Engadget

Insert Coin: Ray solar charger adheres to your window, basks in the sunlight

Daniel Cooper — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:02:00 EST

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

The most frustrating products are the ones that have such simple ideas, you're upset that it hasn't been done before -- or that you weren't the one that came up with it. No idea is so simple as the brilliant Ray solar charger. A mobile phone juicer that comes with a kickstand and built-in suction cup so that it's nearly always pointed right at the sun. If you think that sounds like simple madness or genius, click past the break to find out why it could be worth your investment.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Ray solar charger adheres to your window, basks in the sunlight

Insert Coin: Ray solar charger adheres to your window, basks in the sunlight originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford teams with SunPower, offers EV owners $10,000 solar charging system

Christopher Trout — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:04:00 EST

We might not know how much Ford's expecting for the Focus Electric, but it's already put a hefty $10,000 price tag on one of its accessories. The company announced today that it has teamed with SunPower to offer purchasers of the upcoming Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi a 2.5-kilowatt rooftop solar system. That setup will apparently provide "enough renewable energy production to offset the energy used for charging" cars that log 1,000 miles per month (about 30 miles per day) or less. If $10,000 is just a little too rich for your blood, there's always Best Buy's $1,500 budget-friendly charging station. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Ford teams with SunPower, offers EV owners $10,000 solar charging system

Ford teams with SunPower, offers EV owners $10,000 solar charging system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:02:00 EST

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

Strawberry Tree brings free, solar-powered charging to Belgrade's BlackBerrys, more (video)

Amar Toor — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:03:00 EST

Dead battery in Belgrade? Head to the city's Obrenovac district, where a group of students has developed the world's first public charging station powered entirely by solar energy. Known as the Strawberry Tree, the structure's 16 ports support a variety of handhelds, allowing pedestrians to juice up their cell phones in just ten to 15 minutes, at no charge. Its built-in batteries can also store up to a month's worth of back-up energy, enabling the station to hum along at night, or even during Serbia's less sunny seasons. In the first 40 days following its November launch, the Strawberry Tree logged some 10,000 charging sessions -- or about ten charges per hour. Creator Miloš Milisavljevic was just 17 years old when he came up with the idea, and now, at the ripe old age of 22, is looking to plant new stations across other Serbian cities, through his Strawberry Energy NGO. He says these installations won't generate much revenue from consumers, but that's not really the idea:

"Energy from the sun is free, and it would be unethical to charge people to use the Strawberry Tree...We are trying to inspire young people to think about the source of the energy they use, and behave and act responsibly."

You can check out the Strawberry Tree in the video below, or find out more about Milisavljevic's ideal-driven endeavors in the full PR.

Continue reading Strawberry Tree brings free, solar-powered charging to Belgrade's BlackBerrys, more (video)

Strawberry Tree brings free, solar-powered charging to Belgrade's BlackBerrys, more (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung Replenish Review

Brad Molen — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

There's something about a green phone that really tugs at the heartstrings, but over the years Sprint has been determined to yank as hard on those cords as possible. Recyclable handsets like the Samsung Restore, Samsung Reclaim, and LG Remarq took store shelves by storm, and the latest environmentally-friendly kid on the block is here to encourage reducing, reusing, and renewing -- your contract, that is. The Samsung Replenish puts its own twist on the eco-phone trend by adding in Android. This is by no means the first time such a smartphone has come to market, but it's the first one to knock on Sprint's door. So, how did the Replenish do for making a genuine first impression? Head south after the break to find out.

Continue reading Samsung Replenish Review

Samsung Replenish Review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

Michael Gorman — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:35:00 EST

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

Eton Raptor emergency radio trades the crank for solar power, rakish good looks

Sean Hollister — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:13:00 EST

If "danger" is your middle name and yet "caution" a favorite word, you've probably already got an ugly old emergency radio buried somewhere in your car. Today, Eton's unveiling a model that you might actually feel comfortable using in public without disaster having to strike first. The solar-powered Eton Raptor boasts a slender, 11-ounce carabiner-like design that seems positively packed with tools, including the typical (AM / FM / WB radio, compass, LED flashlight), the adventurous (altimeter, barometer) and the plain ol' useful (audio line-in, bottle opener). It's also got a USB port for charging gadgets from the internal 1800mAh battery and takes splash-proof cues from the Eton Soulra. No word on price, but we know a few road warriors who might be interested when it hits shelves in the first quarter of next year. PR after the break, images immediately below.

Gallery: Eton Raptor press shots

Continue reading Eton Raptor emergency radio trades the crank for solar power, rakish good looks

Eton Raptor emergency radio trades the crank for solar power, rakish good looks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toshiba's Charge Grid puts your solar panels to work, smartly charges your EV

Sean Hollister — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:46:00 EST

Got a bunch of photovoltaic cells and a vehicle that requires electricity? Toshiba's thought up a process dubbed "Charge Grid" by which you can juice the latter efficiently. When the sun's out and the electrons are flowing, it doesn't pay to put them into the grid, so this system stores them in a rechargeable battery ready to rapidly charge your EV. For nighttime when the electricity rates are low, a bidirectional inverter lets you hop right back on the neighborhood grid, so your solar cells are put to good use and your car is always well fed. The company tells Tech-On commercialization of the system is still a few years away, so you've plenty of time to raze that roof antenna in favor of some photosynthesized electricity.

Toshiba's Charge Grid puts your solar panels to work, smartly charges your EV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony patent application points to dual-screen, dual-use tablet

Donald Melanson — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:33:00 EST

We never put too much faith in patent applications leading to actual products, but we can't help but get a little bit excited about the possibilities presented by a recent Sony application for a dual-screen tablet. Described specifically as an "electronic book with enhanced features," the device would sport two screens that could take on a different functionality depending on how the device is oriented -- functioning as an e-reader when in portrait mode, and displaying a keyboard on the lower screen when placed on a table, for instance. Now, this obviously has a few similarities to the Courier, and even more to Microsoft's earlier Codex project (with its "Battleship posture"), but Sony does seem to have put a slightly unique spin on things, and has even thrown in a few more ideas of its own -- even mentioning solar charging in its claims for the application.

Sony patent application points to dual-screen, dual-use tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kiwi Choice launches U-Powered USB portable solar charger

Darren Murph — Mon, 17 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

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

Novothink rolls out Solar Surge iPhone / iPod touch charging case

Donald Melanson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:15:00 EST

It's not November '09 as originally promised, but Novothink has now announced that its Solar Surge charging cases for the iPhone and iPod touch are finally available. Those will run $79.95 for the iPhone 3G/3GS version and $69.95 for the iPod touch version (second gen only, it seems), which are each available only in black or white at the moment (additional colors are "coming soon), and should add between four and eight hours of talk time, or up to 20 hours of additional audio playback. That's, of course, when the charger is fully charged, but Novothink says you can still expect to get between 30 and 60 minutes of talk time after two hours of exposure to direct sunlight.

Novothink rolls out Solar Surge iPhone / iPod touch charging case originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

AmbienTec's SolarFold and SolarFan charge your gadgets, available without prescription (video)

Tim Stevens — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:22:00 EST

You might expect a product from a company called AmbienTech to make you a bit drowsy, but we're thinking this pair of solar chargers are actually rather interesting. For one thing, they aren't just concepts: they're available for purchase right now -- or at least they are in Japan. They're called SolarFold and SolarFan, two designs that both deliver four panels of spherical-based solar cells, comprised of 1,900 globes each, making them slightly flexible and rather more durable than your average photovoltaic. They're reasonably efficient, too, delivering 2W over USB and, in 10 minutes, are able to charge an iPhone enough to make a 3 minute call. (We'll leave it as a reader exercise to figure out how many days would be required for a full charge.) Both models are available now for ¥22,050 (about $250), but only the fan comes with a cool little tripod, making the decision of which to buy a little easier.

Continue reading AmbienTec's SolarFold and SolarFan charge your gadgets, available without prescription (video)

AmbienTec's SolarFold and SolarFan charge your gadgets, available without prescription (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photovoltaic circuit makes solar-powered touchscreens possible, not yet plausible

Vlad Savov — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:07:00 EST

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

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

Richard Lai — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST

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

Power HotSpot for 12 volt 'noncritical' electronics and the survivalists who love them

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:06:00 EST

Companies have been trying to get the ball rollin' for a few years now, but we haven't really seen a solar charger hit the sweet spot between convenience and performance that makes us want to shell out our hard earned dough (or ill-gotten booty). Regen's ReNu doesn't look bad, for example, but it's not exactly something you can take camping. If you are a Grizzly Adams-type, however, Power HotSpot might be something worth looking into. The latest from Solis Energy, a company heretofore known for its commercial solar products, this is a portable unit that can power 12 volt "noncritical" devices via a standard car power adaptor, anywhere that gets a decent amount of sunlight. Retails for $375. PR after the break.

Continue reading Power HotSpot for 12 volt 'noncritical' electronics and the survivalists who love them

Power HotSpot for 12 volt 'noncritical' electronics and the survivalists who love them originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TDK unveils fashionable, colorful solar chargers (video)

Ross Miller — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:51:00 EST

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.

Gallery: TDK's designer solar chargers

Continue reading TDK unveils fashionable, colorful solar chargers (video)

Filed under: Peripherals

TDK unveils fashionable, colorful solar chargers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Novothink unveils first licensed solar chargers for iPhone, iPod

Laura June — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:29:00 EST

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: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets

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

Novothink unveils first licensed solar chargers for iPhone, iPod

Nilay Patel — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:19:00 EST

Filed under: Apple, Accessories

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

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

Laura June — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:38:00 EST

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

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

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

Energizer's Rechargeable Solar Charger gets detailed, pictured

Darren Murph — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:14:00 EST

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.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Peripherals

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

Battech rolls out long-lasting iPower SX solar charger

Donald Melanson — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:06:00 EST

It's getting increasingly more difficult for solar chargers to distinguish themselves from one another these days, but it looks like Battech's new iPower SX has a few somewhat unique things going for it, the most notable of which is a beefier than usual 2200mAh battery (compared to 18000mAh or less on most other units). That should be enough to keep an iPod Classic going for a full 50 hours, as opposed to 18 hours using something like the Freeloader. The device also boasts a few other nifty touches like a battery status indicator (which all to often goes overlooked) and, like other similar devices, you can also simply top off the battery by plugging it into a USB port. No word on a release 'round here just yet, but folks in the UK can apparently pick one up right now for £40, or about $60.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Battech rolls out long-lasting iPower SX solar charger originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ICP Solar to integrate solar chargers into Nissans, dead batteries be gone

Darren Murph — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:01:00 EST

Nah, 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Devotec's portable Solar Charger is minuscule, pretty cheap

Darren Murph — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:52:00 EST

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).

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Supercharger solar panel promises to give Freeloader a boost

Donald Melanson — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:57:00 EST

Solar Technology's Freeloader solar charger was already a pretty attractive option as it was, but the company's now looking to give the portable charger a bit of a boost, with its new Supercharger panel promising to cut the charging time in half. As you can see above, that's possible in part thanks to its larger size, but it's apparently also aided by some more powerful than usual photovoltaic cells (rated at 1.5 watts). All that should translate to a four hour charging time for the Freeloader, which can be done in any weather conditions thanks to the panel's weather-proofing (although some weather conditions will obviously be more effective than others). If that sounds like what you've been looking for, you can grab the Supercharger now for £20 (about $40), or grab it as part of a new Globe Trotter bundle (including a Freeloader, a Supercharger, and a carrying case) for £50, or just under $100.

[Via SmartPlanet]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Supercharger solar panel promises to give Freeloader a boost originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Brando's versatile universal solar charger

Darren Murph — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:06:00 EST

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.

Filed under: Peripherals

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Solar Technology's Freeloader saps power from USB, the Sun

Paul Miller — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 13:54:00 EST

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.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Peripherals

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments