Summary Box: Palm releases updated Pre, Pixi smart phones

Summary Box: Palm updates Pre, Pixi smart phones

WHAT THEY ARE: The Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus, which are available for $150 and $100, respectively, with a rebate and two-year Verizon Wireless contract.

WHAT THEY DO: The latest versions of the Pre and Pixi have several additional features, the most notable of which is the ability to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot that up to five devices can use to surf the Web.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Both are good-looking handsets, but for $50 more upfront the Pre offers a much better overall smart phone experience than the Pixi.