The Palm Pre 2 is now called the Pre 2 smartphone by HP and is also known as the HP Pre 2. Whatever it is called, it will go on sale at Verizon Wireless this Thursday, February 17. Earlier today, we told potential HTC ThunderBolt buyers that Verizon had cut down the time from when it announces and sells smartphones. Note that this announcement is only two days before the sale of the HP Pre 2.
The HP Pre 2 is the first smartphone to run on HP webOS 2.0, allowing quick and
easy multitasking of email, games, music and more. The HP Pre 2 has a 3.1-inch touchscreen, TI OMAP 1GHz processor with 512 RAM, portrait slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile hotspot capability.
The HP Pre 2 has social synergy that keeps contacts and calendars up-to-date automatically with built-in
integration for Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Yahoo! and Microsoft
Exchange. The customizable inbox allows users to keep all emails in one inbox or in separate folders for work and personal messages. Skype is preloaded. It has a universal typing tool for messages and search, as well as "true multitasking."
The HP Pre 2 will be available from Verizon Wireless for $149.99 after a $50
mail-in Verizon Wireless rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
Pre 2 customers will need to subscribe to a data plan. Unlimited data
plans are available to customers starting at $29.99 monthly access.
Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card. Upon
receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are
accepted.