Is this conversation still active? I am a bit of a luddite, and would like to ask what I am sure is a total bonehead question. Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

I’m now debating whether to buy a Pre Plus or an HTC Incredible. I don’t know much about either, and am upgrading from an ancient LG, so am a smart phone novice in every way. The feature that sways me toward the Pre Plus is the free Mi-Fi. This feature would allow me to cancel my Verizon mobile broadband for my laptop (always happy to save some money).

Verizon tells me it is possible to use the Incredible as a hotspot, but to do so requires purchasing an additional $49.99 data package (in addition to regular minutes and the $29.99 data package for any smart phone). Is this true? If, instead, I bought Easy Tether or PDANet one time, would that allow me to avoid that pesky $49.99 monthly charge?

Thanks so much!

Steven
nevetsaccount@gmail.com

Is this conversation still active? I am a bit of a luddite, and would like to ask what I am sure is a total bonehead question. Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

I’m now debating whether to buy a Pre Plus or an HTC Incredible. I don’t know much about either, and am upgrading from an ancient LG, so am a smart phone novice in every way. The feature that sways me toward the Pre Plus is the free Mi-Fi. This feature would allow me to cancel my Verizon mobile broadband for my laptop (always happy to save some money).

Verizon tells me it is possible to use the Incredible as a hotspot, but to do so requires purchasing an additional $49.99 data package (in addition to regular minutes and the $29.99 data package for any smart phone). Is this true? If, instead, I bought Easy Tether or PDANet one time, would that allow me to avoid that pesky $49.99 monthly charge?

Thanks so much!

Steven
nevetsaccount@gmail.com

RE Palm’s financials: worth noting that Palm’s balance sheet and cash position are actually quite strong, and that Elevation Partners (major stockholder) continues to have faith. The smartphone market has been one of the key growth markets during the recession and isn’t likely to slow any time soon. I don’t think anyone would argue that there isn’t room for five players in that market, or that Palm doesn’t have the moxy to be one of those five. If it plays its cards right, it stands to be in the top 3. I define \playing it’s cards right\ as merely executing all the announced (or probable) steps: successful AT&T launch, product refreshes in the next 12 months in both Sprint and Verizon, successful deployment of Flash 10.1, continued migration of PDK(Plug-In Development Kit)-enabled apps from Apple’s App Store and Android MarketPlace, and continued delivery of major, compelling enhancements via regular OTA updates.

May I point out a couple of WebOS additions to your grid:

GMail Support: also syncs GMail labels

Exchange Support: also syncs tasks and folders, and provides full Global Address Lookup in Universal Search, as well as allowing up to 16 separate Exchange inboxes

Camera: Extended Depth-of-Field lens, with DXO post-processing (eliminates distortion)

Another significant WebOS feature for Verizon users: 3G Mobile Hot Spot (BTW, it rocks–I consistently get speed tests in the 1.5-1.9 Mbps range).

RE your request for an online WebOS app listing: http://www.projectappetite.com (here you can track who’s in the lead in the $1 million app contest Palm’s running).

RE Palm’s financials: worth noting that Palm’s balance sheet and cash position are actually quite strong, and that Elevation Partners (major stockholder) continues to have faith. The smartphone market has been one of the key growth markets during the recession and isn’t likely to slow any time soon. I don’t think anyone would argue that there isn’t room for five players in that market, or that Palm doesn’t have the moxy to be one of those five. If it plays its cards right, it stands to be in the top 3. I define playing it’s cards right as merely executing all the announced (or probable) steps: successful AT&T launch, product refreshes in the next 12 months in both Sprint and Verizon, successful deployment of Flash 10.1, continued migration of PDK(Plug-In Development Kit)-enabled apps from Apple’s App Store and Android MarketPlace, and continued delivery of major, compelling enhancements via regular OTA updates.

May I point out a couple of WebOS additions to your grid:

GMail Support: also syncs GMail labels

Exchange Support: also syncs tasks and folders, and provides full Global Address Lookup in Universal Search, as well as allowing up to 16 separate Exchange inboxes

Camera: Extended Depth-of-Field lens, with DXO post-processing (eliminates distortion)

Another significant WebOS feature for Verizon users: 3G Mobile Hot Spot (BTW, it rocks–I consistently get speed tests in the 1.5-1.9 Mbps range).

RE your request for an online WebOS app listing: http://www.projectappetite.com (here you can track who’s in the lead in the $1 million app contest Palm’s running).