Palm Pre Touchstone to be an entire product line, not just a charging dock
By Nilay Patel 
posted April 12th 2009 5:11PM
posted April 12th 2009 5:11PM
[Via PreThinking]
posted April 12th 2009 5:11PM
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omg cant wait
This is currently done with Data and electric network switches that plug into the wall where you don't have wireless internet or no Cat 6 plug. So the essence of Palm doing "Inductive" data transferring is not at all far fetched being wireless and this is already being done wired.
I look forward to the release.
I love the Pre and i think it's a really good alternative to the iPhone, but i also don't think this Touchstone charging dock is not something thats Jaw dropping.
If it's not Jaw Dropping it's certainly Jaw Agape-ing.
Yes, other wireless charging products exist, but not directly from the phone manufacturer and not specifically made to work with any one device (except, perhaps, the iPhone) ... and, as of yet, not without some kind of kludge-y attatchment that get's the thing to work (iPhone included).
so...while it's charging texting and calling are going to be irritatingly difficult; at least that's what i gather.
hmm. =//
@kamakaze: Uh, no. First, you could just pick it up, as you would every single other device out there charging in its cradle. Or, if you need to be handling it while it's charging you can still plug it in with the included USB cable.
@kamakaze: I have a Nokia N95 8GB, and you can't last more than one day with just one battery charge on it. Maybe 1 and a half days. Every night, I just put charge it while I sleep. Perfect in the morning. I don't understand why people don't do that as it's so simple, and works best to get the most out of a day from your phone.
*eagerly awaits "what do you want on your touchstone?" advertising*
What do I want to do on my touch stone? Huhuhuh... you don't wanna know dude, belive me.
It'll happen. Sprint, at the very least.
"Touchstone - all your base are belong to us" --Sorry, had to go there...
wonder what other things they could be bring to the touchstone line besides wireless charging? but am very eager to see what they came up with.
Wireless Car Charger, I'd bet. With something extra to compensate for the bumpiness like a holster or something.
sync and charge would be nice
Er...whither bluetooth?
There is a NEED for "inductive" data transfer?
Bluetooth would be too slow for sync if the Pre is going to have music and video. Wi-fi would be most fitting instead.
Wireless USB, perhaps...
It would be cool if Palm includes some kind of desktop software for syncing media... Contacts are all in the cloud, but media take long to transfer and automatic syncing is easy.
Since they are somewhat following Apple in their marketing, they should follow the iTunes + iPhone model maybe..
I'm thinking it would be pretty cool if it did video out.
What should it sync? I thought it basically stored everything in your different "cloud" accounts?
Someone's job is on thin ice.
What other functionalities could they add to the Touchstone? Speakers? Speakerphone? Upon contact? Different shapes and sizes? Perhaps an area of a desk made up of the same tech?
This is interesting to say the least...
if you answer a call while it's on the dock or put it on in a call, it's speakerphone. you take it off, it answers the call. Pick it off during a call, it automatically goes to non-speakerphone :P
@Phoenix: Thats exactly what I had in mind...
What he's saying is that functionality already exists.
@Ellianth: Oh... I was wondering why he just restated what I said. Haha. Thanks for that.
It was talked about in either one of the many videos, I think...
At least it won't have a fruit on it. :P
That is until someone puts batteries in an orange or a banana.
I long for the day that you can put a banana on a Touchstone and expect a result.
i think he meant "apple"
And what if he _didn't_ mean apple? The three of us will be over here enjoying our fully charged tropical fruits. You may join us when you're ready to embrace the future.
Sure, I think apples would just fine!
"would *WORK* just fine"
Grammar... Bleh.
I'll be honest, Bill; I think an apple would roll right off of a Touchstone.
Could we bioengineer more fruit with magnets in the base to increase compatability?
Sure, you guys can sit back and enjoy your fruity smoothie or 'colata whichever is your preference... as long as that Touchstone doesn't have a fruit on it, i'm a happy man.
However, when that thing starts to show any signs of fruit, then we have a problem.
this is like first cool thing that is not made by apple. lets hope they don't copy it.
What does 'after the break' mean??
It means that to view the rest you have to click through to this direct page from the Engadget.com cover page. There's usually an ad or something at "the break" between the different sections.
I've never seen any advert in between. I always thought they were taking the piss out of tv programmes.
On occasion, it takes a minute for the extra content on this page to be added and uploaded. That time is referred to as "the break".
It means you can go to the toilet and come back and continue.
The RSS feed shows only the part up to "after the break."
The RSS feed only shows the heading...
it already goes to speaker phone if your in a call and you put it on the touchstone. Also, if it rings while on the touchstone and you take it off it automatically answers the call.
It's probably the brand name of all their high-end accessories for future palm products.
They probably want it to be the ipod dock connector of palm devices.
I'm eager to see reaction of high price tag.
I'm eager to see if touchstone days are numbered.
I'm eager to see if people will buy this $180 over a $10 wire.
i'm eager for you to shut up and stop doubting
The Touchstone will easily be $30 and could be $45. If it's any higher than that I'll probably never get one. I think I've read that the compatible back with the magnets is a separate purchase. Dunno how much that'll cost. We'll see.
I'm gonna guess the Touchstone will go for $29. The magnetic back cover will come with the Touchstone...that's been confirmed.
I've heard $99