For the past 4 weeks, I have had the opportunity to thoroughly test the new Verizon Palm Pre Plus smartphone.  I have shared with you the results of my little “experiments” and thought it would be beneficial to sum it all up in one place.  Check out the posts below to see my “lab reports” on my experiences:

• Meeting the Verizon Palm Pre Plus:  My first impression of the new phone and highlights of the features.
• Smile!  You’re on the Verizon Palm Pre Plus Camera! A look at the camera and the quality of it’s pictures.
• Verizon Palm Pre Plus:  Mommy’s Mission Control Organizing my life with the calendar.
• Staying Connected with the Palm Pre Plus Surfing the Net with the Palm Pre.
• Verizon Palm Pre Plus:  Field Trip! Using the GPS feature to navigate the confusing streets.
• Verizon Palm Pre Plus:  My Top Apps Checking out how the phone can work for ME.
• Verizon Palm Pre:  After all, it IS a phone! Testing the phone, battery, and call quality.

There were several things I loved about the Palm Pre Plus including the touch screen and it’s internet surfing capabilities. However, I was less than thrilled with it’s battery life and texting accuracy.  I feel that this phone would be great for someone who is Internet heavy (needs to surf the Net, use Twitter or other social media devices, but not as great for someone who is email intensive.  I found it more difficult to quickly reply to email and often mistyped with this keyboard.  My overall grade for the Verizon Palm Pre for my specific needs:  B-

THIS PRODUCT REVIEW IS THE OPINION OF THE EXPERIMENTAL MOMMY. OTHERS MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE. VERIZON WIRELESS SUPPLIED ME WITH THE PALM PRE PLUS AND ONE MONTH OF SERVICE FOR REVIEW, BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE 100% MINE.

I hope you have been enjoying my recent posts describing my experiments with the new Verizon Palm Pre Plus!  I have really discovered some great features that have made life as a busy Mom a little more organized and a little less stressful.  But let’s face it, you need a phone.  Sure, the gadgets are nice, but what about when you need to make an emergency call or just chat with an old friend? 

The Palm Pre Plus is actually quite user friendly when it comes to making a phone call.  Simply click on the green phone icon and the numbers appear on your screen ready for you to dial.  Your addresses can also be accessed with one simple touch and using your touchscreen gestures, it’s easy to navigate to find the number you need.  And for your convenience (and because my memory is not what it used to be), it is possible to make a call directly from the address book. 

There has been lots of controversy about talking on a cell phone while driving.  In fact, many states now prohibit it and require a hands-free device to be worn while operating your vehicle.  You will be happy to know that the Palm Pre is Bluetooth ready and very easy to setup.  I also love the speakerphone option which makes phone calls between my kids and their relatives lots of fun. 

Verizon’s website claims that the phone will get 330 minutes of talk time, but I think this must mean if you don’t use any other features.  I found that my battery ran down quickly and required a middle of the day charge session which wasn’t always convenient.  That being said, the Palm Pre does have a really neat Touchstone Standalone Charger available for purchase as an accessory ($50, but also requires a $20 phone cover).   To charge your phone, all you have to do it place your Palm Pre on the touchstone and it charges wirelessly!  So charge it up and feel free to gab away!

With this review series winding down, my last post will be a summary of my thoughts and links to more Mommy reviews!  Don’t miss it!

This product review is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a different experience. Verizon Wireless supplied me with the Palm Pre Plus and one month of service for review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

It’s no secret that I am directionally challenged.  I have lived in New Orleans my entire life and I still get lost (in my defense the streets here have no rhyme or reason).  Unfortunately, my car is not equipped with a GPS unit, but I know it would be wonderful to have one in this City.  Much to my surprise, I learned that my new Verizon Palm Pre Plus can perform the function of a GPS unit!  Now I can have a GPS on me at all times, even when walking around the French Quarter!

After opening the launcher, simply click on the shortcut to Google Maps which will automatically use GPS to pinpoint exactly where you are located.  I have tried this at various points in the City and it is never more than two block off target.

From your starting point you can do several things:

1.  Map directions to your destination.  With the touch screen it is very easy to navigate around the map as well as zoom in for more detailed street names.

2.  Check on traffic.  Oh yes, this feature will tell you which areas on your route have traffic delays (marked in yellow) or are gridlocked (marked in red).  I used this feature this morning and it was pretty accurate on my morning commute to work.

3.  Find restaurants, shopping and gas.  The map not only contains street names, but locations of restaurants, malls and gas stations.  This would be very helpful while on vacation!

4.  Look at the satellite view.  Switching to satellite lets you see the street as it appears in reality.  While the image is several years old (I can tell because in satellite view my neighboorhood is full of FEMA trailers after Katrina which have since been removed), it still allows you to see what the area looks like.

5.  Get Public Transit and Walking Directions from your location.  This is very helpful as we have several methods of public transit here in New Orleans.

I doing some research on the Palm Pre, I have been hearing that people are looking forward to the addition of Google Latitude which will allow you to search for your friends!  This feature is not available at this time but sounds pretty neat!

I find that heavy Internet usage tends to drain the battery fairly quickly, but the GPS feature is wonderful and a definite plus to the Verizon Palm Pre!  It has been useful in my own hometown, so I can only imagine how we will rely on the GPS feature when we are out of town in an unfamiliar City!

Bon Voyage!

This product review is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a different experience. Verizon Wireless supplied me with the Palm Pre Plus and one month of service for review, but all opinions are 100% mine.