Palm raised its WebOS game at CES 2010 through a hardware refresh and the introduction of 3D gaming. First up is the hardware; Verizon is getting the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus on January 25. These are enhanced versions of phones that were previously available on Sprint. Additions to the Pre Plus include an improved keyboard, a better slider mechanism, and an upgrade of memory to 16GB.
After dragging its feet on the WebOS SDK, Palm has finally released tools that allow game publishers to offer titles for the Pixi and Pre. The announced games include:
- Need for Speed Undercover (EA Mobile)
- The Sims 3 (EA Mobile)
- Monopoly (EA Mobile)
- Tetris (EA Mobile)
- Sudoku (EA Mobile)
- Scrabble (EA Mobile)
- Asphalt 5: Elite Racing (Gameloft)
- Let’s Golf! (Gameloft)
- The Oregon trail (Gameloft)
- Brain Challenge (Gameloft)
- Glyder 2 (Glu Mobile)
- X-Plane (Laminar Research)
It will be interesting to see how the mobile OS race turns out. Obviously Apple’s iPhone OS is the consumer leader and nobody is going to catch it. The business scene is dominated by RIM’s BlackBerry OS, but more and more consumers are turning to BlackBerry phones. Google’s Android is poised for huge growth in 2010. While Palm generated a ton of buzz at CES 2009, the execution has been middling. Perhaps getting on America’s largest network and offering better gaming options will give it a boost.
I know some of you use the Pre. Does 3D gaming on WebOS give you more faith in the platform? With the addition of the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus to Verizon, are any of you interested going with WebOS?
I hated that stupid little button on the phone up till the patch to make it flash when I had a message. As much as I like the new buttonless phone, I would miss the flashing light.
Was a good surprise from Palm today. I really hope they can stay in the game, I have not had any issues with my phone, first time in nearly 8 years of being with Sprint that I have been happy.
I have the Pre and I got off my parents plan on Verizon. Regretting it now. I like my Pre but the stuff they are fixing are my main gripes with the current Pre.
Do you use any patches?