* Patented Multi-Touch screen (the Pre's touch screen controls are "not intuitive")

* It works overseas (the Pre lacks GSM capability and isn't a world phone)

Some good points, certainly, if a bit nit-picky in places. I doubt that many users will see a dramatic difference between the iPhone and Pre screen sizes, and it's too early to knock the intuitiveness of the Pre's touch screen-at least until we've all had a chance to check it out. Besides, the Pre has advantages of its own, including a slide-up keyboard (but no touch-screen keyboard), a removable battery, and a slight smaller size.

While the Palm Pre may not be an iPhone killer, it's certainly shaping up to be a strong challenger. The , which could arrive as early as a month after the Pre launch, will make these head-to-head comparisons even more intriguing.