i.Tech Offers SolarVoice 908 Bluetooth Headset

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i.Tech has announced a new solar powered Bluetooth headset called the SolarVoice 908. The headset can recharge its batteries using the power of the Sun. the headset also features background noise reduction for clear calls and an advanced suite of digital signal processing software to reduce background noise and distortion.

The headset also supports A2DP Bluetooth profile for streaming multimedia audio. The headset can also be used to hear audio from multimedia content like YouTube and more. The earbuds are designed to allow air into the ear canal to prevent that stopped up feeling users get from some headsets. Read more

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

ReNu Solar iPod Charger: Being Green Can Be Hot

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Solar technology is awesome. It's easy to use and provides an unlimited source of free electricity wherever you go. Unfortunately, most commercial solar panels looks like, well...solar panels. Thankfully, the ReNu solar iPod dock (via Gizmodo) is just sexy enough to grab the attention of hipsters the world over. It's got a slick, ultramodern design and a hefty price tag: $200.

The dock consists of a set of speakers and a square solar panel/battery combo that sits comfortably in between them. With a full charge, the battery can power music for 7-8 hours. When it goes dry, you just need to pull out the solar panel and expose it to the sun. With direct line, it can charge the battery to full in 9 hours (that's almost an even rate of replacement). In poor light, however, charging can take as long as 20 hours.

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:29:33 CDT | by Robert Evans

Sharp Breaks Solar Conversion Efficiency Record

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Solar power isn't just some pie-in-the-sky power source that might be effective "some day". Right now, solar cells are cheap and effective enough to be useful in a wide variety of real world tasks. When I go camping, my solar panels keep my laptop and smartphone charged. When the power died at my house this summer, my neighbor's large solar array kept the lights on and the fans blowing. Solar power is cheap and effective now, and it's getting better every day.

By way of proof, you can check this report by Engadget on Sharp's most recent solar breakthrough. They've just sent out a press release announcing a new height in solar energy conversion efficiency. Their triple-junction compound cell just broke a world record by showing a 35.8% cell conversion efficiency. While this sort of solar technology is mainly used on satellites right now, it's only a matter of time before it trickles down into the consumer sector.

Posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:51:37 CDT | by Robert Evans

LG Solar Powered eBook Unveiled

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Since eBook Reader is a very hot topic right now, LG Displays decided to show off their new thin-film solar cell in an eBook Reader.
The thin-film solar cell featured in the e-book measures 100mm in width and length, it was developed to fit the 6-inch display panel for e-books currently mass produced by LG Display. The solar cell measures 0.7mm in thickness and weighs a mere 20g.
Read more

Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:56:53 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

LG Pop: Solar-Powered Smartphone

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As my co-workers will tell you, I'm a sucker for solar power. There's just something awesome about having the ability to keep your gear powered anywhere in the world, without worrying about having enough fuel or spare batteries. LG knows that people like me exist, and that's why they've launched the LG Pop (via Electronista) today.

The Pop (it's friends call it GD510) has an aluminium shell and a 3" touchscreen. It has a single-button interface and an optional solar panel on the back. Unfortunately, the Pop is not 3G capable; it can only handle EDGE (2G). That's a bit disappointing, but the rest of the specs are fairly solid; 3 MP camera, 8 GB of space, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Posted on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:33:47 CDT | by Robert Evans

Devotec Solar Sound: Portable Solar Boombox, anyone?

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I awoke early this Monday to find an oddly shaped package lying on the ground in front of my door. Inside it was a little forearm-length black box with a strip of solar panels attached to the top. I smiled as soon as I saw it; my Devotec Solar Sound had arrived.

Devotec is a neat little company that seem to focus their efforts on creating portable solar chargers and high-capacity batteries. The Solar Sound is their first try at a media gadget, as well as the first product of theirs I tested. For the last three days I've been putting it through its paces and testing every aspect of performance. Here's what I found;

Posted on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:25:15 CDT | by Robert Evans

Solar Powered Bluetooth Headset Gives You A Green Ear

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The adoption of Bluetooth headsets is according to a recent study plummeting. This has not stopped manufacturers from coming up with new Bluetooth headsets yet. Hong Kong based gadget shop Brando is now offering a rather stylish Solar powered Bluetooth headset.
Read more

Posted on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:27:23 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Eco-Friendly Solar Charger for iPhone Debuts

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A new slip-on iPhone charger has been introduced called the Powcell light-powered mobile phone charger. The device is designed to allow the continuous charging of a phone and to reduce the chance of a low battery issue.

The internal battery of the Powcell is charged by exposure to light and the battery is charged even when the phone isn't inserted into the sleeve. The company that makes the Powcell has units for the iPhone and Blackberry devices. Read more

Posted on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Devotec Solar Sound: Cheap, Green Bluetooth Speakers

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For some reason, whenever something's 'solar-powered' it becomes about ten times as cool as it would normally be. Having the ability to charge your gadgets anywhere (but the U.K or Seattle, at least) is incredibly convenient, especially for those of us who enjoy the outdoors.

Devotec's come out with a new speaker system that they're calling 'Solar Sound'. Basically, it's a set of solar-powered speakers with integrated Bluetooth technology. The idea is that customers will be able to send their music wirelessly to the speakers via Bluetooth. The 'Solar Sound' is a 2 x 2W speaker, and Devotec promises 'superior sound quality'.

Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:30:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Solara Satellite Text Messaging Device

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If you were stranded on a remote desert island and still needed to get your text messaging fix you are in luck, a new device from Solara called the Field Tracker 2100 has been announced. The device allows users to send text messages and receive 2-way communications anywhere on Earth.

The device operates on the Iridium satellite network and is the only handheld device available with on-screen interactive text messaging and GPS tracking with global coverage. The 2100 offers automatic position reporting, two-way communications and text messaging and a 2-way emergency alert notification system. Read more

Posted on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Solar-Powered Android Smartphone Coming?

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It's a long Summer day, and you have a whole bunch of errands to take care of. While you're out and about you use the hell out of your smartphone. You use it to compare prices on stuff at the mall, navigate your way across the city, and keep yourself amused while your girlfriend is trying on clothes. Somewhere between the shoe store and the hardware shop your phone dies, and you're left to spend the rest of your day out of touch with the world.

Few things are more annoying than having your mobile die on you halfway through the day. That's why Chinese mobile manufacturer ZTE's new solar-powered Android smartphone is going to be huge. They're planning to launch this new mobile device in the second quarter of 2010. Like ZTE's previous solar-powered model, the Coral 200 Solar, this new device will be able to charge thanks to its rear-mounted solar panels.

Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:40:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Samsung Crest Solar E1107 Mobile Phone unveiled

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Samsung announced its first solar powered mobile phone, the Samsung Crest Solar E1107.
With an extended solar powered battery, the Samsung Crest Solar solves the problem of unavailable or unstable electrical outlets, particularly in rural areas. The phone has the capacity to provide around 5~10 minutes of talk time with one hour of solar charging (measured at sun light of 80,000 Lux).

Features of the Samsung Solar phone include FM radio, MP3 ring tones, embedded games and a powerful torch light. Read more

Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:22:30 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sun Solaris Platforms support Intel Xeon 5500 CPUs

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Sun has announced that its Solaris platform including the Solaris 10 operating system and OpenSolaris has been extended to support the new Intel Xeon 5500 series processors. Sun says that it has already shipped several Sun Blade servers using the new processors to HPC customer deployments.

Part of the new benefit of Sun platforms and the Xeon 5500 series CPUs is power management capabilities. Sun says that it leverages the power of its operating systems and the 5500 series CPUs to boost energy efficiency and adjust processor power on demand in response to system utilization. Read more

Posted on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Scosche solCHAT Solar Bluetooth Speaker Phone unveiled

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Scosche unveiled a Bluetooth speaker phone powered by the sun called solCHAT.
Harnessing the power of the sun, the solCHAT is powered by an integrated solar panel and lithium ion rechargeable battery combination. Utilizing voice announce technology, the solCHAT announces calls as they come in so users can keep their eyes on the road while driving. Read more

Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:15:09 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Digicel Coral-200 Solar Power Mobile Phone

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Digicel announced the launch of a new solar-powered handset at MWC 2009 this week called the Coral-200-Solar. The handset has solar panels on the rear of the phone. The company has been providing free and low cost solar chargers with phones it sells for a while but this is the first handset to integrate solar panels into the design.

Very little is known about the features and specifications of the handset other than it is powered by the sun. It would be safe to assume that the handset is very basic and likely has call features only to ensure low power needs. Read more

Posted on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Solio Announces Hands Free Solar Speaker Phone

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Solio has a line of solar chargers for different mobile phones that lets users get the power needed to make phone calls wherever they are. The company has announced that a new solar-powered hands free speakerphone has been added to its line.

Solio claims that the device offers unlimited talk time and allows users needing a hands free kit in their cars to talk without worrying about batteries or power cords. The device is called the Solio Communicator and an internal lithium-ion battery. Read more

Posted on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

LG also shows Solar powered Phones at MWC 2009

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Samsung announced today the cool looking Samsung Blue Earth solar powered mobile phone. The Blue Earth is set to debut at the MWC 2009 next week. Now LG also unveils a solar powered mobile phone that will be shown at the MWC 2009.

The LG Solar phone does not seem to be as evolved as the Samsung Blue Earth yet. The product photos show two different models with solar panels integrated on the back. Read more

Posted on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:15:09 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Samsung Blue Earth Solar Phone debuts at MWC 2009

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Samsung unveiled the solar powered full-touch screen phone “Blue Earth” and will debut this eco friendly mobile phone at the MWC 2009 next week.
Samsung will show no Android smartphones, but will of course still have a broad showcase of their new 2009 phone line-up.

Samsung says that the Blue Earth is the first solar powered full-touch screen phone. By charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough electronic power to call anytime anywhere.
The Blue Earth phone has apparently an eco calculator installed that tells you how many trees you saved while using the solar charger of the phone. Read more

Posted on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:23:14 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Iqua unveils new Solar powered Bluetooth Gear at Macworld 2009

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Finish Iqua is unveiling a new line of its cool solar powered Bluetooth accessories at the Macworld 2009.
The company offers with the Iqua SUN, the world's first solar-powered Bluetooth headset. At the Macworld 2009 Iqua unleashes a stylish black edition of the Iqua SUN. Read more

Posted on Tue, 6 Jan 2009 05:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

CES 2009: Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid tends the lawn without Fuel

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The Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid is a fully robotic lawn mower partly powered by the sun and uses no fuel or oil. The company will exhibit this green grass cutting robot at the CES 2009.
The Solar Hybrid mower is designed to handle lawns of up to a half acre. Incorporating solar and battery power, it uses considerably less energy than any conventional mower with its large integrated solar panel and is emissions-free. When there is daylight available, the solar cells enable the mower to extend its cutting periods before requiring a recharge. Lower power consumption and an extended battery life enable a faster, more environmentally improved cut. Read more

Posted on Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:56:42 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Energizer Solar Charger coming to CES 2009

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Energizer is coming to CES 2009 with several tricks up its sleeve. Perhaps the most interesting of them is the new Zinc Air batteries that it will be debuting that puts similar run time in a package smaller than lithium ion batteries today.

The battery firm will also be debuting a new solar charger that recharges AA and AAA batteries from the power of Sol. In addition to charging AA and AAA batteries, the device will also offer a USB out to charge devices like an iPod or the iPhone. Read more

Posted on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun