1SRC Podcast 148

[Alan G]

This week on the 1SRC Podcast we cover the new Palm Centro smartphone. [details (http://www.1src.com/?m=show&id=2001)]

[danielmaradona]

Alan thanks for the nice podcast. Do yo have any information regarding the Processor speed of the Centro ? Do you think Palm will going to release a GSM version of this phone so we Palm OS users here in Asia can get a hand and feel the form factor of the centro.

[intellidryad]

The best of the Centro is the price point, and the easy-to-use Palm phone book. They really should get the message out: "Palm OS phones have a phone book that is easier to navigate then most other phones."

--

You like the shinny red? Reminds me of Robitussin...

[BaDZeD]

Thanks for the great podcast, Alan. The only thing that bothered me about the Centro offer was that $25 data fee requirement. Oh yeah, and that I like the black one better. A great looking device otherwise, slimmer, lighter and with ALL of the treo's features (including irda and the mute switch)
And the 680 phone app... who needs it, dial by photo is beter anyway from what I hear.
Also, how much ram does it really have (somehow i doubt that "64 megs with 64 megs user accessible" is accurate) and does anyone have any info on whats the cache size (will it run "doom" out of the box :D )

[Alan G]

Do yo have any information regarding the Processor speed of the Centro ? Do you think Palm will going to release a GSM version of this phone so we Palm OS users here in Asia can get a hand and feel the form factor of the centro.

I'm sorry. I don't now what processor is in the Centro nor do I know at what speed it is running. If I had to guess, I would say it is an Intel XScale running at 312MHz, just like the current Treo smartphones.

Alan G

[Alan G]

You like the shinny red? Reminds me of Robitussin...

Sure the ruby red one looks cool. If it helps, think of it as the cure for the common feature phone. LOL

Alan G

[Alan G]

The only thing that bothered me about the Centro offer was that $25 data fee requirement.

You're not talking about the data plan are you? I though I read in the press release that you can chose any of the Sprint Power Vision plans, even the $15/mo one.

Also, how much ram does it really have (somehow i doubt that "64 megs with 64 megs user accessible" is accurate) and does anyone have any info on whats the cache size

64MB with 64MB user accessable could be accurate if the Centro has a 128MB memory chip. I don't know how much DBCache the device has either.

The one thing that I know now that I didn't know last night is that there will be no VersaMail 4.0 upgrade for Treo 680/700p/755p. So there are only two ways to get VersaMail 4, either on the Centro or if you were lucky enough to have been on the Foleo beta.

Alan G

[BaDZeD]

No, I was talking about the fine print on the teaser page (moreyours.com): "$99.99 after mail in rebate. Offer expires 01/12/08. Requires new activation, 2 year service agreement, and a purchase of $25 data plan or higher"

I am aware that sprint has $15 data plans (or free with sero). However, it does appear that if you get those, you wont be able to grab the centro for $100. Oh well, lets wait 2 weeks and see.

[Alan G]

And I did confirm that the Centro without a service plan will cost $399.

Alan G

[Rob_T]

And I did confirm that the Centro without a service plan will cost $399.

Alan G

I don't like the way this is heading. It looks like the phone prices are being tied to monthly plans more than ever. In other words it's, "We'll sell you your smartphone for $99 but don't expect your data connection to be $15 anymore."

So, be careful when you sign on the dotted line. You may assume that you got a good deal only to be shocked when you get that first bill.

Case in point, the $199 755P looks better than the $99 Centro when you consider the $15 vs $25 a month data plan over 2 years...

[Alan G]

Hi Rob!

I totally agree that you need to read the fine print before you sign on the line.

At least the Centeo is cheaper without a contract than the full sized Treo smartphones. ($399 vs $649)

My 700p has really been acting up this week and I am really considering a move to something else. Cost is my big factor as I'm not due for a renewal until May. Centro may fit the bill. Or I might go with another device from Palm. I'm not sure yet.

Alan G

[danielmaradona]

It was confirmed that the Centro uses the same processor as the other Palm OS Treo.

http://www.palm.com/us/products/resources/comparison-smartphone.html

[Alan G]

Thanks Daniel. I hadn't had a chance to go back and look up the published specs yet.

Alan G

[awoodvine]

Palm seem to have forgotten their European users. I am a Treo 650 user on a GSM network. I purchased the 650 when it was first released in the UK, and it's showing signs of age now.

They've released CDMA only versions of the 700p, 755p and now the Centro. I know that there is the Treo 680, but I don't really see that as an upgrade to my 650. And I don't intend on switching to a Windows Mobile Palm device.

I expect that there won't be another Palm GSM device until Palm OS 2 is launched, and I guess that is at least 12 months away. I just hope my 650 can last that long.

[Dick Tracy]

It's possible the European carriers are more interested in Symbian and WM. Vodaphone has said they will support only 3 OSes, the two listed and Linux.

[awoodvine]

It's possible the European carriers are more interested in Symbian and WM. Vodaphone has said they will support only 3 OSes, the two listed and Linux.

Definitely, Europeans seem to be WM obsessed and I don't know why.

If Palm don't release another Palm OS device in Europe soon I may have to emigrate!