palm centro

The rumors are stirring about Sprint’s plan to release two new colors of the very successful Palm Centro.  To accompany the Red, Black and Pink Palm Centros, Sprint will be releasing “Rose” and “Green” colored versions.  While no official pictures have been released and Sprint is denying either device exists, the sources are solid on this one as it comes direct from PalmInfoCenter via SprintUsers Forum.

We are not exactly sure why Sprint needs a “Rose” color Centro since the Pink model seems to cover that angle, but we are excited nonetheless and have rendered our own concept.  We also decided to throw in a theoretical “Green” Centro based on the At&t White Centro’s green keypad.

You can expect to see the “Rose” and “Green” Palm Centros to start popping up in Sprint retail channels on October 19th, but in the meantime feel free to send in your own renders of the two color schemes.

SprintUsers Forum

After finishing our review of the Nokia N82 we thought it might be interesting to pair up the device against two phones leading the mainstream smartphone market, the Palm Centro and the Apple iPhone 3G.  While every device has an ideal target audience, many people who would never consider opting for a full scale smartphone (think Windows Mobile) would consider a Palm Centro or iPhone.  Let’s be honest, we have seen plenty of soccer moms using the Palm Centro and setting down their Motorola RAZRs over the past 10 months (over 2 million the last time we checked).

Basic Overview of the N82, iPhone 3G and Centro:

Nokia N82 over iPhone 3G

• Camera
• Bluetooth
• Unlocked (any GSM provider)
• Smaller form factor

Clearly the camera is not up for discussion, a 5.0 megapixel camera with Xenon flash versus a 2.0 megapixel camera without a flash is not a fair fight.  This does not even take into account the front-facing camera for video calling on the N82, but it is hard to weigh this into an overall device score when US markets cannot take advantage of the feature.

The bluetooth connectivity on the N82 was superb, we never had any problems with auto-pairing nor did we have issues with static on the line.  While the iPhone 3G has improved its bluetooth performance over its predecessor, Nokia still takes top marks due to Stereo Bluetooth output to headsets and in-car units.

While the iPhone 3G is available in more than 50 countries at the moment, in the US the device is sold locked to At&t.  Without a software-based unlocking solution, the options for global use are limited to roaming with At&t or using the iPhone international data plans.  What we have always enjoyed about Nokias is the premium price delivers an unlocked phone with worldwide capabilities.  Since the N82 lacks 3G connectivity for US networks (At&t and T-mobile) and the iPhone 3G is locked to At&t in the US we feel that these features outweigh themselves.

Nokia N82 over Palm Centro

• Camera
• GSM data
• Screen
• Operating System

While the iPhone 3G now features GPS and A-GPS capabilities, the Palm Centro was only recently capable of using the MyLocation feature in GoogleMaps.  The N82 delivers solid GPS performance and much faster positioning with more robust navigation software thanks to Nokia Maps.  While the screen size is very close between the two devices, the higher color count on the N82 delivers a much richer and vibrant experience despite the slightly lower QVGA resolution.

When it comes to data options, neither the N82 nor the Centro can deliver 3G data over GSM networks in the US.  While in Europe and Asia you would be able to take advantage of the 2100 MHz spectrum for 3G data, but while in the US there is no advantage to either device.  The Centro continues the legacy of the Palm OS which is slowly approaching a major overhaul in 2009.  Due to the dated Operating System and the versatility and stability of the S60 platform we must give the edge to the N82.

The camera is probably the worst feature on the Palm Centro, at only 1.3 megapixels and no flash it is hard to consider this as a real feature to the phone.  While we can live without a flash on the iPhone 3G, the optics on the Centro deliver cloudy photos that lack sharpness and are best suited for Multimedia Messaging rather than printing.

Where the Nokia N82 could improve

While the N82 is the lightest device out of the group, it is also the only device missing a QWERTY keyboard.  The iPhone 3G delivers an acceptable on-screen keyboard and the Centro’s physical keyboard is a bit cramped for those with larger hands.  In either case, both the Centro and iPhone offer a better typing experience despite their flaws.

All 3 devices are able to connect to MS Exchange servers and deliver push email so OTA synchronization has become a standard feature.  Strictly in the US, the iPhone 3G and CDMA (Verizon / Sprint) Palm Centros offer the fastest Internet since the N82 is limited to EDGE data speeds.  While lacking US 3G, the N82 does offer Wi-Fi but the battery life strain is a problem. It is worth mentioning that out of the three devices we would pick the Palm Centro for mobile data speeds since Verizon and Sprint both offer greater 3G coverage across the US and the iPhone 3G has been plagued with spotty Internet.

While the iPhone is aimed at the multimedia crowd, the Centro at the casual/business user and the N82 at the camera phone audiences all three devices can crossover well.  For the constant talker looking to have access to their email and have the best in cameras the N82 is the hands down choice.  It offers the greatest variety of features, packed with excellent GPS, and delivers in the lightest package of all 3 phones.  If multimedia playback is your niche, the iPhone 3G is the clear winner.

The Palm Centro is a device which packs the capabilities of all 3 devices, but suffers from a poor camera and limited navigation options.  If you want business functions in a small package the Centro does deliver, but we would prefer the N82 despite missing a QWERTY keyboard.  There is something to be said about having an unlocked phone with a 5.0 megapixel camera and some of the best positioning features we have seen.

Just when we thought we had seen all the colors for the Palm Centro, Palm’s blog has gone ahead and added one more twist.  According to the Palm Blog, the At&t Palm Centro will be getting a face lift in the form of an Electric Blue color to join Glacier White and Obsidian Black.  As part of the new color, Palm will also be announcing a new price point that will make the Centro more affordable than ever for ‘back-to-schoolers’ from July 11th to September 20th 2008.

If you have been putting off that Palm Centro purchase and happen to be on the At&t network, the time to save on that next phone is coming this Friday.  It will be a very interesting week as smartphone manufacturers scramble to find way to differ Apple fans from buying into the iPhone 3G 2 year death grip

[Via: Palm Blog]

Verizon might be the last of the 3 major carriers to launch the Palm Centro, but an exclusive cobalt blue coloring and a special edition of VersaMail should be enough to keep a few wandering eyes interested.  According to Palm, the Verizon Wireless Palm Centro includes a very special version of VersaMail, build 104 Personal Edition.  On Palm’s website it says that if you subscribe to Verizon’s $29.99 unlimited data plan that you should use VersaMail Personal Edition.  The other version of VersaMail circulating on Sprint and At&t is build 103 which supports Microsoft Exchange.

The big difference between VersaMail Personal Edition and build 103 is that Microsoft Exchange support is missing which makes build 104 a downgrade in our books.  It looks like Verizon is attempting to funnel non corporate users away from accessing a MS Exchange account even though the Palm Centro natively supports this feature.  While you can still access the same personal email account types in standard VersaMail, VersaMail Personal Edition is still recommended for VZW subscribers only using POP and IMAP accounts.

1. From your smartphone, press Applications. Select Email to open VersaMail.
2. Press menu. From the Options menu, select About VersaMail.
3. Tap the Palm logo on the touch screen using the stylus or your finger. Review the Build number. If you see Build 104, you have VersaMail Personal Edition. If you see Build 103, you have VersaMail software.

If you feel compelled to install the Personal Edition let us know if you find any improvements to the software in performance or speed.  If you want to read more about VersaMail Personal Edition, click here.

The Canadian launch of the successful Palm Centro has been well overdue, with the US already launching the Centro on three carriers; At&t, Sprint and Verizon. Canadian carrier, Rogers Wireless, announced today that the country’s most reliable network would be launching Palm’s smallest and lightest smartphone. With over one million units sold worldwide, the Palm Centro has shown that a smartphone can be successful with a sub 2.0 megapixel camera and aged Operating System.

Traditional cell phone users are stepping up the Palm Centro in droves because of its cool design, full keyboard and ease of use,” said Brodie Keast, senior vice president of marketing for Palm, Inc. “More and more people need voice, text, email, web, contact and calendar capabilities all wrapped in one compact device so they can stay connected with everyone who is important to them. Centro delivers all that and more.

The Palm Centro from Rogers Wireless also comes with a variety of out-of-box software, including Bluetooth, Calculator, Calendar, Camcorder, Camera, Contacts, Documents To Go Professional Edition 10, Email (VersaMail 4.0), HotSync, Memos, Messaging, My Centro, Phone, Pics and Video, Pocket Tunes, Quick Tour, Tasks, Voice Dial, Voice Memo, Web (Blazer 4.5), and World Clock.

The Palm Centro is available on Rogers Wireless for $199 on a 3 year contract with a minimum $45 monthly fee for existing customers.  New customers will have to pay $299 on the same 3 year contract and minimum $45 monthly fee.

When we think of prepaid cell phones we rarely imagine purchasing a smartphone and having our way with the network of our choice, but Australian carrier Telstra is redefining the auroa of prepaid.  Telstra will be offering the Palm Centro with a no obligation fee of $299 AUD ($286 USD) to deliver a solid option for those looking to hop on the carriers prepaid plans without the commitment or credit check commonly assigned to cell phone use.  What is rather interesting is that Telstra has taken a page from At&t’s books by releasing the Palm Centro on prepaid in White, but thankfully they have killed off the green set of buttons (number keys) that we despised on At&t’s release.  Instead of green number keys you will find the much more subtle gray buttons, but other than that we are looking at an identical device to the Palm Centro we have grown to love stateside.  If you are need of a decent prepaid cell phone and going to be traveling through Australia, the Palm Centro is worth a look and at $286USD it’s a bargain.

[Source: Palm Infocenter]

It looks like our friends down south have an exclusive Blue Palm Centro to make us envious.  Palm has released a Blue Palm Centro in Mexico to add to the existing pink, white and black Palm Centro’s found in the US on Verizon, Sprint and AT&T.  It is very interesting to see this color pop up in Mexico before the US, but I guess Palm is focusing on some global love for it’s top selling device which recently hit the 1 million units sold mark this week.  You can find out all the glorious details of the blue Palm Centro over at Palminfocenter.com or directly at Palm Mexico, just hit the link below.

Blue Palm Centro Mexico Exclusive

Palm Centro Vs. Apple iPhone Comparison Shots: With the attractive unlimited plan from Sprint, (and SERO plans) At&t’s iPhone is still missing corporate and student discounts which would lower the monthly carrier fees to competitive levels.  We picked up both devices to get an idea of how they compare on many levels, but let’s start with a visual comparison. Many people have asked for it and here it is: Side by Side comparison photos of the Palm Centro and Apple’s iPhone, enjoy. Check back for a full comparison review between the two devices later this week.

every other postThe Palm Centro has been in the hands of Sprint for nearly 3 months.  As the windows for exclusivity dwindles there have been rumors and reports of the device hitting Verizon and AT&T here in the United States, but let’s not leave out Europe.  The Palm Centro has hit the European market today and quickly become the next market to witness the Centro in action.  If you have lost interest in the Centro as most people do with the immense numbers of cell phones hitting the market, do no despair I have my previous Centro Posts at only a click away

AT&T White Centro Leaked
Centro Vs iPhone Face-off
Palm Centro: My Dirty Little Secret

Source: Ubergizmo