Devotec debuts Solar Sound Bluetooth speaker system

Devotec Industries has mostly kept itself occupied with solar chargers and the like to date, but it looks to be branching out somewhat with its latest product, which appears to be one of the first solar-powered Bluetooth speakers to hit the market. Obviously designed primarily with portability in mind, the Solar Sound packs a pair of 2W speakers, along with a retractable 3.5mm cable to accommodate your non-Bluetooth devices, a built-in mic for some hands-free calling when paired with a phone, a nifty touch panel display, and a promised 8 hours of use from the internal battery (which recharges in 12 to 24 hours from the solar panel, or four hours via AC or USB). Sold? Then you can pick one up right now for $79.

[Via TestFreaks, thanks Vincent D]

[Zombie Salus Posted Jul 22nd 2009 1:48PM]

Mine! Bluetooth, yes. Solar powered, yes. First post, yes.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2009 3:02PM]

http://www.iphone-ticker.de/2009/07/22/weiterhin-problematisch-gehause-risse-display-farben/

[Potential1 Posted Jul 22nd 2009 1:59PM]

I want one!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:03PM]

Solar power comes along
You must whip it
Two watt speakers going on
You must whip it

[MeanSpyvie Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:05PM]

It's a beautiful world we live in

[VAGRANT Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:53PM]

Freedom of choice, is what you got. Freedom of choice!

[sporkinum Posted Jul 22nd 2009 3:01PM]

I have no idea how they missed a good Devo gag. Duty now for the future! Booji Boy approved.

[VAGRANT Posted Jul 23rd 2009 1:56AM]

Freedom of Choice - Album: Freedom of Choice - 1980
Beautiful World - Album: New Traditionalists - 1981

Is that your regular avatar? Seriously...and you chided us?
Reprimand yourself as you see fit.

[sporkinum Posted Jul 23rd 2009 3:26PM]

I chided the Engadget writers. They are usually on the spot with somewhat obscure references. You commenters, on the other hand, nailed it.

[Saffy Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:14PM]

Might be kinda cool to leave in front of the kitchen window. But 2W speakers, really?

[Tense Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:19PM]

@ Saffy

I thought the same thing. But, look at the size of it. Next to an iPhone. It's tiny. A lot smaller then the first picture seems.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:25PM]

Solar power to the rescue!

[magallanes Posted Jul 22nd 2009 5:19PM]

Solar power. When will people learn?

[TheMusician Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:35PM]

It's great for bluetooth stuff. Just leave it on your dashboard or mount it somehow. My only concern would be using the A/C charger in the US, don't we have different currents or whatever?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2009 3:16PM]

There is a US site (.com) and a UK site (.co.uk) so depending on where you buy it, you get the right plug, and pay in $ or £.

[TheMusician Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:36PM]

ALSO, it's the same price for US and UK I want it :D

[jol Posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:49PM]

Or you could just listen to music on your phone. Which ALSO has bluetooth, 2 watt speakers, and PHONE CAPABILITIES! And yeah, it probably also gets 8 hours on battery, has a touchscreen, and fits into your pocket.

[The Dead Marxist Trio Posted Jul 22nd 2009 4:51PM]

All I want to know is does it charge w/ the solar panel while it's playing?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2009 6:29PM]

All seems great, everything you could ever want in a great designed product until it comes down to charging.
Solar power yes the step forward, but two steps back when it comes down to charging, 12 to 24 hours from the solar panel, and if you cant charge and play at the same time there will be a point that your have to use the AC or USB charging option which kind of defeats the whole point of having a solar powered device.

[Beau Posted Jul 22nd 2009 9:52PM]

I see your point... but this thing is a total godsend for a particular application I have.

Basically for my balcony, which has a day bed + a bistro table. I spend most of my time out there in the evening, and its awash in sunlight during the day.

So on my bistro table I can listen to tunes from my iphone while eating/having a glass of wine. Or on the daybed kick back with my girlfriend while watching a movie on the MBP (not looking for amazing fidelity, just something that's at least twice as loud as that).

Rarely will it be on for more than 2-3 hours at a time. Nor will I ever have to change its batteries, bring it inside to charge, etc. And it fits right in with my modern loft.

[gerrrg Posted Jul 22nd 2009 6:52PM]

Just a note to the industrial designers... Lithium-Ion 1500mAh battery??? That's it? I get more juice from a single rechargeable NiMH, for goodness sakes.

[Potential1 Posted Jul 23rd 2009 12:13PM]

Not really. NiMH = max 2500mAh at 1.2/1.5V
Lithion = 1500mAh at 3.7V

[Beau Posted Jul 22nd 2009 8:54PM]

Um... yeah, you see there's this thing called voltage...

[Mikachuckle Posted Jul 22nd 2009 11:47PM]

2x2W power seems enough considering it is battery powered. Think about it, that's the same power as 4V @ 1A, quite a lot of juice going into the speakers... Also maybe the bass is quite good considering it's one long cabinet.
I'd have a go if i had an iPhone and sunshine ;-(

[RandomHandle Posted Jul 23rd 2009 2:49PM]

How loud would this be compared to the built in iPhone speaker? I could not find the technical specs for the 3GS speaker, but I'm assuming somewhere around 2W (as a previous poster pointed out).

Using math, I would assume it's twice as loud - but that would only be true if my assumptions are correct.

Thanks!