Sprint jabs iPhone in new Palm Pre ad
updated 12:35 pm EDT, Fri June 26, 2009
Sprint anti iPhone Palm Ad
Sprint today took a more direct shot at Apple with the posting of a new print ad for the Palm Pre. The large one-page ad centers on the "perfect timing" of the Pre being available just as original iPhone contracts end and underscores the features Palm's phone handles best versus the iPhone, including true app multitasking, real-time notifications and smartphone plans that are potentially less expensive over the two-year span of a contract.
The carrier already includes unlimited messaging as part of its $70 Everything Data smartphone plan where AT&T charges at least $5 extra per month and would take $20 per month to match Sprint in that field.
Although seemingly late, the ad's appearance is likely well-timed by Sprint. Aside from putting it just days ahead of when many launch-era iPhone customers can consider switching carriers without a penalty, both Palm and Sprint have said they only planned to ramp up the marketing campaign for the Pre in the weeks following the launch. The scheduling is likely both to ensure healthy supply as well as to ensure that advertising only starts once early bugs with the phone or the network have been addressed.
Not a bad move
06/26, 12:58pm reply
And not dishonest. More power to them.
ff11
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Joined: Apr 2004
4G?
06/26, 01:08pm reply
I don't know why they mention 4G when the Pre doesn't support it... A bit deceiving if you ask me...
chefpastry
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2005
Bad bad move
06/26, 01:10pm reply
Those 1200 dollars are completely misleading. Why would I need to pay for unlimited messaging? I don't need that. With AIM Push Notifications on iPhone you can send SMS messages to any phone for free and get replies instantly on your iPhone. We have 3g Internet always ON. Do I need to say more?
I am sorry, but the Pre looks so ugly to me and I don't need their keyboard with those tiny keys. No, but thanks!
Gepard
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Joined: Sep 2000
Cute
06/26, 01:20pm reply
It's a cute ad-- Though it seems like it could almost as easily remind people that they can upgrade to the 3GS.
njfuzzy
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Joined: Apr 2001
re: 4G?
06/26, 01:27pm reply
That's a good point.
ff11
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Joined: Apr 2004
Priceless
06/26, 01:32pm (3 replies) reply
Full-page newspaper ad - $1,500
A new Palm Pre with contract - $299
An apple from fruit stand - $1
The irony of a cheesy execution that probably reinforces Apple's dominance and brand more than Palm's - PRICELESS.
c4rlob
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Joined: May 2009
hah
06/26, 01:58pm reply
FAIL...
do you really imagine this will get any serious amount of people to leave and get a Pre?
dwoodruff
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Joined: Jul 2006
Yawn!
06/26, 02:20pm reply
Are there many iPhone owners out there who'd part with it for a Pre? And, is it me or is this whole multitasking on a darn phone blown way out of proportion?
JBytes
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Joined: May 2000
AT&T
06/26, 02:24pm reply
This is mostly a jab at AT&T, not Apple (except for the multitasking part).
NapMan
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Joined: Oct 2007
Hmmmmmm
06/26, 02:39pm reply
Great ad and perfect timing. My contract for the original iPhone is almost up and I will change for sure.
er... change to the iPhone 3G s... that is. If I only had Sprint, I might consider the Pre, but I use AT&T and the iPhone is really great.
So, thanks for the ad....... "and all the fish"
Just a thought,
en
Eldernorm
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Joined: Sep 2007