Palm’s Centro has been around for quite some time – first of all, a CDMA version came out. After that, a AT&T GSM version followed. Now, an unlocked version is available for OTC sales…and most German retailers depleted their stock immediately. We managed to get our hands onto a sample – here’s what’s in the package:
The Centro’s box is very plain, and interestingly features an Access logo on the side:
As usual for Palm(nowadays), opening the box immediately presents you with “read-this-first” booklet, a quickstart guide, a hardware catalog and some random paperwork(and a software CD). Unfortunately, the free call-for-help card found with the Treo 680 no longer ships:
Below that, you find the Centro and its battery on Palms now-classic PVC tray that debuted in the 500v’s box:
Removing the tray allows you to access the headphone, charger and USB cable:
Interestingly, Palm did not apply a screen protector or even a camera lens protector this time(unlike with the Treo 500) – the Centro comes out of the box completely unprotected… .
In the end, the Centro ships with a fatally flawed accessory bundle. Palm wisely included a headset – but foolishly forgot a screen protector and a memory card. While both of these items are no-brainers for a pro like you and me, beginners(this device’s target audience!!!) will probably be unsatisfied with the lack of out-of-the-box oomph. The lack of a screen protector may be great for Palm’s bottom line…but reports of scratched screens will IMHO damage the reputation of the device sooner or later…
Stay tuned to find out how big the box really is!
P.S. The TamsPalm team now does unbox videos, too – find ours at Google Video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2556641552404876280
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It isn’t common for US based device manufacturers to include memory cards. I actually don’t protest since they would generally be extremely small anyway (I would expect a 512MB card to increase the price of the device, and I don’t need an extra 512MB card nor do I want to pay extra for one).
I received a 32MB SD card with my Canon PowerShot SD1000 which has pretty much become a throw away (I doubt that I will ever use it).
I think that a better bet would be to include a $15 or $20 rebate towards a memory card or the customer’s choice (from the Palm store would be a safe bet financially for Palm).
Actually in the manual of CDMA sprint centro it does say that the screen protector has been “pre-applied”
Hi,
prerapplied screen ptoector…ha ha ha.
Translate: scratch your screen, please – generates us extra revenue. Screen prots are for exchanging
.
Best regards
Tam Hanna
http://kb.palm.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=81,E=0000000001002267735,K=3557,Sxi=2,Case=Obj(45202)
Hi,
and what happens when you want to exchange it? Palm gets rich…as they charge for the full screen!
All the best
Tam Hanna