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webOS 2.1 OTA Makes Its Way to the Pre 2

By: , 3/8/2011 9:43 pm | 34 comments

webOS 2.1 is finally making its way to Pre 2 devices after already hitting the European Palm Pre Plus back in February. Although no official changelog has been posted, we’d previously heard about bug fixes, improvements to battery life, and most notably Exhibition Mode support and voice dialing (sarcastic applause on that last one). Early reports are that owners of unlocked Pre 2′s and the Pre 2 on Rogers in Canada are seeing the update, but no sign yet of 2.1 for the Verizon Pre 2. Whatever the case may be, we’re glad to see the OTA updates rolling out again since 1.4.5 was released to Palm devices last summer.

Update: Here is what folks are seeing in 2.1

  • Voice Dialing
  • Faster browsing experience
  • Palm logo is now replaced by the HP logo during boot
  • Opening apps appears snappier
  • Calendar shows Agenda in Exhibition mode
  • Synergy in Contacts and Calendar improved

Check out a couple of screenshots below.

So, Pre 2 owners, have you seen the update yet? Sound off in our comments!

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About Jesse Mendoza

Certified Computer Geek by day, WOR contributor & radio DJ by night. Loves indie music, Toyoto FJ Cruisers, and running marathons. He still owns all of his Palm devices and will probably go to the grave with them. Follow him on Twitter @JesseJstreet
View all posts by Jesse Mendoza →
  • http://twitter.com/tsaunders tsaunders

    I wish I had a Pre 2 to update – :P (Waiting on my developer device to arrive)

  • Anonymous

    Voice dial! Finally! it works great!

    And it only took about 20 minutes to download and install…

  • Jared

    I am pretty sure verizon is going to phase out the HP / Palm Pre line all together. I point to verizon dropping the price of the pre 2 to 30 bucks this week. Now I know some of you will say that’s because the Pre 3 is on it’s way. The truth is we don’t know that verizon is going to carry it. I think none of the carriers want to take another chance on a Pre device after all the hardware problems the current devices have. Either way HP is over for WebOS. None of the carriers want this device that’s why we don’t know who is tgoing to carry it. It’s not that HP is keeping a secret. I predect the Palm Pade will go away within a year or in a last ditch effort, by arrogant HP, they will switch to a winows operating system in a last ditch effort, and everybody knows how that will work. HP missed the boat. Game over…

    • http://twitter.com/tsaunders tsaunders

      It was never 30 bucks on VZW site. It was 30 from HP. VZW stilll has it listed at 149 after rebate

    • eid

      I don’t think so. Verizon CTO was favorable about HP recently. (. http://www.precentral.net/verizon-cto-webos-developing-strong-player)
      Verizon is big enough that it can have a longer view on viable platforms. And VW doesn’t want to be stuck with one platform like ATT was for years with Apple because you become overreliant on them. VW has always sold its network more than individual phones. (even though it really pushed the iphone)
      Sprint as a weaker player has to focus on the only successful phones it’s had: android phones. Sprint can’t afford to waste resources on cultivating less popular platforms like webOS.
      Sprint had problems with Pre- and Pixi but VW didn’t have as many problems with Pre+ hardware. Other phone manufacturers have had problems like BB Storm and BB isn’t being ditched (yet).
      HP is as bulletproof as any hardware tech company. Even if webOS doesn’t take off in smartphones, webOS tablets or netbooks or printers will sell through HP distribution channels. Maybe HP won’t have the buzz or popularity of Apple products but webOS devices will be a steady seller even if its phones falter.

    • Spikea4

      Then way does Verizon already have a icon under “OS devices” for HP ready to go. Its still dark and unselectable, but its there already!

    • Jason

      I totally agree! I work at Verizon and word is no one, including Verizon, wants to carry these crappy HP devices. Palm lost it and HP is bleeding trying to hold onto it.

    • Matt C.

      It’s definitely not going to Sprint, so who is the CDMA model for??

  • Jared

    I am pretty sure verizon is going to phase out the HP / Palm Pre line all together. I point to verizon dropping the price of the pre 2 to 30 bucks this week. Now I know some of you will say that’s because the Pre 3 is on it’s way. The truth is we don’t know that verizon is going to carry it. I think none of the carriers want to take another chance on a Pre device after all the hardware problems the current devices have. Either way HP is over for WebOS. None of the carriers want this device that’s why we don’t know who is tgoing to carry it. It’s not that HP is keeping a secret. I predect the Palm Pade will go away within a year or in a last ditch effort, by arrogant HP, they will switch to a winows operating system in a last ditch effort, and everybody knows how that will work. HP missed the boat. Game over…

  • JeffT

    Just updated my Rogers Canada Pre2. First thing I noticed was the Palm logo during start-up was replaced with an HP one. Two new apps showed up after start-up: Exhibition and Voice Dial.

    Exhibition is pretty basic, but much better than just a time display on the Touchstone. Hopefully some good apps will come along to take advantage of it.

    Basic testing of Voice Dial seemed to show promise with successful recognition of most of the names I said.

    So not a huge leap forward, but progress nonetheless.

  • JeffT

    Just updated my Rogers Canada Pre2. First thing I noticed was the Palm logo during start-up was replaced with an HP one. Two new apps showed up after start-up: Exhibition and Voice Dial.

    Exhibition is pretty basic, but much better than just a time display on the Touchstone. Hopefully some good apps will come along to take advantage of it.

    Basic testing of Voice Dial seemed to show promise with successful recognition of most of the names I said.

    So not a huge leap forward, but progress nonetheless.

  • JeffT

    Just updated my Rogers Canada Pre2. First thing I noticed was the Palm logo during start-up was replaced with an HP one. Two new apps showed up after start-up: Exhibition and Voice Dial.

    Exhibition is pretty basic, but much better than just a time display on the Touchstone. Hopefully some good apps will come along to take advantage of it.

    Basic testing of Voice Dial seemed to show promise with successful recognition of most of the names I said.

    So not a huge leap forward, but progress nonetheless.

  • JeffT

    Just updated my Rogers Canada Pre2. First thing I noticed was the Palm logo during start-up was replaced with an HP one. Two new apps showed up after start-up: Exhibition and Voice Dial.

    Exhibition is pretty basic, but much better than just a time display on the Touchstone. Hopefully some good apps will come along to take advantage of it.

    Basic testing of Voice Dial seemed to show promise with successful recognition of most of the names I said.

    So not a huge leap forward, but progress nonetheless.

  • Alex H

    Any update on the pre plus US update? Will there be an OTA or do I have to meta doc it? I’m a noob so I would prefer OTA

    • Anonymous

      Sure, we’re working on something special for you ‘in the coming weeks’

    • http://twitter.com/tsaunders tsaunders

      Most likely the pre plus on VZW or AT&T won’t be getting 2.1

    • Matt C.

      We are going to treat you to something very special for sticking it out with us for all these months. I’m going to ask you to be patient though.

  • Alex H

    Any update on the pre plus US update? Will there be an OTA or do I have to meta doc it? I’m a noob so I would prefer OTA

  • Anonymous

    I was able to install 2.1.0 on my world-ready (unlocked) Pre 2, without any problems. Exhibition runs fine; haven’t tested Voice Dial. No new problems with apps, so far.

  • BellPalm

    Will it eventually roll up to palm pre’s? If so, is it worth the wait? Or do I just have to do it the metadoctor way? Also, is it worth it on the pre, or does it lag too much and take uo too much battery life?

  • AzanS

    Have they forgotten about the Pixi :’(

  • Fernando

    I just installed 2.1 on my unlocked Pre2. New features I noticed right away:

    - Voice dialing: it works quite well, even when I say a partial name (first or last name only) it gives me a list with the possible matches.
    - Exhibition mode: I’ll be probably leave it in the calendar mode since I only doc it at night prior to going to bed.
    - Faster browser: Pages seem to come up significantly more quickly than before. I really like it.
    - The HP logo pulsating effect (when the phone is booting up) seems overly done . I know HP is not known for its sense of style, so please leave the styles, transitions and visual effects to the UI gurus at the Palm team.
    - Apps appear to load faster but the initial transition from the app pulsating logo into the app’s initial card were sometimes without the usual transition, it just snapped into place the same unpolished way Android apps load.

    • Matt C.

      Here’s my thoughts on the new ‘features.’

      1. Voice dialing should hardly be called a new feature. It might be new to HP though.
      2. Exhibition mode is a real waste of time. It’s actually making you get used to the idea of having your phone on the Touchstone ALL THE TIME. That’s why HP isn’t too concerned about dismal battery life, so all devices will be sitting pretty on Touchstones ALL THE TIME.
      3. How does Flash look?
      4. Agree with your here. Waaay too much.
      5. I like the patch that makes the icon pulsate faster, so that you think it’s launching quicker.

  • Dirk

    Just downloaded the update and my Pre2 (UK) now seems faster than ever. My problems with POP3 email, Google Calendar sync and a slow responding Calendar app have been fixed. Makes you wonder how buggy 2.0.1 was in the first place! It was sad to see the Palm logo go…..R.I.Palm.

    • DokH

      Unable to Doctor my unlocked Pre2 (UK).
      Set to Dev Mode, hooked up via USB, get big USB icon, Doctor fails. :-(

      • DokH

        Successfully Dr’d using the ‘brick method’ (no battery, attach to PC with USB, hold up vol switch, replace battery) and standalone Dr image.

  • TreoRies (Netherlands)

    At least I still got my Palm branded backcover on my Prē2 ;-)

  • JoeZiehmer

    Wow, I feel like I got serviced by Palm in the George Carlin way. Regardless as a Pixi+ user still feeling left out. Although now nice to see the pricing points drop I think HP should demolish Palm completely and rebrand the Pre, Veer, as with the TouchPad and take off all designers associated with the programming. Two many broken pieces may force the focus on re-establishing names and designs in the near future.

  • Hank

    Haven’t seen the update yet on my unlocked European Pre2. When checking for updates it says my phone are up to date. i don’t know if it will be pushed automatically to the device. 113Mb isn’t something I want to drag over 3G. Hope they have fixed the issue with Alarm clock needs you to enter pin before you can snooze or dismiss. Things you can live without 5:30 in the morning.

  • Louis

    So what do I do now with my Pre? Stuck in a contract with 8 months left and NO update for it? Disgusting is what I think. What a let down, just when i though webOS was good! I will not be buying another Pre

  • http://www.facebook.com/r1chi3 Richard Plana

    Email also works in landscape mode now

  • Erik-Jan

    Voice dialling is useless crap for non-english speaking countries. The only way I can get it to somehow work is pronounce the names in as much as an English accent as I can think of. Doesn’t work 90% of the time and when it does, just entering the name is always easier and faster (just type!).

    But exibition is great!

  • Ian

    Just got my Pre2 through VZW. Love it! No Update yet still running 2.0.

  • Joseph

    One feature I noticed in 2.1.0, was the ability to view e-mail in landscape mode. It bothered me that everything else that benefited from landscape worked but e-mail, and that is now addressed.