Product Review: The Palm Pre Plus

My Palm Pre Plus smart phone is one week old and we're ironing out a few bugs. The applications are wonderful but it's taking me a little time on how to access each one. Basic applications are simple enough to understand but how many applications does one need on a cell phone? However, it does look terribly chic in my palm. It's pretty sleek, very stylish, and though it's made of glossy plastic, the Palm Pre doesn't look cheap at all.

Access to the internet is wonderful. It was already installed when I bought the phone so that made things easy for me. Although-first complaint-with so many apps, including internet access and bluetooth, you can't imagine how fast it zaps the battery. Actually, I have to charge the Pre Plus every night after an average day of use.

This smart phone is connected to my gmail account. Gmail contacts were automatically transferred to my cell by the Verizon guy. Checking email from the Palm is simple and sending mail is a breeze since it has a keyboard. Granted it's like a Mini-Me keyboard, but won't be hard to get used to. The Palm Pre does have a virtual keyboard through the PreWare application. Oh no, another app for me to download. I'll wait. But the virtual keyboard allows you to type without having to slide open your phone. Saves the wear and tear, I suppose.

The Wi-Fi application keeps me connected to the internet which is a good thing for this Twittaholic. Checking in on Facebook is also important to me. Why, you might ask? I use both of those to post links to my business, articles and blogs.

The Palm Pre Plus also creates a hot spot if your Wi-Fi goes down or you're on the road. I have not tried this yet, but it should connect to my laptop or desktop to the internet using the PreWare app on this phone. I heard it's a little tricky setting the application up. It's an extra step or two, plus you'll have to create a password, or pass phrase as they call it. I guess in this fast-paced world we want everything with one click.

Another fun gadget to play with is the music app. It would be nice if it worked for me. Apparently, Apple does not like the Pre and has blocked the phone's ability to sync with iTunes software. The songs are on my cell, but I can't hear them. I'll be waiting anxiously for Palm to explore alternatives.

The PDF view and Documents on the Go, on the other hand, are working marvelously. I successfully transferred a few of my articles. Someone just emailed half a book of recipes as a PDF file. That's always nice to have when visiting family out of state or country, so on the phone it is. My family loves to swap recipes.

Important to me, since I'm directionally challenged, is easy access to Google maps and if needed, I have the VZ Navigator. I believe that would be an extra $2 a month. I also use the memo app. It's kind of like putting all my yellow stickies in one place.

Pricing of the Palm Pre is very affordable. Mine was $49.99 for device only, without the extras. Second regret: not getting the accessories which included a case and a car charger.

Unfortunately, I've encountered another problem with the Palm. I woke up this morning to the sounds of very hungry baby sparrows. Mamma bird was feeding them and I snapped a few pictures with my phone. After three shots the camera screen went blank. A search on the internet for a quick fix only showed post after post of people saying there is no fix.

In conclusion-just when I thought I figured the Palm Pre Plus out, it looks like I'll need a new phone. So goes life on the tech highway.