Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The “ Plus ” in thePalm Pixi Plusreally intend one thing : the add-on of Wi - Fi connectivity . Other than that , the phone is superposable in specs and design to its herald . While the keyboard is n’t consummate and WebOS performance can be soggy , the Pixi Plus is a solid , inexpensive smartphone — and Wi - Fi only bolster its abilities .
Because there are so few difference between the Pixi Plus and the original Pixi in hardware and software , I have focus here primarily on the updates and new features . For a closer look at WebOS and the computer hardware specs , see our in - depth review of the Palm Pixi ( ) as well as the Palm Pre ( ) .
The lightweight Pixi feel really nice in the mitt , thanks to its rubberized back and slim body . It ’s also superpocketable , measuring 2.2 by 4.4 by 0.4 column inch . Like the Pre Plus ( ) , the French telephone offers a mite surface area with a promiscuous - up legal profession ; you merely tap it to funk an app to card scene .
Although it is narrow , the Pixi Plus ’s keyboard is slenderly easier to apply than the Pre Plus ’s . Yes , it feels a moment cramped , but it does n’t have the sharp bezel lip ( which sometimes interfere with typing ) found on the Pre Plus ’s slide - out keyboard . As I take down in my original reexamination of the Pixi , I really like that Palm had rethought the keyboard invention for a headphone that ’s market toward heavy messagers — it is only too small .
Another issue is that , unlike the Pre Plus , the Pixi Plus did not get a storage boost . You ’re still restricted to 8 GB of internal store . While 8 GB is n’t bad , people who are planning to keep a large music compendium and download a lot of apps onto the equipment might prefer for the 16 GB Pre Plus .
The Pixi Plus run WebOS 1.3 , but exploiter will be able to upgrade to 1.4 via an over - the - air update in February . The WebOS 1.4 update will deliver video capture to the Pixi Plus ( and to other members of the WebOS family ) . fit in to Palm , the update will also improve performance and battery life . I hope the carrying into action improvement will be significant : pilot through the Pixi Plus ’s carte du jour can be a bit obtuse . The touchscreen also occasionally lagged when I taste to open up an app . We ’ll update this review with WebOS 1.4 ’s raw lineament when they become useable .
Unlike the Palm Pre and Pre Plus , the Pixi Plus ( and its Sprint pal , the Pixi ) wo n’t be able-bodied to download Adobe Flash Player 10.1 right away due to some unspecified hardware issues . While this is unfortunate , watching telecasting clips longer than three minutes on the Pixi Plus ’ 2.6 - column inch display is less than worthy , so perhaps Flash is n’t that big of a loss .
Call quality over the electronic web was also quite good on the Pixi Plus . spokesperson sounded natural with an ample amount of volume . My contact could hear me absolutely , even during a blusterous Clarence Day in San Francisco . Browsing over Verizon ’s 3 G internet was quite speedy , but I like being capable to flip to Wi - Fi when it was available .
The addition of Wi - Fi also gives you access to Verizon ’s 3 G Mobile Hotspot app . fundamentally , this app lets you turn your Pixi Plus into a Wi - Fi access distributor point for up to five other equipment such as your netbook or portable media player . set it up is as simple as download the free app and connecting to a Wi - Fi meshwork . There ’s one catch , however : You ’ll have to pay up an additional $ 40 for the Mobile Hotspot on top of your Verizon voice and data architectural plan for a 5 GB allowance with overage of 5 cent per mebibyte .
I was capable to get in touch five equipment with no topic . While connected to the Mobile Hotspot , I could still receive earphone calls without interruption . If one of your equipment goes unwarranted ( like another smartphone , for example ) , the Mobile Hotspot will unplug it from the web . Once you touch off it , however , it reconnects instantly . The reach is pretty adequate , too . As long as your devices are in the same room , they ’ll remain connected .
If you ’re looking for a sub-$100 smartphone on Verizon , you ’re going to confront a elusive choice between the HTC Droid Eris ( ) , which launch the Android operating system , and the Palm Pixi Plus . If you ’re planning on watching a lot of movies and downloading a lot of plot , you ’ll need the Droid Eris because of its turgid screen and expandable computer storage . If you need an unobtrusive smartphone for message and societal networking , however , the lithe Pixi Plus is a good fit , even if the keyboard needs some work .
[ Ginny Mies is an adjunct editor for PC World . ]
