Forget RoboCop and McGruff. Not only can it read your mind, sync your address book and calendar, surf the ‘net, and download killer apps — the Palm Pre is also crime-fighter extraordinaire. Watching the local news, a crime story was reported where a man had bought a foreclosed home and observed the previous owner removing light fixtures, speakers, and other items before the new owner could move in.

Suddenly the Palm Pre appeared front and center as the new owner flicked through several photos he had taken of the crime in progress. The pictures were used to help police get to the bottom of what had happened. Crime solved, case closed, and a happy Pre owner got his property back. What’s next for the Pre? Politics?