*Palm will not be releasing any new Palm OS devices. Their focus is on Palm webOS, and Windows Mobile.

*The Pre will launch with an app store. Pre owners will be able to install applications that aren't on the app store by installing via USB or over the air.

*Expect other carriers to have Palm webOS smartphones in 2010.

Labels: centro, palm, palm os, palm webos, pre, windows mobile

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/11/2009 08:34:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Palm has launched The Palm App Store partnering with PocketGear.

The Software Store has gone mobile. Browse and download over 5,000 apps & games right from your Palm device. Plus, there are over 1,000 free apps to choose from. The mobile software store supports over 25 Palm devices, from the Centro to the Treo Pro.

All of this is just a click away — install the free mobile software store and choose from thousands of apps ready to download now! You'll also receive 25% OFF your first download when you enter coupon code SHOPMOBILE at checkout.

I just downloaded the App Store to my Treo 755p. There currently are 2 App Store applications for Palm OS devices, and Windows Mobile, expect one for "Nova" very soon.

Labels: centro, palm, palm os, treo, windows mobile

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/16/2008 12:01:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Looks like the Palm Centro for Sprint is about to get a holiday makeover. In a press release issued earlier today, Palm unveiled the Centro refreshes that were alluded to in the September quarterly conference call.

The two new additions to the Centro family, currently only available for Sprint, feature:

• Two new colors; olive green and vibrant rose
• Soft-touch paint; similar to that used on the Treo 750 and 755p
• 128MB of user accessible memory; increased from 64MB
• Facebook for Palm OS preinstalled
• Google Maps with My Location support

The new Centro smartphones will begin to roll into select retail outlets on October 19, and will be come available at Sprint retail locations and online at Palm.com and Sprint.com starting on November 2.

Palm is also relasing a trio (not Treo) of Cento accessories to compliment the new phones in the way of a new leather slide case, leather flip case, and car charger.

According to Palm's press release, the new smartphones will also have a new lower price when you agree to a 2-year contract, including a data plan that is $25 a month, and after a $100 mail-in rebate. When all is said and done, you can pick up a new Centro for $79.99; previously retailing at $99.99 at the Centro's initial launch.

There is a lot of like about the new Centro smartphones. I'm glad to see that Palm is actively marketing multiple colors for their smartphones. I also like that face that Palm has returned to using the soft-touch paint as it one of my favorite features of my Treo 755p. But the best part about this pair of devices is that Palm is pushed past the 64MB mark. There have been plenty of time where I wished my Treo had 128MB on board.

For more details on the pair of new Centro smartphones, check out the Palm Centro website.

[Via SmartphoneFanatics.com]

Labels: centro, palm, palm os, sprint

¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Editor @ 10/14/2008 03:52:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Engadget Mobile is reporting that NPD Group has released the sales charts of smartphones sold in the US. RIM comes in 1st, followed by Apple's iPhone, and Palm takes 3rd with their Centro and Treo smartphones. During the period from January through July 2008, 9 million smartphones were sold in the US.

Labels: apple, blackberry, centro, iphone, palm, treo

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/10/2008 12:00:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jul 29, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) today said it has sold its two-millionth Centro smartphone, confirming the $99 product's growing momentum with traditional mobile phone users who want to move up to a phone that offers more functionality.(1) Palm is now offering Centro in more than 25 countries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Recent data released by AdMob, the largest advertising network on the mobile web, further echoes the momentum of Palm's smallest, lightest and most affordable smartphone. According to the company's Mobile Metrics report (www.admob.com/s/solutions/metrics), Palm Centro leapt onto the list of mobile phones worldwide in May as the No. 8 device, and moved up in June to No. 7. AdMob cites the growth of inexpensive phones, such as Palm Centro, as a primary driver in mobile Internet usage.

"Consumers are ready to do more on their mobile phone, and Centro has struck a chord around the world," said Brodie Keast, senior vice president of marketing for Palm, Inc. "Centro has everything a person needs to stay connected with everyone who is important to them -- and at a price point and size that make smartphones more attractive to a much wider audience."

Palm also showed strong growth among smartphone manufacturers, ranking No. 2 in the United States in mobile advertising reach, and No. 3 worldwide. The AdMob report, which analyzes worldwide data to gauge mobile Internet use among devices able to receive mobile ads, also noted that 24.3 percent of worldwide ad requests in June were from smartphones, up from 22.4 percent in May. As more consumers leave their traditional mobile phones behind in favor of moving up to phones with greater functionality, mobile web usage is expected to increase.

Now available from almost 20 carriers worldwide, including the three largest carriers in the United States, Centro has reached more young adults and women, as well as a broader range of household income, than any prior Palm smartphone. It offers customers an affordable, simple and fun option for staying connected and doing more with their mobile phones.

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 7/29/2008 11:43:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

To get more information and to download the update click here .

Labels: centro, palm, palm os, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 7/23/2008 09:32:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

I just received an email from Palm that they will be launching an Electric Blue Centro for AT&T this Friday, July 11th. The Electric Blue Centro will join the Glacier White, and Obsidian Black Centro in AT&T's lineup. The email also stated that Palm will be making the Centro more affordable than ever.

Labels: att, centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 7/08/2008 02:00:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

"We continue to invest in Palm's future and remain focused on building long-term value," said Ed Colligan, president and chief executive officer for Palm, Inc. "Centro is a tremendous hit, we are gaining market share, and we believe with this momentum, and the launch of new Windows Mobile products, we will turn the corner and return to revenue and margin growth."

Labels: centro, palm, treo

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 6/26/2008 06:11:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 23, 2008 – Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) today announced that the popular Palm® Centro™ smartphone is now available unlocked for U.S. customers. Now offered on Sprint, AT&T and Verizon Wireless – the nation’s three largest carriers – and in an unlocked GSM version, Centro gives U.S. customers the ability to choose the mobile phone that’s right for them.(1) Palm also announced that Google™ Maps for mobile with My Location on Centro is available for Centro starting tomorrow, giving customers faster access to local maps and driving directions.(2)

The unlocked Palm Centro retains the smartphone’s compact, modern design and is dressed in a new white color with grey accents. Centro offers customers more choices to stay in touch with friends, family and co-workers by using voice, text messaging, email or the web. Also available in 25 countries worldwide, Centro is Palm’s smallest and lightest smartphone to date.

Google Maps for mobile with My Location makes it easier and faster for Centro customers to get mapping and direction information by approximating the user’s current location on the map. This saves time and keystrokes for people trying to find where they are, what’s around them, and how to get there.

In addition to My Location, Google Maps offers:

• Comprehensive information on traffic conditions in more than 30 U.S. major metropolitan areas, and partial information in many others;

• Detailed driving directions with traffic estimates to avoid congestions;

• One-touch recall of favorite locations and routes;

• Integrated search results for business locations, including directions and contact information;

• Ability to scan and drag maps using Centro’s touch screen for a PC-like experience; and

• Satellite and aerial views.

Pricing and Availability

The unlocked Centro smartphone is available online at http://www.palm.com/centro for $299.

Google Maps for mobile with My Location will be available tomorrow free of charge for Palm Centro smartphones at http://www.google.com/gmm . Please check the site for details on the download process and carrier availability.

Labels: centro, google, gsm, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 6/23/2008 05:35:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Palm has announced that the Palm Centro is now available for Verizon Wireless customers. You can purchase the "Cobalt Blue" Centro for $99.99 when signing a new 2 year contract.

Labels: centro, palm, verizon

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 6/12/2008 06:22:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Being the Palm fan boy I am, it makes me happy to see Palm increasing their market share. I've watched Palm go from being the market share leader in terms of PDA's and smartphones. As everyone knows the last few years have been a struggle for Palm. So it's great to hear they are finally gaining market share, and not losing it.

" June 2 (Bloomberg) -- Palm Inc. had the biggest jump in six weeks in Nasdaq trading after a researcher said its Centro e-mail phone won sales in the U.S. from Apple Inc.'s iPhone.

Palm had 13.4 percent of the market for advanced phones in the first quarter, up from 7.9 percent in the previous period, according to Framingham, Massachusetts-based research firm IDC. Apple's share fell to 19.2 percent from 26.7 percent. Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry dominated the market with 44.5 percent, up from 35.1 percent.

The Centro, which sells for $99 with a carrier contract, debuted last year in a bid to lure more cost-minded consumers to Palm. The price is a quarter the cost of the iPhone. Anticipation that Apple will release a new iPhone with faster Web browsing also hurt sales of that device, said IDC analyst Ryan Reith. Analysts expect a new iPhone to go on sale this month, he said.

"The Centro's been a success because it's very attractive to someone who doesn't want to pay $300 to $400,'' Reith said in an interview. "This summer, competition in this market will be as intense as it's ever been." Via Bloomberg.com .

Labels: centro, palm, palm os

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 6/02/2008 10:34:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

RIM jumped from 35.1 to 44.5 percent between the fourth and first quarters largely through further expansions of its BlackBerry range into the high-end home user market, which is still relatively new to the originally business-oriented company. Palm in turn raised its share from 7.9 percent to 13.4 percent based largely on sales of the Centro, which is considered one of the least expensive new smartphones on sale in the US and is targeted at first-time as well as price-conscious users trading up from comparatively limited devices." Via Electronista .

Labels: blackberry, centro, iphone, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 6/02/2008 12:02:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Palm's CEO, Ed Colligan has done an interview with APC and we're finally starting to hear what Palm has in store with their next generation operating system.

"So let’s talk about the future – and specifically the forthcoming all-new Palm OS, which is codenamed Nova and said to be built around Linux. Colligan calls it “Palm OS” and later “Palm 2.0”, both times his fingers drawing quotation marks in the air as he speaks. Palm 2.0, as in Web 2.0, although he makes it clear that “I’m not coming up with the branding right now – whether it’s Palm OS 2.0 or Next Generation, we’re not coming up with the branding right now. But this is something different to this” he says, pointing to the Centro.

Colligan speaks of this as being a “next-generation operating system with much more capabilities, driven around the Internet and Web-based applications”. It reminds us of a very modern take on the original OS, as well as a revisiting of the strategy which saw Palm create everything from the OS to the handhelds. It worked fine for Palm in the early days, and it’s working pretty well for Apple too.

“We’re focused on executing our own system, mostly because we really believe that to create the most compelling solution it should be an integrated package much like we started with the Palm OS and doing the original Palm Pilots: we did the operating system, we did the hardware and we did the whole synching architecture and the desktop tie-in, which is equivalent to the Web these days. One of the things we wanted to do is to make sure that we had an end-to-end solution we really controlled and could deliver the end-user experience we want to deliver. We think it’s going to be stunning and breakthrough in its execution, and we’re working on some very exciting new devices to go with it”.

And for at least the short term, that OS will continue to be offered in low-end devices typified by the Centro. “Centro is our consumer line of products, the start of a product line to hit that demographic and price point” Colligan says. “Centro will be strictly Palm OS”.

At the same time, Palm will continue to promote the Treo line of Windows Mobile smartphones to business customers. “Microsoft is the de facto standard in corporate email, and I think they should be the de facto standard in mobile email. If you have an Exchange server today you can already get mobile push email without installing a single other piece of third-party equipment, so it’s pretty easy to deploy. I don’t believe we could ever create a position in the business community that competes with Microsoft, it just wouldn’t make any sense.”

That ‘next generation’ Palm OS will slot in between the Centro and Treo lines under a new ‘prosumer’ brand that’s yet to be decided, Colligan explains. “We’re going to continue to look at those three line areas – consumer, prosumer and enterprise. Treo is today more of our mainstream prosumer product which is extended into the enterprise, but over time you’ll see some branding work done on the top two to make sure they’re really well delineated.”

Labels: centro, palm, palm os, treo, windows mobile

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 5/28/2008 12:08:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Engadget has posted images of the unannounced Verizon Centro. According to Engadget, Verizon will be releasing a blue Centro very soon.

Labels: centro, palm, verizon

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 4/21/2008 09:12:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Finally some great news from Palm!! Palm has announced that they've reached a major milestone with the Centro smartphone. Palm has sold its one-millionth Centro. Congrats to Palm on the success of the Centro, today is a proud day for all Palm "fanboys" (including myself) out there.

Centro Now Attracting New Smartphone Customers in 10 Countries Worldwide

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) today announced that it has sold its one-millionth Palm® Centro™ smartphone, demonstrating the $99 product’s mass appeal to customers ready to get all the power of a smartphone at the price of a traditional mobile phone.(1) Palm is now shipping Centro in 10 countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the UK, Germany, Spain, Ireland, France and Italy, and its already-rapid momentum is set to grow as Palm debuts the product in additional countries around the globe.

“The Palm Centro is flying off the shelves because users who want to step up to a smartphone see it as the perfect first choice,” said Brodie Keast, senior vice president of marketing for Palm, Inc. “It has everything a person needs to stay organized and connected with everyone who is important to them. We’re very excited about the Centro’s near-instant popularity in the U.S. and think it’s going to be a huge hit as it continues to make its way across the globe.”

First introduced in the United States last September exclusively with Sprint, and more recently introduced on AT&T in February, the fully featured Centro smartphone is available from both carriers for $99.99.(1) Centro has reached more young adults and women, as well as a broader range of household income, than any prior Palm smartphone. It offers customers an affordable, simple and fun option for staying connected and doing more with their mobile phones.(2)

“Smartphones are certainly not new to business professionals; however, now more than ever we are seeing consumers migrate toward these types of devices as form factors have become more appealing and price points are now competing with traditional mobile phones,” said Ryan Reith, senior research analyst with IDC. “Palm’s Centro plays right into the hands of the consumer looking for a more robust experience on their mobile phone. We definitely expect to see this trend continue worldwide.”

Increasingly, consumers are making the shift from traditional mobile phones to smartphones, motivated by the desire to do more with their phones and the arrival of lower-cost devices. Smartphones accounted for 11 percent of all mobile phone sales in 2007 in the United States, and this is expected to increase to 35 percent by 2011.(3) A recent Palm survey of Centro customers highlighted this trend, indicating that 70 percent are first-time smartphone users. When compared to other Palm smartphones, Centro also is reaching almost double the number of women, more than double the number of customers under age 35, and nearly three times as many customers with a household income of less than $75,000.

Centro’s full QWERTY keyboard and color touch screen make it easy to quickly type text messages, respond to emails, start instant message conversations, browse the web and more. It offers all of the great organizer functionality for which Palm is renowned, such as a detailed and integrated contacts list and a simple and handy calendar for juggling business meetings and get-togethers with friends.

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/31/2008 09:36:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

"Palm is adding new hands-free capabilities to its smartphones as a result of an agreement with Nuance Communications.

Palm will use VSuite applications from Nuance for to hands-free, one-step access to mobile applications and content. VSuite's speech-based user interface will be included on the Palm Centro from AT&T (NYSE: T), and on the Treo 755p from Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless. VSuite is also supported on all Palm OS-based Treo smartphones, Nuance said Wednesday.

VSuite works with simple one-step commands that Nuance said requires no training. Sample voice commands include name dialing from any name on a phone's contact list; digit-dialing a phone number ("Call 7815550000"); or message addressing for text, picture, and video messages ("Send text to John Smith mobile"). Voice prompts can also be used to look up contacts as well as open any application or menu on the phone, Nuance said.

n addition, Nuance also offers Voice Control, a subscription-based service for Palm users to connect to the mobile Web with voice commands. The service also allows users to dictate and send e-mail or text messages, create calendar entries, or do Web searches." Via Information Week .

It's great to hear that Palm will be adding this feature, I use Nuance Vsuite on my Sprint Treo 755p and swear by it.

Labels: centro, palm, software, treo

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/26/2008 08:13:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Isn't it funny how companies sometimes post information on their own website of unannounced products? Palm has posted the above image on their Centro Self-Paced Learning Guides . As you can see there's a few more color options of the GSM Centro than currently available, this doesn't include Sprint's black, red, or pink CDMA Centro options. No word on when Palm will offer unlocked Centros, but it should be very soon.

Labels: centro

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/25/2008 08:38:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Palm has created a great resource for owners of their smartphones. The Palm Self-Paced Learning Guides is a great place for any new Palm smartphone owner to learn how to do things with their smartphone. You'll get to know your smartphone, send email, tips & tricks, and a lot more.

Labels: centro, palm, treo

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/23/2008 02:53:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Palm has launched the Centro smartphone for AT&T. The AT&T Centro is pretty much the came version of Sprint's Centro minus 3G, you'll have to put up with EDGE.

Overview

The Palm Centro is a compact QWERTY smartphone offering a full range of features. Transfer data or go hands-free with USB, Bluetooth® and infrared connectivity. Keep up with work and friends via email, Instant Messenger and Push-To-Talk. Enjoy the sounds of AT&T Music and XM Radio. Snap pictures and record video with the 1.3 MP camera, and store it all comfortably with up to 4 GB microSD¿ expansion memory. Included Features

* 1.3 MP Camera with video capture

* Picture and video messaging

* EDGE class 10 for rapid data transfers

* Bluetooth v1.2 and Infrared connectivity

* Supports MicroSD(TM) expansion memory - up to 4 GB

* Full QWERTY keyboard and 2.2" touchscreen display

* AIM®, Yahoo!®, and Windows Live® Messengers

* Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync email support

* Support for Good Mobile Messaging

* XM Radio, AT&T Music and MusicID

* Support for Xpress Mail

* Push-To-Talk

AT&T's Centro is available now in Glacier White, and in a month you can pick up an Obsidian Black version. AT&T is offering the Centro for $99 after signing a 2 year contract.

Labels: att, centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/19/2008 08:00:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Just because Palm and AT&T haven't "officially" announced the AT&T Palm Centro doesn't mean it's not available in stores. A TreoCentral Forum member purchased his at a Denver AT&T store Friday morning. Expect an "official" announcement from Palm and AT&T shortly;)

Labels: att, centro, gsm, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/16/2008 12:11:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

The Boy Genius is first again, with an unboxing of an unannounced device. This time it's the AT&T Centro . It looks like AT&T will not only be offering the Centro in white, it will also be offering it with a white and green keyboard. The green keys correspond to the number keys on the Centro, but why green??? Thank God it's not brown like some company's failed MP3 player;)

Labels: att, centro, unboxing

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/14/2008 09:57:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Engadget is reporting that AT&T and Palm will be making the GSM version of the Centro available next Tuesday February 19th. The Centro should be available for $99 after signing a 2 year contract.

Labels: att, centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/14/2008 03:07:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/07/2008 03:00:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

According to the Palm company blog, a new VersaMail client update has been made available for Centro customers.

The latest update, VersaMail 4.0.7, adds enhancements to VersaMail's support for IMAP compatibility with Google's Gmail service. Palm has also rolled in an update for customers who use automatic data synchronization with Microsoft's Direct Push technology when using the Exchange ActiveSync feature in VersaMail.

VersaMail can be downloaded directly to a Centro over the air (OTA) by tapping the following URL:

http://www.palm.com/versamail407

This update is intended only for the Palm Centro, and will not work on other Palm OS devices, including, the Treo 755p, 700p, or 680.

You can read the upgrade directions on the Palm website.

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Editor @ 1/17/2008 05:02:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

The pink Palm Centro when public today on the Palm website. As expected, the pink Centro from Sprint has the same product specifications as the previously released black and red Centro smartphones released last year.

I'm glad to see Palm releasing a pink smartphone. Over the last year, I have seen more women toting around smartphones and this phone should help keep sales of the Palm Centro at a brisk pace.

You can order the new pink Palm Centro directly from the Palm online store, the Sprint online store, or from a local Palm or Sprint store.

[Via FoleoFanatics.com]

Labels: centro, palm, sprint

¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Editor @ 1/13/2008 01:56:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

SprintUsers.com forum member TheRobin has posted what appears to be a promotional photo of the rumored pink Palm Centro that is expected to arrive on Sprint sometime in January or February 2008.

The information on the release date has been all over the map with rumored launch dates of January 6, January 13, and February 14 (Valentine's Day).

Palm and Sprint are going to sell a lot of these things.

[Via FoleoFanatics.com.]

Labels: centro, palm, rumors, sprint

¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Editor @ 12/29/2007 06:53:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

PDALive has posted a picture of an AT&T branded Centro. This will be a GSM version of the Sprint Centro and could be called the Treo 690.

Labels: att, centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/24/2007 08:56:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

CEO Ed Colligan revealed that the mystery product that Palm had failed to qualify during the quarter was the Treo 755p, which made its debut with Verizon just this week. Andy Brown, Palm's CFO, said that revenue for the quarter was on course to be flat compared with last year until it became clear the 755p wasn't going to make it out the door by the end of November.

But there was a significant bright spot during the quarter. The Centro set a company record for "sell-through" shipments--phones that actually made their way into the hands of customers as opposed to retailers--during the quarter, according to Colligan. The $99 Centro is available from Sprint, and Palm is finding it hard to keep up with demand." Read the full article @ CNET .

At least there's a bright spot in Palm's loss, accentuate the positive;)

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/18/2007 06:47:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Congratulations to Palm and the Centro for making TIME Magazine's Top 10 Gadgets of the Year. The Palm Centro took the very respectful 4th spot on TIME's list. The iPhone and the Centro are the only 2 smart phones on TIME's list.

#4. Palm Centro

"Do you secretly covet your friend's smart phone while dismissing it as way overpriced? The new Palm Centro provides an opportunity to get all the essential smart-phone features without breaking the bank. This light and bright device supports Web surfing, emailing, instant messaging and text messaging, and sports a 1.3-megapixel camera and a touch screen that works best with a stylus. A mobile version of Google Maps comes preloaded. The qwerty keypad is seriously small, but the bubble-like tactile design of the individual keys makes them easier targets."

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/11/2007 08:18:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

The Palm Centro attracted the most attention from nearly half of the tested US consumers who are intending to purchase a new mobile device in Q4, 2007. This mobile Palm device was rated as more appealing than the Samsung i760, LG Rumor, Nokia Prism, and Pantech C810, by participants in the quarterly Visual Appeal Index where Strategy Analytics tested first impressions of five pre-release or newly released devices

"The Samsung i760 and Palm Centro top the purchase likelihood table for those seeking a multifunction, fully integrated device," according to Paul Brown, Senior User Experience Analyst at Strategy Analytics. "The Nokia Prism is perceived as the most feminine and fun new product, appealing to our Voice + Music segment."

Labels: centro

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/10/2007 04:45:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Ya gotta love the Palm OS developer community. I came across Treobble over @ PalmInfocenter . Treobble is a FREE contacts/dialer program that brings the iPhone's scrolling address book to your Treo or Centro. You can now flick through your Treo or Centro's contacts. I've tried it on my Treo 755p and a Centro review unit, it works well if flicking is your thing.

Labels: centro, palm. treo

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/26/2007 10:08:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

***UPDATE*** Palm has asked PalmDoc to remove their GSM Centro review beause Palm has yet to even announce the GSM Centro. At least all you GSM users who want a Centro can be rest assured that it's on its way soon.

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/15/2007 09:23:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

A TreoCentral forum member, "ashblades," is claiming to be a Sprint employee and states that Palm and Sprint will be launching a pink Centro on February 8 just in time for Valentines Day. You can read the entire TreoCentral thread here.

I've been wondering aloud with some of the other 1SRC'ers about why Palm isn't offering their smartphones in more rainbow flavors. With Palm's new found emphasis on the consumer market using the Centro as the vehicle to reach more feature phone users, it would seem that more color choices is a logical thing to offer.

Palm has offered the Treo 680 in several colors prior to the Cingular acquisition by AT&T. The copper Treo seemed to be the first color to sell out with customers clamoring to snatch up second-hand units on eBay once the primary channel dried up. Palm has seemed to have an on again-off again attitude toward colored devices. In the mid-90's Palm released a teal colored Palm Vx and a clear cased Palm IIIxe. Handspring's (now a part of Palm) Visor Deluxe line also came in a rainbow assortment of colors. (I did get an orange Visor). And there have been a few other limited and special edition Palm or Handspring devices since then.

While it is impossible to know if the poster at TreoCentral is credible at this time there is a prescient for a pink Centro late this coming winter.

Labels: centro, palm, rumors, sprint

¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Editor @ 11/11/2007 10:41:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Labels: centro, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/09/2007 09:49:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

The ruby red Centro, Palm's consumer oriented smartphone, goes on sale starting this Sunday. Until now, it was only available in black.

Preliminary reports posted to the Internet suggest that the Centro has been selling well in the few weeks it has been available. We won't have official Centro sales numbers for a while yet. The ruby Centro will sell for the same price as the black one; $99.99 with a new 2-year service agreement and a $100 mail in rebate. You can purchase a Centro at Sprint and Palm retail stores or on the web from Palm's online store.

Read more at Brighthand...

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Editor @ 11/03/2007 09:17:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

To read the full review and watch the video click here . It looks like a Treo, acts like a Treo, but the best feature is it doesn't cost as much as a Treo;) Palm has created a new product line with the Centro. Stay tuned for a full review of the Palm Centro @ Gadgets On The Go.

Labels: centro, review

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 10/10/2007 09:30:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

TreoCentral has posted an unboxing, first look, and comparison video of the Palm Centro.

Labels: centro, unboxing

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 10/10/2007 03:53:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

As you can see from the pic, the Centro is smaller than the Treo 680. How much smaller you ask? Treonauts has posted a Centro specifications and comparison chart. They've broken down the details on how the Centro stacks up to existing Treos. Check Treonauts out for complete details.

Labels: centro, palm. treo

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 10/02/2007 10:48:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

InfoSync has posted a hands-on with the Palm Centro, and so far it's looking good for Palm's first non-Treo smartphone (Palm is leaving off the Treo name to not "scare away" consumers).

The price is surprising, and presents a blind spot for Palm that even Palm CEO Ed Colligan couldn't seem to see around. The new Centro costs a very reasonable $99. Sight unseen, we would feel comfortable recommending a $99 Palm anything, as the Palm OS remains our favorite smartphone system. But the Centro is a comfortably small Palm. Not tiny, not super-thin, but very small for a Palm, and comfortable to hold. The keypad is much smaller than on our Treo 700p, but not the tiniest we've seen, and the buttons were large domes with plenty of travel.

So, why would anyone still buy a Treo? Palm reps claimed business users would be enticed by the larger keypad and screen, though the Centro does have the same 320 by 320 resolution as our larger Treo. Any other differences? None that Palm reps could name, at least none in favor of the Treo. Processor differences were negligible, and the operating system is the same on the two phones. In our opinion, Palm has effectively sealed the casket on this generation of Treo phones, at least on carrier's where users have a choice, which is only Sprint through the holiday season."

Labels: centro, palm, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/27/2007 08:19:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Palm has posted the Centro's features and specifications on their webpage. Palm will also be taking pre-orders for the Centro starting tomorrow.

Labels: centro, palm, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/27/2007 02:14:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Palm and Sprint have an exclusive contract. The Centro will only be offered by Sprint (for now) for $99 with a 2 year contract.

Labels: centro, palm, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/27/2007 12:53:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Smallest Treo, touchscreen, full keyboard, $99 price point. Centro will be "the center of your life". The Centro will be marketed towards "feature phone" (RAZR, flip phones, candybar) users who don't want an expensive "smartphone" (iPhone, high end Treos, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile). The Centro is designed like a "feature phone" with its small size, and small price. Let people get a taste of the "Palm secret sauce" in a small, "feature phone" sized device while still retaining all of the "smartphone" features ie. keyboard, touchscreen, camera, camcorder, multimedia, broadband speed web browsing.

The Centro provides Palm's world class ease of use A.K.A the "secret sauce". The Centro retains the famous Treo ringer switch to easily silence your phone. The Centro runs on Sprint's high-speed mobile broadband network. The Centro uses MicroSD for storage.

Exclusive Sprint Services with Sprint TV, On Demand, Sprint Picture Mail.

Labels: centro, palm, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/27/2007 12:37:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

I'm attending the Palm and Sprint press conference where Palm and Sprint will be announcing the "world's smallest Palm device", a.k.a. the Centro. Stay tuned for full coverage.

Labels: centro, palm, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/27/2007 12:05:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Sprint has taken the wraps off of the new Palm Centro they are launching with Palm. Sprint posted this page revealing the price of the Centro , choice of Red or Black, and a release date of October 14th. Stay tuned for an official announcement later today.

Labels: centro, palm, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/27/2007 08:09:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Engadget has posted some pictures of upcoming Sprint phones. When comparing the Centro to the Treo 755p it was said, "noticed little to no difference in typing on the QEWRTY with the Centro to the Treo" while noting that the Centro was "much nicer to hold."

Labels: centro, palm. treo, sprint

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/11/2007 07:20:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Morning Paper has posted a Sprint Centro Roadmap. The Centro should be released in a few weeks. Notice there is no mention of it being called a Treo.

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/11/2007 07:12:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

You can also see from the above picture the Centro uses the same Phone application as the Treo 680. This version of the Centro will run on the GSM network as seen by the Orange carrier name. Palm is expected to announce the Centro on September 12th for European market. Palm recently announced that Sprint would be the exclusive carrier of the Palm Centro here in the U.S. running on Sprint's CDMA high-speed EV-DO network. It's great to see that Palm has developed both a GSM and CDMA version of the Centro, releasing them around the same time will help Palm's bottom line.

Labels: centro, palm, treo

¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/04/2007 08:20:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

A picture of what could be the new Palm Centro smartphone has appeared on the Internet. Gizmodo was the first site that I am aware of to carry the photo.

There are many details about the Centro that are still unknown. In our August 16th post, Manager of Public Relations for Palm, Paul Loeffler, wrote Gadgets On The Go to provide us the following details about the new Palm Centro:

• Smallest Palm OS phone to date
• Targeting a younger demographic, new to the smartphone space
• Runs on the EVDO network
• New design featuring a full keyboard and touch screen

Via Gizmodo...

The Boy Genius Report has a post up detailing the Centro launch date as October 14th, a SKU number, and the retail price of $399.99 without a new service contract.

Keep reading...

Labels: centro, palm

¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Editor @ 8/25/2007 01:16:00 PM 0 comments links to this post