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Samsung Releases Solar-Powered Phone

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the measure-your-carbon-footprint-epeen dept.

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."

5 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Suspiciously absent: Battery details by jandrese · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

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    I read the internet for the articles.
    1. Re:Suspiciously absent: Battery details by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      Right now I tend to recharge my phone at night
      This wouldn't be a problem if you lived in Australia. When it is night in the USA it is daylight there.

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      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    2. Re:Suspiciously absent: Battery details by camperdave · · Score: 3, Funny

      Won't somebody think of the children?

      Relax! A pedometer is simply a device used to measure the height of children. It typically consists of a vertical markable surface like a doorframe or wall, a pencil, and a tape measure.

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      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  2. The problem with that: by DurendalMac · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

    1. Re:The problem with that: by Gerald · · Score: 3, Interesting

      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.