According to Mark Elliot, a spokesperson for Sprint, the company doesn’t want long lines come launch day for the Palm Pre this Saturday. “We’re actually trying to manage the exact opposite,” Mr. Elliott said.

It’s just like any company to spin the low hype generated by what must be terrible exclusivity negotiations into a boon for customer service. Part of Sprint’s new plan for the Pre rollout includes in-store tutorials for every Pre customer. “What we’re trying to do is not have people backed up waiting so customers feel rushed,” Mr. Elliott said. “We want each customer to get the experience.”

I don’t know about you, but I have plenty of fond memories of waiting in long lines to get the newest gadget, game, what have you. The air reeks with anticipation, everyone’s excited to be there knowing they’ll walk out with a new toy in hand. Well, early Pre adopters, you’ll get none of that.

Source: NY Times

Sprint and Palm have officially announced the release of the Palm Pre for June 6, starting at $200 after contract and the included $100 rebate. If you’re worried you won’t be able to get Palm’s new beauty in your area, fret no more. The phone is being sold nationwide starting on the 6th and will be sold in Sprint stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack, and even some Wal-Marts.

So what do you think of the date? It’s a Saturday for starters, which could mean both the manufacturer and the service provider are hoping for big weekend sales. It’s also two days before Apple’s Keynote Presentation at WWDC where it’s no secret people will be waiting for a very special iPhone announcement. I suppose if you have some sort of buying disorder you might not want to want two days.

To me it seems like Palm must be a little uneasy about the iPhone refresh. It would be so easy to wait a few days, or even a week, and then pitch the Pre against the iPhone’s shortcomings, like running background apps. They may be planning to do that anyway, but then why have an understated launch 2 days before a potential boon for Apple sales.

Truth is, I think we all know the iPhone isn’t going anywhere, and pitching the Pre as an “iPhone-killer” would likely turn Palm’s blade against themselves. I’d say the best they can hope for is a load of sales because their device is something different. If we’re lucky, the competition, meager as it may be, will push Apple to improve the product the world loves.