10 Important Palm Pre Features for Business (Part I)
Okay, so it only took me three postings before I succumbed to the urge to create a top 10 list. I’ve been using Pre for several weeks now and have had a chance to really get to know the hardware and the operating system. I was Palm way back to the 3COM days, but I’ve been all about Microsoft since Windows CE had its coming out party to the handheld (anyone not think the iPAQ was sexy?).
My personal favorite five business features follow in this list, but let’s hear yours and we’ll compare notes on the next five in my followup post!
Don’t have a Pre yet? Head over to this site to experience Pre and play along with this top 10 list.
So, here’s the first five:
10. Screen readable in direct sunlight.
This one is self explanatory for anyone who has tried to read an e-mail or look up a contact when outside in direct sunlight, but there are a few other well thought out features that relate to the screen. Palm’s put in an ambient light sensor that that will dim or brighten the screen automatically and a proximity sensor that turns the screen off completely if you are in a phone call and bring the phone close to your face or put it in a pocket. Besides creating a nice user experience, these have the added benefit of bettering your battery performance.
9. WebKit based browser.
Being able to browse web pages and have them render just as they would on your desktop is epic. The web comes alive and a tap or pinch makes pages easier to read and navigate. Ever try to fill out a form using other mobile browsers? It’s tough to get the cursor in the field and many times the submit button or drop down lists don’t render correctly.
If you find a web page that you think has important information that you would like to share with a customer or team mates, your just a few taps away from creating a pre-populated e-mail with the URL. webOS earns its name when it comes to enabling users to interact with the web.
8. Slide out physical full QWERTY keyboard.
Yes, the keyboard has been described as pixy-like, but let’s face it there are a number of reasons business users prefer a physical keyboard.
Virtual keyboards take up precious screen real estate and are fine if you don’t mind being isolated to a single application like typing.
7. Exchange ActiveSync support.
Put in your e-mail address and Pre does the rest. E-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks are synchronized using Direct Push making life easy for the business user. SSL is enabled automatically for security and a future webOS update will allow enterprises to disable if they prefer.
Pre doesn’t offer all of the EAS capabilities yet, but because webOS can be updated over the air these table stake features will be added quickly and efficiently.
6. Centralized device management.
Lose your device? Just get yourself to your computer’s web browser and completely wipe the data from your Pre. Get a new Pre to replace your lost one? Just login to your new Pre with your original ID and password and restore your settings! No need to call your helpdesk or bother your IT guy.
(note: webOS 1.0.3 is available today for download; get details here )
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SubscribeTags: ActiveSync, Palm Pre, QWERTY keyboard, Sprint, WebKit
June 26th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I like my pre but apps need to be made 4 this thing immediately. Come on palm, ur slacking. I’m sick of the same 30 apps
June 26th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Free turn by turn directions is huge for the business traveler.
June 26th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I’m looking forward to VeriSign publishing their VIP app for the Pre. It was great on my blackberry but now that I upgraded to the Pre I have to cary around ine of their tokens again to access my secured accounts.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
[...] Earlier I posted about the top ten Palm Pre features for business, starting with the first five. Here’s the final five: [...]