NEC Flask Phone sports fuel cell, not for human consumption

NEC is set to begin pushing fuel cell-powered handsets if the pic we see here can be believed. The handset features a touchscreen display and what appears to be valve to potentially recharge the handset once the fuel has all been used. Color choices are a bit too pastel for our liking, but it appears the liquid provides the color, so perhaps we'll get some cooler tones when it's released sometime this year -- if it's released. No word on any specs, pricing, networks, or anything, so until we get that bit of detail sorted, enjoy the pretty pic.

[Via textually.org]

[Timmy @ Jan 28th 2008 11:21AM]

Ah, can you hold for a minute? I got 4 drops left, time to refill.

[Flashpoint @ Jan 28th 2008 12:16PM]

looks like a douchebag

[CanCar @ Jan 28th 2008 11:31AM]

Wait a minute. A cellphone that works with fuel!! You cannot smoke a cigarette and speak by the cellphone at the same time.

[Magallanes @ Jan 28th 2008 11:38AM]

From starter, you mustn't smoke

:3

[Onetruebill @ Jan 28th 2008 1:04PM]

you can smoke, but if you eat vinegar potato chips you have to be very carefull about the crumbs

[AIGADMIN @ Jan 28th 2008 2:42PM]

screw smoking, you can't even use the phone itself . . . it will spark and ignite ITSELF!!! haha

[Jonathan Moore @ Jan 28th 2008 11:32AM]

I doubt the colour is supplied by the liquid.. take transparent lighters for example.. its the casing that makes it look like the liquid inside is coloured...

[emailtabs @ Jan 28th 2008 11:34AM]

Want one!.

[ja$on @ Jan 28th 2008 11:34AM]

Yeah, except that if you look at the picture you can clearly see that the color comes from the liquid.

[Andrew @ Jan 28th 2008 12:01PM]

Eh, I don't think so....that looks like a colored lighter half full with fuel.

[Andrew @ Jan 28th 2008 12:02PM]

Then again, the picture on the site makes it look like the color comes from the fuel. That's odd.

[Jim Nichols @ Jan 28th 2008 11:36AM]

Good luck at the airport with these.

[tom @ Jan 28th 2008 11:37AM]

Another type of terrorist threats, mp3 players

[zabador @ Jan 28th 2008 11:37AM]

A) how expensive is this fuel?
B) is it readily available?
C) Enviromental concerns? (i presume it is consumed cleanly)
d) if i drop this thing will it amputate a limb in the resulting blast?

[mike @ Jan 28th 2008 11:57AM]

IF there is anything left of you ;)

[UCLA-Mickey @ Jan 28th 2008 3:08PM]

Though I've no idea what they use as the (colored?) fuel, it is NOT an environmental hazard itself. Listen people, FUEL CELL means complete conversion of a *clean* chemical fuel to water, (some) byproduct, and electricity. The safety hazards of the device, I'm sure, are no more than a Li-ion powered device (in terms of explosion and the like).

But I (as many commenters before) cannot imagine *ANY* TSA agent letting you thru security with this thing at full... Course you can't use your cell on the plane anyway, and you could always pack fuel in your checked luggage... ;)

[zabador @ Jan 28th 2008 4:39PM]

@UCLA-Mickey
Thanks for clearing that up, however as much as i want this technology to succeed in the market place, the issue of the fact you cant plug it in like any other cell is going to be an issue. No one would buy a cell phone that ran on only disposable AA batteries no matter how clean they are to the environment. That being said if the fuel efficiency of this thing is so amazing it can run for weeks without being refueled that would be very different. Id murder a small town for a smart phone that could run for a week instead of the 5hr batteries my cell has right now.

Also point D should have been in tags

[Paul @ Jan 28th 2008 11:48AM]

"Yeah, except that if you look at the picture you can clearly see that the color comes from the liquid."

Why? because the color gets lighter where there is an air bubble? Please tell me you are joking.

If you really think the color comes from the liquid then please go find some pretty colored antifreeze and drink that.

[BigBloke @ Jan 28th 2008 11:59AM]

Who cares! The real question is can you actually refill this baby from your hipflask?

[Andrew @ Jan 28th 2008 12:03PM]

Click on the read link, the other pic is much clearer.

[ja$on @ Jan 28th 2008 12:05PM]

"Why? because the color gets lighter where there is an air bubble? Please tell me you are joking.

If you really think the color comes from the liquid then please go find some pretty colored antifreeze and drink that."

Internet tough guy, why don't you stop being a dickhead and take a look at these pictures of the device-
http://chipchick.com/2008/01/nec_flask_cell_phone_is_pure_liquid_gold.html

[xiln @ Jan 28th 2008 12:15PM]

Instead of holding onto an opinion based on nothing (you don't bring anything in your comment in support of your argument), you should look better at the photo. In particular the green handset, where on the part of the display you can clearly see it's the liquid holding the color; the part of the display in unison with the air bubble has the normal mirror-like reflection, where the part with the liquid overflown, is reflective in a green color. So 'Doctor' drink your own medicine, please?

[xiln @ Jan 28th 2008 12:21PM]

Or follow the read link to the clearer photo.. which is probably an easier task (for the visually impaired).

[kath3nay @ Jan 29th 2008 6:30PM]

Please click on the pic to see that you are in fact wrong.

[jeremy @ Jan 28th 2008 11:54AM]

Can you take it on a plane with you?

[Richard @ Jan 28th 2008 12:00PM]

If the RIAA thinks copying the cd you bought to your computer is wrong, they are bound to find something lawsuit-worthy in this.

With that said, I'd be really interested if they offered music videos as well. The offerings on Zune Marketplace are rather slim.

[Richard @ Jan 28th 2008 12:02PM]

Damn, wrong post. This is what happens when you have two engadget windows open on top of each other. Where is an edit button when you need it? Anyway...

How the hell do you dial? I just need to be able to make phone calls. Buttons would be a great addition to this device.

[Zak @ Jan 28th 2008 12:06PM]

I'm holding out for the Booze Cell powered handsets. If you know you won't need to use your phone, why not get plastered?

[AlanJC @ Jan 28th 2008 12:18PM]

If it was fuelled by Aftershock, you get the booze, and still keep the funky colours!

[palehorse @ Jan 28th 2008 1:13PM]

My phone would be dead by noon... every day... not good.

[Haxornick89 @ Jan 28th 2008 12:19PM]

kewl

[SUCKERS! @ Jan 28th 2008 12:33PM]

Dude those are lighters. And if they arent, can the sweat from my palms recharge it. Can I use it as a urinal?

[riggs @ Jan 28th 2008 12:43PM]

death by handset.

[Derwin @ Jan 28th 2008 1:04PM]

What if there's a small LED at the bottom of the phone? I mean they wouldn't show in the product shot...but that effect usually works when you want to illuminate a liquid.

[Jordan @ Jan 28th 2008 1:14PM]

That would be cool if the color came from the liquid, then you could have different colors different days, and you could mix them etc.... I know cell phone covers are out there now, but those only change small bits of cell phones, this would change the entire thing. I want one. Now.

[sinai @ Jan 28th 2008 1:27PM]

need i remind you of how explosive batteries were setting men's pants on fire way way back in 2007?

[KC @ Jan 28th 2008 8:18PM]

Brings a new meaning to "my ears are burning!"

[Sirocco @ Jan 28th 2008 8:47PM]

I believe the pastels are simply dyes meant to illustrate the fluid interior. I don't think these are working models.

[Sarah @ Jan 31st 2008 1:27PM]

this is cool!
i dont know what YOu guys are talkin bout
I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!

[jenny @ Feb 1st 2008 1:34AM]

this is pretty sweet BUT....
i think we all know what happens when you put something made of plastic (made in china) and filled with liquid in your pocket. how embarrassing.

[gordon @ Feb 2nd 2008 11:00PM]

I'm getting one of these if:

1. They help save the environment.
2. It gives better battery life to my cellphone.

I'm certain they would not sell something hazarderous and as for the style its not too bad and people should start considering going green as cool.