Palm Centro smartphone makes Canadian debut
The popular Palm Centro smartphone that has sold more than a million units in the U.S. – making it the company’s most popular smartphone to date (sorry, Treo) – is now available in the Great White North.
The popular Palm Centro smartphone that has sold more than a million units in the U.S. – making it the company’s most popular smartphone to date (sorry, Treo) – is now available in the Great White North.
As with the Palm Treo line of smartphones, the small and lightweight Centro, which is now available in Canada through Rogers Wireless, offers both a QWERTY-based smartphone for messaging (email, text, IM) as well as a touch-screen to navigate through other features such as music, web, camera, games, organizer, Google Maps, and more.
Speaking of online features, it’s too bad the Centro uses the GPRS/EDGE network opposed to Rogers’ much faster HSPA ("Vision") speeds for surfing and downloading.
But Palm maintains the Centro is a "transition device," specifically for "busy women who need the features of a smartphone and love the simplicity of a cell phone," says the company in a release. The lean Palm OS and its large icon-based interface (opposed to messy pull-down menus) is also easy-to-use for those new to these kinds of handsets.
Oh, and the Palm Centro can make calls, too — include options for speakerphone, conference calling and Bluetooth support for hands-free headsets.
For existing Rogers customers, the cobalt blue Palm Centro smartphone is available now for $199.99 with any 3-year voice and data plan renewal, with a minimum $45 monthly service fee. New customers can purchase the Palm Centro for $299.99 with any 3-year voice and data plan activation.
Filed Under: Handhelds
Considering that the Centro can be had for $99 with a 2 year plan in the USA and that it is now really considered to be a cheap entry level smartphone, plus the Canadian dollar is at parity, AND the 3G iPhone can be purchased for as low as $199, why would anyone want to get the Centro with the $45 data plan but only for existing customers?
I'm not sure why Rogers isn't making the Centro's pricing more competitive, unless their strategy is to persuade people to go for the iPhone but still want to give the perception that they still support Palm? I'm not sure.
Obviously I'm disappointed at the pricing but not surprised since we are talking about the only national GSM carrier in Canada. Wireless spectrum, don't let me down.
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