March 7, 2008 6:53 AM PST

Get a Palm Centro smartphone free with two-year Sprint plan

(Credit: Palm)

I'm all tingly: Cell phone store Wirefly is offering the Palm Centro smartphone for free with a two-year Sprint service plan. Normally, the Centro runs $99.99 after a mail-in rebate; this deal requires no rebate and even includes free shipping. Hence the tingling.

I won't go into major detail about the Centro, as I've already written a fairly exhaustive review. What I'll add is that after several months of ownership, I'm very happy with it. It does flake out at times, to the point where I have to yank the battery to reset the phone, but mostly it works like a champ. I have zero trouble using the keyboard, cramped though it may be, and I love being able to run all the Palm software I've enjoyed over the years. (Anyone for Text Twist?)

The Wirefly deal is for the black model only (rats), and of course it requires a two-year service agreement with Sprint. You can choose from any number of plans, starting at $29.99 monthly. Seriously, this is a fantastic deal, folks. If you've never owned a smartphone before, here's your chance to get a great one without spending a penny on the hardware.

Update: Looks like Amazon has this deal, too, and it's even better: You can get the black or red Centro from Sprint or the white model from AT&T.

Originally posted at The Cheapskate
A technology writer for over 15 years, Rick Broida is a regular contributor to CNET and the author of over a dozen books, including "How to Do Everything with Your Palm Powered Handheld." He writes The Cheapskate for the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 3 comments (Page 1 of 1)
but the carrier stinks
by papsc March 7, 2008 8:18 AM PST
The problem with this "deal" is you are stuck on Sprint for 2 years. I manage the corporate accounts for my company and we are transfering so many people off of Sprint due to the service issues it's insane. Yes, there are areas where it's fine, but those are few and far between and if you are traveling, forget about it.
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if only....
by mortaltype March 7, 2008 12:01 PM PST
Amazon doesn't offer the $29.99 plan. Their cheapest plan is $39.99.
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Free AT&T Centro also available...
by wanderman March 8, 2008 5:53 AM PST
Actually, the GSM AT&T Centro is also available for free as I posted a few days ago...

http://blog.treonauts.com/2008/03/palm-centro-fre.html

Cheers, A.
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