Samsung unveils Blue Earth, a solar-powered mobile phone
By Ross Miller 
posted February 12th 2009 4:01PM
posted February 12th 2009 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.
They do realise we haven't had real sunshine here in the UK since 2006? Seriously, the last two summers have been the least sunny and the most rainy respectively...
If it runs android ill take 3!
if the sun's "peaking" you're about to see a drop in generating power. So sad... :)
The Chinese made one of these over a year ago, and its onsale. I emailed Engadget about this and got no reply.
i really like the look of this phone! it doesnt seem bulky at all which is something that you could expect with a solar powered gadget.
although i feel like theres gonna be a big drawback as to why no one would want it. just a feeling.
This would be fantastic if you're out hiking with a group...when you are far from civilization, all phones are dead and hope is lost, you can whip this out, charge it up, and make a quick call to tell the authorities where to find your emaciated bodies.
It's new invention and this way no need to bring charger in home or office or car.
here is a similar post
http://www.zahipedia.com/2009/02/12/solar-powered-cell-phone-by-samsung/
Great invention,
No need to bring charger in office or home .
here is a similar topice
http://www.zahipedia.com/2009/02/12/solar-powered-cell-phone-by-samsung/
Do you guys remember that Nokia already did this over 10 years ago?
Should be kinetic + solar.
---WARNING---
Do not leave in direct sunlight
those making weak jokes about the solar aspect did read that it comes with a charger, right?
"It'll come in recycled packaging with an energy efficient charger."
The phones that are coming out are getting better and better. If the Pre had a solar panel, it would be perfect. Having said that. If I kept this phone's solar panel up on my desk at work all day, may mean never having to ever plug it in.
Who is actually responsible for the time line and content of the G1 updates? HTC or T-Mobile? Whoever it is, sucks ass.
A lot of people here seem to be missing the point. The solar panel will NOT free you from the charger. A tiny solar panel like this can at best supplant/extend battery life. An hour or two on the sun may be good for an emergency call or SMS at best. When active, a phone consumes several watts of power, which simply is not available in the given footprint, no matter how efficient. Also, to get any decent amount of power, you actually have to have it in DIRECT sunlight, just having it on the table produces very little power. As somebody said, this is cool for picking up greenpeace chicks or showing off to your green (blue) friends, but that's about it.
does anyone knows how long it takes the battery to run out of power?