Palm recently announced the release of a low-priced smart phone on the AT&T network (available for purchase here).
Specs:
Device Technology: Quad-band, GSM
Network: AT&T
Operating System: Palm OS 5.4.9
Height: 4.2 in.
Width: 2.1 in.
Depth: 0.7 in.
Weight: 4.4 oz.
Screen Dimensions: 320 x 320 pixels, 2.2 in. diagonally
Keyboard: QWERTY
Other features: Xpress mail, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo messenger, Calendar Sync (Outlook and iCal), Bluetooth GPS, Push-to-Talk, Camera, XM Radio.
(Three of Five Bars)Pros:
1. Cost – Starting at $99 signing after a two-year agreement with AT&T, this smart phone is much more accessible than the iPhone, Blackberry, Blackjack, or the like.
2. XM Radio – A satellite-ready communication device allows more music options for the user, which many smart phones lack. This is a solid compromise for its small storage capacity (up to 4 gb with expansion card) and a unique feature that makes the product more appealing.
3. Infrared & Wireless Transfer – This feature is a strong anticipatory innovation to the wireless generation of technology devices. Though many people will not be able to use this service until infrared and wireless transfer becomes universal, it shows that Palm is thinking ahead. On the other hand, the infrared may just be reminiscent of the Palm devices from the late 1990s. Microsoft’s embracing of infrared, Bluetooth, and wireless transfer may be a signal that this technology has a future.
Cons:
1. 1.3 Mega-pixel Camera: This low-end camera seems to be where Palm decided to sacrifice technology for the price. Most new smartphones start at 2.0 mexa-pixels. Such a disparity looks like this phone is behind right out of the starting gate.
2. Battery Life/Talk Time – “Up to 3 hours”: People using smart phones need the maximum allowable talk time and use of portable devices. Even the iphone, which includes other multimedia features and was highly criticized for its battery life, has a longer battery life at full use than three hours (8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of internet).
3. Lack of wireless connectivity: Being on the EDGE (2.5 G) wireless network, Palm should have anticipated buildings where wireless area network connectivity is common and could compensate for weak cellular network signal strength.
4. No touch screen: Granted, this would make the device much more expensive. Future smart phone technology, however, seems inevitably to be moving in this direction. When sacrificing quality for price, it may not be worth it to sacrifice thinking ahead.
Overall:
Palm has had a rough history for the last several years as innovative smart phones quickly dated the Palm Pilot series. This launch seems to be a self-recognized second-tier phone for the frugal smart phone shopper. This product seems to beg the question: If the smart phone is designed for the better-off business person (mobile email, web browsing, etc.), what strength is there in a lower end phone with features a non-business person likely will not use? Perhaps the less-than average music and media functions will be the saving grace of the Palm Centro for AT&T.
Posted by thechritic 
