If we had to assign a letter grade to the early reviews of the Pre, it would be a strong "B" or "B+". The early Boy Genius review, the David Pogue (NYT) review and now the Walt Mossberg (WSJ) review published today all offer good and bad. Mossberg and Pogue are mostly positive, saying the Pre is a "credible challenger" to the iPhone and and "elegant contender." In fact, Mossberg blesses the device as the "best competitor" to the iPhone that he's seen so far.

The Palm app store is a weak link that Mossberg focuses on especially as a deficiency vs. the iPhone. But the Pre is unique among iPhone challengers in that it has the same "multitouch" on screen experience, which could violate Apple's IP/patent (but that's a decision for others). 

Much is made by keyboard lovers of the Pre's physical QWERTY keyboard. However, what's interesting is that the same was said of the G1 and now the HTC G2/Ion/Magic, which is an advance but still no iPhone, has eliminated the physical keyboard. I too was a virtual keyboard detractor until I lived with the iPhone Touch for awhile. Now I wouldn't go back to a phone with a physical one. 

But wait, I will be going back . . .  I'm going to try and get a Pre as a Sprint customer. Indeed, the Pre has keep me from jumping ship to AT&T for the iPhone. I hope that Sprint's strategy to create fake scarcity (to build buzz and demand) doesn't prevent me from getting my hands on one in the next couple weeks. My loyalty to Sprint is thin. 

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USAToday's Ed Baig offers another positive review of the Pre.