The Palm Pre is showing up in BestBuy inventory systems and a kind member of the everythingpre forums is posting up numbers for certain cities.  If you live near LA, it looks like the Glendale and Burbank BestBuys will be your best.  Good luck!

Apparently, the guys over at tinycomb have discovered the #1 pre fan of the nation.  He was spotted today waiting at a sprint store waiting for the phone that is going to be released this Saturday!  That’s almost a week from now!  Talk about dedication (and nothing to do!).  [HT gizmodo]

If you haven’t heard, the Palm Pre actually does a pretty good job of syncing up to iTunes. While this probably means Palm isn’t going to be entering into the music store business, this is great of all sorts of reasons like 1.  iTunes is the juggernaut in the downloadable music space 2. more likely than not, you’re using iTunes to manage your music library.

According to “DVD” Jon Johansen, who knows a good amount about this kind of thing, the Palm Pre is actually going further than any other 3rd party phone/music player before it by masquerading as an iPod.  This, in turn, makes the interaction between the Pre and iTunes as smooth as silk.  If you want to learn more about this, go ahead and click through to Jon’s blog.

Jon Rubenstein just announced at All Things Digital that there will, in fact, be a GSM version of the Palm Pre phone. (woohoo!)  Too bad it’s only in Europe for now. (doh!)  Hopefully this points to a GSM version for the US after Sprint exclusivity ends.  Us AT&T users would be happy about that!

BGR is reporting that each bestbuy will only get 4 (!?!) Palm Pre’s per store and Radio Shacks would only carry around 2 at launch.  Wow.  Better throw on some comfortable shoes.  You’ll be standing in line a LONG time.  Remember…line jumping NOT ALLOWED

BestBuy listing the Palm Pre without contract at a whopping $850?????????  Okay BB, I know that you have to make money and all, but there’s a pretty thick line between making money and GOUGING YOUR CUSTOMERS. Lets just hope that this is just a typo.  (info from Gizmodo)

Sprint has now confirmed that the Palm Pre will cost $199 after rebate, with new activations.  Better start filling those piggy banks!

Check out our updated FAQ for full pricing details.

UPDATE: Both BestBuy and Radio Shack will give you and INSTANT rebate!  No details on whether you will be charged tax on the post rebate price of $199 or just the pre-(hehe)-rebate price of $299.

Marketwatch quoted Sprint CEO Dan Hesse saying “We won’t be able to keep up with demand for the device in the early period of time”.  Hopefully this won’t be a Wii-like shortage and they get their production lines ramped up sooner rather than later!  Get in line early if you want to be one of the first!

Palm has finally announced the Pre release date!

JUNE 6!!!!

Get your wallets ready………

The NYT is reporting that “people briefed on the company’s plans” say Sprint will probably be releasing the Pre in early June.  This jives with what we said earlier this week.  Hopefully these people actually know what’s what and we’ll be seeing the Pre in about 2 weeks!