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HP’s 2011 webOS product event included two smartphones, the HP Veer and HP Pre 3, alongside the TouchPad. The announcement establishes that these phones were part of the event, but does not provide their individual launch details or specifications. The bigger story is a transition: Palm introduced webOS and its first phone, the Pre, in 2009; HP acquired Palm in 2010 and continued the phone line before presenting the Veer and Pre 3 as part of its 2011 webOS lineup.
Which HP webOS smartphones were unveiled?
HP’s TouchPad announcement describes the tablet as one of three webOS products announced at the 2011 event and directs readers to separate announcements for the HP Veer and HP Pre 3. This confirms that both phones belonged to the same product event as the TouchPad. It does not, by itself, establish the phones’ individual announcement dates, specifications, or availability. HP’s TouchPad announcement
That distinction matters when comparing devices: family-level specifications for older Pre or Pixi phones should not be presented as specifications for the Veer or Pre 3.
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Palm introduced webOS with the Pre
In January 2009, Palm announced webOS and called the Palm Pre its first phone based on the platform. The announcement described planned initial U.S. availability through Sprint. Palm’s January 2009 announcement
#1 Best Overall
- COMPACT & LIGHT: Literally fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2.2 oz. Unlike a smartwatch, it’s truly made for minimalist and outdoor lifestyles.
- PEAK PERFORMANCE: Palm’s custom hardware includes a stunning 3.3 inch HD display, High Resolution 12MP rear camera, and 8MP selfie camera.
- LIFE MODE: Eliminate distraction by silencing incoming calls and notifications every time the screen is turned off. When you wake the screen, your Palm becomes fully connected again so you’ll never miss out on life's most important moments.
- CELL PHONE FEATURES: GPS, Face Unlock Recognition, Water and Dust resistance (IP68), Hands-free Google Assistant, Android Google Play Apps, Wifi, and Bluetooth.
- UNLOCKED SMARTPHONE: Companion or Standalone works with most major 4G LTE U.S. carriers (Verizon, AT&T and TMobile, rates and plans vary). *SIM card not included.
The Pixi followed as a second webOS smartphone
September 2009 coverage described the Palm Pixi as the second webOS smartphone and distinguished it by its fixed keyboard. It also reported an initial plan for Sprint availability. Phone Scoop’s Pixi coverage
HP acquired Palm and continued the phone lineage
HP completed its acquisition of Palm on July 1, 2010, taking on Palm’s webOS platform and its Pre and Pixi smartphone lines. HP’s acquisition announcement
In October 2010, contemporaneous reporting covered webOS 2.0 alongside the Palm Pre 2. That phone’s Palm name reflects the lineage: HP had acquired Palm, but the Pre 2 was still identified as a Palm model. ITmedia’s October 2010 report
What is established about the Pre and Pixi differences?
HP’s product guide lists display specifications for the Pre Series and Pixi Series. These are series-level figures and are not specifications for the Veer or Pre 3.
Rank #2
- COMPACT & LIGHT: Literally fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2.2 oz. Unlike a smartwatch, it’s truly made for minimalist and outdoor lifestyles.
- PEAK PERFORMANCE: Palm’s custom hardware includes a stunning 3.3 inch HD display, High Resolution 12MP rear camera, and 8MP selfie camera.
- LIFE MODE: Eliminate distraction by silencing incoming calls and notifications every time the screen is turned off. When you wake the screen, your Palm becomes fully connected again so you’ll never miss out on life's most important moments.
- CELL PHONE FEATURES: GPS, Face Unlock Recognition, Water and Dust resistance (IP68), Hands-free Google Assistant, Android Google Play Apps, Wifi, and Bluetooth.
- UNLOCKED SMARTPHONE: Companion or Standalone works with most major 4G LTE U.S. carriers (Verizon, AT&T and TMobile, rates and plans vary). *SIM card not included.
| Model family | Display size | Resolution | Other documented distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre Series | 3.1 inches | 320 × 480 | Not stated in the cited product guide |
| Pixi Series | 2.63 inches | 320 × 400 | Contemporaneous Phone Scoop coverage describes the Pixi’s fixed keyboard |
Display figures are from HP’s product guide; the keyboard description is from Phone Scoop. The available cited material does not provide a like-for-like specification table for the Veer and Pre 3.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to assess a used HP or Palm webOS phone
For a collector or anyone considering a legacy handset, identify the exact model before relying on a family name or a listing description. Check each issue separately:
- Model: Confirm whether the handset is a Pre, Pixi, Veer, or Pre 3. A specification for one family or model does not automatically apply to another.
- Form factor and keyboard: The Pixi is documented as having a fixed keyboard; verify the physical layout of the exact phone being considered.
- Display: Match display size and resolution to the exact model rather than applying the Pre or Pixi series figures to the Veer or Pre 3.
- Carrier and network variant: Historical plans for Sprint do not establish whether any particular used handset can connect to a network today. Check the precise variant and current carrier requirements.
- Condition and parts: The historical sources do not establish whether a specific unit works, whether replacement parts are available, or whether service remains available. Confirm those details for the individual device.
Present-day stock, working condition, network compatibility, and repair support are not established by the historical product announcements cited here.
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