 The Palm Centro's full QWERTY keyboard makes it easy to type text messages, IMs, and e-mails. |
AT&T Service
This phone operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"), with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. This third-generation, high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. The AT&T Mobile Music platform includes the ability to sideload music with Napster and eMusic with the built-in Pocket Tunes Deluxe application, listen to live radio with XM Radio Mobile, discover new songs with MusicID and more. You can also access XM Radio Mobile, which provides 25 of the best XM Radio channels, featuring commercial-free rock, hip-hop, country, jazz and more (additional monthly fee; free three-day trial included).
With a database of more than 3 million artists and titles, you can use MusicID to identify an unknown song. While holding the Centro up to a speaker, the MusicID application returns song information such as title, artist and cover art, if available. It also keeps track of previous IDs and allows users to share song information with friends via text messages (additional monthly fee; free three-day trial included).
It's also MobiTV capable, which enables you to watch live television, premium and prime-time programming, video-on-demand clips and satellite and digital music services from the top broadcast and cable television networks and major music labels (additional monthly charges are applicable).
You can take advantage of the TeleNav GPS Navigator software, the full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps. It comes as a 30-day trial version, and it can be downloaded via the TeleNav web site or via virtual pre-load icon (VPL) after activation.
You can also instantly talk across the largest Push to Talk (PTT) network coverage area in America. Push to Talk works like a walkie-talkie to talk to an individual or a group of up to 29 users. With status icons that clearly indicate the availability of friends and family, Push to Talk customers will know who is free before they call. You can purchase unlimited Push to Talk minutes with with single or family plans, or use Push to Talk on a pay-per-use basis that's charged by the minute.
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Phone and Messaging Functions
The Palm Centro smartphones offers a ton of ways to stay in touch with friends, whether calling, firing off a quick text, instant messaging, or sending an e-mail. From a phone perspective, the Palm Centro lets you dial people right from your address book, set up three-way calls from the touch of a button, or use the speakerphone to talk hands-free. The keyboard, meanwhile, makes it a breeze to type complete messages whether you're sending text, pictures, or even audio or video clips. Plus, the Centro keeps all your messages in a chat-style view, so it's easy to keep track of the conversation.
Want to keep up with all the latest gossip when you're away from the computer? Turn to the Centro's instant messaging functions, which support all your buddy lists on AIM, MSN, and Yahoo. It also supports Good Mobile Messaging after an over-the-air (OTA) download of the software.. Similarly, the Centro lets you access your personal e-mail accounts, such as Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo. As a result, you can reply to invites and answer e-mails when you're out and about.
Web Functions
Whether you're keeping up with friends on Facebook or looking up directions to the new bistro across town, the Centro's touchscreen and keyboard make it fun to navigate around the web. The Centro includes a fast built-in web browser that lets you check out photos on Flickr quickly via AT&T's EDGE data network. The Centro is also compatible with Google Maps, making it simple to get directions or see which freeways are clear and which ones are parking lots. Google Maps shows you red, yellow, or green traffic routes in real time.
Organizer Functions
The Palm Centro includes a complete organizer for keeping track of all your daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities. The contacts list gathers all your friends' phone numbers, addresses, and more, while the calendar keeps you from missing upcoming meetings, events, and parties. You can even enter a friend's birthday in the contacts list and will automatically show up in your calendar. As with the best organizers, the Centro also offers a to-do list that lets you check off items when they're complete. As a result, it's easy to keep track of what you did and still need to do. And should you come across a tidbit that doesn't have a logical home, simply turn to the memo function, which lets you store random information such as hot spots in Vegas or the names of movies you'd like to rent. Say goodbye to carrying around crumpled scraps of paper in your pocket or purse. Finally, it's possible to save a copy of all those names, numbers, appointments, photos, and videos on your computer thanks to the sync function.
Multimedia
Whether you want to take pictures, play videos, or listen to music, the Palm Centro has got you covered. The 1.3-megapixel digital camera (with a 2x digital zoom) lets you shoot pictures and send them to friends, store digital albums, or shoot videos. The built-in MP3 player, meanwhile, lets you take your tunes everywhere you go. With 64 MB of storage, there's plenty of room for your playlists, plus you can add up to 4 GB more with a microSD card. And thanks to Pocket Tunes Deluxe, you can play the songs you downloaded from online music stores.
Vital Statistics
The Palm Centro weighs 4.2 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.1 x 0.7 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of talk time, and up to 240 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.
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Average Customer Review: 
based on 14 reviews
Great little phone
August 21, 2008
Reviewer: PowerUserAZ (Arizona) -
A truly perfect phone (for what it is.)
I needed a 'smarter' phone and I certainly didn't want to be like the droves of people flocking to the IPhone. I can find my own 'style' thank you, I don't need a phone to 'define' me - (really you should hear some of these people go on about it...)
Anyway, it performs all the business apps I need, has a nice little built in audio player, and through the wonders of the PALM OS, has freeware for almost anything (medical, e-books, GPS, etc) as far as the eye can see.
I can spend my idle time switching between playing emulators of my favorite old NES, SNES, or Genesis games (at full FPS speed - in as good of quality as the old consoles did it)and when not doing that I can watch DVD's I transcoded into MP4's on the 320x320 screen. My average DVD only takes about 350-400mb, so you can fit quite a few on a 2 or 4gb card.
Further, I like that I am able to buy/download whatever applications I would like without having to sidestep the limitations built into my phone or void all warranty and possibly 'brick' it like the Apple.
Overall quite a nice little phone. The keyboard takes a few days to get used to, but once you realize its a nail press and not a finger press, you are fine.
I liked it so much I bought a 2nd one for the wife. She is not a power user of the aplications or OS, but loves that she can watch a full length movie or play SNES games while she waits for something/someone. The simple platform/interface didn't intimidate her like some of the Windows Mobile products did.
5 Stars.
Love my new toy!
June 2, 2008
Reviewer: DN
I'm having a blast with the Centro. The only downside is that the internet connection is not as fast as a blackberry or iPhone but I needed to stick with the Palm format. Overall, I'm very satisfied.
I really wanted to like this phone...
March 25, 2009
Reviewer: Jenny Johnson
but in all honesty it fails to please on many levels. The first one I had the four-way browsing button stopped functioning in two weeks. This wasn't from dropping or hard use, but just casual, in the pocket carrying.
The second phone I was using a plug in style hands free device and when I removed it the phone would not come out of hands free mode: the ear piece was disabled and the microphone was muted. I refuse to pay $50 dollars for the insurance deductible to replace a poorly made, fragile device that will probably break again in the next six months.
I will give it that it is a wonderfully sized PDA that is easy to carry and great to text on but Palm's quality control has failed me for the last time. I've had four of their PDA's just to have everyone of them stop functioning within a year from casual use, not dropping, getting wet, or any other abuse. I'm going to Blackberry and reccomend you do the same.
I'm Sick Of Hearing About The I-Phone
December 8, 2008
Reviewer: Dana Penwell "Penny31" (Chattanooga) -
First off, let me start by saying the Centro is not trying to compete with the Iphone. I'm sick to death of reading comparisons and those comparisons invariably come back to Apple's evil stepchild. The Iphone is so buggy it should come with it's own can of Raid. Have you tried using the QWERTY on that thing? It took me 60 seconds to type in an URL. I would toss that POS out the window in under a week.
Now, the Centro on the other hand, has a physical QWERTY keyboard which is a little cramped but stays within it's small footprint. I also love the Palm OS software and how user friendly it is. Also, the third party Apps are second to none. I have a free startup App that makes my Home screens look just like the Iphone (which I like). The fit-n-finish isn't quite up to snuff with the Iphone but then again I don't look like a mindless drone pulling it out of my pocket as the Apple users tend to. Someone couldn't give me an Iphone, Ipod, Touch, whatever...because I just don't feel it's user friendly in anyway in the real world. Where I do feel the Centro fills a very needed void in the marketplace (small, powerful, easy to use, cheap, and highly expandable). Best deal out there right now.
Dated software but a solid phone nonetheless
September 28, 2008
Reviewer: J. Byrne (Silicon Valley) -
If you're wedded to the Palm platform, this is a good choice, providing your familiar applications in a compact package with a 3G phone.
I hadn't used a Palm since my Pilot went kaput in the 90s. What I found with the Centro was scary on the one hand: they haven't updated the software in a decade! OK, there are some color accents and obviously the phone, web, and email functions are new as is the operator-loaded crapware. On the other hand, the original software was OK and fairly easy to use. I've also enjoyed loading old freeware games to play, written in the Palm's heyday and still available on the web.
I mainly use the phone, email, and web features (the newer software). The phone is fine. For email, I use the built-in VersaMail. IMAP access to my work ISP and gmail works well. VersaMail is suitable for basic stuff like checking mail and replying. The keyboard (vs Graffiti) is convenient but slow if you use only one finger to peck instead of two thumbs (a bit hard with the small kb). The web browser is passable, being hampered mainly by the small screen. It allows you to turn off css. Without doing turning it off, sites, such as Wikipedia, render really poorly. There's no user-agent spoofing, so sites know you're coming from a mobile. Some dish up a mobile optimized-version of their site which can either be good or craptastic (e.g., ebay).
I enter little to the calendar and address book directly, instead syncing data with these applications via Entourage on the Mac. It took me a long time to figure out if the address book is hooked into email. (It is: you can access the address book from email but you can't email from the address book.) It's definitely hooked into the phone. Syncing with the Mac isn't perfect. Too little time has been spent by Palm in this area. The Palm Desktop app on the Mac is clearly ancient. I think it may actually be an OS9 app (keeping with the 90s theme). Unfortunately, integration and synchronization with Entourage or Mac's native apps isn't on par with Outlook integration on Windows.
I have the Sprint version of this phone. 3G speeds are great. I've topped 1Mbps on a PC tethered to the handset and haven't had speed issues with the built in browser and email client. Voice quality is great, too.
The first popular touch-screen PDA, the original Palm was well designed--well enough to make the Centro a decent smartphone despite relying on a lot of ancient apps. Because of its decent (albeit creaky and certainly not flashy) software, low cost, and small size, the phone is well worth considering if you're a long-time Palm user or a newcomer.
Excellent Smartphone on a Poor AT&T Network
March 14, 2009
Reviewer: SanjeevP "Bottom Line" (Michigan, USA) -
As of March 2009, I think Palm Centro is one of the best smartphones available. The style is simple, unadorned and functional a.k.a. Google style but not stylish, fun & glamorous like iPhone & Mac. Having used 3 Windows Mobile phones, iPhone, Balckberry Storm, Palm Treo 755p & Nokia E51, I think Centro is closest to the ideal smartphone but AT&T network does not hold water to Verizon Wirelss network in reliability.
1. Clear sound. Solid, reliable phone.
2. Reasonable size & weight (119 gms) and is pocketable and you have to carry phone with you all the time. But there is scope for improvement, it could be lighter and thinner. Ideal weight for a phone is less than 100 gms.
3. Top-notch contact, calendar and memos management.
4. Brisk, peppy response and rarely locks up or freezes.
5. A-one Microsoft office document functionality with Documents-to-Go.
6. Good QWERTY keyboard.
7. Fairly decent availability of applications.
8. Functions well as a tethered modem with cable and speed in 800-900 Kbs range on Verizon Wireless network.
10.Synchronizes calendar, contacts and memos with Macbook.
11.Good SMS function: threads messages.
But Centro is not without flaws: the default OK button is on Voicemail and dials Voicemail unintentionally. I have not been able to sync over Bluetooth or use Bluetooth modem. Web browser is fast for mobile sites but otherwise barely functional - Internet is available but browsing is not enjoyable like on iPhone. Instead of micro-USB or mini-USB, it uses proprietary cable which is hard to take out. Camera is bare minimum at 1.3 Megapixels and music function is basic with 2.5 mm audio jack. Font size is small and has to be individually adjusted in each application.
Here is my Gestalt on smartphones.
1. iPhone is the best MP3, video and multimedia player, has the best user interface and mobile browser experience but is abysmal as a phone in comparison to Verizon Centro. AT&T has poor network signal and coverage, the calls drop all the time and sound on iPhone is average.
2. Blackberry Storm has a gorgeous screen and excellent email device but has very buggy software and constantly freezes. Blackberries shine when it comes to email.
3. Windows Mobile phones are horrendous: packed with features that don't work and smartphone operating system is the most unreliable.
4. Symbian based Nokia phones are fairly decent smartphones but their availability on US cellular carriers is very limited. Verizon Wireless, the best network in US, has none.
In my experience Palm operating system is one of the most trusty and functional smartphone operating systems. Centro is supposedly the last in the Palm lineage phones. I would recommend it if you need a solid, trustworthy smartphone, but on Verizon, not on AT&T.
A nice phone
December 20, 2008
Reviewer: kredcolts
I've had this phone for about a month now and it's serving me well. My only minor complaint is how tiny the buttons are. It takes some getting used to but they are manageable however. Everything else I like. Doesn't hurt it was only .01! I'd recommend it.
Worst Palm Phone EVER
September 17, 2008
Reviewer: FloridaMomofThree "Its Me Again" (Florida, United States) -
My Centro actually worked well..provided I did not use any of the features that are part of the phone. Once I downloaded my nursing software, from an authorized Palm O/S dealer, the phone would begin locking up. Continuously. I even tried putting on a different palm based program to ensure that it was not my nursing software causing the problem and yet again the phone began to lock up..and yes, i was saving to my 2gb hard drive that I purchased extra. I went through 4 phones and finally contacted the manufacturer. They told me that I should not download my nursing software to the phone that this was most likely causing the problem. I was also told not to use email programs such as AOL or AIM because these have also been known to cause problems. WHAT?? No email. This is one of its main features right??? So I used the analogy that it was like purchasing a bike and then telling yourself...I cannot ride it because the tires will not work if they are used. As you can tell, I am more than frustrated. Now I am upgrading to a Treo 755 in hopes that this will relieve my problems. BUYER BEWARE....CENTRO STINKS!
Very pleased with this phone
August 20, 2008
Reviewer: R. Silva (Boston, MA) -
I've had the phone for a little over 2 months and so far am very happy with my purchase. It's easy to sync with my computer and windows outlook and the palm interface is easy to use. The keyboard can be tricky to type on sometimes because of it's small size but it's great having a full keyboard. I wish the screen was a little larger but the overall size of the phone is easy to carry in a pocket. I would recommend this phone to anyone looking for a small smartphone.
Palm's Bargain Phone - Buyer Beware
April 29, 2009
Reviewer: Music of All Types (Denver) -
Cons: Cheaply constructed buttons. Long delays after button presses, etc. Can't sync email, etc unless connected the 'Sprint' network
Pros: I liked the included ring tones/sound, battery life decent
I was excited to get a new Palm OS based phone at a great price. However, the phone's cheaply constructed tin-foil buttons caught on on the corner of my pants pocket just after the 30 day exchange policy. It was all over after that, as the bent buttons just kept getting worse, then the center button fell out making it impossible to use. Palm offered to fix the phone at a gracious 50% off for $150. So it can break again? No thanks!
Some might get lucky and not see these problems until months after purchase - just be forewarned.