Palm ad casting and Sprint testing hint at Pre launch
updated 10:55 pm EDT, Tue April 28, 2009
Possible Pre launch window
A casting notice for a "Palm Pre Viral" ad campaign could be hinting at the release date for the Palm Pre, according to Gizmodo. A "cool and nerdy" actor is sought to live in Seattle from April 29th through June 5th to shoot the video. An actor from Los Angeles told Precentral the campaign will require the actor to pretend he is frustrated that the Pre has not been released yet. The man will be watched by a camera in the apartment, where he will not leave, as a protest, until the handset is finally released.
The tipster also suggests the actor will be posting on Facebook and MySpace through the duration of the filming. Palm would become aware of the protest eventually, and finally give in to his demands. The actors were allegedly told the shoot would be completed on June 5th. If true, the launch could happen as early as June 6th.
Along with the ad campaign, a tip posted on SprintGurus claims Sprint is testing the Pre in alpha/beta, with a possible launch window around June 7th.
An earlier report, citing an internal Spring document, claims the carrier could be preparing for a launch as early as May 17th. The company allegedly ordered a mid-year vacation freeze, possibly to keep employees on hand for a significant product release.
If the most recent suggestions are correct, Sprint and Palm could be attempting to get the Pre onto the market right before Apple's WWDC event. Many analysts expect Apple to launch the next iPhone at the conference which runs between June 8th and June 12th.
