Samsung Blue Earth finally gets a hands-on treatment

We've been hearing about the Samsung Blue Earth -- an eco-phone, if you will -- since way back at MWC. Now CNET's finally gotten its hands on one at CommunicAsia in Singapore, and we have to say that we're pretty intrigued with what we're seeing. The back of the phone is covered with a solar panel, and Samsung says that one hour of sunning time for the mobile equals about 10 minutes of talk time. The handset also has a built-in pedometer to count steps for the Eco Walk carbon footprint app -- certainly something prospective buyers of the Blue Earth might be interested in. We still don't know full specs, pricing or availability for the phone, but we'll let you know when we do. Hit the read link for a video.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:43PM]

where is 3.0

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:44PM]

*fap* *fap* *fap*

Oh man Samsmug Blue earth product rollout is over even before it is finished thanks to the iPhone.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:44PM]

looks good in blue =)

[Richard Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:46PM]

I wonder if putting in an e-ink display would make the charge last significantly longer?

[nbj622 Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:47PM]

why does samsung have to release so many new phones? its like whoa, chill out sammy.

[engadgetjp Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:57PM]

Simple, because they can only build the hardware and don't have the ability to create an ecosystem like iPhone and Nokia.

Sammy generate profit by selling more hardware, while iPhone and Nokia can release one to 3 models and still able to generate revenue every second from their App Stores.

[Nismode Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:47PM]

Although I respect the effort, the ratio of suntime-talk time is really low. I guess it could be used in an emergency though.

Also, unless you deliberately leave it in the sun, I don't see how this could get any power while you're using it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:57PM]

I don't know, sometimes after a long day of working that turns into a long night of drinking, all involving oodles of talking, texting, and possibly filthy picture messaging, I wake up, down a vitamin water and head back into work without ever having a chance to charge my phone. It's nice to know that while it sits on my desk in direct sunlight I could get maybe another hour of talk time out of it and way more time for more texting or the reviewing and the aforementioned filthy picture messages.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:58PM]

small touchscreen = fail

[engadgetjp Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:01PM]

Can the accelerometer or any kinetic mechanism generate power too? So I can also charge my phone by walking.

[KVirtanen Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:02PM]

I've always thought that looks a bit like a blue Pre

[stridermt2k Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:06PM]

Renamed from the earlier and more unfortunate "Blue Ice".

(watch your head)

[Shidell Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:12PM]

This is a pretty cool first-gen product. I agree with above comments that they should add some sort of momentum/pedometric-based charging solution to complement the solar panel.

Couple that with a slick build of Android and I'd rock this like a madman. How awesome!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:24PM]

All this carbon foot print talk only make me want to pollute more to make up for those lazy eco guys that doesn't even care to create their own pollution. Lazy bums.

[kjb434 Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:33PM]

Have fun with this!

http://carbonliberators.com/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:37PM]

@kjb: I think I'm in love. Thanks for the link!

[kjb434 Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:26PM]

What a load a crap! But I'll be it'll sucker a bunch of dumb Al Gore Alarmist Greenies to buy one!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:34PM]

Exactly my thoughts.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:35PM]

I love the fact that it has a forward facing camera.(watch video in read link)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:47PM]

Looks and sounds great. Would be nice festival phone, just drink and let the phone charge.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 3:43AM]

This would be the perfect phone for me... if it ran Android.