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`Palm Touchstone Kit Review
`By: Ryan Kairer
`June 5, 2009
`
`The Palm Touchstone is a charging dock that permits wireless recharging of the Palm Pre via induction technology. It is
`sold with the Touchstone Charging kit, which also includes the required soft touch back cover replacement. The
`accessory is available at launch with the Pre for $69.99 online and in stores.
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`Drastically different in both appearance and functionality and possessing much more pizzazz any of Palm's past
`accessory releases, the Palm Touchstone is a stunning little device in its own right that deserves a further look for anyone
`who is traditionally fond of desktop charging cradle solutions.
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`The main Touchstone dock resembles a hockey puck with a severely sloping front. As a standalone device it is a sleek
`charger that is sure to evoke a conversation or two.
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`Palm Touchstone Kit Review
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`Touchstone is based on inductive technology. Inductive coils inside the Touchstone charging dock generate a small,
`oscillating electromagnetic field and transmit it through the matte back cover.
`
`Here is the box that it comes in.
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`This shows the box contents. It simply includes the Touchstone Dock, the replacement back cover and a small instruction
`manual.
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`Palm Touchstone Kit Review
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`The Touchstone stays firmly in place on most surfaces via a very strong suction material on the bottom.
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`Since it does not come with a spare USB cable, you must use the one that comes with the Pre along with the electrical
`plug.
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`I have to wonder if Palm deliberately made the microUSB cover harder to remove. I found trying to lift the microUSB cover
`was also somewhat laborious and a challenge to dislodge. It is just so much easier to just drop the Pre onto your desk to
`charge.
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`Palm Touchstone Kit Review
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`Since the Pre has no exterior notification lights or charging LED's, the display always remains on when it is charging on
`the Touchstone. A bummer is that this display simply shows the current time when in standby. It will show some
`notifications as well but If you want to check the actual charge level you have go through a tedious method. First you
`have to unlock the device, then tap the battery icon to open the status panel. There should be a large changing icon or
`something else to let you know the charge status.
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`Here's a look at the side view. The dock holds and even guides the Pre into position via a strong magnet. It stays firmly in
`place. Charging time is about the same as via USB, however after a long charging session the back of the Pre can be a
`little warm, but not dangerously so.
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`Palm Touchstone Kit Review
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`The soft touch back cover is actually much nicer than the default glossy one. It feels a lot better to hold due to its matte
`finish and does not smudge nearly as much.
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`In the underside view you can see that there is much more going on the touchstone cover. The gold contact points
`connect to a receiving set on the back of the Pre below the battery.
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`Palm Touchstone Kit Review
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`Touchstone also features some innovative software integrations. If you place the Pre on the dock during a call it will
`automatically go to speakerphone mode. The same goes if you answer a call while it's charging or if you pick the Pre up it
`will auto answer incoming calls without having to tap the screen.
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`Overall, I would definitely recommend the Touchstone Charging Kit to go along with any Palm Pre purchase. The
`Touchstone is a very strong complimentary piece from Palm and their industrial design team. The ability to charge
`wirelessly is simply cool. It all lends itself as a much simpler and totally convenient way to take care of the usually
`mundane charging process.
`
`Kris Keilhack also contributed portions to this review and you can also read his earlier hands on impressions report.
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