Palm launched its newest smartphone in the United States last week, but there is no official word yet of Palm Pre’s availability and pricing in the Philippines or the rest of the world.
However, tech news sites are reporting that Palm Pre may become available in Europe as early as September this year. If this is true, there’s a chance that the Pre will come to the Philippines by the end of the year.
The marketing director of IRIS, a local distributor in Romania, reportedly said that Palm Pre should be available in Eastern Europe, including Romania, by the end of September at a price similar to that in the US — which is estimated to be $550 without subscription.
Mirror.co.uk cited a Softpedia report, which in turn got the news from Romanian site Ziarul Financiar.
Last year, the Palm Centro was launched in the United Kingdom on Valentines Day. Two months later, Palm announced its availability in the Philippines. Philippine cellphone networks use GSM technology, like its European counterparts.
I received Palm’s newsletter announcing the availability of Palm Pre in the United States after midnight last Sunday. That’s afternoon of June 6 in the US. By that time, proud Palm Pre owners were already tweeting or blogging about their first few hours with their new gadget.
By Sunday noon, a former officemate texted me, asking how much Palm Pre is in the Philippines, and if the phone will work here. I told her that while it is available in the US for $200 with contract, the GSM version that will work here has not been announced yet.
But as I said, the latest rumor of its availability in Europe raises hopes that it will also be released in the Philippines soon. Start saving, maka-Palms. :p
Based on MakaPalm’s visitor referrer data, it appears that a number of Pinoys are still interested in the Palm Pre despite the announcement of iPhone’s new model.
Here are some interesting reports before and after Palm Pre’s US launch:
- New York Times columnist David Pogue’s Palm Pre review
- Excited for the Palm Pre, elderly woman crashes her car into a Sprint store
- Engadget’s coverage of US launch: pinilahan kaya?
- Analysts say launch was a success, but supplies were tight
- 50,000 to 100,000 Palm Pre units sold?
- Apple announces iPhone 3G S
- Engadget’s iPhone 3G S vs Palm Pre poll
- Ex-Apple exec Jon Rubinstein is new CEO of Palm

Ederic Eder
Ederic is a Filipino communications worker in the telecom, media, and technology industry. He writes about K-dramas and Korean celebrities for Hallyudorama.
He used to be a social media manager for news at GMA Network, where he also headed YouScoop, GMA News and Public Affairs’ citizen journalism arm.
He was with Yahoo! Philippines for more than three years before returning to GMA Network, where he was also previously part of the News Research section.
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