Samsung Releases Solar-Powered Phone

Mike writes to tell us that Samsung has released their latest green gadget, a solar-powered mobile phone. The "Blue Earth" phone has the entire reverse side covered with a solar panel, and the body of the phone is made from recycled water bottles. "The device is set to be energy efficient, with a new user interface making it easy to activate the phone's energy saving mode. It also includes a pedometer, and CO2 emissions calculator, and Samsung is aiming for minimal packaging made entirely from recycled paper. Samsung is clearly throwing the gauntlet to all phone manufacturers, and we hope to see solar cells integrated throughout the rest of their line. The phone will be unveiled on February 16th at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona."

Comments

The solar cells are where?

[damn_registrars]

The back of the phone doesn't seem the most reasonable place for them. Most people after all use their hand to hold on to the phone while talking - hence covering up the back of the phone while using it. And those who use bluetooth are often carrying the phone in their pocket, where one generally doesn't find much sun light, either.

It looks like someone didn't do all their homework on this one...

Re:The problem with that:

[Gerald]

My use case is the opposite of yours. I use my phone infrequently enough that it has to bug me to charge it. I'd love to have one that could charge itself while lying face-down on my desk.

The pedometer and CO2 calculator? Meh.