TDK unveils fashionable, colorful solar chargers (video)

Solar power is something we've seen touted in every big tech trade show for as long as we can remember, but it's taken until recently to make it a bit easier on the eyes. Enter TDK's design-, color-, and sun-enhanced chargers, found hanging out under a hard light in the back of the company's CEATEC booth casually powering a fan. It's definitely a step up from dark paneling, so how long until we see this applied to some stylish mobile phones, eh world? Video after the break.

TDK's designer solar chargers

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[(Unverified) Posted Oct 7th 2009 9:55AM]

I like this idea, too bad all the prints on it look ... well... girly

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 8th 2009 9:14AM]

more like a step back to the 70s

[Sean O Posted Oct 7th 2009 9:57AM]

So instead of making them more functional, we'll just make 'em pretty.

[JeezWhiz87 Posted Oct 7th 2009 11:30AM]

Haven't you ever heard of Apple?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 7th 2009 11:47AM]

I'm wondering the same thing. If these are colored, doesn't that mean by definition that they're not absorbing as much visible light as they could be?

[thebolster Posted Oct 7th 2009 10:01AM]

What was the point of this again?

[Edobe Posted Oct 7th 2009 10:07AM]

energy conservation.

[HAZZ4RD0US Posted Oct 7th 2009 10:05AM]

They look like fat picture frames

That would actually be a better idea than adding girly designs, picture frames that hold pictures of your loved ones and also charge your iPod or Zune!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 7th 2009 10:07AM]

Come on, this is obviously just an example/demo you three. I agree, they're a little girly, but the minimal line drawing concept isn't a bad look.

Yes, they're customized/stylized solar panels. In the future, solar panels might not only be functional, but might be able to be made to blend with your own tastes in style. That's what this is pointing out.

Kudos to the people involved with this.

[cashclientel Posted Oct 7th 2009 10:33AM]

solar panels in the back of laptop screens would be good - when you're out either sit the back facing the sun or leave it out to charge up a bit.

although leaving electronic goods in the blazing hot sun isn't a great idea.

[gadgeek Posted Oct 7th 2009 11:33AM]

nice you listed the most major drawback of your idea. lol

[BuzzMega Posted Oct 7th 2009 4:14PM]

Solar power generally requires you to leave your solar cells in the sun.

If the cell is attached to your electronic device, you will leave IT in the sun.

I don't want to leave my gadget in the sun.

Hey, where is your iPhone?
Oops, left it on the dashboard where no thief would think to look...

[Noswal Posted Oct 7th 2009 2:13PM]

Make it look like hexagonal mesh.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 7th 2009 4:03PM]

fantastic hybrid tech