Verizon Wireless Palm Centro vs. 3G Apple iPhone

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In a week where new smartphones shook the foundation of mobility, the two garnering the most attention are Verizon Wireless' launch of the Palm Centro and Steve Jobs' announcement of the 3G Apple iPhone.

The dueling devices both come in at an attractive price point, with Verizon offering the cobalt blue Centro for $99 after rebate with a two-year contract and the 8 GB version of the 3G iPhone hitting the $199 mark. The new iPhone's 16 GB counterpart, which will also be available in white along with the standard black, will run $299.

Both handsets have also generated a rabid fan base. Palm says it has sold one million Centros since it was first released in September, with AT&T and Sprint offering the touch-screen device before Verizon got its mitts on it. While the 3G iPhone won't hit the streets until next month, the first generation of the device has sold about 6 million units its first year in existence.

While both are bringing the touch screen devices to the masses, both are extremely different devices under the hood. Additionally, the Palm Centro is targeted at corporate users, while the iPhone runs the gamut between being designated for work and play.

The major push for the iPhone is its 3G network capabilities that enable it to transmit data faster and over a wider pipe. Early generation iPhones used the EDGE network, the latest release supports high-speed HSDPA along with Wi-Fi. The Palm Centro uses Verizon's EV-DO network for high-speed access to e-mail and the Web.

The next-generation iPhone also adds in GPS functionality, enterprise support and support for third-party applications.

Navigation also comes into play on the Centro, which features built-in Google Maps to let users receive quick directions, perform local searches and view moveable and scalable maps. The Google Maps feature also offers satellite imagery and traffic updates, along with letting users map a contact's address directly from the contact application by hitting the "maps" button.

On the mobile e-mail side, the new iPhone will feature iPhone Software 2.0, which will enable users to access Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for push e-mail, calendaring and contacts, a feature many chided Apple for not including in first-generation iPhones. It also supports Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as PDFs and JPEGs. And now iWork attachments can be viewed as they were designed.

The Centro, however, offers access to VersaMail 4.0 with built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for Microsoft Direct Push Technology, which users can link directly to their Outlook e-mail accounts, calendars and contacts. Verizon also offers Centro users Wireless Sync, the carrier's own e-mail solution, which offers access to corporate Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes and IBM Lotus Domino and personal POP3 and IMAP accounts.

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