Verizon Reportedly Ditches Palm Pre Days After Research in Motion's Quarterly Results Miss the Mark

Verizon (News - Alert) has reportedly dropped plans to offer the touch-screen Palm Pre smartphone in January only a few days after Research in Motion posted a 4 percent drop in earnings in the second fiscal quarter of 2010.

 

People close to the discussions reportedly told The Street that due to poor sales at Pre’s only existing U.S. carrier, Sprint (News - Alert), Verizon has shelved plans to offer the Pre this winter. However, a Palm representative told The Street that the company hadn’t named Verizon as one of its partners.

 

The news seems to contradict earlier reports from Verizon in May, when the carrier’s wireless head Lowel McAdam told investors of the Pre’s arrival to stores within six months. 

 

Palm did not respond to TMCnet’s request for comment today; a Verizon rep told TMCnet that the company would not comment on the report.

 

Apparently, Verizon is still planning to offer new BlackBerry models – as well as Google (News - Alert) Android-infused handsets from Motorola and other manufacturers – this winter. Though BlackBerry’s most recent earnings report wasn’t so rosy, during its Thursday earnings call RIM said its newest products – including the BlackBerry (News - Alert) Curve 8520 and BlackBerry Tour models – enjoyed success in business and consumer markets in the second fiscal quarter 2010. 

 

But all is not glum for Sunnyvale, Calif.-based device maker Palm, which unveiled its sexy new Palm Pixi a few weeks ago. The sleek, compact device features personalization options such as a new Facebook (News - Alert) application that allows users to screen and comment on news or update status more easily. The device is scheduled to be available exclusively from Sprint in time for the holidays.