It’s being advertised as “the first 3G smartphone smart enough for mom.” And if you’re the lucky winner of our random drawing, a new Palm Pre Plus can be yours just for being a fan of Manic Mommies.
We’re participating in a Palm Pre Plus campaign run by our friends at The Motherhood.com. To facilitate our review of the device (and a fun giveaway for our podcast listeners) Verizon sent us two Palm Pre Plus phones: one to test out and one to give away. I’ve been using the device for the past week and must confess I’ve been comparing it to my iPhone at every turn. I am pretty loyal to my iPhone—Kristin even more loyal to hers—so I was doubtful that I’d be wowed by the device. I have to say though, I was pleasantly surprised.
Here’s what I like about this device:
- Size. It’s smaller than a deck of cards and although thicker than an iPhone, it can fit in the pocket of a jacket or a pair of slacks. It might fit into the pocket of your jeans if you wear ‘em baggy.
- Set up was a cinch! I had the phone out of the box and activated in a matter of minutes.
- Incredibly simple integration with Gmail and Google calendar. This is one more reason to have a Google account. It seems as if almost any device you buy these days has Gmail, Facebook and Twitter built in. Really, go Google or go home.
- Full QWERTY keyboard. If there’s one thing about the iPhone I hate, it’s typing on it. I find the keyboard on the Pre so much easier to use, probably because I have small hands and fingers. Big fingers may have more trouble with the tiny keys.
- Mirror on the back. Call me vain, but I’ve always thought if I can check everything else on my iPhone, why not my lipstick?
- App catalog. Sure, the Palm Pre Plus does not have anywhere near the number of available iPhone apps, but it does have a few handy games to keep you or the kids occupied. I recommend tic-tac-toe and the memory game.
- Mobile Hotspot. I haven’t tried this out yet myself, but there is an add-on app that turns the Palm Pre Plus into a WiFi hot spot for up to five devices. Of course, there is an additional monthly charge for this feature.
My one main complaint about the Palm Pre Plus is the number of gestures required to switch between applications. There are several swipe points on the screen (which is stunning, btw). Sometimes you swipe sideways along the bottom. Sometimes you swipe down from the upper right corner, other times you swipe up in the middle. At times I couldn’t figure out how to simply make a phone call.
That left me wondering, “Is this mom smart enough for this smartphone?”
The Palm Pre Plus is exclusive to Verizon and sells for $150 with a two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate.
To enter our giveaway, leave a comment below telling us how you use your phone or smartphone. Are you spending time texting, answering work email, scheduling car pools, taking pictures and posting them to Facebook or are you someone who actually makes phone calls with it?
We will pick one grand prize winner and three runners up to receive a Verzion Wireless giftcard.
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213 Responses to Giveaway: Palm Pre Plus
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I don’t currently have a smartphone, but have been looking to get one. Where I live Verizon is pretty much the only option, so winning the phone would be absolutely perfect for me! I have a 19 month old and one one the way, so any way to save time will be a godsent! Thanks for the funny and insightful podcasts that you give us every week!
I use my Palm Pre for EVERYTHING! Checking calendar to schedule appts, phoning or texting, checking FB, adding items to my Grocery Manager shopping list, keeping a “todo” list in Tasks. This is my first real smartphone, and I am feeling smarter every day I use it!
I would love this phone as currently I just have a Razr from about three years ago. So all I do on my phone is talk, with the occasional text, but it takes so long to type anything out that it is painful
As a mom, my calendar on my smartphone is essential to keeping activites, bday parties, pick-up reminders, and weekend events straight. I don’t use a family calendar anymore. I keep everything on Google calendar (color-coded) and email “invites” to the hubbie so that he has it on his phone. No “I forgot” or “I didn’t know” excuses because I sent him an invite and I know he has it on his calendar!
I do not currently have a smart phone. With my current phone I only text and take pictures. My phone just doesn’t seem so smart. I really want to get an iPhone but I don’t want to switch to AT&T service. I have heard nothing but bad things for service in my area. Thank you for all that you do for Mommies!
I have a soon to be one year old, a full time job, full time college courses,and hubby is about to start his schooling again. A phone like this would make life so much sweeter!
I currently do not have a smart phone, but am looking into getting one! I use my current phone for pictures, texting, and making calls. As my baby gets older and more activities are appearing on our schedule having a smart phone would be a huge help. I could send invites and the like to my hubbie’s phone so we’ll all be on the same page! Thanks for all you do Erin & Kristin!
COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED. We will draw at random the winner of the phone and the Verizon Gift Cards when we record our podcast later this week. Thanks for all the entries. Look for a post annoucing the winners on Friday.
Don’t have a smart phone yet but would LOVE one!!! I use my phone to basically run my life…LOL! I use my calendar, use it to make all my calls for the kids, hubby, house stuff etc., I let my kids use it for my games to save my sanity at times. I use my phone to check my facebook (ya know…VERY important stuff). Basically I need a GOOD phone that helps me be a good MANIC MOMMY. I work full time, am going to nursing school, have two kids, hubby, house and a baby on the way. PHEW!!
I use a smart phone for my life in general. I have a 10 year old who always waits until the last minute plus is on 2 seperate wrestling teams. I text, email and need photos on my phone, and cna’t live with out my facebook. My husband just moved to Seattle (I am in CA) for work – the phone keeps us married. I am getting an ew job and with out more organization I will probable forget to feed my animals. lol. That leads me to I HAVE TO HAVE A GREAT CALANDER!!
I have had a ‘handheld’ for over 5 years…my first a Treo, now the upgrade to that and I really don’t like it. Because about 2 years after the Treo came out, the I-phone hit and everyone got one. The Treo was very basic and not graphical. But the new Treo is more graphical and allows me to conduct phonecalls, texting everyone from friends, hubby and babysitters — I think they think it’s cool. It’s great if you’re at a concert or movie to do a quick check in! I post my facebook status, tweet and have all family members calendars on it. I even “schedule” my husband to make sure he’s aware of the piano recital, school play or soccer games. I sync it up with my computer, so when I place something on my calendar it syncs up the phone. I use it all of the time. But, I really want something a little more graphical, and something that takes better pictures, as well as all the other stuff my smartphone does now.
I have only recently decided to take the leap and get a smartphone. Until now I use my phone for actual phone calls (yes!) and texting with my kids and family (awesome to have texting with kids who have very full schedules). And I have saved the internet and email for my computer. This mom sees the need to upgrade to a smartphone. We have phone, cell, internet and even tv service through Verizon and so a Palm Pre Plus is on the research list! Thanks very much for the review
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I’d love to have a Palm Pre Plus smartphone. I already have Verizon, so it would be perfect for me! I’d use the phone to keep track of my girls’ many activities that keep me driving from place-to-place all day long. And with Facebook and some of those other apps, I could have fun while I wait. Thanks!