Comments on: Palm Centro Smartphone Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:27:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: A Week With The Palm Pre Smartphone - Day 1 — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-37095 A Week With The Palm Pre Smartphone - Day 1 — The Gadgeteer Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:59:02 +0000 #comment-37095 [...] The Palm Pre is certainly much smaller than I had imagined. As you can see from the image above, it has a smaller footprint than the first gen iPhone and even the Palm Centro. [...] [...] The Palm Pre is certainly much smaller than I had imagined. As you can see from the image above, it has a smaller footprint than the first gen iPhone and even the Palm Centro. [...]

]]> By: GooSync- Google Calender Sync Tool Review — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-35587 GooSync- Google Calender Sync Tool Review — The Gadgeteer Mon, 18 May 2009 05:01:02 +0000 #comment-35587 [...] (resistance IS futile!), I am wanting to coordinate between things like their calendar and my Palm Centro more and more. (Yes, I can look things up on-line on the Centro, but it is slow and awkward to work [...] [...] (resistance IS futile!), I am wanting to coordinate between things like their calendar and my Palm Centro more and more. (Yes, I can look things up on-line on the Centro, but it is slow and awkward to work [...]

]]> By: Splashdata’s Snap - Palm OS Utility — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-30879 Splashdata’s Snap - Palm OS Utility — The Gadgeteer Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:00:45 +0000 #comment-30879 [...] and store them for later conversion, but as far as I can tell, you can only do one at a time. The Palm Centro is a bit awkward for text memos- having to switch back and forth between numbers and letters. [...] [...] and store them for later conversion, but as far as I can tell, you can only do one at a time. The Palm Centro is a bit awkward for text memos- having to switch back and forth between numbers and letters. [...]

]]> By: A Week with the Nokia N85 Smartphone — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-30822 A Week with the Nokia N85 Smartphone — The Gadgeteer Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:00:22 +0000 #comment-30822 [...] box, I was impressed by the size of the N85. It’s very close to the same dimensions as the Palm Centro as you can see from the image [...] [...] box, I was impressed by the size of the N85. It’s very close to the same dimensions as the Palm Centro as you can see from the image [...]

]]> By: A Week with the Android G1 Smartphone — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-29725 A Week with the Android G1 Smartphone — The Gadgeteer Sat, 24 Jan 2009 04:28:17 +0000 #comment-29725 [...] phone in that respect. In my opinion, some of the best one handed phones are the Palm Treos and the Centro.  I guess that’s why I continue to go back to [...] [...] phone in that respect. In my opinion, some of the best one handed phones are the Palm Treos and the Centro.  I guess that’s why I continue to go back to [...]

]]> By: Softick Blue Files and Card Export II - Palm OS Software Review — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-29460 Softick Blue Files and Card Export II - Palm OS Software Review — The Gadgeteer Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:51:20 +0000 #comment-29460 [...] in my series of pet peeves with my Palm Centro (which I swear I cherish even with all of the peeves and annoyances) is the fact that the memory [...] [...] in my series of pet peeves with my Palm Centro (which I swear I cherish even with all of the peeves and annoyances) is the fact that the memory [...]

]]> By: Win a Palm Centro for Christmas! — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-28322 Win a Palm Centro for Christmas! — The Gadgeteer Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:51:17 +0000 #comment-28322 [...] would you like to win a brand new Palm Centro for the Sprint network? This Centro will fit right in with the holidays as it’s a very [...] [...] would you like to win a brand new Palm Centro for the Sprint network? This Centro will fit right in with the holidays as it’s a very [...]

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24593 Julie Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:41:30 +0000 #comment-24593 <p>Kimberleah:</p> <p>Wow, sorry to hear about your troubles with the Centro! I have been using mine for months and it doesn't have a scratch on it. I don't treat my gadgets with kid gloves either. I don't usually put them in a case at all.</p> <p>What is Sprint's policy for replacement?</p> Kimberleah:

Wow, sorry to hear about your troubles with the Centro! I have been using mine for months and it doesn’t have a scratch on it. I don’t treat my gadgets with kid gloves either. I don’t usually put them in a case at all.

What is Sprint’s policy for replacement?

]]> By: Kimberleah http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24592 Kimberleah Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:03:45 +0000 #comment-24592 <p>I am very dissatisfied with my palm centro. I purchased it in April 2008 for over $200. Within a month the button in the middle that says palm fell off. A few weeks later the metal strips around the palm button (that have the phone and mail symbols) fell off. I have been trying and trying to get the phone fixed or replaced but I keep getting the run around with palm centro. They keep telling me that the phone is damaged from dropping it so they will not replace it. The phone has to be free of any type of scratches and/or dirt marks for them to replace or fix it. So much for the advertised 1 year warranty that I was told the phone had. To add insult to injury I have a full coverage insurance plan through Sprint and I still cannot get the phone fixed. A phone that cost as much as this one does should not be falling apart within a month. I will never purchase another palm centro again and I am seriously considering dumping Sprint and taking my business elsewhere!</p> I am very dissatisfied with my palm centro. I purchased it in April 2008 for over $200. Within a month the button in the middle that says palm fell off. A few weeks later the metal strips around the palm button (that have the phone and mail symbols) fell off. I have been trying and trying to get the phone fixed or replaced but I keep getting the run around with palm centro. They keep telling me that the phone is damaged from dropping it so they will not replace it. The phone has to be free of any type of scratches and/or dirt marks for them to replace or fix it. So much for the advertised 1 year warranty that I was told the phone had. To add insult to injury I have a full coverage insurance plan through Sprint and I still cannot get the phone fixed. A phone that cost as much as this one does should not be falling apart within a month. I will never purchase another palm centro again and I am seriously considering dumping Sprint and taking my business elsewhere!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24591 Julie Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:58:12 +0000 #comment-24591 <p>Cornelis: Congrats on the Centro. I agree that the size is very nice. As for the dial feature, there are a couple dialer replacement apps that you might want to try. <a href="http://www.iambic.com/select/default.asp?itemid=122">TakephOne</a> immediately comes to mind as I've used it in the past.</p> <p>Keep us posted on your experiences as you use this phone.</p> Cornelis:
Congrats on the Centro. I agree that the size is very nice. As for the dial feature, there are a couple dialer replacement apps that you might want to try. TakephOne immediately comes to mind as I’ve used it in the past.

Keep us posted on your experiences as you use this phone.

]]> By: Cornelis http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24590 Cornelis Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:26:40 +0000 #comment-24590 <p>Hi Julie,</p> <p>Got one of the first Centros in my palm here in Switzerland! Nice GMS cell phone. Finally it ranks (as far as size goes) almost with my beloved Nokia 5500. So you can say, that I'm back to Plam. I was hoping for a smaller size factor all along. So now it's done. The only gripe I have is that, the european gsm version has the new phone speed dial app, that the 680 has, unfortunetly not the one the Treo 650 has. Bummer! I hate the list app on the new speed dialer! But otherwise, the crisp screen and the useable keypad is neat. Most of all, all of my apps work, I haven't found one yet that didn't work. On top of that the phone reacts faster when switching apps and has an overall better snappierness than the Treo 680. Needless to say, battery time is now not an issue anymore. I have BT on all the time since I synch with my PC several times a day. Paired with the app: "Audio Gateway", the Centro has a very good reception when streaming music to a BT headset via the A2DP protocoll. Something lots of cell phones don't even have yet... Overall: Palm put a great phone in a great form factor on the market. Wouldn't have thought it, had I not been using it.</p> <p>Oh one other gripe: due to the recessed screen, the display attracts a large amount of dust and lint. I am hoping that this doesn't wiggle UNDER the screen at some time (it was stated at the beginning of the centro craze that it would be a non touch screen model - I was hoping for a flush screen with the housing).</p> <p><em>[Edited at March 10, 2008 06:32:38 AM.]</em></p> Hi Julie,

Got one of the first Centros in my palm here in Switzerland! Nice GMS cell phone. Finally it ranks (as far as size goes) almost with my beloved Nokia 5500.
So you can say, that I’m back to Plam. I was hoping for a smaller size factor all along. So now it’s done.
The only gripe I have is that, the european gsm version has the new phone speed dial app, that the 680 has, unfortunetly not the one the Treo 650 has. Bummer! I hate the list app on the new speed dialer!
But otherwise, the crisp screen and the useable keypad is neat.
Most of all, all of my apps work, I haven’t found one yet that didn’t work. On top of that the phone reacts faster when switching apps and has an overall better snappierness than the Treo 680.
Needless to say, battery time is now not an issue anymore. I have BT on all the time since I synch with my PC several times a day.
Paired with the app: “Audio Gateway”, the Centro has a very good reception when streaming music to a BT headset via the A2DP protocoll. Something lots of cell phones don’t even have yet…
Overall: Palm put a great phone in a great form factor on the market. Wouldn’t have thought it, had I not been using it.

Oh one other gripe: due to the recessed screen, the display attracts a large amount of dust and lint. I am hoping that this doesn’t wiggle UNDER the screen at some time (it was stated at the beginning of the centro craze that it would be a non touch screen model – I was hoping for a flush screen with the housing).

[Edited at March 10, 2008 06:32:38 AM.]

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24615 Julie Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:17:51 +0000 #comment-24615 JEMShoe: Yay! Glad you have your favorite program again :D JEMShoe:

Yay! Glad you have your favorite program again :D

]]> By: JEMShoe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24614 JEMShoe Sun, 18 Nov 2007 06:14:16 +0000 #comment-24614 <blockquote><cite>JEMShoe;22086 wrote: </cite><br />Profiles was indispensable...and very unfortunately, it does not work on the Centro. You just miss these things when they are gone (cliche but so true).</blockquote> GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! Profiles for Palm Centro has been released!!! <a href="http://www.kwik.cz/palm/treo/profiles/">http://www.kwik.cz/palm/treo/profiles/</a> I am going to send this guy...something. I really, really love my Centro now! BTW, some file I copied from my Treo650 backup rendered my Centro unable to see the SD Card, and I couldn't revert to an older backup because...the backup was on my SD Card:mad: Had to do a hard reset, which restored the ability to read the SD again, then restored most of my latest backup except files I suspected broke the SD driver (I don't remember what files I omitted). Just FYI, be careful copying files from your Treos to the Centro (or do backups before adding stuff). Yeaaah, Profiles!!!:wow:

JEMShoe;22086 wrote:

Profiles was indispensable…and very unfortunately, it does not work on the Centro. You just miss these things when they are gone (cliche but so true).

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!
Profiles for Palm Centro has been released!!!
http://www.kwik.cz/palm/treo/profiles/

I am going to send this guy…something. I really, really love my Centro now!

BTW, some file I copied from my Treo650 backup rendered my Centro unable to see the SD Card, and I couldn’t revert to an older backup because…the backup was on my SD Card:mad:
Had to do a hard reset, which restored the ability to read the SD again, then restored most of my latest backup except files I suspected broke the SD driver (I don’t remember what files I omitted). Just FYI, be careful copying files from your Treos to the Centro (or do backups before adding stuff).

Yeaaah, Profiles!!!:wow:

]]> By: mogulman http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24613 mogulman Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:49:21 +0000 #comment-24613 I just hope the Centro is enough to keep Palm afloat until they are able to come out with the Linux based smartphone. :unsure: I just hope the Centro is enough to keep Palm afloat until they are able to come out with the Linux based smartphone. :unsure:

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24612 Julie Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:08:29 +0000 #comment-24612 mogulman: If there was a GSM version, I'd be using it right now :) mogulman:

If there was a GSM version, I’d be using it right now :)

]]> By: mogulman http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24611 mogulman Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:51:24 +0000 #comment-24611 I've had the Centro now for a few weeks. This phone should have been the successor to the Treo 650, rather then 700p and 755p. It seems like all/most of the bugs have been fixed in the Centro. This is the best Palm OS phone ever, even though it isn't much different then a lot of previous phones. <ul> <li>No more lag/slowness when changing apps. </li> <li>Crashes virtually eliminated </li> <li>No funky DTMF sounds coming from the phone even with sound turned off. </li> <li>Blazer is the fastest I've ever seen on a Palm device. It definitely seems snappier. </li> <li> Bluetooth that works without disconnections </li> </ul> Even for Treo 700p/755p users, it is worthwhile. You could spend money and upgrade PocketTunes Deluxe to Version 4 and Documents to Go V10... or spend about $40 more ($99 total) and get a Centro... I’ve had the Centro now for a few weeks. This phone should have been the successor to the Treo 650, rather then 700p and 755p. It seems like all/most of the bugs have been fixed in the Centro. This is the best Palm OS phone ever, even though it isn’t much different then a lot of previous phones.

  • No more lag/slowness when changing apps.
  • Crashes virtually eliminated
  • No funky DTMF sounds coming from the phone even with sound turned off.
  • Blazer is the fastest I’ve ever seen on a Palm device. It definitely seems snappier.
  • Bluetooth that works without disconnections

Even for Treo 700p/755p users, it is worthwhile. You could spend money and upgrade PocketTunes Deluxe to Version 4 and Documents to Go V10… or spend about $40 more ($99 total) and get a Centro…

]]> By: Alanisgood http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24610 Alanisgood Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:06:00 +0000 #comment-24610 I'd have to crunch the numbers before I opt to get one of these. ...And by crunch the numbers I mean play Sudoku on it ;) I’d have to crunch the numbers before I opt to get one of these.

…And by crunch the numbers I mean play Sudoku on it ;)

]]> By: JEMShoe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24609 JEMShoe Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:55:18 +0000 #comment-24609 Profiles was indispensable...and very unfortunately, it does not work on the Centro. You just miss these things when they are gone (cliche but so true). Happily, most of my apps work, especially Launcher X. It seems people can hear me OK (my Treo 650, even with Volume Care, people could not hear me all that well). I love almost everything about this phone except a few things: -it does not stay on when the power cord is plugged in (gotta find an app). -no reset button makes me nervous. -very hard to get the battery cover off. -lanyard loop location and the loop is tiny. -they should have tossed in a ear bud/mic (for $399??? they could've thrown that in). -getting used to the menu button being at the bottom. -nervous about no case and screen protector. -i did have to buy a microSD card but I got a free SD card reader out of it so it was worth it. -the LED is dumb, dumb, dumb. it is only a charge indicator, that's it (Butler does not work on Centro). I have only had mine 24 hours...and I spent 4 or 5 of them on customer support getting my EVDO to work, and about 5 or 6 customizing my phone (painful). But all in all, I love this phone! The size is just perfect! I have not been this happy about a palm-anything since my tungsten T--after they fixed the sound via software:) And my favorite phone was my samsung SPH-N200 flip phone. BTW, I have large hands and I am able to type quite well--when I had my Treo 650, I was wishing the buttons were soft because my little thumb nail slipped off the key and my actual thumb is too big for those tiny buttons. But the Centro keypad is perfect. There is a small creek in the battery case though. More after some additional testing (still gotta set up my email and check out the Sprint TV app). Profiles was indispensable…and very unfortunately, it does not work on the Centro. You just miss these things when they are gone (cliche but so true).

Happily, most of my apps work, especially Launcher X. It seems people can hear me OK (my Treo 650, even with Volume Care, people could not hear me all that well).

I love almost everything about this phone except a few things:

-it does not stay on when the power cord is plugged in (gotta find an app).
-no reset button makes me nervous.
-very hard to get the battery cover off.
-lanyard loop location and the loop is tiny.
-they should have tossed in a ear bud/mic (for $399??? they could’ve thrown that in).
-getting used to the menu button being at the bottom.
-nervous about no case and screen protector.
-i did have to buy a microSD card but I got a free SD card reader out of it so it was worth it.
-the LED is dumb, dumb, dumb. it is only a charge indicator, that’s it (Butler does not work on Centro).

I have only had mine 24 hours…and I spent 4 or 5 of them on customer support getting my EVDO to work, and about 5 or 6 customizing my phone (painful). But all in all, I love this phone! The size is just perfect! I have not been this happy about a palm-anything since my tungsten T–after they fixed the sound via software:) And my favorite phone was my samsung SPH-N200 flip phone.

BTW, I have large hands and I am able to type quite well–when I had my Treo 650, I was wishing the buttons were soft because my little thumb nail slipped off the key and my actual thumb is too big for those tiny buttons. But the Centro keypad is perfect. There is a small creek in the battery case though.

More after some additional testing (still gotta set up my email and check out the Sprint TV app).

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24608 Julie Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:30:10 +0000 #comment-24608 That's a very nice app! That’s a very nice app!

]]> By: JEMShoe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24607 JEMShoe Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:14:04 +0000 #comment-24607 <blockquote><cite>Julie;22068 wrote: </cite><br />What does Profiles do exactly?</blockquote> Profiles Manager <a href="http://www.kwik.cz/palm/treo/profiles/guide101.txt">http://www.kwik.cz/palm/treo/profiles/guide101.txt</a> I could configure settings on my phone to kick in at certain times or I could manually trigger them (ex. religious service, work, home, all_on, etc). power timeout, screen brightness, sounds, etc.

Julie;22068 wrote:

What does Profiles do exactly?

Profiles Manager
http://www.kwik.cz/palm/treo/profiles/guide101.txt

I could configure settings on my phone to kick in at certain times or I could manually trigger them (ex. religious service, work, home, all_on, etc). power timeout, screen brightness, sounds, etc.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24606 Julie Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:03:10 +0000 #comment-24606 What does Profiles do exactly? What does Profiles do exactly?

]]> By: JEMShoe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24605 JEMShoe Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:09:08 +0000 #comment-24605 Can we get a list of non-compatible Centro apps? One that is a heartbreaker for me is Profiles! It was soooooo great on my T650. Alas, it doesn't work on Centro. Hopefully the author will update it. It was free. I HAVE to find a substitute.:( Can we get a list of non-compatible Centro apps?

One that is a heartbreaker for me is Profiles! It was soooooo great on my T650. Alas, it doesn’t work on Centro. Hopefully the author will update it. It was free. I HAVE to find a substitute.:(

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24604 Julie Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:15:05 +0000 #comment-24604 JEMShoe: I just received an email from Sena Cases this morning. Check this out: <a href="http://www.senacases.com/Brands/PALM-CENTRO-CASES">http://www.senacases.com/Brands/PALM-CENTRO-CASES</a> :) JEMShoe:

I just received an email from Sena Cases this morning. Check this out:
http://www.senacases.com/Brands/PALM-CENTRO-CASES :)

]]> By: JEMShoe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24603 JEMShoe Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:27:37 +0000 #comment-24603 Any cases/holsters/screen protectors for the Centro? Oh, I gotta get a microSD. Also, can I read/write the SD with my computer (use Centro/SD like external card reader)? Any cases/holsters/screen protectors for the Centro?

Oh, I gotta get a microSD.
Also, can I read/write the SD with my computer (use Centro/SD like external card reader)?

]]> By: JEMShoe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/10/23/palm_centro_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-24602 JEMShoe Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:23:29 +0000 #comment-24602 Well, soon my two year old Treo 650 will join my Tungsten T as expensive paper weights. I just negotiated my new Sprint contract and will be receiving a new Palm Centro next week! I just hope my ThinkOutside BT Keyboard works with it as the driver resets my Treo 650. I like that AT&T Tilt (or TyTn II) form factor but a) It is WinDoze (I still like Palm OS); b) It is not Sprint so data will be costly; c) I heard it is hefty. So, I will be a Centro owner soon! Definitely cannot try to dial while driving on this phone:) Hope it has a good voice dialer. -Jason. Well, soon my two year old Treo 650 will join my Tungsten T as expensive paper weights.
I just negotiated my new Sprint contract and will be receiving a new Palm Centro next week!

I just hope my ThinkOutside BT Keyboard works with it as the driver resets my Treo 650.

I like that AT&T Tilt (or TyTn II) form factor but a) It is WinDoze (I still like Palm OS); b) It is not Sprint so data will be costly; c) I heard it is hefty.

So, I will be a Centro owner soon! Definitely cannot try to dial while driving on this phone:) Hope it has a good voice dialer.

-Jason.

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