Aussie QWERTY Pre Thread

[bennish]

Hi guys

there sure are a lot of Aussies on here! Even the webos guru rwhitby.

I thought it might be nice if we had a thread specifically for getting Palm Pres into our country and working on our networks.

Personally, I'm looking to have a QWERTY, unlocked Pre running voice, 3G and MMS on the Virgin Mobile Australia network (running on Optus' 900/2100 UMTS).

From what I can see in the carrier lists, the following Australian providers are listed:

SingTel Optus
vodafone au
Hutchison Australia
Virgin Mobile (Optus Network)
Telstra
(TPG [Optus Network] is claimed by someone else in the forums selling a QWERTZ).


*Note: Please keep it restricted to QWERTY Pres, as we all know about the German ones but for many they just don't suit.

[johncc]

Good idea re. the thread. Hopefully the talk of unlocking the UK phones comes off. I am happy to change networks for a Pre with reasonably priced data.

Looking forward to hearing about people's experience.

[bennish]

thanks johncc

i'm looking at a spanish movistar one, actually. apparently there are some imei unlocked ones around

[dbmgreen]

You would reckon, grab a 32GB iPhone on unlimited calls and date from voda, unlock and sell the iphone keep the sim, pay for the Pre with the proceeds. :-) get good/great data plan for the Pre

[johncc]

Originally Posted by dbmgreen

You would reckon, grab a 32GB iPhone on unlimited calls and date from voda, unlock and sell the iphone keep the sim, pay for the Pre with the proceeds. :-) get good/great data plan for the Pre

I was thinking of "SIM only" with 3 plus a data pack.

[dr3wster]

Guys, i've been using the German QWERTZ Pre here in Oz for a few days already, and it isn't all that hard to get used to the QWERTZ key layout... I guess you gotta weigh up:

a) How badly you want a Pre
b) How much of a perfectionist you are


... keep in mind that an Unlocked 3G Pre in QWERTY format will be VERY unlikely for at least another 5 months, as O2 has an exclusivity deal for the UK / Ireland (and other parts of Europe). Recall that Sprint's exclusivity period is 6 months..


To get yourself used to the layout, you could either ... 1) put up with the switching of the Y and Z keys or 2) minimize ur use of the two keys or 3) read Rod Whitby's work around which switches the Y and Z back around..

Please refer to the GSM forum for the post that has a list of current known working Oz carriers. I can confirm that 3G and Data works on Hutchison 3! ... access to the Palm App Catalog and WebOS Downloads also works. One thing that is a bit of a downer is the GPS. It has some serious issues, but I believe Rod Whitby is also working on this... directly with palm i thinK?


Go on, treat your inner kid and get a German Pre... you know u wanna!

Haha, just jokes.. I just wanted to let you all know that being an Aussie and a German Pre owner, I don't regret my decision at all!!

Cheers,

[sucklingpig]

This is the only website I can see that even remotely suggests the possibility of selling an unlock GSM QWERTY Pre.

Negri Electronics - iPhones, Pocket PC's, Smart Phones, Cell Phones, Ultra Mobile PC's, PDA's, GPS Devices, Cameras and More...

Anyone heard of them? They report that the phone is expected to be available by Friday 13 November. *pinch of salt*

[shootz]

That's not a horrible price if you trust the stockist but it obviously excludes shipping. People seem to be reporting good things from people on eBay but your ability to return/exchange is obviously limited there.

I'd expect a lot more places to be selling unlocked Pre's in the next week or two, if you're willing to deal with Expansys it might be worth waiting and seeing when it's available with them and how they price it as you'll get cheaper shipping and the ability to return your device in the event it's faulty.

[sucklingpig]

Originally Posted by shootz

That's not a horrible price if you trust the stockist but it obviously excludes shipping. People seem to be reporting good things from people on eBay but your ability to return/exchange is obviously limited there.

I'd expect a lot more places to be selling unlocked Pre's in the next week or two, if you're willing to deal with Expansys it might be worth waiting and seeing when it's available with them and how they price it as you'll get cheaper shipping and the ability to return your device in the event it's faulty.

I have checked with Expansys and this was their reply 2 days ago: "Sorry - we do not have an update on the QWERTY version but the QWERTZ version will be back in stock soon - end of next week as expected." So if we really want this phone... then a bit more waiting is needed.

I have also emailed Negri Electronics regarding availability and warranty issues. I will post back when I hear from them. Meanwhile, what do you think about their warranty policy on unlocked phones? Negri Electronics - iPhones, Pocket PC's, Smart Phones, Cell Phones, Ultra Mobile PC's, PDA's, GPS Devices, Cameras and More...

"BRANDED UNLOCKED PHONES: Phones branded by ANY GSM carrier lose their warranty as soon as they are unlocked. They can be sent out for warranty by a service provider if you have an account with the service provider to which the phone was locked to. Otherwise there is no warranty associated with these devices. In these cases we recommend you purchase the CPS Warranty available on the products page."

(I have also asked them to provide more information regarding this "CPS warranty") - will keep everyone updated.

[bennish]

Originally Posted by dr3wster

Guys, i've been using the German QWERTZ Pre here in Oz for a few days already, and it isn't all that hard to get used to the QWERTZ key layout... I guess you gotta weigh up:

a) How badly you want a Pre
b) How much of a perfectionist you are

hey mate

yeah, that's fair enough. like i said in the first post, i've already come to the decision i'd rather a qwerty or none at all. because i know for a FACT that if i get a qwertz, once a qwerty comes out i won't be able to stop myself from buying it. and then who would want my qwertz?

Also i'm a freakin' perfectionist with these things.

I've had a look in the gsm areas like you said, there's no confirmations of virgin mobile yet. maybe i'll have to bite the bullet, buy that unlocked spanish pre, and be the first virgin mobile au user to report

[bennish]

Also, I keep hearing rumours that there'll be a lot more IMEI-unlocked pres around within the next week. I might wait until the weekend of the 14th, and see what's happened.

It's a curse being an early adopter!

[bennish]

Welp, ordered my Spanish IMEI-unlocked QWERTY Pre.

4 left.

Palm Pre - Nueva y Libre - New and Unlocked - eBay, Otros Móviles Libres, Móviles Libres, Móviles y Accesorios. (end time 21-Nov-09 09:21:15 AEDST)

[PreRunr]

I will wait to next week.

[bennish]

Is anything happening next week PreRunr? know anything I don't? too late for me now anyway hehe

[PreRunr]

I am still waiting for a 1.3.1 GSM unlocked Pre. My guess is that if I order one in mid December there might be more choices. News of the US GSM with possible improved hardware may be out. The expansys.au seems to be hit and miss so far.