One of the cool features that Palm Pre owners could smugly hold over the heads of iPhone owners was its wireless charging system, called the Touchstone, which charged the Pre through a magnetic connection. Not anymore. Today iPhone owners get their own get wireless charging system.The WildCharge Skin for iPhone is compatible with the new iPhone 3GS, as well as the iPhone 3G and original iPhone. When an iPhone is in a WildCharge case, you can place the phone on an electrical mat and the phone will charge. The phone case has four little conductive contact points that automatically sort out positive and negative charges no matter the orientation of the phone on the mat. You can charge more than one device on the pad at a time, so it can be used to replace a mass of black, boxy wall warts. The mats are UL-listed and have built-in protection against short circuits and shock.

“You could take the pad, lick it, stick your hand on it, throw your keys on it,” said George Holmes vice president of sales and marketing and presumably the man to call if you burn your tongue. There is at least one potential flaw in the system. The case, which is Apple-approved, covers up the port on the phone that is normally used for charging and updates. That’s not a problem if you use Apple’s MobileMe service to update your phone wirelessly, but otherwise you’ll have to take the case off each time you want to update. WildCharge also makes wireless mats and cases for the BlackBerry (those cases don’t cover the data port) and generic models that will fit most any phone. All models of the case are $35 from the WildCharge Web site. You’ll also need a charging pad, which is $50.
The WildCharge Skin for iPod touch is available to order immediately. The WildCharge Skin for the iPhone will be available to order within two weeks.