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Phone wars! Coming Summer ‘09
We knew this summer was going to be a time for smartphones to take the gloves off and engage in all-out war for your dollars (and your two-year cell contract commitments).
Today, Sprint and Palm officially announced a release date for the much-anticipate Pre phone. It’ll be out June 6 and will cost $199 (after a $100 rebate, so really $299 to start) with a two-year Sprint cell contract. (Or, if you’re a rebel and a loner, $549 without a contract.)
Everyone expects Apple will unveil a new version of its now-ubiquitous iPhone sometime this summer and some rumors have it pinned down to a specific date: July 17. Those rumors also suggest an improved built-in camera, video recording capabilities, more storage and a faster processor, and perhaps a different screen technology that uses less battery power.
Wired.com has a side-by-side comparison of the Pre and the current iPhone 3G, but of course that goes right out the window if Apple releases a new one this summer.
There’s also talk of new phones using Google’s Android platform (if feels like it’s been a very long time since the T-Mobile’s G1 release) and surely we’ll see more BlackBerry phones coming down the pike. (Perhaps an improved BlackBerry Storm with a less frustrating-to-use touch screen?)
Based on early looks at the Pre, it sounds like it may satisfy those who’ve had iPhone envy, but weren’t willing to commit to AT&T’s cell network. As for me, my plan is to upgrade from my first-gen iPhone to the newer 3G if rumors about the specs and possible data plan pricing cuts hold true.
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By db
May 19, 2009 8:13 PM | Link to this
I just got the Blackberry Bold after having an iPhone 3G for a few months. Some people swear by the iPhone but I think the Bold is better.