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Why I Love My New Palm Centro

I have never had so much technology in the "Palm" of my hand! I have always had a standard cell phone and depended upon my trusty paper planner. Now that my 2 years are up and I can finally upgrade my Motorola Razr (which I can't stand) I took the leap to the next level - the Smartphone.

I have to admit my number one reason for choosing the Centro over the more advanced Palm 750 was price. Considering this is my first Smartphone I also didn't think I could justify the extra costs for features I wouldn't know I was missing.

As I'm on AT&T my only color choice was the Glacier White which at first was enough to make me want to wait a few months until the black comes out. Surprisingly the white/green color scheme has grown on me and I'm so in love with the phone that I'm not longer bothered by the color. The touch screen is extremely responsive and the colors crisp and brilliant.

Having my task list and calendar on my phone ensures that I am reminded several times a day as I am always on my phone. The contact feature is amazing because not only do I always have my address book with me, but I can add detailed notes such as birthdays, anniversaries, directions, or where and how we met.

Also a great feature is the memo pad. I keep grocery lists so if I happen to have an extra moment I can swing through the store and don't have to try to remember what I needed. I have yet to play with the voice memo feature or many of the other fun features this little phone has to offer.

The coolest feature of all is my ability to use the phone to receive professional ekey service through my MLS. I no longer have to carry a bulky display key "just in case" and better yet I have push button access to preselected sections of my MLS without accessing the internet! I specify the areas and price range and those homes are searchable on my phone. I think my memory allows up to 18,000 listings!

My husband went ahead and purchased the exact same phone and I can now sync both of our phones to the computer so he always has a copy of my calendar and knows where I am. I can also add tasks and alarms so I am no longer the nagging wife - I can blame it on the phone!

For those of you already on a PDA or Smartphone this might not have enough features to be comparable. But for my first venture into the Smartphone arena this is great! If you are considering upgrading technology consider the Palm Centro. I have yet to have a complaint but I'll let you know!

Yvonne Brown

Century 21 Northwest

Posted by Yvonne Brown on 03/04/2008 07:55 PM

Comments (18)

technology, smartphone, palm centro

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18 Comments on Why I Love My New Palm Centro

MAR

2008

Sounds great- I have been trying to decide what to upgrade to---thanks for the tip.

I have always loved Palm; it is why I own the stock. The Palm Centro is a good unit. I wish Palm would develop more phones for a greater range of users.

The ekey feature was the only reason why I bought the Centro. Mine's red because I'm an Oklahoma Sooner...... I love my Centro too. I'm with Sprint.

MAR

2008

You'be convinced me to go ahead and get one. thanks.

MAR

2008

I love my centro, its quick and easy and has all the features I need. At first I thought the letter keys were too small and hard to manage, but within the first 30 seconds I was texting easier than any other phone!

MAR

2008

Havn't heard of that one. Need to check it out. Thanks for the info.

MAR

2008

I have the Treo 650 and love it! Unfortunately, it is several years old now and it's so beat up and falling apart! But still works for now! I've been looking for a new phone. I was thinking of the Centro because of the low price. I use my Treo 650 as my ekey, as well, and I love that feature!!! I'm so glad to hear that the Centro can be used as the ekey. I didn't want to lose that capability. I'd love the iphone, but can't use it as an ekey. Therefore, I have to toss out that option. But I do need a phone that can also be compatible with Top Producer. Do you know how well (or if it even does) it works with Top Producer 7i or 8i?

MAY

2008

Yvonne, any problem with the battery life on the Palm Centro. I heard that it drains rather quickly.

You said it holds up to 18,000 listings on the phone. Did you get the 2GB or 4GB microSD card for the Palm?

Jim - I do have to charge my battery about every 1 1/2 days depending on use, but once I turned off my bluetooth I found the battery was lasting a lot longer. I don't have any SD card for the phone, it holds that many listings with just the memory it has. I've had the phone for about 3 months now and I really don't think I have any complaints. I love having it as my ekey and I really love having the mls on my phone without having to access the web. I use it so much more than I ever thought I would. I love how easy it is to use. I guess really my only complaint is that when I go to sync the phone with my computer it isn't compatible with outlook 2007. I hope this helps!

Yvonne,

How many hours would you say you talk on it before the battery drains? I read the spec on it on the web and it states about 3-3.5 hours. Is this accurate from your experience?

MAY

2008

Jim,

I really think it is a bit longer than that. I think 4 -5 is maybe a little more acurate but I have never really kept track. I think I average 2 - 4 hours on my phone throughout the day, but I think what really drains it is all the other things I do on my phone. I check and respond to email, draft lists, schedule tasks and meetings in the calendar and use google maps to get around. You can turn the phone part off but the device itself can not be turned off and is constantly running. considering this, I think it does ok. Even if you do have to charge it daily, it charges to full from empty fairly quickly so if you forget to do it overnight it isn't too inconvenient. It also can charge through your computer if you put it on there at night for automatic updates or to sync it.

Hope this helps!

Yvonne, I read some other blogs here on AR and it seemed some were also interested in the BB Pearl. So the Palm Centro has a USB connector to charge the phone as well?

AUG

2008

I just ordered the Palm Centro, in pink! I also wanted to upgrade to a phone that I can also use a an ekey.

Thank you for all the information.

OCT

2008

I was debating on the Centro but got the 755p from Verizon instead. Its a nice phone but the operating system is slow at times, is it like that with the Centro as well?

OCT

2008

Yvonne, I just purchased a Palm Centro last week. It is pink and sooo cute. I am learning how to use it and can tell already that it will be very valuable in real estate. If you go to www.supraekey.com click on "special offers on ekey devices" you can get a centro clip pouch and vehicle power adapter for free. This is a ESP value of $79.00. Palm Centro should be purchased between May 15,2008 and December 31,2008. I have already sent for mine!

NOV

2008

I had a Palm 650. After dropping it and shattering it, I got the Centro. So far, I like it just as much if not better than my 650. It is smaller, sleeker, and has more functions. I love the voice memo feature. (not avail in 650) The only feature I miss is my 7 alarms feature. (I use the one in the world clock - but the 7 alarms helped me when I was taking meds). Oh, and mine is dark blue metallic (Verizon).

How do you access your MLS without accessing the internet? I am on a strict budget due to new baby and S/O being laid off - so we cut out internet access on phones.

I had a Centro for my first smartphone. Loved that sucker until the screen burned out -- I used it ALL the time. Glad to hear that you enjoy it!

NOV

2008

Debi,

I use the internet on my phone but I don't pay for the expensive plan. I use the pay per use option, it works out better doing it that way since I rarely use the internet on my phone anyways.

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