Palm Centro now at Verizon Wireless

[JFB]

Here is their press release:

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PALM CENTRO NOW AVAILABLE ON THE VERIZON WIRELESS NETWORK

Centro Debut on the Nation's Most Reliable Wireless Network Offers Customers a High-Speed Communications Device with Compact Form Factor, Easy Touch-Screen and Full QWERTY Keyboard

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, and Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), today announced that the Palm® Centro™ smartphone will be available online at Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning June 13. Dressed in a crisp cobalt blue, the Centro provides customers with the perfect tool to manage the busiest of lifestyles with voice, text messaging, e-mail and the Web.

Centro runs on Verizon Wireless’ high-speed data network, which gives customers the ability to quickly send and receive e-mail messages and attachments and browse rich Web content. Verizon Wireless customers can also use the Centro as a modem for their laptops when they subscribe to Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess Connect service plan. The handset sports a vibrant color touch-screen, full QWERTY keyboard and a lightweight design.

Centro’s built-in Google Maps™ application delivers quick, reliable directions and lets users perform local searches and view moveable/scalable maps, satellite imagery and traffic updates. Customers can also map a contact’s address directly from the contact application simply by selecting the “maps” button.

Customers using the stylish Centro will get access to VersaMail® 4.0 with built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® support for Microsoft Direct Push Technology to deliver e-mail and calendar updates from a home or office PC using Outlook® directly to their handsets. Centro users also have the option of using Wireless Sync, Verizon Wireless’ proprietary e-mail solution, for quick and easy access to personal or corporate e-mail, contacts, calendar and tasks from their home or office PC. Wireless Sync supports POP3 or IMAP e-mail accounts and it supports Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes® and IBM Lotus Domino®.

The Palm Centro also includes the following features and capabilities:
• Text, picture and video messaging (text messages are presented to customers in a “chat-style” view so customers can see their entire conversation unfold)
• Superior phone functionality, including one-touch speakerphone and conference calling, the ability to respond to a call with text messaging, and the option to use the touch-screen dial pad
• Smart, fast Web browsing using the award-winning Blazer browser
• 2x digital zoom camera with video capture
• Media player with Pocket Tunes™ Deluxe (PlaysForSure-compatible)
• Bluetooth® v. 1.2 with support for hands-free car kits and headset profiles
• 64 MB available user storage and microSD™ memory card slot with support up to 4 GB
• User-friendly, familiar Palm OS® 5.4.9, including one-touch access to key applications
• Small, sleek form factor: 2.1” (l) x 4.2” (w) x 0.7” (d)
• 4.2 ounces with battery
• 320 x 320 pixel color touch-screen and full QWERTY keyboard for easier e-mail, messaging and Web use

Pricing and Availability
The Palm Centro smartphone will be available online at Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, for $99.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers may want to pair their Centro voice plan with Verizon Wireless’ E-mail and Web for Smartphone service for $29.99. This is an unlimited monthly data plan for Web browsing and e-mail support and includes personal e-mail accounts. To tether the Centro to a laptop with a USB cable, customers may opt to include a BroadbandAccess Connect plan in their service package for $30.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless. Business customers may call 1-800-VZW-4BIZ or contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative.

[RJB]

You know what this makes me actually very happy. Although I would not use the internet I would love to have this phone to use as my every day phone. I used this on Sprint and enjoyed every minute of it.

[walkguru]

Wirelessly posted (Walkguru's: Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.1.11328/524; U; en))

is it really 2 hundred bucks?

[WumpusVA]

Originally Posted by walkguru

Wirelessly posted (Walkguru's: Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.1.11328/524; U; en))

is it really 2 hundred bucks?

"for $99.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement"

so pay 169.99 then get 70 back....

[RJB]

Originally Posted by Wumpusva

"for $99.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement"

so pay 169.99 then get 70 back....

I bet you after a little while the online store will have an online instant discount so it will be a flat $100 out the door.

[Mobile Mike]

Nice! Another great addition to a pretty good line-up.

[RJB]

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

Nice! Another great addition to a pretty good line-up.

You know Mike I was thinking the same thing. Seems Verizon is getting a little better with their phones.

[walkguru]

Originally Posted by Wumpusva

"for $99.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement"

so pay 169.99 then get 70 back....

ok, great i thought i read somewhere that they were 200, so this is great that their finually getting it. and 100 is the same price as att and sprint.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by RJB

You know Mike I was thinking the same thing. Seems Verizon is getting a little better with their phones.

Considering CDMA phones are generally less jazzy than their mass-produced GSM siblings, Big Red isn't doing too bad. And it's only going to get better...

[RJB]

They just announced a dark knight nokia. Looks nice,.