Centro -- Engadget

Centro posts

Palm going Centro for next webOS handset?

by Paul Miller, posted Apr 30th 2009 at 10:26AM

The Boy Genius Report just got ahold of this ultra-blurry shot of what purports to be Palm's next webOS device, with a supposed fall release date and zero other info to go on. From the looks of things the keyboard is stationary, but with the relative height-to-width ratio (and last night's "Mini-Pre" rumor) we're thinking the keyboard and screen might be shrunk down slightly -- which, were we to conjecture further, could mean a webOS Centro. Or perhaps Palm's gone large and produced something entirely more delicious.

Don't worry, this isn't the Centro 2

by Chris Ziegler, posted Feb 18th 2009 at 11:12PM

Okay, so maybe Palm hit its head on the corner of a goalpost in a charity hockey tournament recently (stupid ego -- no helmet) and hasn't been the same since. Maybe they've lost their ever-loving minds, gone back to 2006, and resurrected the original Centro ID with a build of webOS so janky that it looks like a knockoff of webOS. We prefer a couple more reasonable theories: someone's hard at work on a webOS skin for Palm OS (bless their heart) or Palm had used a Centro for early mockups / prototyping on webOS and the shots of that effort are just now starting to leak out. Either way, dude pressing on the screen in the middle picture: nice stylus.

Palm Pre to use Centro-sized battery (Updated)

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jan 16th 2009 at 2:00AM

For all those commenters in our recent Palm Pre feature wondering just exactly what kind of battery we could expect to see in the device, wonder no more. According to Dieter Bohn over at the newly christened PreCentral, the phone will use the ~~exact same battery as the Treo 800w and the Centro -- a 1150mAh model~~. Apparently Palm reps were happy to snap the back off the device and show the source of its juice off. That same size battery is used in the G1 as well, and Dieter notes that there's an aftermarket 1350mAh version which could offer more power. Certainly such a small battery -- a size which we know leaves a lot to be desired in a next-gen phone like the G1 -- isn't music to our ears, but since we don't know how the Pre handles power consumption, there's still plenty of questions to be answered. And hey, you could keep a spare around, right?

Update: Jenn at Pocketables tells us that the battery is 1200mAh as told to her by a Palm rep at CES.

Update 2: We've just gotten word from Palm that this actually isn't set in stone yet. In their words: "We're still doing some final development and testing various user scenarios as part of carrier certification."

[Via Palm Infocenter]

The gigahertz Centro, also known as 'the Palm-powered grenade'

by Chris Ziegler, posted Dec 24th 2008 at 10:05PM

Personally, we wouldn't want to be within 15 feet of a Centro being mercilessly overclocked to a mind-numbing 936MHz, but we reckon that's where our fearless readers come into play. We're told that this sucker reached prompt criticality and melted into the Earth's crust shortly after this screen shot was taken, and you know what? We can't say we blame it.

[Thanks, Jason]

Palm's preliminary quarter-end results show drooping revenues, bleak outlook

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 2nd 2008 at 8:54AM

Remember when we used to write about Palm in order to talk about its devices and / or operating system(s)? Man, those were the days. Now, it just seems like one sadness-filled report after another, and just days after hearing that it would be cutting an undisclosed amount of employees in order to trim operating expenses, in comes even more doom and gloom courtesy of its preliminary Q2 (fiscal year 2009) results. The company is expecting to record revenues ranging between $190 million to $195 million, far short of the $331 million Wall Street had been counting on. The shortfall was blamed on "a difficult economic environment [which had] greatly intensified the negative impact on product sales." Of course, the visionary Ed Colligan (CEO) still maintains that by reducing its cost structure it can "launch next-generation products as planned," but seriously, why should we believe that line now? Time to put up or shut up, Palm.

[Via CNET, image courtesy of PalmFocus]

Sprint unwraps Olive Green and Vibrant Rose Palm Centros

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 14th 2008 at 10:14AM

Maybe someone forgot to mention to Sprint that the traditional colors associated with Christmas are red and (darker) green, but it's coming awfully close to getting in the holiday spirit with its pastel-splashed Centros. The two "new" Palms (which were leaked last month) will arrive in Olive Green and Vibrant Rose for $79.99 on a 2-year contract, but that's not all -- they'll also boast a "soft-touch finish that feels smooth and comfortable in the hand," 128MB of RAM (twice that of the original Sprint Centro) and a microSD card slot. Have a look at the new duo as early as October 19th at select retail locations and beginning on November 2nd in Sprint Stores, consumer and business sales channels, and online.

Gallery: Sprint unwraps Olive Green and Vibrant Rose hues for Palm Centro

Ed Hardy-ruined Palm Centro not available to general public, and that's okay

by Chris Ziegler, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 10:44PM

If you were wondering why Palm just posted another less-than-stellar quarter of earnings despite the runaway success of its Centro line, we think we have the answer: it's been digging into the piggy bank to ice out its gear. Palm has commissioned Ed Hardy to "specially equip" some Centros as gifts for presenters at the Primetime Emmys (which fall somewhere between Cable Ace and Teen Choice Awards for prestige), and the result is... well, this. The designs won't be available to the general public, but we think we're going to reserve our envy for anything else.

iTreo 800p available on eBay: L@@K

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Aug 17th 2008 at 10:26PM

Well whaddya know? The iTreo 800p is finally selling on eBay! We thought the day would never come that we could actually get our hands on this totally sweet -- and absolutely real -- phone. Man were we wrong. Sure, the listing says you're selling off a Treo 800W, but given the large amount of completely reassuring blue text, scrolling text, and large font text, we'll happily accept that we will, in fact, receive the device pictured above via UPS Next Day Air. So, yes. Yes. We will "buy it now" for $349.99, safe in the knowledge that by this time tomorrow, we'll be the only guy on our block busting out the iTreo 800p at parties, pool halls, and any place else where all the happenin' stuff happens. Thanks "naseemajid" -- you're A+++++ in our book.

Update: It appears the eBay auction has been pulled. We can't imagine why.

[Thanks, Spencer]

Palm Centro 2 leaked, lacking QWERTY? (update: nope)

by Thomas Ricker, posted Aug 11th 2008 at 6:12AM

As good as it looks, we're not going to get too carried away with this supposedly leaked Centro 2 image. While the mockup certainly looks professional, there's no way of knowing at this point whether or not it's from Palm official or just the dream of a downcast fanboy. If true, then we're looking at a new, presumably QWERTY-less touchscreen device with what looks like an Opera (not Blazer) browser, dedicated media keys, and Bell Mobility Canada branding. A design which would certainly be "breakthrough" and "revolutionary" for Palm smartphones. Hit the read link for a bigger pic while we shake-down our sources for more input.

Update: Sigh, it was too good to last. Turns out that it's just a Photoshop project. Palm, do the right thing and hire this guy.

[Thanks, Robert and Joe F.]

Palm Centro drops to $70 on contract with AT&T

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 11th 2008 at 4:35PM

Remember how we told you to expect some totally edge-of-your-seat, riveting price news in regard to Palm's Centro? Yeah, how's about $30 off? Presumably in conjunction with the iPhone 3G launch, AT&T has hacked the Palm Centro down to $70 after rebates (from $100) with a two-year agreement. There's no telling if the new price will sashay on over to those CDMA carriers or not, but we've got our fingers crossed real tight.

[Via Electronista]

Palm announces Q4 earnings -- it's not as bad as you think

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 27th 2008 at 9:31AM

Palm continued to flaunt its almost inexplicable boost in health in an earnings call yesterday. According to reports, honcho Ed Colligan boasted of a 29 percent gain in smartphone sales year-over-year, largely in part to the stellar performance of the company's budget-priced (with contract) Centro. In light of the recent negative outlook from investors, retail store closings, a constantly delayed OS update, and fierce competition, it's a pretty impressive feat to not only stay afloat, but manage some small victories. Now if they can just deliver on those OS and device promises we keep hearing about, they may stay in this game yet.

[Via Palm Infocenter]

Palm launches unlocked Centro, gets Google Maps "My Location"

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 23rd 2008 at 4:53PM

We've seen the Centro in its Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon (to name a few) iterations, but global roamers and free agents of all sorts will be delighted to know that Palm's increasingly popular little smartphone is now available in a delicious unlocked GSM flavor. The device sports all the same specs as AT&T's model, but clocks in with a $299 price tag and plain gray numberpad instead of the telco version's shocking lime green variation. Alongside the carrier-free phone, Centros will also be nabbing a version of Google Maps with its "My Location" feature (long absent from GMaps on Palm phones). Current AT&T and Verizon customers as well as new unlocked owners will be able to download the app tomorrow, with a software update for Sprint later this Summer. Finally, you'll all know where you are.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Palm Centro makes its Canadian debut with Rogers

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 16th 2008 at 12:38PM

It still hasn't quite made the rounds of US carriers, but it looks like that hasn't stopped the Palm Centro from hopping across the border to make its Canadian debut on Rogers. If that's the moment you've somehow been waiting for, and you're an existing Rogers customer, you get your hands on one now for $199 with a three-year plan and minimum $45 monthly service fee, while new customers will have to fork over $299 and jump through the same contract hoops. Of course, there is also that other little phone that's making its long-awaited Canadian debut on Rogers next month, but we're guessing that anyone planning to go that route has already pretty firmly made up their mind.

Palm Centro for Verizon unboxing and hands-on at Engadget Mobile

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 10:55AM

If you've been on the edge of your seat waiting for a new Palm phone on Verizon -- today your dreams come true. Truck on over to Engadget Mobile and see thrilling shots of the new Centro in unboxing and hands-on action. You won't be disappointed, unless you don't like the Palm Centro. Then you will be disappointed.

Palm Centro heads to Verizon, in stores tomorrow for $99

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 8:16AM

Come on, T-Mobile, all we need is you to get on board now and that'll make a perfect Yahtzee! for Palm with its surprise hit, the Centro. Thanks to Verizon's expected announcement today, the top three US carriers now carry the diminutive Garnet device, which Palm actually says is "off to the strongest start of any smartphone in Palm's history" -- quite a statement, considering the Treo line's rich tradition. The Centro is also the first Palm phone to be eligible for the big V's "unlimited" E-mail and Web for Smartphone plan, which runs you a thrifty $29.99. After the full, delicious menu of rebates and discounts have been applied, Verizon's version will run the same $99 on contract that the boys and girls on Sprint and AT&T pay, and we can look for it to be available through all retail channels starting tomorrow.

Update: Palm also has a brand new Facebook app launching with this phone (which will be available for the AT&T and Sprint models as well).