Sprint Using Pre to Tout Green Product Line: Mistake?
While perusing the usual ads and paperwork we receive from Sprint and Palm, we came across an interesting picture in a Sprint ad delivered to Premier customers. They are advertising their new “green” charger – the Solio Mono Hybrid with the Palm Pre. We found this interesting, considering that, according to all reports, the Pre becomes a paperweight when attached to a USB charger.
We’re happy that Sprint is following the green route, but this was a slip up in what has been a genius advertising campaign. Sure, it looks good and you feel better about the environment, but if the Pre doesn’t function when attached to a USB charger, why advertise it with it?
Sprint also announced phone cases made from recycled materials, and have set up an entire Green site about what they’re doing and how you can go green too. Great idea, good direction to go in, bad advertising for the Solio.
The Solio boasts a single-panel photovoltaic solar cell and a full-size lithium ion charging battery. It can be charged by the sun using the integrated solar cell or from a computer via the USB port. The universal charger is compatible with most common cell phones, PDA sand USB devices. The internal lithium ion battery stores power for up to 1 year. It features charge level indicator, power regulator and the ability to attach additional solar panels for even more power-gathering capacity.
Is that awesome or what? Sounds like a great idea for my blackberry, the kids phones, maybe even the GPS – but not the Palm Pre.