Samsung unveils Blue Earth, a solar-powered mobile phone

[preppiechick]

Obviously, this won't be a great help if the cell system is down, but it's a great option if the power is out, or you're like me, and always forgetting to take the phone out of your pocket/purse and put in the charger! Great option to put on the prep wish list!!

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/0...-mobile-phone/


Samsung unveils Blue Earth, a solar-powered mobile phone

by Ross Miller, posted Feb 12th 2009 at 4:01PM

Samsung's Blue Earth handset might just be taking the green thing to a whole new extreme. Made from PCM, a recycled plastic from water bottles, the phone boast an "eco" mode for efficiently adjusting screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth usage, and an "eco walk" app / built-in pedometer to tell you how much CO2 emission you've saved by walking instead of driving. The best part? It's got a giant solar panel on the back that'll apparently charge it enough to make a phone call anytime the sun's peaking out. Of the form factor, Sammy says it "symbolizes a flat and well rounded shiny pebble" -- which we hope means it can skip puddles with the best of 'em. It'll come in recycled packaging with an energy efficient charger. What we don't know, unfortunately, is what makes this phone tick, neither OS nor hardware specs. Not a word on price yet, but UK environmentalists can look forward to this one second half of this year.

[rc]

Having a solar panel on electronic gizmos isn't a bad idea, especially if you need to use them in case of emergency.

However, I suspect the reason it's not done more often is because of an important limitation on the concept. Obviously, solar panels will work best when exposed to direct sunlight. On the other hand, the direct sunlight will eventually take a toll on the device itself, due to the heat, and degradation of the case by UV light.

Since this particular device seems to be billed as being "green", I suspect the solar panel is mostly a gimmick. But still, it isn't really a bad idea, as long as you keep the limitation in mind.

[Ought Six]

If the power goes out, all but a few cell towers will be out as well. Those few will be operating on battery backup or generators, and they will last two days at the outside.