Verizon Practically Giving Away Palm Phones For FreeVerizon Practically Giving Away Palm Phones For Free

Today Verizon Wireless rolled out a new promotion for Palm's lineup of webOS devices, the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus. Verizon has discounted the Pre Plus from $150 to just $50, and the Pixi Plus from $50 to $30 -- and that doesn't include the buy-one-get-one free offer. Fire sale?Verizon Wireless must be desperate to unload stock of Palm's webOS devices. It has reduced the prices of both the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus so far that it's practically giving them away.

When they debuted, the Pre Plus cost $150, but that was after a $100 mail-in rebate. Price paid at the register was $250. Now, it is down to $50. Similarly, the Pixi Plus debuted at $50 after a $100 mail-in rebate. It, too, has been reduced, though less drastically than the Pre Plus. Verizon is also offering a buy-one-get-one free deal, which lets customers snag two Pre Pluses for just $50. Wow.

Despite Palm's financial troubles and continued difficulty in selling smartphones, the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus deserve better. I mean seriously, these are highly capable smartphones that have a great operating system. They are far more powerful than the feature phones in Verizon's lineup.

On top of the low prices, Verizon Wireless is also now offering the Mobile Hotspot application for free. The application, which must be downloaded to the Pre Plus or Pixi Plus, allow either device to become a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot, letting up to five devices connect to the Internet. The application itself is free, but the monthly service came at an extra cost. Not any more. Verizon is letting customers make use of the application (which is really useful) free.

I have to question Verizon's motivations for this sale. Is it trying to free up shelf space in warehouses? Is it trying to clear out its entire stock of Palm devices? Is it realyl just trying to entice new customers to sign up? Whatever the reasons, the sale prices and free hot spot application are certainly compelling offers.