X

Really? I can't touch the Palm Pre? Really!?!

A CNET editor's little rant about how it's frustrating not to be able to hold or play with the Palm Pre without a handler.

Bonnie Cha Former Editor
Bonnie Cha was a former chief correspondent for CNET Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.
Bonnie Cha
2 min read
Palm Pre
Those are not my hands. Bonnie Cha/CNET

OK, I know I just got done gushing about the third-party apps on the Palm Pre, and I didn't want to take anything away from that, but there's something I need to get off my chest.

Sprint, Palm, what is the deal with not being able to hold and use the Pre with my own two hands? At CES, GSMA 2009, and now CTIA, the companies have required that a Palm or Sprint representative have at least one hand on the smartphone at all times even when we're just trying to take pictures, and we're not allowed to touch certain functionalities, and I just don't get it. What's the purpose? Who is it benefiting?

If you're worried that you'll get knocked for bugginess, I think most of us understand that the Pre isn't final product and that there will be some hiccups. If you're worried about it being swiped from the show floor, I can understand, but in situations like the Sprint VIP Lounge where it's a select group of people, in a small room where you've got people stationed at the exit, don't you think it'd be OK for a little solo hands-on time? I mean, I couldn't even reposition the phone by myself today just to get a better angle for a photo.

Hey, I appreciate every opportunity and invitation to view the Pre, but it's just frustrating to have this hot device right in front of you and, yet, you really can't do anything with it. And every time this happens, I can't help but think of Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers' "Really!?!" skit from "Saturday Night Live" and play out my own little scenario in my head. Really? You won't let me touch the Palm Pre? Really!?! I have to be Jimmy Fallon in order to get a little personal time with the Pre? Really?! It's just for my amusement, but it helps lighten the situation.

OK, rant over. Now back to your regular CTIA programming.