Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Toshiba's DMFC fuel cell seen 'powering phones' at CEATEC (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/toshibas-dmfc-fuel-cell-seen-powering-phones-at-ceatec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/toshibas-dmfc-fuel-cell-seen-powering-phones-at-ceatec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/toshibas-dmfc-fuel-cell-seen-powering-phones-at-ceatec/#comments Toshiba has been promising the world a healthy dose of fuel cell chargers for what feels like ages now, with its most recent swearing happening just two months ago. Here at CEATEC, the company's wares were being trumpeted by KDDI. We witnessed a standard handset have its stock battery removed and replaced with an admittedly bulky fuel cell container. The booth attendant proudly juiced up the cell, clipped it onto the phone's rear and mashed the power button. Within seconds, the device booted up normally, and a handy level indicator on the charger itself kept us in the know on how much life was left. Or -- you know -- maybe the whole thing was just an elaborate hoax to fool English-speaking media into thinking this stuff was really nearing its commercial release. Have a look at a brief video just beyond the break, but try not to get your hopes up too high. No need in having your heart broken again unnecessarily.

Gallery: Toshiba's DMFC fuel cell seen powering phones at CEATEC

Continue reading Toshiba's DMFC fuel cell seen 'powering phones' at CEATEC (video)

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Toshiba's DMFC fuel cell seen 'powering phones' at CEATEC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009chargeDMFCelectricityenergyengadget videoEngadgetVideofeaturedvideofeaturesfuel cellfuel cell chargerFuelCellFuelCellChargerjapanpowertoshibavideoTue, 06 Oct 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba plans to launch fuel cell chargers in next two months, may be lying]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/toshiba-plans-to-launch-fuel-cell-chargers-in-next-two-months-m/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/toshiba-plans-to-launch-fuel-cell-chargers-in-next-two-months-m/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/toshiba-plans-to-launch-fuel-cell-chargers-in-next-two-months-m/#comments We'd love to believe you, Toshiba. Really, it would give us nothing but pleasure to sit expectantly for the next 60 days while you deliver wonderful, life-changing fuel cell technology to our front door. Unfortunately, we've been burned one too many times by your shattered promises, and we've developed a bit of a complex, to tell the truth. If you were being straight with us this time we suppose we'd be looking forward to a DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) device capable of topping off small rechargeable devices like phones and PMPs, with extra juice just a cartridge replacement away. After that we could anticipate with bated breath your long awaited entry into directly DMFC-powered devices, claiming your rightful place as power generator for our phones and laptops. You tease.

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Toshiba plans to launch fuel cell chargers in next two months, may be lying originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerdmfcexternal chargerExternalChargerfuel cellFuelCellpmpportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideotoshibaWed, 05 Aug 2009 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba misses another consumer fuel-cell launch date as expected]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/toshiba-misses-another-consumer-fuel-cell-launch-date-as-expecte/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/toshiba-misses-another-consumer-fuel-cell-launch-date-as-expecte/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/toshiba-misses-another-consumer-fuel-cell-launch-date-as-expecte/#commentsIt's the end of March and you know what that means? No Toshiba fuel cell battery charger for you, that's what. Toshiba's launch of the first direct methanol fuel cell-based (DMFC) charger for your miscellaneous gadgets has been delayed "a few months" due to problems in acquiring unspecified components. Why do we care? Easy, DMFCs produce electricity via chemical reaction between methanol, water, and air. When the power runs out you just top-off the methanol or drop in a new cartridge and you're good to go. Also, this DMFC charger is just the first step towards DMFC batteries for cellphones and laptops that Toshiba says are still on track to launch before the end of March 2010. Not that we'd be surprised by further delay -- we've been hanging on to the promise of fuel-cell battery launches for years now... what's another slip.

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Toshiba misses another consumer fuel-cell launch date as expected originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterydelaydmfcfuel cellFuelCellmethanoltoshibaMon, 23 Mar 2009 04:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba plans to release fuel cell-based battery charger by end of March]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/29/toshiba-plans-to-release-fuel-cell-based-battery-charger-by-end/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/29/toshiba-plans-to-release-fuel-cell-based-battery-charger-by-end/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/29/toshiba-plans-to-release-fuel-cell-based-battery-charger-by-end/#commentsToshiba's finally ready to enter the fuel cell market, or at least it's saying as much. The company announced this week that it'll release a direct methanol fuel cell-based (DMFC) battery charger this fiscal quarter, before the end of March. Toshiba also said it'll launch DMFC packs for cellphones and laptops in the following fiscal year that begins in April. Details are pretty scant at the moment, and given the technology's past track record, we wouldn't be surprised if it missed the upcoming deadline. Here's hoping our skepticism is unfounded.

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Toshiba plans to release fuel cell-based battery charger by end of March originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>direct methanol fuel cellDirectMethanolFuelCelldmfcfuel cellFuelCelltoshibaThu, 29 Jan 2009 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba powers cell phone with methanol fuel cell -- no, you can't have one]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/toshiba-powers-cell-phone-with-methanol-fuel-cell-no-you-can/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/toshiba-powers-cell-phone-with-methanol-fuel-cell-no-you-can/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/toshiba-powers-cell-phone-with-methanol-fuel-cell-no-you-can/#commentsToshiba continues to tease us with its prototype liquid fuel cell-powered gadgets: last year it was a Gigabeat media player, and at this year's CEATEC you can check out a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that's been crammed inside a cell phone, lending it a robust six hours of talk time (compared to the paltry three or four hours of a traditional battery). Toshiba won't reveal the capacity of the DMFC, but they have said that a 50ml cartridge is good for about 15 refills. No release date yet, but the phone "might" be available "as early as next year." In the meantime, enjoy this picture of a woman holding a flip phone with "DMFC" clearly visible on the display.

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Toshiba powers cell phone with methanol fuel cell -- no, you can't have one originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2008Ceatec2008cell phonecellphonedirect methanol fuel cellDirectMethanolFuelCelldmfcfuel cellFuelCellgigabeatmethanolmobiletoshibaWed, 01 Oct 2008 04:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba powers cell phone with methanol fuel cell -- no, you can't have one]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/toshiba-powers-cell-phone-with-methanol-fuel-cell-no-you-can/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/toshiba-powers-cell-phone-with-methanol-fuel-cell-no-you-can/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/toshiba-powers-cell-phone-with-methanol-fuel-cell-no-you-can/#commentsToshiba continues to tease us with its prototype liquid fuel cell-powered gadgets: last year it was a Gigabeat media player, and at this year's CEATEC you can check out a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that's been crammed inside a cell phone, lending it a robust six hours of talk time (compared to the paltry three or four hours of a traditional battery). Toshiba won't reveal the capacity of the DMFC, but they have said that a 50ml cartridge is good for about 15 refills. No release date yet, but the phone "might" be available "as early as next year." In the meantime, enjoy this picture of a woman holding a flip phone with "DMFC" clearly visible on the display.

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Toshiba powers cell phone with methanol fuel cell -- no, you can't have one originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2008Ceatec2008cell phonecellphonedirect methanol fuel cellDirectMethanolFuelCelldmfcfuel cellFuelCellgigabeatmethanoltoshibaWed, 01 Oct 2008 04:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba crams a fuel cell into PMP concept]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/toshiba-crams-a-fuel-cell-into-pmp-concept/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/toshiba-crams-a-fuel-cell-into-pmp-concept/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/toshiba-crams-a-fuel-cell-into-pmp-concept/#comments
A far cry from the concepts of yesteryear, Toshiba is really getting serious about its fuel cell PMP concepts, and this year's model makes the all-important move of integrating the fuel cell power plant into the very back of the player. The unit runs on nearly 100% methanol, and discharges the vapor created through natural evaporation. There's a capacity meter for tracking the amount of fuel you've got left, and the cell provides about 10 hours of 1seg playback. Toshiba's aiming to launch the player in 2008-ish, and is showing off other fuel cell items at CEATEC to bolster its cred, including a prototype laptop -- which you can sign us up for right here and now.

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Toshiba crams a fuel cell into PMP concept originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1segceatecfuel cellFuelCellpmpportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideotoshibaWed, 03 Oct 2007 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba's fuel cell-powered "Segway competitor" in the works?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/15/toshibas-fuel-cell-powered-segway-competitor-in-the-works/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/15/toshibas-fuel-cell-powered-segway-competitor-in-the-works/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/15/toshibas-fuel-cell-powered-segway-competitor-in-the-works/#commentsSure, we've seen plenty of Segway wannabes, but Toshiba is reportedly planning to go head to head (or wheel to wheel, depending on perspective) with the human transporting giant by releasing a "competitor" of its own. While details are scant at this point, photos have surfaced that showcase Tosh's presumably forthcoming fuel-cell powered scooter, and it apparently boasts a safer, sturdier design than the hopelessly recalled Segway. Interestingly, the mysterious device is said to sport "LED lights" and communication sensors on the front to "prevent collisions" with other riders and "auto-navigate" when possible. Considering that the manually-driven Segways are illegal on Japanese streets, this functionality would hopefully legalize the machine for public use, but matching up this bad boy with a HT-V1A on a deserted street would give a whole new meaning to Tokyo drift, eh?

[Via Crave]

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Toshiba's fuel cell-powered "Segway competitor" in the works? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cellFuelCellhuman transporterHumanTransporterjapanlednavigationprototypesegwaytokyotoshibaWed, 15 Nov 2006 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba still whittling away at their fuel cell prototypes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/06/toshiba-still-whittling-away-at-their-fuel-cell-prototypes/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/06/toshiba-still-whittling-away-at-their-fuel-cell-prototypes/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/06/toshiba-still-whittling-away-at-their-fuel-cell-prototypes/#comments We can't say portable fuel cell power has really "arrived" yet -- perhaps when it no longer doubles the mass of the device it's attached to, then we can talk. But at least Toshiba isn't giving up on the technology, and they showed off some prototypes at CEATAC 2006 to demonstrate the fruit of their many years of labor. It doesn't look like they've managed to do much slimming since the last time we saw a couple prototypes this June, but the unit they've slapped onto the V30T looks promising, and the laptop version (peep after the break) seems at least more integrated than the last one we saw. No more word on when these things are going to get real and start providing us with that power-cord nirvana we've always dreamed of, but it's nice to know that we could always swipe one of these at a temporarily unguarded tradeshow booth. You know, for emergency use. Or something.

Continue reading Toshiba still whittling away at their fuel cell prototypes

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Toshiba still whittling away at their fuel cell prototypes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatacfuel cellFuelCelllaptopportable videoportablevideotoshibav30tFri, 06 Oct 2006 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba shows off latest laptop fuel cell prototype]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/01/toshiba-shows-off-latest-laptop-fuel-cell-prototype/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/01/toshiba-shows-off-latest-laptop-fuel-cell-prototype/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/01/toshiba-shows-off-latest-laptop-fuel-cell-prototype/#comments We've been rooting for fuel cell laptops ever since we were able to form sentences that long, and while they're still a ways away from store shelves, Toshiba has a promising working prototype that they've been showing around. After four years of work, it looks like Toshiba's main battle has been getting this methanol-powered unit down in size. Currently they've got its bulk down to that of a largish and heavy laptop dock, but at CES they showed a version that sat completely in the footprint of a laptop, and which should be released sometime after the dock-style unit is released in 2007. The current version can power a Portege for about 10 hours, and has been generally well received by testers of various disciplines. The main complaint so far is a vague fear of methanol -- Toshiba is quick to stress the numerous safety features of their device -- and the clicking a whirring noises made by the fuel cell's pumps and valves. The refills can also be a bit of a pain, so hopefully Toshiba works out these kinks as they continue to shrink and refine their device, but we're looking forward to the future of laptop power as it haltingly emerges out of the lab and onto our laps.

[Via Slashdot]

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Toshiba shows off latest laptop fuel cell prototype originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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