While we’ve all been talking about the success of the Palm Centro which carved out an impressive 2 million unit market share for itself in the $99 smartphone market, something has been quietly happening at Verizon. Slowly but surely many of Verizon’s top selling smartphones are now priced the same - or lower - than the Palm Centro. As outlined in the August 1, 2008 Barron’s Tech Trader Daily, Verizon has slashed prices on six of their most popular smartphones by 20% to 47%. These moves are likely in direct response to the recent iPhone 3G release. Still, suddenly Palm Centro finds itself no longer occupying a unique price point in the market. How much longer can it be until Palm is forced to market the Centro as a $49 or $ 29 smartphone? Almost as interesting is the rapid drop in the price of Blackberry’s which until recently were almost always premium priced.

Barrons

Mark Twain once said “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” and he may well have been singing Palm’s tune.

Today Palm Inc. announced that they had sold their 2 millionth Centro. It may not be selling as well as that “other” smartphone but the Centro is clearly a hit and is doing a great job of keeping Palm in the game. Continue Reading

There’s a software update now available for the Sprint Palm Centro. Included in the release are enhancements to Bluetooth performance, improved Gmail IMAP compatibility, better integration with Google Maps, enhanced integration of email sent to Versamail accounts via Microsoft Direct Push and Exchange ActiveSync. The upgrade is only valid on Centro for Sprint phones. If you are using software version 1.07-SPNT or lower you should install this update. Be sure to backup your data before you proceed. The entire upgrade should take about 30 minutes.

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Whether you believe it or not; I, the super duper Linux geek, have never used a smartphone…until now.  Yes, during the writing of this review was the first time I have everbeen able to use a smartphone for an extended period of time.  Yes, the Centro was covered by Gear Diary when Sprint brought it out and when AT&T brought it out, but here’s my take on the Centro, written as a first time smartphone user.

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No one can dispute the runaway success of the little Centro that could; it has truly become something of a phenomenon. Judging by the fact that Palm has just released an unlocked GSM version, they must want to make sure that anyone who would like to buy their own Centro (without a new contract commitment) has a fair chance…

In addition, they have released Google Maps with My Location.

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.

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Well we’ve seen the Centro come out on Sprint, then AT&T and finally on Verizon.  Verizon’s edition of the Centro is a nice blue color.

I love the color Verizon picked for their version of the Centro.  It’s a dark blue and almost unobtrusive.  It barely gets any attention.  It’s almost business like in appearance. Continue Reading

Those of you on Verizon may have been wondering when you will finally get the popular Palm Centro; as of 5:30am (PST) this morning, the wait is over. Verizon customers will even get their choice of an exclusive color - cobalt blue.

Over one million Palm Centro smartphones have been sold through Sprint and AT&T, and the Palm Centro will now be available on the Verizon Wireless network for just $99 (on contract).

Now user will get their choice of carriers - Sprint, AT&T or Verizon. Colors available include cobalt blue, onyx or obsidian black, ruby red, pink and glacier white.

Photo credit: Engadget Mobile

photo via TreoCentral

Apparently nobody at Verizon is superstitious because according to press reports the Verizon Centro is set to launch this Friday the 13th. Someone might want to clue in the stores about the launch date, because it seems that at least a few people have already walked into Verizon and snapped one up. Here’s some Verizon Centro chatter from the TreoCentral forum:

NO, I repeat, NO 29.99 data plan. That is only for the Blackberry. This phone requires a 45.00 Plan. Period. So, I got that plan to get the $100 Data Credit, and will be canceling tomorrow

I got this deal.. $269.99 -$100 for Ne2 - $100 data credit = $69.99 BUT then they did the 70 rebate right there on the spot… did not have to send in. The rebate form shows it ends on June 15.. so I wanted to buy before then. so I walked out paying the 30 in taxes for the phone (required in CA) and that is all. nothing more! no rebate to send in!

It is a standard 1150mAh battery

Yes… it works with the Ford Sync system (except for text messaging)! Yippiee!!

My signal strength - in home office - seems about the same

System OS is Garnet 5.4.9, CENTRO-1.02-VZW, Hardware A

By the way, if you’re thinking of a Centro, I spotted all the Palm Centro’s over at the Palm site for $49 after rebate.

Link: Treocentral