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Palm Inc. Verizon Wireless has announced that the smart phone maker's low-priced Centro device is launching on Verizon's cell phone network.

Interested customers will be able to purchase a cobalt blue Centro for USD 99, after rebates and a two-year service agreement. In addition to the voice plan, customers can pay USD 29.99 per month for unlimited data and an additional USD 30 per month for the ability to join the phone to a laptop for use with Verizon's Broadband Access.

The Centro has a small form factor, but sports a full QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen. Running off the Palm operating system, the device also features a document editor and viewer, Bluetooth, push e-mail capabilities with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, Good Mobile Messaging, and Xpress Mail.

The smartphone also has a microSD slot to expand the memory, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and a robust multimedia player. It measures 2.1 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches, weighs 4.2 ounces, and for VZW, it will support EV-DO network, but not Rev A.

The deal between Palm and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group PLC, will make the product available starting this week to Verizon's 67.2 million subscribers, with a two-year contract. Sprint Nextel Corp. began selling the Centro last fall, followed by AT&T Inc. and international carriers. Palm said it has sold more than one million Centros.

According to research firm IDC, Palm now controls 13.4 percent of the US smartphone market in Q1 2008, way up from 7.9 percent in the previous quarter, but still down overall from a high of 23 percent in Q1 2007. Palm is also seeing success among new smart phone owners, with 70 percent of all Centro users being new to smart phones.

Part of the smartphone's success is due to pricing, as the Centro can normally be found for USD 99 or less with a new contract and rebates. But it will be facing some stiff competition in the casual market, as Apple's iPhone 3G will soon vie for many of the same users.