Sprint Competes W/AT&T & iPhone, Signs Exlcusive
09.28.07 - 12:29pm
Sprint has signed an exclusive deal with Palm to be the sole carrier to release their Centro at least for the first three months. Palm was upfront about the first three month deal when they unveiled the phone Thursday night, yet they refused to talk about any other carriers carrying the phone after the 90 days were up.
The company almost seemed to be slightly peeved over the iPhone’s super successful launch when President and CEO of Palm, Ed Colligan answered in response to a query about the target market of the phone, “This (Centro) is not attempting to be an ‘iPhone killer’”. The iPhone is part of that 5% of the market; we’re going after the other 95% of the market.”
The iPhone out may have not been out long enough to take up a significant portion of the market, but it is the first that any other smart phone is compared to.
So how does the Centro match up to the iPhone? Well both phone’s cost $400, although with the sign up of a two-year contract with Sprint and further rebates for unlimited data and such, the phone will cost only $100.
The Centro has voice, text, IM, email, web, contact and calender capabilities, full keyboard and a 2-inch screen, all of which the iPhone has although the iPhone has an awesome viewing screen and the fabulous iPod. While next to the iPhone the Centro looks almost outdated it is still cheaper, leaving it open to a larger market share.
“Palm Centro has the power of a broadband smartphone at the price of a standard 12-key phone,” said Ed Colligan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Palm. “People looking to have all their contacts and calendar at the touch of a button, plus YouTube streaming videos and the Internet can now get it in a small, cool design with the trademark Palm ease of use. If you’re thinking about stepping up to a smartphone, the Palm Centro should be your choice.”
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