Pre-pare yourself -- the HP Pre 3 lands in Britain this month. HP has confirmed the sequel to the mildly popular Palm Pre 2 will bring the new webOS software and apps to the UK before the end of August.
The Pre 3 is the successor to the Pre 2, packing a speedier 1.4GHz processor, 3.6-inch screen and more spacious keyboard. It uses HP's gorgeous and intuitive webOS software, which is styled like a deck of cards.
One of our favourite features is the 'Just Type' option, which lets you type something first and then figure out what you want to do with it afterwards -- whether it's searching the phone or the Web, starting an email or sending a text.
An HP boss told our business-minded buddies at sister site ZDNet UK that the company also plans to expand the app ecosystem for webOS phones and tablets, such as the Pre 3 and HP TouchPad. HP is working hard to muster enthusiasm for WebOS, even building into new devices a digital magazine called Pivot that highlights new and interesting apps.
HP reckons its focus will be on quality rather than quantity, as the platform can't hope to compete with the sheer number of apps in Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market. Which makes sense: there are millions of iPhones, iPads and Android devices out there so there's enormous demand for apps, but webOS will never reach that kind of demand with such a small range of products.
That said, webOS may take off when HP puts it on computers, and even devices made by other companies. webOS will work alongside Windows, although HP hasn't revealed whether it'll dual-boot into a separate environment or sit on top of Windows as an interface.
Are you Pre-occupied with the Pre 3 or are you Pre-judiced against it? Get a bit Pre-vious in the comments section or challenge our Pre-conceptions on our Facebook page.
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Comments 19
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Anonymous 2 August, 2011 19:03
August 2012 or 2013?
DM
Anonymous 2 August, 2011 19:09
Can't wait for it! WebOs has always been a brilliant OS, just a shame the hardware couldn't match it...really hope HP changes this!
Anyone know of any carriers? Doesn't seem to be on the coming soon pages an any network!
Anonymous 2 August, 2011 20:15
Source? We've had several 'announcements' that the Pre 3 was supposed to be out in July. It's getting difficult to keep waiting!
Anonymous Circle 2 August, 2011 20:27
How much?
Anonymous 2 August, 2011 20:47
Thought it had a 1.2 Ghz dual core processor now, hence the delay?
Green 2 August, 2011 20:50
Gah! My desire to be different is at odds with need to have a phone that works; and the first Palm Pre sucked to horrendously!
anonymous 2 August, 2011 21:35
I replaced my original Pre with a Pre2 not so long ago. I probably think much the same as a lot of Pre users when I say the OS is great but the the lack of apps lets it down big time. I hope HP really do make an effort in getting some major developers on board to make some good apps. Would be good to get EA games, Gameloft back on board for the games. An official Twitter app would be good, as would be more Google apps and updates. Here's hoping.
anonymous 2 August, 2011 22:04
Meh, I was really looking forward to the Pre 3, but the Touchpad and the Veer just killed my interest dead!
Anonymous 3 August, 2011 00:14
"the popular Palm Pre 2" ... wow, that's the first time I've heard that phrase. I hope it gets released with more fanfare than the original Pre. I went to Best Buy when the Pre was released - it took a while to find it, and then it was just a cardboard picture of the thing that was displayed.
Anonymous 3 August, 2011 09:13
Going to take a close look at this, like the idea of type and decide feature and I only need the basics, text, media and maps so not having access thousands of rubish buggy apps is a blessing really.
anonymous 3 August, 2011 10:39
Anonymous #3 The source is Paul Hunter, general manager of the Personal Systems Group at HP in the UK, speaking to our colleagues at ZDNet - hit the link in paragraph 4 for more
Anonymous 3 August, 2011 13:39
have always had and loved the pre range, especially the form factor and physical keyboard. I traded in my old 3gs and shunned the iphone 4 for a pre plus now a pre 2 . You can't please everyone as company's know but palm/HP have never had the choice of different form factors for people looking for a different style of device, I've always thought this to be a shame cos so many have missed out on the best mobileOs out there (I've tried them all bar bb ). I suppose I am bias but webOS has woo'd me for some time now that if I was deprived of it it would be like an amputation. Hopefully with the newly released touch pad which I own surprise surprise and the forthcoming pre 3 more will try webOS and love it for what it is. Also as a foot note don't compare it to another device or os try it, you might surprise yourself and even like it.
Anonymous 3 August, 2011 13:59
Had the Pre. Loved it. Looking forward to the Pre 3, I might put it in my willy.
Anonymous 3 August, 2011 18:12
WebOS could be a great OS if it had decent hardware behind it. The Pre, Pre Plus and Pre 2 were all failures. Now the Veer is simply a waste of time and has actually hurt WebOS's capability, as has the Touch Pad. My prediction... The Pre 3 will most likely arrive (some day) without many people even taking notice and will eventually fade with the rest of the Apple competitors, with the exception of Android). Had Apple or Google been the one to acquire WebOS, it would have been a game changer, but HP... a waste of a good OS.
I jumped ship and went with the iphone4 anticipating IOS5. Now THAT will be a game changer that will instantly make the Pre3 about two or more years behind.
RIP Palm
Anonymous 4 August, 2011 00:01
i love webOS and the pre range i just really hope that their devices really take off this time.
anonymous 4 August, 2011 05:09
Anyone have information on the release in the U.S? Why a UK release first anyway? I live about 3 miles away from the HP Headquarters and find it ironic that there hasn't been much news about the device.
anonymous 4 August, 2011 12:01
I've been waiting a long time for this, I'm a 3-year iPhone user and WebOS seems like the perfect chance to get away from that.. Palm (now HP) better not have f*cked this up
Anonymous 4 August, 2011 21:57
"the mildly popular Palm Pre 2" - what universe was this in?
The pre 3 launch looks like a rehash of the pre 2 launch - pushed out to die with little carrier support and promotion.
Anonymous 16 August, 2011 00:28
It's on Orange network or you can buy unlocked from Play.com for £349.99. Either way, hope HP will promote and market it more. Great OS, just need people to get to use it.