Sadly, Palm has obviously decided that it would be best if it does not officially introduce the GSM version of the Palm Pre at this year’s MWC. Just about four days ago, however, we informed you that the GSM device was actually shown at the event. There, such device had been spotted running with a Vodafone SIM card and speculations began that the phone would be exclusively available with the carrier in Europe. So we still don’t have any more specific information, but, it seems that we are now a step closer to the official appearance of the GSM version of the Palm Pre, as it has surfaced on Palm’s UK site. For now, there’s just a tiny bit of information about the device and an option to subscribe for the latest news. It is not much, but it’s something at least.

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Just the other day, Sprint’s web site showed data tethering as a feature of the Palm Pre under the heading of Technical Specification. Now, there is no mention of tethering for this highly anticipated new smartphone. In its place is a blurb about the Pre’s MicroUSB port. Removing any tethering capabilities from the Pre would seem to be a way for Sprint to sell their Simply Everything + Mobile Broadband plan. As we reported earlier this week, that plan now includes 5GB of internet access per month for a laptop. Even with the anticaption surrounding the Pre, this is a big enough disappointment to many smartphone fans that you can now hear a pin drop.

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It’s sure to become a staple with future mobile phones, but wireless charging for the Palm Pre requires an alternate soft matte battery cover. Palm is calling their unique puck sized wireless charging system the Touchstone and will only work with magnets built into the matte cover. The original glossy back finish does not include the magnets required to work with it. There are some obvious pros and cons with each cover, but consumers looking to show off that new innovative feature will be required to use only one. The glossy cover does add some fashion appeal to the device and makes it a finger print magnet at the same time. While the matte soft finish will give off that always clean feel when holding it. Nonetheless, we’re still excited at the possibilities this feature will create with the phone industry.

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At the Mobile World Congress, Adobe has announced that Palm is the latest manufacturer to have joined the Open Screen Project, which is a broad industry initiative, dedicated to enabling standalone applications and full web browsing across televisions, desktops and mobile devices that take advantage of the the Adobe Flash Platform. Basically, the purpose is to deliver the Adobe Flash Player for smartphones to WebOS. The integration between Palm’s web-oriented operating system and Adobe’s Flash Player seems like a really good idea, since the users will be granted with the ability to take advangate of the huge amount of Flash content that can be found on the global net.

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A “Meet Pre” video has hit the global network, getting the attention of all that are interested in the WebOS platform. The demo shows off some of the operating system’s hot features, such as the close integration of calendar and contacts. In addition, you can see how the users will be able to share a web page with a friend, as well as a .png image attached to the e-mail. A list with the participants in a staff meeting is also shown in the video, with indication for exactly which ones of them are going to take part in the meeting.

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Bad news people, Palm is not going to officially announce the GSM version of its latest smartphone, the Pre, at the MWC. However, you could still see GSM Pre devices here at the show, and what is interesting is that the device has been spotted with a Vodafone Spain SIM card and Vodafone ES, listed as the active carrier on a demo device. Unfortunately, the manufacturer would not give out any information about a possible agreement with the carrier. The same goes for Vodafone itself, as it denies that anything has been settled. Still, this seems like a rather appropriate move from its side, since its arch-rival, O2, has an exclusive deal with Apple for its iPhone 3G.

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According to a VentureBeat article, Apple asked Google not to include the multi-touch functionaltiy in the Android operating system … It sounds both logical and not. If Apple really has the patent about the gestures control and will sue every company that uses it (including Palm), why wouldn’t they do the same with Google, instead of just asking them? Here is a trivia game:

a) Apple cannot stop others from using multi-touch

b) Multi-touch is Apple’s and Palm will have to pay for using it in the webOS                                     

c) Apple and Palm will agree to be the only ones using multi-touch    

d) Something else

Tell us in the comments

One of preDevCamp organizers, whurley, emailed me to help spread the word on this new community. Launched yesterday, preDevCamp is an organization where webOS developers will share ideas and help each other in order to make this operating system the best thing since sliced bread, once it launches.

http://predevcamp.org

         About

preDevCamp is an upcoming not-for-profit gathering to develop applications for Palm Pre using both the Mojo SDK and traditional web standards. The event is currently being planned in over 60 cities around the world.

Dates: 1 week after the US release of the Palm Pre
Venue: See individual city sites for venues and related updates.

Registration: A system has been put in place so that registrations are broken down by city. Please see your city to register.

The event inspired by BarCamp, SuperHappyDevHouse, and MacHack, and the original iPhoneDevCamp to develop applications (local and web based) for the Palm Pre using the Mojo development SDK.

Attendees will include mobile developers, web developers, UI designers, and testers, all working together over the weekend. Development projects will include both solo and team efforts. While some attendees will wish to work solo during the event, we encourage attendees to team up, based on expertise, to work in ad-hoc project development teams. All attendees should be prepared to work on a development project during the event.

Attendees will be able to:

* Create new applications for the Palm Pre.
* Migrate existing mobile and Linux based applications to the Palm Pre.
* Test and optimize applications for the Palm Pre.

The organizers of preDevCamp are @whurley, @giovanni, and @dancrumb.

Unfortunately, no matter how strong we cry that we want the Pre, or how many sites post speculations about its release date, it won’t come sooner. However, once it gets out, it is wise to be one of the first customers to get their hands on it and love it for life, isn’t it? Yesterday, Sprint announced that its “Sprint Premier” customers will be able to get cool phones (such as the Pre) before the others:

First to Know/First to Buy: Longstanding customers get an exclusive first peek at new products and services such as the upcoming Palm Pre™, and then are among the first with opportunities to purchase when they become available.

Sounds lovely, right? What is the deal – if you really want one of the first Pre phones, then make sure that you will be one of the Premier Sprint customers when it gets out. How? See Sprint’s rules below:

Eligibility requirements for Sprint Premier are simple: 1) For three consecutive months, consumer customers must be on an individual wireless plan of at least $69.99 per month or spend at least $99.99 per month on a plan that shares minutes, or 2) they must have been a Sprint wireless customer for at least 10 years. For complete rules about Sprint Premier, visit sprint.com/premiercustomer.

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Everybody knows Blogs have great comment systems, but they are not really the place for large conversations.

Wonder where to ask your questions or show off what you’ve find or know about Palm Pre and the WebOS system? We’ll, we’ve just launched our forums, so head there and feel free to post your threads. 

Simple rules: 

Wish you nice posts