For those in Canada who aren't Rogers Wireless customers, there is good news: the easy-to-use, Palm OS-based, app-friendly, CDMA version of the Centro is slated to cross the border and be available through Bell Mobility on February 2.

Per a post by Michael Kwan of Mobile Magazine, "the good news is that the launch promo has the Palm Centro going for $49.95 with a three-year contract." To put that in context, when Rogers Wireless unveiled their Centro in June 2008, the pricing was announced as $199 CAD for existing customers and $299 CAD for new customers. In comparison, Bell Mobility is offering the following prices:

• Special launch promo (3-year contract): $49.95
• Post-promo (3-year contract): $199.95
• 2-year contract: $249.95
• 1-year contract: $349.95
• Month-to-month: $399.95

Note: It wasn't clear if these are CAD or USD prices.

In his post, Mr. Kwan remarked, "Personally, I think waiting for the Pre is a better idea." But remember that the Pre is not backwards compatible. So those who currently use a Treo and love the apps they've got may find the affordable Centro quite attractive. And besides, if it took Bell Mobility this long to carry the Centro, how realistic is it to think a Palm Pre is around the corner?

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