Palm confirms Bird, Plane, but no Centro for September 12th announcement

Hey, everyone getting amped about the Centro -- all seven of you (and yes, there are at least a couple Engadget staffers in that tight group) -- your wait might be a little longer than expected. Contrary to previous suggestions that Palm's European announcement on the 12th of September would be for that bizarre little beast with the tiny keyboard, Palm's Stephanie Richardson has posted a brief note on the official Palm blog to let everyone know that "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's not Centro." If it's any consolation, she specifically uses the phrase "new device," so we'll apparently see something new here -- we're just back to square one trying to figure out what the heck it is. Sure ain't a Foleo!

Update: As WMExperts speculates, the Windows Mobile-based Gandolf seems like the leading candidate here, largely on account of the Vodafone-branded pictures we've seen floating around. Same polarizing styling, different platform; pick your poison!

[Thanks, Boy Genius]

[Rudy Leonard @ Sep 7th 2007 6:37PM]

Whatever it is better be good.

[Hamel @ Sep 7th 2007 6:41PM]

Upgraded E2 and/or TX? These PDA were discounted last week at certain retailers.

[tahitianstud @ Sep 7th 2007 6:51PM]

Hope it's good too!

[justin @ Sep 7th 2007 6:53PM]

I've seen it... while taking a shuttle from the rent-a-car place at SJC airport to the terminals.. two guys each had one, and it looked like they were doing calling tests with each other. one was white and one was dark grey. they have a similar button layout as the centro but aren't round. they are more squared off like the moto Q9, and they are about that form factor (same thickness too). the camera is in the same place as the iphone (a small circle off to the top corner) and the UI looked pretty clean.. like a desktop on a blackberry.. and there were like 4 or 5 icons along the bottom. I have no clue on specs or radio, but it does actually look pretty nice. nicer than that centro crap. just sayin' I told ya so.

[aaron @ Sep 7th 2007 7:00PM]

I know what it is: Another low res device without wifi and without the ability to multi-task. Sorry I stole Palm's thunder for their announcement.

[ItsTheOMGShow @ Sep 7th 2007 7:09PM]

Sometimes Engadget doesn't remember its own posts:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/09/palm-gandolf-images-look-legit-windows-mobile-version-on-the/

It's a Windows Mobile non-smartphone version that YOU GUYS posted ( ^ ), it has a vodafone logo which explains the European launch.

[ItsTheOMGShow @ Sep 7th 2007 7:10PM]

I meant smartphone, non-touchscreen (WM 6 Standard)

[joe23521 @ Sep 7th 2007 8:12PM]

That thing sure is ugly.

[A.S. @ Sep 7th 2007 7:18PM]

whatever it is, i hope it has a brand new OS

[reasond @ Sep 7th 2007 7:40PM]

Seems it will be a Windows Mobile smartphone:

http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/8522/palm-says-sept-12th-announcement-is-not-centro/

[Jason @ Sep 7th 2007 7:40PM]

if != WiFi then Gandolf = Foleo

[waiownsyou @ Sep 7th 2007 8:03PM]

GANDOLF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Brian K @ Sep 7th 2007 10:15PM]

Maybe the Verizon schedule someone had posted in HowardForums is accurate after all...
(it's the Palm 800w (code named Vincent))
http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=9314184&postcount=327

[Dan @ Sep 7th 2007 11:45PM]

Bird? Plane? Surely were going to see the Palm Superman.

[David Clark @ Sep 8th 2007 12:23AM]

The gandolf looks just like the centro (??) I'm so confused..