Hands-on with the (Tiny) Palm Centro

Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:27PM EDT

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Yep, it's small all right. Coming next month for $99 on Sprint, the Centro makes for one of the first Treos (well, it's not really called a Treo, but it's close enough) that actually fits comfortably in your pocket. I just got some hands-on time with the diminutive smartphone here at DigitalLife in New York; here are a few initial impressions.

At 4.2 by 2.1 by 0.7 inches and weighing in at about 4.2 ounces, the Centro (set for release in mid-October) is considerably smaller than its Treo brethren—and with its new, rounded design and sporty color scheme (red and black versions will be available), the phone is certainly more fun than, say, the relatively staid 755p. I tried slipping the Centro into my jeans pocket and yes, it fits nicely.

Of course, the Centro's small size comes at the expense of the QWERTY keypad, which is one of the smallest full-on keypads I've ever seen. I did manage to tap out messages relatively quickly with my thumbs, but holding the Centro in both hands is an awkward proposition, while typing with just one hand is slow going, indeed. Overall, the Centro's keypad isn't as it sounded in the initial reports, but it'll definitely take some getting used to.

Feature-wise, we're talking essentially the same specs as on the Treo 755p: 3G access on Sprint's EV-DO network, phone-as-modem capability, a 1.3-megapixel camera, push- and Exchage-ready e-mail, IM (AIM, Windows Live, and Yahoo! Messenger), streaming video via Sprint TV, threaded SMS, and Bluetooth. Still missing from the party are features such as Wi-Fi and built-in GPS—and of course, an updated OS would have been a nice touch, but we're still stuck with the same, 90s-era Palm OS (or Garnet—I've lost track) that we've been seeing on Treos for too many years now.

The Centro isn't exactly a ground-breaker, and big-thumbed folks are going to be unhappy with the cramped keypad, but then there's that price—$99 with a two-year service agreement, which goes a long way toward sweetening the no-Wi-Fi, no-GPS, no-new-UI pill.

Related:
Press release [Palm]

Comments on Hands-on with the (Tiny) Palm Centro

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  • 1 Posted by lilbull1994 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    The State of Minesota just filed a lawsuit against Sprint for extending consumer committments without the consumers' knowledge. I like the phone, but I do not think I will be going with Sprint any time soon. And yes, I am from Minnesota. Peace

  • 2 Posted by lilbull1994 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    The State of Minesota just filed a lawsuit against Sprint for extending consumer committments without the consumers' knowledge. I like the phone, but I do not think I will be going with Sprint any time soon. And yes, I am from Minnesota. Peace

  • 3 Posted by heggoodgood on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    no wi-fi whatever they need to rethink that 2 yr contract thing!

  • 4 Posted by dennisbames on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a Treo 680 and have a hard time getting my fingers on the type pad reliably. I can't imagine it being much smaller and being comfortable

  • 5 Posted by owensa42 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is Sprint going to require a specific (higher priced) data plan with that contract? Might not make that $99 as attractive as it first sounds. It's cute, but those blister bubbles on the keyboard don't look sturdy. Wonder if it takes a miniSD or even SDIO. Bet not. I'll pass.

  • 6 Posted by jsmithutd on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    sprint stinks - they need something to rival the blackberry - the treo just doesn't cut it, i dont think this will either

  • 7 Posted by ronboykinmusic on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    People with typing issues can purchase the graffiti app "Teascript" from Tealpoint.com and bypass the keyboard to use the stylus.

  • 8 Posted by whip4will on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    mhy copmputer has the vista operating system and it will not accept the voice compression on the yahoo messenger. How do I solve this problem ????

  • 9 Posted by johncarlo11277 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    If it's Sprint related you can expect poor service after the sale from untrained operators after long waits, numerous transfers, and multiple explanations of your name, phone number and passwords with each transfer. They are the most user 'unfriendly' company when it comes to adjustments or normal changes over time that a private user requires. Ying becomes yang at renewal time for Sprint.

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