Freeloader Pico Solar Charger

 

An irritated groan escapes your lips as a familiar beep followed by a pop-up reminds you that your iPhone is running out of juice. Fortunately, with the Freeloader Pico Solar charger ( priced at $39.99 ), charging up your iPhone and going green at the same time is definitely not a problem.

At the first glance, the Freeloader solar charger is a light and compact device that allows its users to lug it around in their pockets. Besides that, the Freeloader acts as a portable battery, allowing the Freeloader to transfer energy to the connected device in fairly short time – around 30 minutes to fully charge up an iPhone.

The difference is that, when this battery is exhausted, it can be recharged through a means of solar energy – charging under direct sunlight will take 10 hours to achieve maximum capacity though. In addition to that, the device also comes with extension tips for several portable devices such as Nokia, Samsung and so on.

Using the Freloader Pico Solar Charger, however, can be quite confusing at the beginning. If you take a closer look at the device, you’ll notice that there are four LED lights beside the word “Pico”. These lights indicate a function. For example, if the second light is lit, it indicates that the battery is currently charged by solar or USB. When it is fully charged, the light turns off. If a device is being charged, all lights will be used and each fades away as the connected device charges to maximum capacity.

Available: ThinkGeek

Price: $29.99

Samsung NC215S Solar Powered Netbook

 

 

Samsung Electronics, one of the largest digital technology companies in the world have released details of their first solar-powered netbook, called the Samsung NC215S.  Available in Africa, Russia, and the US around the first week in July this solar-powered netbook will come with an estimated price tag of $399.

 

Specific details of the Samsung NC215S

• Windows 7 Starter Operating System.
• 10.1” LED display screen with Samsung SuperBright and anti-reflective coating.
• 1024 x 600 pixel matte display.
• Intel GMA 3510 graphics chip.
• 250GB Hard disk.
• 1Gb DDR3 RAM.
• 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N570 dual core processor.
• Solar cells built in to lid of netbook providing one hour of battery life for every two hours of charge time and an overall charge time of 14.5 hours.
• Samsung PowerPlus battery with intelligent charging.
• Samsung Fast Start means users can start working on the netbook within a few seconds of lifting the lid.

Having attempted to use a laptop outside its difficult to determine how useful this netbook will be. On a sunny day there will be no problem charging the computer, however viewing the screen will be another problem altogether. Unless there is an easy way of viewing the screen without suffering from reflection from the sunlight then I can’t see this product taking off.

Recharge Your Batteries While you Walk

 

Imagine being able to charge electrical devices without having to plug them into a socket on the wall. Well that is what M2E Power is working towards. M2E Power suggests that by transforming the way energy is generated is one way in which we can reduce our reliance on electricity.

There are many devices that have tried to do this in the past by harnessing solar power, and at Mintgadgets,  we have blogged about many of them. For example, the Solio Magnesium Solar Powered Charger, the Solar Powered Headphones, or remember the Solar Powered Bluetooth headset?  However the problem has always been what happens if its not sunny? Who spends enough time outside to sufficiently charge solar powered gadgets?

Well M2E’s solution is to recharge items based on kinetic energy. Basically the technology relies on strapping a device to a belt which converts the kinetic energy absorbed whilst a person walks and moves to recharge a battery that can then be used in devices.

Currently this is just a concept and not yet available. Don’t worry though, as soon as we hear about its release we will let you know.

Solio Magnesium: Solar Powered Charger

 

This latest product by Solio is a charger with a difference. Not only can it be recharged by plugging it into an electrical socket but it is also able to be recharged via the sun (solar energy). Featuring energy efficient solar cells this device is able to provide a powerful battery which can retain its charge for up to a year. It is claimed a 30 minute exposure to the sun can recharge the battery to play an mp3 player/iPod/phone for up to 1 hour.

Solio Magnesium Solar Power Charger Includes

• Charging Cable for iGo® tip system
• Female USB Cable (powers iPhone, iPod, MP3s)
• Coupon for a free iGo tip
• Pencil
• Solio Bag
• Universal Wall Adapter

The Solio Mobile Phone Charger is a useful gadget for frequent travelers and people on the go.

Available: Amazon

Price: $99