It seems Palm's new webOS handset has finally reached the home stretch. According to leaked internal memos from Sprint retail stores, front-end employees have a vacation freeze in the month of May and Palm Pre training has already begun. The alleged release date is Sunday, May 17; but if initial shipments are inadequate the date could be pushed back to Sunday, June 29.
The Palm and Sprint ad campaign for the Pre is also continuing to roll on. In addition to the latest commercial, last Monday the Wall Street Journal featured the Pre and Sprint in the advertising section, reports Precentral. Palm also recently sent out an e-mail to customers touting Pre apps, including FlightView and Fandango with synergy integration, reports MyPre. Palm is touting a strong third-party library at launch, discussed previously in Palm's all-star lineup.
Sprint is known for official releases on Sundays, so coupled with the vacation ban, extended ad campaign, and upcoming Apple WWDC on June 8 (which could spoil the Pre party), a May release is sounding likely; as long as OEM manufacturer Chi Mei can get enough units out the door. The price has also been rumored to be $299 on a two-year contract, but hopefully the price will be lower to compete with the base iPhone. After all, we'll need the spare change for the svelte touchstone dock.
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