O2 has confirmed it will be the only UK network to offer the Palm Pre in this country, as well as Ireland, Spain and Germany, and that it will be available "in time for Christmas". Our mobile reviewer Flora is with Palm and O2 this morning, and will have more details later today.
As you'll know, O2 is also the exclusive provider for Apple's iPhone -- the Goliath to Palm's David. It may transpire, though, that Palm will benefit from being sold exclusively alongside the iPhone.
The pulling power of Apple's brand awareness and premium image draws people in like a drunk C-list celeb attracts a struggling paparazzo. Once in-store, the Pre's different features and comparably slick UI and refinements could sway a user who, perhaps, didn't really want to forgo a physical keyboard anyway.
Just food for thought. Anyway, we've already reviewed the US version of the Pre and you can check that out here while Flora gets jiggy with O2 in person. Check back later today for her opinions.