Palm Pre Beta Tester: $299 w/contract and Tethering!

Back in February, Sprint removed "Phone as Modem" aka tethering from their Pre's Technical Specs. And that's when we all think the Pre will not support tethering. But guess what? Jim, the Pre beta tester, has came out and say that tethering works on the Pre! Not only that, he said the Pre with a 2 year contract will be $299. Which will be a great price point to compete with the iPhone 3G and maybe the next iPhone.

Jim's own tweets:

"It tethers, tho I'm going 2 try a BT hookup instead... "

'Pre linked right up with FiOS Wi-Fi, but doesn't seem 2like Presario' s BT adapter...Cam's ok, but I'm spoiled by 8mb res Canon #Palm Pre'

'BTW - heard frm source (not Sprint) that Pre price tag 2 be $299 with 2 year ctrct...bet it's $100 or so after all the hype wears off"

He is turning out to be a great source for new Palm Pre bits! Gotta love the power of Twitter!

Palm Pre beta tester on Twitter, says release date is 4/30

As I was questing for new Palm Pre news, I stumbled upon this interesting tweet from Jim Van, CEO of Logiccom. In his own words:

"Got Pre to work on Twitter, but it's a tad cludgy..."

It was a bit confusing at first so I took a peek at his recent tweets. It turns out that, apparently, he and a bunch of others are doing some beta testing for the Palm Pre. And today would be the 2nd day, since he first got his testing model.

According to his tweets:

• They're doing the "final testing" for the Pre. Could this mean that it's ready?
• Release date to be 4/30!
• Pre seems 2 work so well w/ Facebook. Can't seem to get it 2 play w/ Twitter yet.
• Battery's going strong after 8 hours of mixed use
• They do testing for Sprint and WiMax phones
• He got the Pre on 3/26

If what he's saying is true, that the Pre is in its "final testing" phase, then this may well prove that it will be out before the next iPhone does. And as for his release date of 4/30, it would work if Palm and Sprint ramp up marketing efforts before the end of April. Of course this could all be made up, until he posts some Palm Pre UI pictures, as promised.

[LogicommInc (Jim Van) on Twitter]