Palm is back with what looks like the tiniest iPhone ever
The Return of Pom: A Companion Device for Your Regular Phone
Remember those little itty-bitty pom phones from several years ago? Well, pom is back, but this isn't a phone at all. Instead, it's a companion device designed to pair with your regular phone, becoming a second screen that you can easily slide into your pocket or accessories like a clutch, bifold wallet, or fitness sleeve.
This little device is called the Pom and it pairs with your existing phone to become a secondary screen. You can take it on the go and use it as needed, simply switching back to your main phone when you need to. The Pom runs on Android 8.1 and works with Google Play, allowing you to download any app you want, although it's best suited for basics like Google Maps, responding to messages, and uploading photos.
The Pom is taking its name literally, as it's actually palm-sized, looking like the smallest iPhone you've ever seen. It has a 3.3-inch PIP (Picture-in-Picture) screen, which is important because the on-screen keyboard is minuscule and so is a lot of the text that you'll be reading. Texting can be challenging even for smaller hands, but there are three ways to use Google Assistant to help: the "Palms" button, which is a power weight key on the side that you can DoubleTap to launch voice assistant or take a photo; gesture controls to navigate around; and face unlock, which allows you to unlock the device with your face.
The Pom has a single 12-megapixel rear camera and flash, as well as an 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front. It uses Gorilla Glass 3 on both sides of an aluminum frame and is also water-resistant for a rating of IP68. The device has a tiny 800 milliamp battery that charges through USB C port, but unfortunately, there's no standalone headphone jack.
One of the most important features of the Pom is its ability to sync with your iPhone apps like iMessage and FaceTime, although these won't work technically. It integrates best with Android devices to help cut down on phone addiction. The Pom has a feature called "Life Mode" that allows you to turn it on and block out most notifications and apps except for the ones you've approved in advance.
Another important aspect of the Pom is its own nano SIM card for an LTE data connection, which allows you to stay connected even when your primary phone is not nearby. However, this means that you can't buy a separate Pom device to replace your primary phone if you want to make calls or text. Instead, you have to use a built-in app to pair your phone number with the Pom. You can still message with apps that use Wi-Fi, and yes, you'll have to pay a $10 monthly data fee to use the Pom.
The Pom will be available for purchase in November exclusively with Verizon and is expected to cost around $350. The carrier and Pom are both excited about this new category of smartphone accessory, which blurs the lines between smartphones and accessories.
Technical Specifications of the Pom
* Operating System: Android 8.1
* Compatibility: Works with Google Play
* Dimensions: Palm-sized (exact dimensions not specified)
* Screen Size: 3.3 inches PIP screen
* On-screen Keyboard: Minuscule keyboard
* Camera: Single 12-megapixel rear camera and flash, 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front
* Materials: Gorilla Glass 3 on both sides of an aluminum frame
* Water Resistance: IP68 rating
* Battery Life: Tiny 800 milliamp battery charges through USB C port
* No Standalone Headphone Jack
Availability and Pricing
The Pom will be available for purchase in November exclusively with Verizon. The device is expected to cost around $350.
Conclusion
The Pom is an innovative new product that blurs the lines between smartphones and accessories. It's a companion device designed to pair with your regular phone, becoming a secondary screen that you can easily take on the go. While it has some limitations, such as not being able to replace your primary phone for making calls or texting, it offers many benefits, including integration with Android devices to help cut down on phone addiction and syncing with iPhone apps like iMessage and FaceTime. The Pom is an exciting new development in the world of smartphones and accessories, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for this innovative device.