Palm Centro Desktop Cradle

Although the existing Palm Cradle Kit already offers compatibility with the Centro, Palm has just launched a new Palm Centro Desktop Cradle (image below) priced at $29.99 that has now been specifically designed only for your Centro smartphone to sync and charge it at home or the office.

I nonetheless quickly have to admit that overall I am completely underwhelmed by the lack of value that the Palm Centro Desktop Cradle offers and the rather poor apparent effort that Palm has put in its design. 

For starters you will not be able to fit your Centro smartphone in this cradle if like many you’re using either a Centro Skin Case, Palm Air Case or Centro Hard Case.  Then there’s the fact that the USB cable is hardwired to the cradle which means that it will look rather ugly with an extra cable dangling if you plan to put it by your nightstand for example.  Next is the lack of a physical sync button which is the least that I would have expected from an “official” Palm Centro cradle.  Last but not least is the fact that this cradle does not include a built-in Centro battery charger.

Considering that the excellent competing Cellet Centro Cradle (see my recent review) has none of the above limitations and costs 20% less than this Palm Centro Desktop Cradle it should be pretty obvious to figure out which one offers better value.  Alternatively you could also look at the high-end and instead choose the Phoneo Speaker System – an absolutely terrific all-in-one integrated Speaker + Cradle + Speakerphone unit (see my review).

Pretty much the only unique benefit that the new Palm Centro Desktop Cradle appears to offer is the fact that you can use your standard Centro wall charger to power the cradle – but I certainly don’t consider this to be enough on its own to choose it over my Editor’s Choice Cellet Centro Cradle.

[Note: currently only the Palm Online Store has the Centro Desktop Cradle for sale but we anticipate that our own store will have these in stock (at a lower price) within the next couple of weeks.]

Separately, Palm has a couple of offers at the moment that I do consider to be very good value and that you may want to look at.  These include the Palm GPS Navigator Kit + Garmin Mobile XT Software (see my recent post) which has been reduced from $249 to only $139 (you save $90) and the Palm Wireless Headset Series 3 reduced from $69.99 to only $45.49 (you save $25).

Another great offer is our current 20% Off All Titles in the Treo & Centro Software Store.  Simply enter the coupon code BESTSELLERS in your cart.   [Please note that this coupon is not valid for use in the Treo Accessories Store or Centro Accessories Store].

Finally, some of the new or bestselling accessories that I can highly recommend include:

• The new Helix Holster for Centro and Helix Holster II for Treo
• My “Editor’s Choices” with the SPE P6 Pouch Case as well as the always terrific Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Headset
• The ultrasmall Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 (see my review)
• The bestselling and essential SPE Retractable S&C Cable 

Treonauts are always looking for the best value…