Worm in the Apple iPad

Despite the iPad not yet being officially released in our little ‘pore yet, apparently Singaporeans are one of the most iPad-crazy countries in the world, judging by data from auction website eBay. (see here)

Image via CrunchBase

Apple said that it will release the iPad in July for another nine markets, including Singapore, however, after much fanfare, to tell you the truth (though I still love the iPhone) Im getting sick of the whole Apple = gawd routine.

Lets check in on the grass roots indicator on iPad:

Technometry friend who has played with the Ipad says: no expandable storage, no go.
Work colleague who has also got her hands on them says; just like a big iphone, – can play Angry Birds on bigger screen, but thats about it

Did a search on features that suck on the iphone, and all that came up were marketing articles that touted that the iphone was actually the best thing since sliced bread.

Till I play with one, I gonna be very skeptical, just like I am about the whole Apple 4g lost phone scenario.

Palm Pre Singapore release date – 2010: UPDATE

We have some exciting news here at TECHNOMETRY.

Image via Wikipedia

But we’ll tell you that at the end of this post. Before we do, let me set the scene.  I sent another email to the Palm chap last week. It went as follows:
_______________________________________
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 9:38 AM
To: ‘[xxx]‘
Subject: RE: Palm Pre Release

Hi [xxx],

I hear the Palm Pre or Pixie may be coming soon to Singapore.

Is this true? If so, what are the details? Looking forward to hearing from you.

*************************************

I havent gotten a reply back from [xxx] yet.
You may recall that my last email to [xxx], with his reply, went along these lines:

________________________________________
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 6:13 PM
To: [xxx]
Subject: RE: Palm Pre Release

Hi [xxx],

Thanks for the reply, and understand the situation. No worries.

Image via Wikipedia

If in the near future, you are able to release some details, would you be able to drop me a line?

Thanks again for your patience, and I hope to hear from you.

*************************************
________________________________________
From: [xxx]
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:14 PM
Subject: RE: Palm Pre Release

Sure

*********************************
The reason why we sent another email to [xxx]?

We have managed to get ahold of a Palm Pre and are testing it for Technometry review as I TYPE.

This means launch is imminent.

Oh dear [xxx] why did you not tell us?? You still have a chance to give us some info….. [xxx]?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Summary Box: Palm updates Pre, Pixi smart phones (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Palm US Replies to Technometry, Amiably Says Nothing

Image via CrunchBase

So for all of you waiting with baited breath on the news of the release of the Palm Pre in Asia, Im happy to report a reply from the Palm US representative. C’mon, though it may be nothing, at least its something.

Read the in-depth journalism below and draw your own hard hitting conclusions…! (Read from bottom up, its an email thread, after all….!)

From: [xxx]

Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:14 PM
To: Clifford Wong
Subject: RE: Palm Pre Release

Sure

---

From: Clifford Wong
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 6:13 PM
To: [xxx]
Subject: RE: Palm Pre Release

Hi [xxx],

Thanks for the reply, and understand the situation. No worries.

If in the near future, you are able to release some details, would you be able to drop me a line?

Thanks again for your patience, and I hope to hear from you.

Regards,

Clifford

---

From: [xxx]
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 12:16 AM
To: Clifford Wong
Subject: RE: Palm Pre Release

Sorry, Clifford. I can’t divulge any details.

---

From: Clifford Wong
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2009 8:24 PM
To: [xxx]
Subject: Palm Pre Release

Hi again [xxx],

With the Palm Pre going on sale on 16 October in Europe (UK), does that mean Asia isn’t too far behind?

Would be great to hear from you and your thoughts, so I can update the readers here in Singapore/Asia on our technometry blog.

Clifford

Palm Pre Released in UK

The Palm Pre went on sale  in UK last week, 16 October.

Does that mean Asia is not far behind? Contacts in the tech industry tell me that it should be a mere matter of months, if a phone has been released in Europe, for it to follow up with a release in Asia.

Image by gillyberlin via Flickr

However, with the lag in time, and the impetus built up by other competitors, are we even at all as excited as we once were, about the Palm Pre? I’ve sent the below email to the Palm Pre USA PR rep. Lets see what he comes back with, if at all….

He use to reply…now, hes playing the quiet game. I hope we can entice a reply given the leverage of the European release.

---

From: Clifford Wong
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 11:24 AM
To: ‘[xxx]‘

Subject: Palm Pre Release

Hi again [xxx],

With the Palm Pre going on sale on 16 October in Europe (UK), does that mean Asia isn’t too far behind?

Would be great to hear from you and your thoughts, so I can update the readers here in Singapore/Asia on our technometry blog.

Clifford

Related articles by Zemanta

• Palm Pre to launch in UK in October (vator.tv)
• Thoughts on the Palm Pre (chromewalker.com)

Palm Pre in Asia – All is quiet….

______________________________________
From: Clifford Wong
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:55 AM
To: ‘[xxx]‘
Subject: RE: New Tech Blog

Hey [xxx],

Hope all is well. Any details you can release yet?

Image via CrunchBase

Would be most appreciated.

Clifford

—————————————

[XXX]‘s Reply follows:

________________________

Oh yes.  [xxx] has’nt replied and doesnt look likely to.

[XXX] is the PR rep for Palm in the US. How I got his contact details is a long story. He has been keeping mum about the details for the Palm Pre since August (see posts below). And now, he just doesnt reply.

So what could this mean?

1) Palm is still trying to iron out the bugs and feedback from the market, before release into Asia.

2) Palm and telco providers are working on some type of exclusivity arrangement for the Singapore/Asia Market.

3) Palm are sitting on their hands.

I just want my palm pre release info!

http://technometry.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/palm-pre-release-in-asia-still-zilch/

http://technometry.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/palm-pre-release-asia-singapore-zilch/

http://technometry.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/palm-pre-release-date-in-asia/