Slashdot Mirror
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."
So the first question that comes to my mind when someone says "solar powered cellphone" isn't "does it have a pedometer", but rater "how long does it take to recharge and how long does the battery last". For some reason TFA answered my first question, but not the second.
Right now I tend to recharge my phone at night because I use it during the day. This could be a problem with a solar powered cell phone. If it's power efficient enough that I can leave it on my desk at work (under standard fluorescent lighting) and keep it fully charged then this could be great. If I have to leave it on a windowsill in direct sunlight for half of the day every day, it's far less practical.
I read the internet for the articles.
Most mobile phones stay in your pocket until you're ready to use them. When they're out, your hand is generally wrapped around the back. That kinda screws up the whole solar powered angle. The only time it might be useful is if you leave it sitting out in the sun when the battery dies. That's assuming you can set it down without getting it stolen. It sounds a lot more like a marketing gimmick than a useful feature.
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...
Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
Given the fact that much of the AT is remote wilderness cell coverage is probably pretty spotty
unfortunately satellite phones are a little too expensive as they would be a better alternative
Good Luck with the AT hike
my gf has wanted to hike parts of the AT for ages -maybe someday
Also highly recommend -Bill Bryson's book on the AT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_in_the_Woods:_Rediscovering_America_on_the_Appalachian_Trail
-I'm just sayin'
http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/samsungblueearth2.jpg
I don't get it. How are you saving trees with this phone? Has Samsung employed a gang of vigilante loggers to cut them down if you do not walk a certain distance per day using the phone as a pedometer in "Eco walk" mode? Has there been a new scientific discovery that CO2 may in fact kill trees, negating the previous data that it is neutral or possibly even beneficial toward plant growth?
What has *science* done?!? -- Dr. Weird (ATHF)
This would work great if your job was outdoors and you had it clipped to your belt. Seems like it'd work well for construction?
" Oh no, this phone will cause users to get skin cancer, since they will have to be outside all the time."
Untrue.
It will however cause a class action suit for neck injuries sustained while charging the phone during long conversations and, of course, multiple ear injuries due to idiots thinking gluing it there was a good idea.
I reserve the write to mangle english.