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[Sanya Skypump charges your EV, illuminates parking lots using wind and rays (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/24/sanya-skypump-charges-your-ev-illuminates-parking-lots-using-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/24/sanya-skypump-charges-your-ev-illuminates-parking-lots-using-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/24/sanya-skypump-charges-your-ev-illuminates-parking-lots-using-wi/#comments So you're the first person in town to adopt an electric vehicle (EV), even clearing room for that 240v charging station in the garage. But what do you when you venture far from home, edging past the 200 mile mark on your Tesla Roadster? Well, if the Sanya Skypump ever sees the light of day (from its 150-watt solar panel), the hybrid solar / wind turbine-powered charging station will be making its way to parking lots around the world, pairing with a GE WattStation to juice up your EV as you shop at the mall, or browse a certain tech site from the office. The WattStation can theoretically recharge your EV in four to eight hours, though we're not sure how those figures translate with this particular setup. The Skypump system is based on Sanya's Streetlamp, which you can see in all its twirling glory in the B.o.B. music video remix just past the break.

Continue reading Sanya Skypump charges your EV, illuminates parking lots using wind and rays (video)

Sanya Skypump charges your EV, illuminates parking lots using wind and rays (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerchargingcharging infrastructurecharging stationChargingInfrastruChargingInfrastructureChargingStationelectric vehicleElectricVehicleEVGEGeneral ElectricGeneralElectrichybridinfrastructuresanesane streetlampSaneStreetlampsanya skypumpSanyaSkypumpskypumpsolarsolar powerSolarPowersunturbinevideoWattStationWattStation chargerWattstationChargerwindwind powerwind turbineWindPowerWindTurbineSun, 24 Jul 2011 19:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Voltaic Spark Tablet Case powers your pad with the Sun's rays]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/voltaic-spark-tablet-case-powers-your-pad-with-the-suns-rays/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/voltaic-spark-tablet-case-powers-your-pad-with-the-suns-rays/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/voltaic-spark-tablet-case-powers-your-pad-with-the-suns-rays/#comments Voltaic Spark Tablet Case Voltaic makes tons of solar-charging gear, from laptop bags to backpacks, but what are those living in a post-PC world to do? Well, the company just unveiled its Spark Tablet Case -- a thin, padded tote designed for your iPad or other slate that can generate 8-watts of power in sunlight. In addition to directly charging your iPad in about 10 hours, it can also bank the Sun's rays in a universal battery pack, for use when those fluffy things in the sky don't cooperate with your outdoor computing schedule. Optionally, the included V39 USB Battery can be charged (as you may have guessed) via USB, for extra insurance. The Spark is available now for $299 and extra battery packs can be had for $99. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Gallery: Voltaic Spark Tablet Case and V39 USB Battery

Continue reading Voltaic Spark Tablet Case powers your pad with the Sun's rays

Voltaic Spark Tablet Case powers your pad with the Sun's rays originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backup batteryBackupBatterychargersolarsolar chargersolar powersolar poweredSolarChargerSolarPowerSolarPoweredsparkspark tablet caseSparkTabletCaseuniversal batteryUniversalBatteryusb batteryUsbBatteryv39 usb batteryV39UsbBatteryvoltaicvoltaic spark tablet casevoltaic v39 usb batteryVoltaicSparkTabletCaseVoltaicV39UsbBatteryThu, 23 Jun 2011 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[B-Squares bring portable solar energy and Arduino compatibility to toy blocks (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/25/b-squares-bring-portable-solar-energy-and-arduino-compatibility/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/25/b-squares-bring-portable-solar-energy-and-arduino-compatibility/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/25/b-squares-bring-portable-solar-energy-and-arduino-compatibility/#comments
 We've seen plenty of portable solar chargers in our time, but few have looked quite as versatile as B-Squares -- a new collection of 3D modular energy storage devices that can be arranged in various configurations, according to the kind of gadget you're looking to juice. Developed by MIT grads Jordan McRae and Shawn Frayne, each solar-powered B-Square features a sticky microsuction surface, along with magnetic and electric contacts at each corner, making it easy to connect and arrange them in different formations. Rotating a single square will change its electrical circuit, depending on its adjacent connection. Some B-Squares, for example, feature LED surfaces, allowing you to create solar-powered lanterns, while others have solar panels, or simply serve as rechargeable battery sources. There's even a square devoted to Arduino boards, along with another surface designed to dock and charge iPhones. McRae and Frayne have already put together a full "recipe book" of different configurations, though the DIY route seems a lot more enticing to us. Their B-Squares are set to leave the prototype phase on May 1st, at an as yet unspecified price. Check them out in video action after the break.

[Thanks, Ryan]

Continue reading B-Squares bring portable solar energy and Arduino compatibility to toy blocks (video)

B-Squares bring portable solar energy and Arduino compatibility to toy blocks (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3D3d modular3dModularArduinob-squareschargerdockiphoneiPhone chargeriphone dockIphoneChargerIphoneDockledMagnetmagneticmicrosuctionmitmodularportableportable solar chargerPortableSolarChargerrechargeablerechargeable batteryRechargeableBatterysolarsolar panelssolar powersolar-powersolar-poweredSolarEnergySolarPanelsSolarPowervideoMon, 25 Apr 2011 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ralph Lauren's solar-panel backpack charges your phone in hours, your credit card in seconds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/ralph-laurens-solar-panel-backpack-charges-your-phone-in-hours/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/ralph-laurens-solar-panel-backpack-charges-your-phone-in-hours/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/ralph-laurens-solar-panel-backpack-charges-your-phone-in-hours/#comments We here at Engadget are in favor of hitting the books from time to time, but we can't have lame gadget-less backpacks hurting our true techie rep. That's why we're excited to see Ralph Lauren outing its first solar-equipped knapsack as part of its RLX sports line. Four solar cells around back harness the sun's power to generate 3.45 watts -- completely juicing up an iPhone in a purported two-to-three hours, assuming you've got "proper sunlight orientation," of course. Like the optional orange hue (it also comes in black), the sun-sucking cells aren't particularly low profile -- but for $800 don't you want something, uh, recognizable? Still, if you simply must be that guy be sure to hit the source link and don't look back, but for everyone else, might we recommend a portable USB charger for a little less coin?

Ralph Lauren's solar-panel backpack charges your phone in hours, your credit card in seconds originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>back packbackpackbackpackschargechargerknapsackpolopolo ralph laurenPoloRalphLaurenralph laurenRalphLaurenrlxsolarsolar cellsolar chargesolar chargingSolarCellSolarChargeSolarChargingMon, 11 Apr 2011 07:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Beautiful Earth's NYC solar powered EV charger follows the sun to Brooklyn Bridge Park]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/19/beautiful-earths-nyc-solar-powered-ev-charger-follows-the-sun-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/19/beautiful-earths-nyc-solar-powered-ev-charger-follows-the-sun-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/19/beautiful-earths-nyc-solar-powered-ev-charger-follows-the-sun-t/#comments The solar-powered, green and white Beautiful Earth Group EV charging station, which once found its shipping container internals filled with a Mini E, is no longer. Well, it's no longer where it was, anyway. It's now somewhere completely different, a place that happens to be just down the road, a land known by many as Brooklyn. It's Brooklyn Bridge Park, specifically, and Better Earth has donated the thing to the facilities department there. It'll be used to charge up the service vehicles that patrol the place, apparently including a pair of GEM and Toro Workman EVs that look like they might have been Photoshopped into the promotional picture above. The presumably non-digitally-manipulated ones will all be recharged using the charging station's 24 solar cells, generating 5.6kW and, ultimately, saving the world. Or, at least, the Park.

Beautiful Earth's NYC solar powered EV charger follows the sun to Brooklyn Bridge Park originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautiful earthbeautiful earth groupBeautifulEarthBeautifulEarthGroupbrooklynbrooklyn bridge parkBrooklynBridgeParkchargercharging stationChargingStationelectric vehicleElectricVehicleevsolarsolar-powered charging stationSolar-poweredChargingStationSat, 19 Mar 2011 07:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic shows off solar-powered wireless charging table]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/12/panasonic-shows-off-solar-powered-wireless-charging-table/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/12/panasonic-shows-off-solar-powered-wireless-charging-table/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/12/panasonic-shows-off-solar-powered-wireless-charging-table/#comments Why settle for a simple solar-powered table when you can have a table that's solar-powered and a wireless charger? While you can't get one just yet, Panasonic will apparently be selling this stylish bit of tech-laden furniture by the end of this year or early next year (in Japan, at least), which will let you charge your Qi-compliant devices simply by placing them on the table. It'll also be supplying the requisite battery packs for some of its phones at the same time, though there's few other specifics to be had at the moment. Of course, even if it does actually hit the market it'll still no doubt be out or reach for most -- there is always the DIY route for particularly industrious individuals out there, though.

Panasonic shows off solar-powered wireless charging table originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerchargingpanasonicqisolarsolar powersolar poweredsolar tableSolarPowerSolarPoweredSolarTabletablewireless powerWirelessPowerSat, 12 Mar 2011 11:38:00 EST<![CDATA[UM students make cheap and portable solar charger / light source for developing nations]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/31/um-students-make-cheap-and-portable-solar-charger-light-source/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/31/um-students-make-cheap-and-portable-solar-charger-light-source/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/31/um-students-make-cheap-and-portable-solar-charger-light-source/#comments Solar power is the most egalitarian of all energy sources, yet residents in many parts of the world still lack access to electricity. Three University of Michigan engineering students have created an affordable solution to this problem -- to the delight of camping geeks everywhere -- with the Emerald, a portable solar panel that does double duty as both a cellphone charger and personal light source. We've seen the personal solar panel idea before, but the price of entry made it an untenable solution for developing nations. Solar-powered light bulbs have been around for a while too, but the Emerald's light lasts for eight hours on a charge (as opposed to the bulbs' two to six hours), and it's able to fully charge a phone in the same time it takes an outlet to do the job. They aim to sell the device for the low, low, price of under twenty bucks for customers in the developing world, which is 90 percent cheaper than other solutions and 100 percent more awesome.

Continue reading UM students make cheap and portable solar charger / light source for developing nations

UM students make cheap and portable solar charger / light source for developing nations originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerchargingcharging stationChargingStationelectricityenergygreenlightlightingsolarsolar chargersolar chargingsolar charging stationsolar energysolar lightsolar light bulbsolar lightssolar panelssolar powersolar poweredsolar-poweredSolarChargerSolarChargingSolarChargingStationSolarEnergySolarLightSolarLightBulbSolarLightsSolarPanelsSolarPowerSolarPowereduniversity of michiganUniversityOfMichiganvideoMon, 31 Jan 2011 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Kiwi Choice launches U-Powered USB portable solar charger]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/kiwi-choice-launches-u-powered-usb-portable-solar-charger/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/kiwi-choice-launches-u-powered-usb-portable-solar-charger/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/kiwi-choice-launches-u-powered-usb-portable-solar-charger/#comments Oh sure, we've seen quite a few solar chargers in our day, but rarely do we get the chance to actually use one for the weekend. A new outfit by the name of Kiwi Choice gave us such an opportunity recently, and today it's officially launching the U-Powered USB portable solar charger. Put simply, this here device folds out into a tri-pointed thingamajig with a trio of solar panels ready and willing to catch sunlight and store it within. The impatient among us can also juice it up via USB or AC adapter, with a full charge taking at least four hours. The device boasts a power capacity of 2,000mAh, and there's also a magnet for storing it underneath your vehicle's seat or dashboard. Oh, and there's even a LED flashlight on the front in case of emergency.

The company ships the device with 11 different tips, one of which plays nice with Apple's dock connector. We tested it out on a few obvious candidates, and while it had no issue juicing up our iPhone 3G, the in-house iPad saw the dreaded "Not Charging" logo appear moments after it was connected. The bundle also includes an AC plug and an in-car cigarette adapter for times when the solar charger is pooped, but unfortunately, neither of those options would charge the iPad, either. We will say, however, that it managed to charge every other handheld we had just fine, and while the build quality wasn't exactly world class, it's suitable for tossing in the car and having around when energy is needed. It's available today for $49.99 if you're interested.

Gallery: Kiwi Choice U-Powered USB portable solar charger

Kiwi Choice launches U-Powered USB portable solar charger originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 May 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorychargerchargingeco-friendlygreenhands-onkiwiKiwi ChoiceKiwiChoiceportable chargerPortableChargersolarsolar chargerSolarChargerU-Powereduniversal chargerUniversalChargerusbMon, 17 May 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar Pebble lamp doubles as a gadget charger, world changer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/solar-pebble-lamp-doubles-as-a-gadget-charger-world-changer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/solar-pebble-lamp-doubles-as-a-gadget-charger-world-changer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/solar-pebble-lamp-doubles-as-a-gadget-charger-world-changer/#comments It might not change the world, but it won't be for lack of trying. Plus Minus Solar has designed what it's calling the LED Solar Pebble, a multifaceted device that requires just a pinch of sunlight (or maybe gobs of it, actually) in order to generate artificial light. And charge your arsenal of gizmos. It's engineered to be built at a low cost and used in developing nations, but unfortunately there's no confirmation on what exactly it'd charge. 'Course, it's just a concept as of now, so we're guessing a micro-USB and mini-USB socket could be tossed on by whatever manufacturer would be kind enough to get this to a production line. Right, prospective manufacturers?

Gallery: LED Solar Pebble

Solar Pebble lamp doubles as a gadget charger, world changer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artchargechargerchargingconceptdesigneco-friendlygreenlamplightlightingpebblePlus Minus SolarPlusMinusSolarsolarsolar pebblesolar powersolar poweredSolarPebbleSolarPowerSolarPoweredyankoyanko designYankoDesignMon, 05 Apr 2010 05:34:00 EST<![CDATA[XPAL's Solar Egg charges to 90% in four hours of mild sunlight]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/xpals-solar-egg-charges-to-90-in-four-hours-of-mild-sunlight/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/xpals-solar-egg-charges-to-90-in-four-hours-of-mild-sunlight/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/xpals-solar-egg-charges-to-90-in-four-hours-of-mild-sunlight/#comments Unlike many solar devices that require an abundance of intense sunlight to be useful, XPAL's new Solar Egg does its thing even in "medium levels of natural light." The magic SunBoost solar conversion technology is supplied by a company called Intivation from The Netherlands, a country that's not exactly know for its tropical weather. XPAL claims that the internal 500mAh battery can be charged at over 90% capacity in just four hours of average sunlight exposure and can detect a "wide range of devices" like MP3 players and digital cameras to provide the appropriate level of power for charging. It'll ship next month to select regions -- where that is we can only guess for now.

Continue reading XPAL's Solar Egg charges to 90% in four hours of mild sunlight

XPAL's Solar Egg charges to 90% in four hours of mild sunlight originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterychargerintivationmobile world congressmobile world congress 2010MobileWorldCongressMobileWorldCongress2010mwcmwc 2010Mwc2010netherlandssolarsolar eggSolarEggsunboostxpalTue, 16 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photovoltaic circuit makes solar-powered touchscreens possible, not yet plausible]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/05/photovoltaic-circuit-makes-solar-powered-touchscreens-possible/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/05/photovoltaic-circuit-makes-solar-powered-touchscreens-possible/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/05/photovoltaic-circuit-makes-solar-powered-touchscreens-possible/#comments What's cooler than the latest in technology? How about the latest in self-powering technology? University of Pennsylvania researchers have put together what seems like the world's first photovoltaic circuit, which is to say that the electronic parts of your devices will no longer have to just consume energy, they'll be able to harvest it directly from the sun. The most obvious application for this would be in smartphone touchscreens, which could recharge themselves while you sip your latte at the local sun-drenched coffee shop. Of course, such practical uses are still a fair distance away, as the team can generate only minuscule amounts of power at present, but the theory is in place and so is our attention. Don't let us down, Penn!

Photovoltaic circuit makes solar-powered touchscreens possible, not yet plausible originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargechargerenergyphotovoltaicphotovoltaic circuitPhotovoltaicCircuitpowerresearchsolarsolar chargedsolar chargersolar chargingsolar energysolar powerSolarChargedSolarChargerSolarChargingSolarEnergySolarPowertouchscreenuniversityuniversity of pennsylvaniaUniversityOfPennsylvaniaFri, 05 Feb 2010 03:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Scosche solBAT II collects solar power, distributes it to USB devices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/scosche-solbat-ii-collects-solar-power-distributes-it-to-usb-de/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/scosche-solbat-ii-collects-solar-power-distributes-it-to-usb-de/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/scosche-solbat-ii-collects-solar-power-distributes-it-to-usb-de/#comments Solar-charged batteries aren't exactly wow factors these days, unless they're dirt cheap like this Scosche solBAT II. With 1,500mAh of juice, this dongle can carry slightly more power than your average smartphone, and can also take any device with a USB cable. However, before you fork out $29.99 to Scosche, you should know that the solBAT takes between four to five days (!) to charge up fully under sunlight -- not ideal for most power-hungry smartphones nowadays. There's always the $93.23 Energizer SP2000 (2,000mAh) for your consideration -- it's bulkier, but with three solar panels it only needs six hours of solar-charge time. Guess we'll just take the faster one, thanks.

Continue reading Scosche solBAT II collects solar power, distributes it to USB devices

Scosche solBAT II collects solar power, distributes it to USB devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterychargerexternal batteryExternalBatteryportable batteryPortableBatteryrechargeablerechargeable batteryRechargeableBatteryscoschescosche solbat 2scosche solbat iiScoscheSolbat2ScoscheSolbatIisolarsolar batterySolar battery chargesolar chargersolar-powered chargerSolar-poweredChargerSolarBatterySolarBatteryChargeSolarChargerSOLBAT 2Solbat2usbusb chargerUsbChargerThu, 04 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Novothink unveils first licensed solar chargers for iPhone, iPod]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/novothink-unveils-first-licensed-solar-chargers-for-iphone-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/novothink-unveils-first-licensed-solar-chargers-for-iphone-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/novothink-unveils-first-licensed-solar-chargers-for-iphone-ipod/#comments

We've seen plenty of solar chargers in our day -- and we're somewhat fond of them as a concept. Novothink's just unveiled the first chargers for iPods and iPhones that's officially licensed by Apple. These attractive little guys have integrated solar panels on the back with LEDs to let you know the state of your charge. If the sun fails you, there's also a USB cable for standard, non eco-friendly charging. These chargers only work with the 2nd generation iPod touch -- which will be available this month, while versions for the iPhone 3G and 3GS will be outed in November. They'll run you $70. Hit the read link for more photos.

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: ,

Novothink unveils first licensed solar chargers for iPhone, iPod originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerecoecofriendlygreeniphoneiphone 3giphone 3gsiphone chargerIphone3gIphone3gsIphoneChargeripodipod chargeripod touchIpodChargerIpodTouchsolarsolar chargerSolarChargerFri, 04 Sep 2009 03:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Novothink unveils first licensed solar chargers for iPhone, iPod]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/novothink-unveils-first-licensed-solar-chargers-for-iphone-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/novothink-unveils-first-licensed-solar-chargers-for-iphone-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/novothink-unveils-first-licensed-solar-chargers-for-iphone-ipod/#comments

We've seen plenty of solar chargers in our day -- and we're somewhat fond of them as a concept. Novothink's just unveiled the first chargers for iPods and iPhones that's officially licensed by Apple. These attractive little guys have integrated solar panels on the back with LEDs to let you know the state of your charge. If the sun fails you, there's also a USB cable for standard, non eco-friendly charging. These chargers only work with the 2nd generation iPod touch -- which will be available this month, while versions for the iPhone 3G and 3GS will be outed in November. They'll run you $70. Hit the read link for more photos.

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: ,

Novothink unveils first licensed solar chargers for iPhone, iPod originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesapplechargerecoecofriendlygreeniphoneiphone 3giphone 3gsiphone chargerIphone3gIphone3gsIphoneChargeripodipod chargeripod touchIpodChargerIpodTouchmobilesolarsolar chargerSolarChargerFri, 04 Sep 2009 03:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Energizer expands Energi To Go charging line with more solar, iPhone options]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/energizer-expands-energi-to-go-charging-line-with-more-solar-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/energizer-expands-energi-to-go-charging-line-with-more-solar-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/energizer-expands-energi-to-go-charging-line-with-more-solar-ip/#comments
We've seen Energizer dabble in portable charging solutions before, but we've yet to see it go all out like this. Thanks to a newfound partnership with XPAL Power, the company famous for making drum-toting bunnies famous has issued several new wares in its Energi To Go line. The rechargeable power packs and emergency chargers -- over ten of 'em in all -- will all ship by July of 2009 and will include devices for PMPs, PNDs, portable DVD players, netbooks and digicams. There's even an AP Charger that mounts your iPhone (à la mophie's Juice Pack Air), and the SP line consists only of solar-driven power packs designed to rejuvenated your iPod, camera and pretty much any other handheld device. There's no mention of price just yet, but as with anything Energizer, you can go ahead and brace for sticker shock.

Filed under: ,

Energizer expands Energi To Go charging line with more solar, iPhone options originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterychargechargerchargingeco-friendlyEnergi To GoEnergiToGoEnergizergreeniphone accessoryiphone chargerIphoneAccessoryIphoneChargeripod accessoryIpodAccessorysolarsolar powersolar poweredsolar-powersolar-poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredxpalxpal powerXpalPowerWed, 03 Jun 2009 08:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar paneled umbrella will charge your gadgets while you hang in the sun]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/solar-paneled-umbrella-will-charge-your-gadgets-while-you-hang-i/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/solar-paneled-umbrella-will-charge-your-gadgets-while-you-hang-i/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/solar-paneled-umbrella-will-charge-your-gadgets-while-you-hang-i/#comments

We see boatloads of solar charging gizmos around here, but they're usually not so... large. What we have here is a big sunning umbrella, for use outdoors (obviously), which has large flexible solar panels made by Konarka on top. The solar collecting panels store the energy in the stem of the Powerbrella as it's called, and it's got outlets at its base for charging your phone, PMP, etc. The 'brellas have already been tested in Florida, and are set to be manufactured by Sky Shades, for release sometime this summer. No word on pricing yet -- but there is one more shot after the break.

[Thanks, The Gadgets Weblog]

Continue reading Solar paneled umbrella will charge your gadgets while you hang in the sun

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Solar paneled umbrella will charge your gadgets while you hang in the sun originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargerecoeco friendlyEcoFriendlykonarkapowerbrellasky shadesSkyShadessolarsolar chargersolar powersolar umbrellaSolarChargerSolarPowerSolarUmbrellaumbrellaThu, 28 May 2009 09:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinesis K2 solar / wind charger hands-on: Captain Planet approved]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/10/kinesis-k2-solar-wind-charger-hands-on-captain-planet-approve/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/10/kinesis-k2-solar-wind-charger-hands-on-captain-planet-approve/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/10/kinesis-k2-solar-wind-charger-hands-on-captain-planet-approve/#comments Kinesis' K2 solar / wind charger will power any USB device and is guaranteed to disappoint people mistaking it for a handheld fan. Of course, if you're feeling less environmental, feel free plug it into an AC outlet to reenergize the thing. Anticipating popular demand, we've put video after the break.

Gallery: Kinesis K2 solar / wind charger hands-on: Captain Planet approved, in theory


[Via OhGizmo!]

Continue reading Kinesis K2 solar / wind charger hands-on: Captain Planet approved

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Kinesis K2 solar / wind charger hands-on: Captain Planet approved originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You don't usually equate CES with big time Energizer introductions, but this year is going to be different. While our fingers are still crossed that a 50-foot drum-toting bunny is seen storming around in the Vegas heat, we do know that said outfit will be bringing along its minty fresh Zinc Air Prismatic batteries, not to mention the newly unveiled Rechargeable Solar Charger. The above pictured device will boast a USB port to power an assortment of devices, and it can also be charged from an AC outlet if you just can't seem to locate the sun. Better still, its weatherproof nature should make it suitable for argonauts, and it'll only run $49.99 with a pair of rechargeable cells when it lands next summer.

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Energizer's Rechargeable Solar Charger gets detailed, pictured originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterycesces 2009Ces2009chargerenergizersolarsolar chargersolar powersolar-powersolar-poweredSolarChargerSolarPowerMon, 22 Dec 2008 23:14:00 EST<![CDATA[ICP Solar to integrate solar chargers into Nissans, dead batteries be gone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/icp-solar-to-integrate-solar-chargers-into-nissans-dead-batteri/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/icp-solar-to-integrate-solar-chargers-into-nissans-dead-batteri/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/icp-solar-to-integrate-solar-chargers-into-nissans-dead-batteri/#commentsNah, ICP Solar isn't trying to help create the next solar-powered automobile (at least not with this initiative). Instead, it's looking to all but eliminate the hassle of returning to a vehicle with a dead battery. Said outfit has just entered into a sales agreement with both the European and North American branches of Nissan for OEM solar chargers, which would essentially juice up one's main battery while the sun beams down in a grocery store parking lot. Curiously, there's no mention of what vehicles this will be integrated into, so we'll just throw caution to the wind and expect to see 'em on every last motorcar it produces in 2009.

[Via CNET]

ICP Solar to integrate solar chargers into Nissans, dead batteries be gone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For those fortunate enough to be planning a trip to this year's Glastonbury, you can rest assured that forgetting your mobile charger won't be the worst thing that could possibly happen. Reportedly, Orange will erect a seven-meter high recharge Pod tent in which patrons can stop by and reinvigorate their winded handset. Said tent will boast 500-watt solar panels and a 500-watt wind turbine in order to generate electricity for the lifeless phones, and Orange is hoping to juice up 100 devices per hour. If only such conveniences were everywhere...

[Thanks, Adam]

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Orange's recharge Pod tent to keep mobiles juiced at Glastonbury originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For those fortunate enough to be planning a trip to this year's Glastonbury, you can rest assured that forgetting your mobile charger won't be the worst thing that could possibly happen. Reportedly, Orange will erect a seven-meter high recharge Pod tent in which patrons can stop by and reinvigorate their winded handset. Said tent will boast 500-watt solar panels and a 500-watt wind turbine in order to generate electricity for the lifeless phones, and Orange is hoping to juice up 100 devices per hour. If only such conveniences were everywhere...

[Thanks, Adam]

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Orange's recharge Pod tent to keep mobiles juiced at Glastonbury originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know, it's tiresome scouring the streets for an AC outlet when you've got oodles of sunshine surrounding you. That's where Devotec Industries' Solar Charger comes in. The smallest (and freshest) addition to the company's line weighs in at under 80-grams and measures just 95- x 43- x 10-millimeters, and packed within you'll find an 1800mAh battery. Of note, users can also juice up the device via USB or AC for when cloudy days swoop in, and it comes bundled with a slew of tips to handle the most popular handsets out there. Yeah, it does take a full day of sun (12-hours, to be precise) to get this thing fully charged (or 4-hours by AC / USB), but then again, it'll only set you back £19.99 ($40).

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Devotec's portable Solar Charger is minuscule, pretty cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 May 2008 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Working Assets, an MVNO on Sprint's network, makes a habit of supporting a handful of causes by donating 1 percent of subscribers' charges to "progressive nonprofits" -- but how's about doing some good of its own? Customers and potential customers can now scoop up this cool looking "Solio" solar charger for free when purchased with an LG 150 flip for $69 on contract. The charger accepts power from either a wall outlet or that big, glowing thing in the sky, ready to dispense juice to the LG in your pocket at a moment's notice. Working Assets claims the Solio weighs in at a $100 value, so we figure $0 ain't a bad deal; sure, the 150 isn't the coolest phone in the world, but we figure that little indiscretion is more than made up with the badass charger.

[Via RCR Wireless News]

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MVNO Working Assets offers Solio solar charger originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Relying on the sun to juice up your gadgetry is nothing new, but Brando has deviated from its cockamamie ways a bit and actually cranked out a product that is remarkably useful. The Universal Solar Charger was designed to fit neatly in your knapsack whilst traveling and provide power to any number of mobile devices via the use of adapters. Users can rely on sunlight or default to an AC outlet if stuck indoors, and most notably, the switchable voltage function allows you to handle a vast array of devices without damaging any circuitry. Unfortunately, the status quo of sub-$30 or so for a Brando gizmo has been shattered by this one, but if you're a worldwide traveler looking for portable (and renewable) power, $69 still ain't too bad.

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Brando's versatile universal solar charger originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Ermenegildo Zegna made the plunge into high-end, electronic savvy outerwear last Fall, its newest piece ups the ante by allowing gadgetry that you keep on your person to be charged up whilst out and about -- sans batteries. The Solar JKT is based around Interactive Wear AG's iSolarX technology, and sports a number of solar modules around the neoprene collar that can pass energy through conducting textile leads for storage in a buffer battery or to charge a connected device directly. The jacket can even be switched from 5V to 6V in order to handle a more diverse group of gizmos, and integrated LEDs enable you to quickly view the state of the charge. Sadly, there's no mention of an expected pricetag for this uber-useful garb, but it will likely cater specifically to the affluent set when it hits the market as part of the 2008 Spring / Summer collection.

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Ermenegildo Zegna's iSolarX jacket juices up gadgetry originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While it won't do your laptop any good, this new Freeloader gig from Solar Technology should be able to provide juice to just about every other gadget in your repertoire. The device contains its own li-ion rechargeable battery, which it can fill up from your laptop or desktop's power via USB, or using its 120mA crystalline solar cells. From there you've got a master cable and eleven adaptors to get the electricity into your phone, camera, PDA, GPS, gaming handheld or DAP. Solar Technology seems to have most of the big brands covered, and claims it can fuel an iPod for 18 hours, a mobile phone for 44 hours, PSP for 2.5 hours and a PDA for 22 hours -- not too shabby for the 6.5 ounce unit. Sure, we've seen plenty of similar chargers before, but the combination of device compatibility and relatively low price (£30, about $59 US) makes this a decent option for those sun-drenched road warriors out there.

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Solar Technology's Freeloader saps power from USB, the Sun originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Feb 2007 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No, this isn't the next Mars lander, nor is it some sort of biology experiment. This impossibly unruly contraption is a concept for how NTT DoCoMo would like y'all to juice up your phones in the future. The system apparently involves a solar array employing spherical silicon cells, yielding efficiency far beyond that old-skool array your granpappy used to use. No word on production plans for this thing, but given everything we know of DoCoMo, it will hit the streets eventually -- and when it does, we can only hope it gets a little smaller.

[Via Slashphone]

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NTT DoCoMo shows off solar charger originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 Dec 2006 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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