The wait for a faster and intuitive smartphone is finally over. Palm recently publicized the launch of Pixi, a compact and customizable handset that presents advanced networking capabilities, in addition to a robust OS. The Palm device is anticipated to be launched exclusively by Sprint.
The handset is driven by the powerful Palm webOS platform. Apart from permitting users to link their information from Google, Facebook and Exchange ActiveSync, the smartphone delivers Yahoo! and LinkedIn integration to Palm Synergy and assembles it in a single view. With Palm Synergy, messaging is made easier, by displaying conversations with the same person in one chat-style thread, thereby enabling users to initiate a conversation on AIM Instant Messenger, Google Talk or Yahoo! Messenger and continue it by text message later.
“With Palm webOS, we’re creating a new, more intuitive smartphone experience defined by unmatched simplicity and usefulness. Palm Pixi brings this unique experience to a broader range of people who want enhanced messaging and social networking in a design that lets them express their personal style,” quoted Jon Rubinstein, Palm chairman and chief executive officer.
The company also introduces the Palm Pixi Artist Series, to make the smartphone more stylish. Users can now change the look of their handset according to their mood. Users can innovate their devices by downloading applications like Local Concerts by iLike, and Yelp from the Palm Beta App Catalog. Users can also access Palm media sync and load their smartphone with music, photos and videos from iTunes.
“Palm Pixi continues Sprint’s leadership in providing useful and innovative devices on America’s most dependable 3G network. We are pleased to be the first carrier to bring this device to market and offer both devices in the growing Palm webOS family. Sprint’s Everything Data plans, which provide unrestricted access to the Internet, mobile content and applications, and our Ready Now retail experience make for a perfect combination with these new Palm products,” mentioned Dan Hesse, chief executive officer at Sprint.
The Pixi boasts of a 2.63-inch multi-touchscreen that offers 320 x 400 resolution. It packages QWERTY keyboard, desktop-class web browser, integrated GPS along with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support. The handset sports a 2 megapixel fixed-focus camera with LED flash, as well as a standard 3.5mm headset jack. The Palm device packages 8GB of internal user storage and MicroUSB connector with USB 2.0 hi-speed.
The Pixi is claimed to be the first smartphone that is driven by Qualcomm’s high-performance MSM7627 chipset. The handset measures 55mm x 111mm x 10.85mm and weighs around 99.5 grams. The device will provide access to Sprint services such as Sprint TV and Sprint Radio, Sprint Navigation, Sprint’s exclusive NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile Live.
The Palm Pixi is expected to be available via Sprint during the holidays. The pricing and the availability details of the limited-edition Palm Pixi Artist Series covers will be revealed later on. Palm will be exhibiting the stylish Pixi along with the Artist Series covers at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York beginning September 10.