webOS 1.4 is expected to bring with it the ability to record video using the smartphone’s previously still-only camera, together with paving the way for Flash 10.1 support.  However Flash 10.1 won’t actually be part of the update itself.  According to PreCentral’s sources, the update will begin distributing to users in 100,000 blocks, but can also be manually triggered.

This is all rumor right now, however, so we’ll have to wait until February 25th to see if it pans out.

According to PreCentral’s anonymous tipster, webOS 1.1 will bring with it improved Exchange Active Sync policies and Security, the potential for remote-wipes by IT admins, improved digital certificates and an auto-lock function.  It will also introduce a required PIN for enterprise users and even have the capability of wiping the Pre should an incorrect PIN be entered a set number of times.

Meanwhile other sources have suggested more applications will also arrive in a similar timescale, though it’s unclear whether they will be of Palm’s own making – and distributed as part of webOS 1.1 – or available through the App Catalog.  Palm are apparently aiming to get the update out within the next thirty days.

O2 were tipped by UK newspaper The Guardian last week as having clinched exclusivity for the GSM Pre, and this new Palm update certainly seems to confirm the parent-carrier’s involvement.  We’re set to meet with Palm UK later on today to hopefully find out all the details.

At time of writing, the “More information” link does not work; however, unless Palm have made significant changes in the past few weeks we’re not expecting to see a major difference between the GSM Pre and its CDMA cousin already on sale in the US.  That likely means a simple switch from EVDO Rev.A to HSDPA/HSUPA.

[via Engadget]

“So I went to the guy and said “Ooh, I see you have a Palm Pre.” On which the guy got very secretive and was like “Er, year it’s for work.” and put it away and turned away” utku, Twitter

Now, we’ve heard of at least one CDMA Pre being bought in the US, activated via a workaround and used solely as a WiFi device.  However if this was such a case, we can’t imagine a reason for the owner to be so cautious with the smartphone; rather, we’d expect them to be pleased to show off their modified toy.

This could indicate, then, that a UK carrier (or Palm’s UK arm) are currently testing the GSM version of the smartphone, in advance of the European launch.  That’s only been narrowed down to “second half of 2009″, but considering the first in-the-wild shots of the CDMA Pre began to emerge just two months before the official launch, the GSM model may be closer than we expected.

[via PreCentral]

According to Snyder, his conversations with sources in manufacturing and retail channels led to the 300,000 figure.  He also suggests that Palm is struggling to keep up with demand – certainly something we’ve heard from others – despite producing 15,000 Pre handsets each day. 

In total, Snyder predicts Palm will supply one million Pre devices to Sprint in the first full-quarter period of production.  He also expects Palm will capitalize on their success with the Pre by developing new webOS devices for Verizon, in early 2010, and then AT&T shortly after.  Neither Palm nor Sprint have commented on Snyder’s report.

[via mocoNews]

The launch supposedly depends on the success of the GSM Palm Pre “in the West”, potentially indicating that Palm are expected to release the smartphone in Western Europe within the next few months.  Previously Palm have only committed to a GSM European launch in the second half of 2009.

[via PreThinking]

“We conclude that the launch of the Palm Pre has probably been successful. Sales in the first two days probably exceed 50,000, which aligns with our expectations, but sales are very probably short of the 146,000 reported for the first generation Apple iPhone, owing to capacity constraints in manufacturing (or imposed by PALM’s balance sheet). We believe the ’soft launch’ is probably proceeding to plan. To be reassured, we need to see Sprint channel inventory replenished this week.” Paul Cooster, analyst, J.P. Morgan

While Palm is yet to confirm what caused the shortage, numbers of Pre devices varied widely across different locations.  Flagship Sprint stores reportedly had up to 200 handsets, though 30 to 50 was more usual, while other locations made do with less than 10 Pre devices according to feedback.  The Touchstone inductive charger, an accessory Palm suggested every Pre owner would want to buy, turned out to be in surprisingly short supply, more so even than the smartphone itself.

Palm are believed to be preparing the next wave of stock for the rest of this week and in anticipation of next weekend’s sales.  Demand will likely be partially dependent on Apple, who are expected to announce a new iPhone at their WWDC 2009 keynote event today in San Francisco.

If the leak is accurate, the miserly supply of Pres for launch day is correct, at least in the north. It’s obvious form the screen shot that some stores are getting significantly more Pre stock than others. The Best Buy store in John Hancock Center Illinois is getting only two Pres for launch day.

However, if you can get to the Best Buy store in South Loop Illinois early enough, you have a better chance of landing a Pre. That location reportedly is getting 20 Pres for launch day. The current sell price is listed as $849.99 as well.

[via Engadget]

“Over the next six months or so you will see devices like Palm Pre and a second generation Storm,” on the Verizon Wireless networks McAdam said.

While this doesn’t meant the the Pre will DEFINITELY hit big red, it’s an indicator that there is definitely interest from other carriers at picking up the hottest phone in the industry right now. Palm has been pretty absent from Verizon in terms of devices lately, and the Pre would make for a nice comeback on the countries largest carrier.

The part about 6-months might be indicative of the 6-month standard exclusivity that carriers normally have for devices, but there has been no confirmation of how long Sprint has the Pre for exclusively.

[Via Reuters]

This is great news for Pre users. Currently, the only phone to support GMail push is the G1 (and soon any other Android device). Palm’s close relationship with Google and their heavy incorporation of GMail into Synergy and the Pre’s contacts and calendars is proving to be extremely beneficial for soon-to-be Pre users.

There have been some complaints recently over the inability to select which contacts are synced through Synergy on the Pre from sources such as GMail and Facebook. The system is an All-or-Nothing system, and makes it frustrating for users who have hundreds of useless contacts. This news of Push GMail however, makes it worth it to dig through those GMail contacts and clean it up.