For a long time now I’ve been unwilling to give up my Blackberry. Not even for the iPhone. I do have an iPod Touch and I like the touchscreen for multimedia interaction and application use. But for the basic phone features like texting, updating Twitter and making phone calls I like the tactile feel of buttons. I’m only 27, but call me old school.
However I just might sacrifice my Blackberry for a Palm Pre. While I’m still not sure when it’s expected to launch in Canada, Citi analyst Jim Suva said in a research note to clients yesterday that he expects a May release for the Pre with Sprint in the United States. I’m hoping this means it’ll launch in Canada before the end of summer.
I think May would be smart for a Pre launch. It’ll be in line with the first half release expectation and it’ll also trump the rumored iPhone release expected at Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference set for June 8 to 12. Right around the time Steve Jobs is said to be returning from his sabbatical.
At the same time, a May release for the Palm Pre will put it in direct competition with the Blackberry Niagara. Research In Motion’s next-generation Bold, the Niagara 9630 is smaller, sexier and has an entirely new form factor. The Niagara will likely be carried by Verizon in the US.