Palm Pixi Review
For over a decade, Palm has created mobile devices to help people manage their lives. I started out with my first Palm Pilot (the Palm III XE) in 1999, and used it for 5 years to keep myself organized and information in sync while on the go. But while I remained faithful to my monochromatic XE, Palm kept innovating. In 2002, Handspring (later to be acquired by Palm) came out with the Treo line of devices, which combined the PDA functionality with the phone. This front facing QWERTY keyboard style device proved to be a very successful combination for many years, and Palm led the market in converged devices. After a few revisions, the Palm Operating System began to grow long in the tooth. A foray into Windows Mobile helped as a stop gap for those looking for added features, but it just didn’t feel like Palm. In early 2009, Palm introduced it’s webOS, and set the stage for some new devices that would hopefully take it into the future. The Pre was the first device, which launched to much hype and optimism for Palm. Yet, there were still those that missed the form factor of the Treo and the small size of the centro. In November of 2009, Palm released the Pixi, a sleek and sophisticated looking device that packs tons of features into one of the smallest full QWERTY keyboard devices on the market. With the webOS in hand, the Pixi could be the upgrade path for many diehard Treo users. However, the lack of some features found on other high end smartphones may deter the power user from making the jump. The Palm Pixi used in this review was provided by Sprint. It is available for $99.99 with a 2-year agreement and applicable rebates.
In the Box
- Palm Pixi
- MicroUSB Cable
- Rechargeable 1150mAH Lithium Ion Battery
- AC Phone Charger
- Printed Materials
Specs
- Technology: CDMA/EVDO Rev. A
- Frequencies: 850/1900
- Weight: 3.51 oz
- Size: 4.37″ x 2.17″ x 0.43″
- Cubic Volume: 4.08”
- Screen: 320 x 400 pixels at 2.6″
- Camera: 2.0MP
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm
Hardware/Sound/Signal Strength/Usage
From a hardware perspective, there is a lot to love about the Pixi. First, the size. The phone itself comes in a slim 4.08 cubic inches, and at just over 3.5 ounces, it feels amazing. There are few smartphones out there today that can inspire the user to it’s small size quite like the Pixi. Palm has taken a very minimalist view to the styling. Looking at the front, you have a full QWERTY keyboard along 4 rows. Above the keyboard is a 2.6″ capacitive touch screen that supports multi-touch throughout the OS.
I found the keyboard to be surprisingly useful. If you’ve used any of the Palm keyboards recently, you’ll find the size of the Pixi to be close to that of the Centro, but styled more like the Treo Pro. The keys do not have the grippy feel like those of the Centro, and click very nicely when pressing. The user will know when each key has been depressed, and speed is gained rather quickly after just a bit of practice. On the left side of the keyboard is a small hole for the microphone port. This placement allowed for clear calls that were easily controlled, eliminating quite a bit of background noise. Overall, the signal quality of the Pixi was on par with that of other Sprint phones. That is to say, fair coverage, but not great. I seem to be finding that with the majority of the phones I use on Sprint, coverage at my home and office are lacking. However, the service that Sprint provides in the majority of the Phoenix metro area is decent, and data speeds are good.
On the right side of the device, you have a magnetic access flap covering the microUSB port. While a great design, unless you have long enough fingernails, this flap is very hard to open. Above that are the volume rocker, and signature ringer on/off switch.
On the top of the device is the 3.5mm headphone jack and the power button.
The left side and bottom of the device are clear of any buttons, holes or ports.
The back has 2 speaker grills, although only one of them seems to be used for emitting sound or the speakerphone. The 2MP camera with flash are centered on near the top of the phone. Finally, a metallic Palm logo is in the middle, and a lanyard loop port near the lower right corner. The additional back cover for the Touchstone charger is shown in this photo. More on that in just a bit.
To help show off the small size of the Pixi, here are a few comparison photos. From left to right, HTC Touch Diamond, Palm Pixi, Apple iPhone 3GS
Palm Pixi vs. the Blackberry Curve
One of the unique features of the new webOS line of phones is the option to add inductive charging to the phone through a product called the Touchstone.
The Touchstone is about the size of a golf ball, and has a grippy surface on the bottom that temporarily secures it to any non-porous surface.
You simply set the phone on the Touchstone, and it immediately begins charging through electromagnetic induction. This type of technology isn’t new (think of an ultrasonic toothbrush), but is new to wireless. As I mentioned earlier, the charging port on the right side is covered by a magnetic flap that can be difficult to get open unless you have longer fingernails. If this is an issue for you, then you may find the Touchstone as a good accessory investment. In order to take advantage of the Touchstone, you also need the back cover that accompanies the accessory. There are special contacts on the underside of the Pixi, as well as inside the additional back cover that allow for energy to be transferred from the cover to the battery.
Very sophisticated, yet elegant.
Software
With this new hardware comes the addition of the webOS. Here is a rundown of the features you will find in this new Operating System.
- Combined IM, MMS and SMS messaging
- All in-one calendar
- Integrated contacts from multiple sources
- Linked Contacts and Layered Calendar
- Created to include use of the Capacitive Touchscreen
- Music applications
- Sprint TV
- GPS Navigation
- Email across multiple protocols and services
- Bluetooth Wireless
- Universal Search – Simply start typing to begin searching your contacts, applications, Google™, Google Maps™, Wikipedia and Twitter.
- Full HTML Web browser
Now, all of these features make for a very nice looking OS, but how does it function in the real world? Well, here is where the introduction of a slower processor really comes into play. When launching and closing multiple applications in the OS, the system can be fairly unresponsive and laggy. In fact, for those that have used Windows Mobile, it’s kind like that. Where you think you may have pushed a button, and then push it again because nothing happens after a few seconds, you are met with 2 of whatever you were trying to do. Also, launching and responding to email should be a relatively easy thing to do, but the Pixi makes it a chore. The HTML based email app certainly displays content well, but it takes a long time to pull up. And if you have multiple email accounts set up on the phone, it takes even longer to get to and read your email. There are certain things that I can tolerate slowness in, such as the web browser, but the email client is not one of them. Throw in the fact that the Pixi does not have Wi-Fi, and you start to realize that this is definitely more of an entry level smartphone, rather than one for the power user.
Customizable Home Screen
Multiple Card View
Programs Menu
Email Client
Facebook Application
Phone Dialer
Camera
The camera in the Pixi is another disappointment with the phone. While the Pre has a 3.2MP unit, the Pixi relies on an antiquated 2.0MP version. When using it side by side with the iPhone camera and a Sony Cybershot, you can see the difference in quality, especially when in low light.
Cactus Photo – Pixi vs. iPhone 3GS vs. Sony Cybershot
Fish Photo
Overall
For those looking for an entry level smartphone, the Pixi starts at $99, and can be found for less online. The webOS is new, up to date, and fun to use. However, the slow performance, lack of Wi-Fi, and low quality camera may deter some power users from making the Pixi their next phone.
About Palm
At Palm, we’re focused on creating instinctive yet powerful mobile products that enable people to better manage extraordinary lives on the go. Our goal is to deliver products that implement technology in a truly useful way. We innovate. We create and define categories. Expect not just more, but better. Not just faster, but more useful. Today, Palm products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm Treo and Centro phones, as well as software, services and accessories. Palm products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world, and at the Palm Store.
Fantastic review! Thank you for sharing this.
Nice review Mickey, it’s a real shame about the processor! In my view, sluggishness is the one thing that puts users off of a device, and by that I mean any device.
I’m finding WebOS intriguing, so I’m just waiting for the right deal in the UK so that I can dip my toe in!!
The webOS is very interesting, but the lack of power on the Pixi is a bummer. The Pre may be a good device for you to look at, or wait until sometime mid-2010 when I bet there will be a new webOS device to play with on GSM.
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