question: Right now I use the iPhone earbuds with the inline remote, which I find essential for managing a touchscreen device while it is tucked away in a pocket. Would this inline remote (and mic) work with the Droid, or will they be coming out with a compatible version?
To your question about the headphones, I'm pretty sure each device is proprietary. Eg, the Pre headphones/mic don't work with iPhone, don't work with other devices, etc.
Also, to your Pre / Droid dilemma, the only reason I'd say to go for the Pre is their prices. They're much, much cheaper than Verizon.
Also, to your Pre / Droid dilemma, the only reason I'd say to go for the Pre is their prices. They're much, much cheaper than Verizon.
I purchased the Pre during the opening week and at first, liked it a lot. I've had too many Palm OS devices to count so I was a loyal Palm fan, but maybe the novelty wore off and I now find the phone lacking apps, is sluggish, and is quirky. The hardware itself has a lot to be desired as well. For example, the screen half of the phone swivels over the lower half to the point where I can see the internals. Looking to get a replacement, the Sprint rep says that's "by design" so they won't replace it. For that reason, the Pixi looks tempting as it has no moving parts, but I'm thinking webOS will still be sluggish and the lack of apps is a deal breaker for me. This holiday season, I'm probably going to bite the bullet (and pay the early termination sprint contract) and make the switch to Android/Droid. I have the G1, which I gave to my grade-schooler, but i think android is the way to go. I do like my iPod Touch and all the games/apps, but i'd like to be able to carry one device that does it all.
I can sell you my Pre if you're still on that side of the fence :-)
I can sell you my Pre if you're still on that side of the fence :-)
I have to say after having a terrible experience with the Palm Pre hardware I would have to vote for the Droid. Although it's not as polished or as intuitive as webOS, Android has a strong developer community behind it 10,000 apps and they really expand what you can do with this phone.
Palm's hardware failures and the fact that a more polished Android 2.0 is on the way or here if your getting Droid. I will say again go with Droid. Currently I'm using the HTC Hero and I love it although not perfect I'm sure Android will sing on the high end hardware that Samsung has it running on.
Bottom line Palm Pre has questionable build quality I went through 2 phones in 4 days both were basically bad right out of the box I spent 4 days in physical stores and 5 on the phone with customer service.
Do yourself a favor and get the Droid and not the low end one either the HTC Hero specs are better than the low end offering from verizon and it can be sluggish at times even after the fixes.
Good Luck
Palm's hardware failures and the fact that a more polished Android 2.0 is on the way or here if your getting Droid. I will say again go with Droid. Currently I'm using the HTC Hero and I love it although not perfect I'm sure Android will sing on the high end hardware that Samsung has it running on.
Bottom line Palm Pre has questionable build quality I went through 2 phones in 4 days both were basically bad right out of the box I spent 4 days in physical stores and 5 on the phone with customer service.
Do yourself a favor and get the Droid and not the low end one either the HTC Hero specs are better than the low end offering from verizon and it can be sluggish at times even after the fixes.
Good Luck
Peter (or anyone else who has a Droid to play with), will my earbuds with inline remote (iPhone variety) work with the Droid? If not, can you find out whether there will be supported earbuds with remotes?
This is extremely important since listening to spoken word (like the GDGT podcast!) often requires a lot of pause/play and a touchscreen device can't be manipulated in a pocket.
This is extremely important since listening to spoken word (like the GDGT podcast!) often requires a lot of pause/play and a touchscreen device can't be manipulated in a pocket.
I think, since you seem willing to wait for the Pre if it turns out to be the right phone for you, you should wait until the Pre is available. This will give the Droid time to see how it honestly holds up. As a Pre owner, I believe it will turn out to be the right phone for you.
Yes, that would be the practical thing to do! And, it may be that I have to wait. Our office has a plan that runs out in February and only one of us can get an upgrade early. I figured I could be the one, but now the senior partner is making noises about wanting a BB Tour, and he IS the boss. Being forced to wait might be a blessing in disguise, but I am SO ready for a new phone.
I got the Pre at launch and have not had any hw or sw problems. I love the WebOS, however, the Pre hardware does feel a little cheap when the unit is open. If Sprint did not have such great prices and I did not get a big discount through my company I would really consider the Droid. I think Google is going to do some great things with Android, but I cannot say the same for Palm and WebOS. I just do not see them being around for long. They are up against Apple, Google, RIM, and Microsoft. I think Palm's days are numbered. The Pre is not a bad device, I just think it is being out classed by the big boys. Whenever Sprint comes out with an Android 2.0 on good hardware I will give the Pre to a family member and make the switch.
I've gotta throw in some Pre love. I switched from Verizon to Sprint for the Pre about two months ago, and I couldn't be happier. I will admit, I think the Droid hardware is definitely superior (I do have concerns about my Pre making it the full two years). But given that, I would still pick the Pre. WebOS is just that much better than Android. I think you should also take into consideration that WebOS is less than six months old, is about to hit version 1.3, and in those three small revisions we've seen a multitude of functionality additions (not going to list them all here). Android on the other hand is over a year old, is about to hit 2.0, and yet 2.0 still does not address some of the biggest gripes that reviewers have with the platform. I wouldn't be so sure Android is as infallible as some claim it is.
In the end, I think this decision should really come down to personal preference. For me, the number of apps is not a very important factor in my phone criteria. Sure Android and the iPhone lay claim to thousands upon thousands of apps, while the Pre only has a couple hundred (counting homebrew), but I think you'd be VERY hard pressed on either of those platforms to find thousands of apps that actually provide even remotely necessary or useful functionality. My Pre does every thing I need and it does it remarkably well.
One thing I do think you should do is go check out Engadget's review of the Droid and the Pre, I think they will definitely help shed some light on the pros and cons of each (keep in mind some of the WebOS nitpicks have been addressed since the review). They are both very detailed and well written pieces that should really give you a good idea of which weaknesses are deal-breakers for you, and which ones you don't care about.
Pre review: www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/palm-pre-review/
Droid review: www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/motorola-droid-review/
In the end, I think this decision should really come down to personal preference. For me, the number of apps is not a very important factor in my phone criteria. Sure Android and the iPhone lay claim to thousands upon thousands of apps, while the Pre only has a couple hundred (counting homebrew), but I think you'd be VERY hard pressed on either of those platforms to find thousands of apps that actually provide even remotely necessary or useful functionality. My Pre does every thing I need and it does it remarkably well.
One thing I do think you should do is go check out Engadget's review of the Droid and the Pre, I think they will definitely help shed some light on the pros and cons of each (keep in mind some of the WebOS nitpicks have been addressed since the review). They are both very detailed and well written pieces that should really give you a good idea of which weaknesses are deal-breakers for you, and which ones you don't care about.
Pre review: www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/palm-pre-review/
Droid review: www.engadget.com/2009/10/30/motorola-droid-review/
