Palm Pre ---to--->> EVO 4g switchers: Do you miss your Pre yet?

[Starfleet Captain]

I know I do. I let my Pre go, sending it 750 miles away (To a friend that needed another phone) after buying my HTC Evo 4g. While I have no regrets --- My Evo is freaking fantastic, I am starting to miss my pre

I've said this before. There will always be a soft spot in my heart for the pre. I don't think I've ever felt this way about a phone before after letting it go. The phone was laggy and slow a lot of times, and it always broke or malfunctioned rather easily. But, I guess I miss playing with it.

THings I miss:

There was this AWESOME App for the pre that I cannot seem to find and adequate substitute for in the Android App Market. It's called "Wallpaper Switcheroo". There are many apps in the Android Market that switches wallpapers, but the Switcheroo app worked in the background and downloaded new images every night to use for backgrounds. The types of images it downloaded were set by the user via the app in the image category settings. You could also set how often the background changed with an option to pause background switching during a certain time period. The thing that made this app so appealing is that when I turned on my phone, you never knew what background image you would be greeted with. I wish there was an android app that did this! Switcheroo was free in the Palm App store but I would pay to get those features with images as nice (and in higher res) on my android.

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The facebook app on the Pre is superior to the official app we have on Android. On the Pre, I got text message-like notifications on my pre whenever there was a new notification. This even without the app being open. The app on the Pre was even more intuitive than the crap we get on the Evo.
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Texting was muck more prettier on the pre than on the EVo. I know there is an app that makes messaging nicer looking, but I shouldn't have to download an app. I think its the HTC Sense messaging app that makes it look like crap. Anyone has any suggestions for apps or tweaks to make texting on my Evo look my appealing?

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Multitasking and switching between apps were a breeze on the Pre. I still can't get the hang of doing it on the EVo, though I know how. Its just not as crisp on the EVo as it is on the Pre. Of course I knew that when I got the Evo, but what can you do?

Its these little things like that that I miss about the Pre. Overall, I really like my new Evo, and wouldn't trade it for anything else... not even the iPhone 4, but I guess my pre grew stronger on me than I must have realized.

 

[TheSultan]

I didn't think I'd ever hear someone say they missed a Palm device.

As for the wallpaper switcher, you could do a couple things. One, you could email the developer for the Pre app that you liked, and ask if they have any intention of developing for Android. Or, two, checkout one of the wallpaper changing apps that you think has most of the features you like, and contact that developer and make some suggestions on how to change it.


I'm with ya on the Facebook app--you should see the Blackberry version, it's atrocious! There is a way to set up SMS notifications if you like "text" versions though.

Checkout a 3rd party app called "Handcent SMS". It's what most people use (either that or ChompSMS actually). There's a 1,000 different ways to customize the app, and incorporate MMS as well.

As for multi-tasking being "crisp", I guess I don't know what you mean. You talking about the 30Fps issue?

 

[Starfleet Captain]

I didn't think I'd ever hear someone say they missed a Palm device.

As for the wallpaper switcher, you could do a couple things. One, you could email the developer for the Pre app that you liked, and ask if they have any intention of developing for Android. Or, two, checkout one of the wallpaper changing apps that you think has most of the features you like, and contact that developer and make some suggestions on how to change it.


I'm with ya on the Facebook app--you should see the Blackberry version, it's atrocious! There is a way to set up SMS notifications if you like "text" versions though.

Checkout a 3rd party app called "Handcent SMS". It's what most people use (either that or ChompSMS actually). There's a 1,000 different ways to customize the app, and incorporate MMS as well.

As for multi-tasking being "crisp", I guess I don't know what you mean. You talking about the 30Fps issue?

Thanks for the Handcent SMS advice. I will look into it. If you've never tried multitasking on a Pre, go into a Sprint store and give it a try. Its, by far the best to use and switch than any other mobile OS out there. Hopefully, now that one of the brains behind WebOS is now working for Google on Android, we will see something similar on Gingerbread.

 

[Bnice]

@Starfleet their is an app call lockbot pro that do something similar to what your looking for not sure if its free or paid app.

 

[Woosh]

I miss their Multitasking and battery life, thats it atm. My pre was slow and I did not like the form factor at all. Originally it was nice but it wore on me fast. This atm feels great in hand, nice and solid, and a great weight.

My Pre is still active and I am thinking soon I will be canceling it and handing it off to Mom. Only thing that may stop me from keeping this will be the battery life. Unfortunately I am not even close to making it a full day right now. Tried a cpl fixes(Cdma trick + gtalk)but still its draining way too fast.

 

[semperLux]

I have an EVO now but I was going to get a Palm PRE when it was initially released by Sprint but my contract wasn't up yet and I was stuck with a Blackberry 8330. My sister has a PRE though and it is an impressive little phone. The OP addressed the one complaint that I still have about the EVO. The messaging apps on both the PRE and BB seem to organize incoming mail and txt more efficiently that my EVO. Don't get me wrong, the EVO is the most amazing device I've owned but it will take some getting used to. It's probably new user anxiety. I remember how frustrated I was when I first bought my Blackberry but then I noticed that it never crashed, it always just seemed to work.

 

[Starfleet Captain]

I miss their Multitasking and battery life, thats it atm. My pre was slow and I did not like the form factor at all. Originally it was nice but it wore on me fast. This atm feels great in hand, nice and solid, and a great weight.

My Pre is still active and I am thinking soon I will be canceling it and handing it off to Mom. Only thing that may stop me from keeping this will be the battery life. Unfortunately I am not even close to making it a full day right now. Tried a cpl fixes(Cdma trick + gtalk)but still its draining way too fast.

I feel you on the battery life. I leave mine on 3G most of the time. I only switch it to 4G when I need to do some serious mobile browsing. downloading, streaming or when I'm using the wifi tethering. I'm also using Advanced Task Killer to kill apps that don't need to be running in the background. Also, I adjust the brightness of the screen. It doesn't always need to be at highest setting.

When all is said and done, I barely get a day out of it.

On a related note, I think the battery issues most people are having is due to the fact that this phone literally has Hundreds of features not found in most phones out there. As a result, we are spending more time using out phones to install and uninstall apps, 4G streaming, video calling, The numerous GPS apps and feature, Live WallPapers, 4G wifi tether, FM Radio, games and so on. This will drain the battery quick with heavy use. STill, this is barely acceptable. Either HTC or Google (possibly by way of Froyo) needs to release a software update that deals with this issue. I'd be happy with a 20% bump in battery life.

Also, can you explain Cdma trick + gtalk? I don't know what you mean.

 

[dbpaddler]

I'm sure there's quite a few people that miss webOS, not the devices, but the OS. webOS is much more polished than Android even with Sense. Email still stinks on Android, and K9 isn't the answer. Why there still isn't ONE email app that handles everything with the same functionality as the gmail app along with push email (IMAP idle) for all web based mail that support it is beyond me. This OS is hitting maturity, and it's email is still 2nd rate at best. HTC doesn't even fully get it. And HTC's version is so much nicer looking than K9 (but kudos to all the work they've done).

Multitasking is just slick on webOS. It isn't any easier. In Android you press and hold the home button and instantly can pick whatever app is open or was recently opened. It can be quicker than flicking through cards depending on how many you have open. And the recent apps is nice as well.

Handcent isn't any prettier and neither is chomp. They give some extra functionality if you need it, but that's about it, unless you like the bubbles. I personally can't stand the iphone bubble like messaging.

 

[mrmojoz]

Handcent isn't any prettier and neither is chomp. They give some extra functionality if you need it, but that's about it, unless you like the bubbles. I personally can't stand the iphone bubble like messaging.

There are alot more display options than just the bubbles.

 

[dbpaddler]

Yes I know, but Sense's iteration of SMS is almost as clean looking as webS's version. I find both chomp and handcent not as visually appealing , and if you don't need the extra functionality there is no reason to download them. I didn't care for the pop ups after awhile. Just too intrusive. I've been content with HTC's stock sms where I always used the two alternatives when I had my Moment.

 

[DresNightfire]

I just came from the Palm Pre. I miss the cards multitasking interface as well as the QWERTY typing too (trying to get use to the auto-corrections when typing fast). Here are tips for multi-tasking that has helped me:

1) Hold down the HOME button to bring up the previous 6 Apps (similar to alt-tab in windows), then select your app to jump to it. Voila!

 

[ahaxton]

Not a bit. After getting my Evo on launch day, I get better battery life on my Evo, I have found the app selection far superior, and I LOVE the screen. I never used multi-tasking much on the Pre because of how much it slowed the device down and ate battery life. Even now on the Evo I only multi-task when I actually need to use two programs at once, otherwise I use the back button to exit out of them instead of the home button to just minimize them.

 

[Starfleet Captain]

Not a bit. After getting my Evo on launch day, I get better battery life on my Evo, I have found the app selection far superior, and I LOVE the screen. I never used multi-tasking much on the Pre because of how much it slowed the device down and ate battery life. Even now on the Evo I only multi-task when I actually need to use two programs at once, otherwise I use the back button to exit out of them instead of the home button to just minimize them.

Wait a sec...

using the back button "exits" an application? as in Closing it? Using the home button keeps it running in the background?

 

[ahaxton]

Wait a sec...

using the back button "exits" an application? as in Closing it? Using the home button keeps it running in the background?

That is my understanding from the Engadget and Gizmodo reviews. And when I renter a "closed" app its state has not been saved, as opposed to when I use the Home button. So I don't use a task killer, I just control my own apps. And I've been getting decent battery life.

 

[ashykat]

Not all apps exit with the back button. Some do but it's not an app requirement or anything.

I do miss alot about webOS. I miss the gesture area, the launcher, the fonts, the messaging apps, synergy, etc. There's so much potential there that got wasted on crappy hardware and announcing the pre wayyy to soon before release date. If they would have released that phone within a couple months of announcement they would've sold a ton more.

 

[Woosh]

Also, can you explain Cdma trick + gtalk? I don't know what you mean.

http://androidforums.com/tips-trick...killin-my-battery-life-most-likely-yours.html

^ ^ There is the gtalk supposed "fix".

The cdma...can't seem to find the thread but in with a special key entry you can turn it to go to GSM and then put it back to cdma and its supposed to get better life.

The gtalk I think has helped me a little bit on life but it constantly gets turned back on so I have to keep checking for it in running services.

I honestly may stick to rooting and trying that for battery life. Honestly atm its not too big of deal because I can keep it on the plug during the day at work but it rly rly sucks being out of the house during the weekend and having a dead phone.

 

[Robtheknob7]

Look I love my pre but it's been a year and I need a christmas present so I'm going with the Evo. I tethered my pre and it works well... Just real slow at times. I live in las Vegas so I WILL have 4G coverage...

So to anyone that had a pre in the past. What do you miss and what do you love about the Evo compared to the Pre. Thanks! Also any link to CHEAP screen protectors that work well??

 

[Pioneer74]

I dumped my launch day Pre last Wed. for the Evo.

I love the size of the screen, the speed of the processor, and the fact that the Android Market isn't a joke like Palm's.

The only thing I miss is my Touchstone. Plugging a cable in seems so 90's after using the touchstone for a year and a half.

I have a Seidio Innocase II case and their screen protectors. I would reccomend them to you, but at $11 for 2, they are not cheap.

 

[Robtheknob7]

I dumped my launch day Pre last Wed. for the Evo.

I love the size of the screen, the speed of the processor, and the fact that the Android Market isn't a joke like Palm's.

The only thing I miss is my Touchstone. Plugging a cable in seems so 90's after using the touchstone for a year and a half.

I have a Seidio Innocase II case and their screen protectors. I would reccomend them to you, but at $11 for 2, they are not cheap.

Alright thanks. Im buying this case Amazon.com: Seidio Innocase Active Case for HTC EVO 4G - Limited Edition (Amethyst): Cell Phones & Accessories

and I now just need screen protectors. But not for 11$ because I usually dont like them and take them off but I want ZERO scratches on screen so idk

 

[fmalcolmr]

Thought I would miss the multi-tasking more than I have. But in truth, I really didn't use it much on the Pre... throwing "cards" away is a lot more fun though. I can still go through things a lot faster on the Evo since the processor isn't sitting at 500mhz. One thing I do miss... is the swiping to delete function [i.e. for removing a conversation thread or a single text message from conversation...etc]. I found myself trying to do that with my Evo when I had first gotten it and it took awhile to get used to. WebOS was great when it ran smoothly...it's just a shame that Palm/HP have delayed new hardware for so long. They missed their chance to collect some of the mobile market.

 

[Stepintothedark]

I liked my pre, I really enjoyed it...

BUT after using the evo for a while now... I messed with a pre the other day, and damn that screens small... lol the PIXI.. must be meant for a 5 year old or something... that's horrid...

 

[fishnugget]

This thread is very helpful and sad because Palm really had something going. I am contemplating making the switch. I've had my Pre since launch and feel Palm has been short to deliver on the device, apps, and support. WebOs is brilliant its just the hardware that really bugs me. If the Evo drops down to 100 bucks for upgrade I may go for it. Or I may wait to see what phones palm/hp releases with WebOs. If nothing entices me I will opt for the Evo.

 

[rambo47]

While WebOS was neat and showed promise, it was FAR from finished when released. I bought a Palm Pre (and ported my number from AT&T) on day one of availability, putting my BlackBerry on the shelf. The keyboard on the Pre is one of the WORST I've ever used. I lasted a month before I simply couldn't stand it anymore. Lack of apps didn't help either. What was available on launch, something like 50 apps? And users STILL cannot set custom alerts for email, sms, etc. No, I definitely do not miss my Palm Pre. LOL!!!

 

[wubbie075]

The only thing I miss is my Touchstone. Plugging a cable in seems so 90's after using the touchstone for a year and a half.

There's a thread somewhere on a DIY fix to use the touchstone with the Evo.

I dumped my launch day Pre for a launch day Evo and have not had a single regret since I got used to Android/Sense.

And to those saying they don't like the look of Handcent: The reason ppl have been recommending it is cause you can customize the look to almost anything you want. Here's mine:


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[fishnugget]

Just got my Evo 4g
today and am playing with it. We will see how it goes!