FuncFash » charger

Charge Your Phone with Water…Soon

Armanstein — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:26:32 +0000

Back in 2006 there was a story on how Japanese cell phone company NTT DoCoMo partnered up with another company called “Aquafairy” to create a water based phone charger, not a phone charger made out of water, but a phone charger that charges the phone using H2O (the same stuff you shower with).

Their prototype which was exhibited at the Wireless Japan 2006 kind of looks like a lipstick container.

"Honey...Why did you plug my lipstick into your phone?"

So besides looking like a lipstick holder what can this little charger do? It’s based on PEFC (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell) technology…which means when you add water to the material inside the charger that it produces hydrogen gas which in turn produces electricity which you can use to power up your electronic gizmos. Instead of wind or solar it uses the inherent power stored in the chemical bonds in water.

For you scientific-minded folks here’s the technical explanation:

If you understand this you = smart

For non-technical folks I created a simpler explanation:

Much easier to understand...

Just how long does it take to take charge your phone? Two hours which is equivalent to the same time it takes your regular AC adapter…which means this little charger is practically just as powerful as your regular charger.

The technology is pretty promising and considering this was 4 years ago you’d expect this product to be already out in the market, but it looks like we’re going to have to wait just a little longer as some have reported that Aquafairy is shooting for an April 2010 date to launch a consumer product based on this technology.

Charge other stuff like your Nintendo DS or iPhone

How much will it cost? Anywhere from $50 to $100. However, the rumors say they don’t plan on releasing this overseas. So it looks like the Japanese will be holding on to their cool technology while we wait to get their table scraps.

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WildCharge: Charge Your Cell Phone Wirelessly through Voodoo

Armanstein — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:30:26 +0000

WildCharge has created some nifty technology that allows you to recharge many of your electronic gadgets by simply placing them on this magical mouse pad. After you place your device on the magical pad up to 15 watts of power can flow wirelessly to your device without the need to break out your normal ac adapter or charger.

The Business Founder of WildCharge can explain the magic better than I can:

It might not make that much sense if you only own one device, but if you have many devices and you are sick of having to plug and unplug stuff than this WildCharge Magical Charging System is probably a good fit for you…

However, there is just one caveat to this convenience. If you own a iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry Curve, or Blackberry Pearl then you are able to use this sleek skin that not only protects the phone, but also doubles as the wireless power receiver so you can simply drop you device onto the pad and start charging.

Where it get’s a little more questionable is if you own other types of devices. For other mobile phones they sell a Universal WildCharge Adapter which can plug into a mini-usb charging port, but then you have somewhat unsightly bulge/bulk added to your phone.

If it were me I would probably take this thing off, but if I did then when I wanted to charge again I would have to plug their adapter in again…which if you think about it defeats the whole purpose of having wireless power in the first place.

Either way, the WildCharge wireless charging system is definitely a valiant effort in the right direction. Now if only I could charge my computer wirelessly…

FuncFash-ness: 6.5/10

Functional: 3/5 (it’s cool you can place and charge, but technically you still have wires to deal with)
Fashionable: 3.5/5 (it’s a good looking magical mouse pad)

Where to Buy:

WildCharge: Different bundles you can get, but basics you need are a Charging Pad $49.99 and an Adapter Skin for iPhone $34.99 (if you have an iPhone)

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Solar Focus Solar Duo

Armanstein — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:30:38 +0000

Flexible Solar Charger for Your E-Goods

The coolest thing about the Solar Focus Solar Duo is that it is thin. Like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen thin. Thanks to Solar Focus’s design and use of “triple junction amorphous silicon photovoltaic technology” which is different from standard solar panels they are able to get the size down to just 1mm (millimeter) thick. However, thinness is not all that it has…

The Benefits of Solar Focus’s Technology:

Don’t lose charging performance at high temperatures. Did you know that typical solar panels lose charging effectiveness at temperatures over 77 degrees fahrenheit? This means that above this temperature even if it is really sunny, you won’t be able to charge as fast.
Light and Flexible. Not only is it 1mm thick, but it’s also flexible at the same time. Instead of using glass to protect the panels it uses a DuPont Fluoropolymer film which helps reduce the weight meaning less weight to carry on those extended hikes.
Charges in the shadows. Compared to conventional solar panels, Solar Focus panels charge 3 times better in “shadowy” low light conditions . This means if you happen to live in gloomy places like London, you still can get your charge on.

How Solar Duo Works:

It’s pretty simple how it works. Each Solar Duo comes with a solar panel array which unfolds and you can attach to whatever you like. For example this bicycle.

This array is plugged into a battery pack that accepts rechargable NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries. As the you leave the the solar array out in the sun it recharges the batteries.

When you need to recharge one of your devices you simply plug it into the battery pack and PRESTO! You are well on your way to charging your cell phone or iPod Touch.

Common Questions:

How long does it take to charge? In full sun 5 hours. On a cloudy day 10 hours. This translates to a 30 minutes charge giving you 10 hours standby time or 20 minutes talk time on a typical cell phone. However, just like notebook computer battery times, they probably are not as great as stated.
What kind of devices can I charge? 5 to 6 volt electronics. This includes iPod/iPhone, Sony PSP’s, bluetooth headsets, mp3 players, etc…
What kind of cell phones does it charge? In the Solar Duo user manual they list all the compatible phone manufacturers they support via the included adapters. The companies included are Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson.
How do I charge different devices? The Solar Duo comes with 10 different attachments to connect the battery pack to your electronic gizmos and gadgets. The battery pack also accepts regular usb or mini usb cords.

FuncFash-ness: 6/10

Functional: 4.5/5 (Flexible, light, and durable…can you ask for more?)
Fashionable: 1.5/5 (Definitely not as good looking as the Solio Magnesium, but it still gets the job done)

Where to Buy:

REI: Solar Duo $99.95 (last updated 7-24-09)
Eastern Mountain Sports: Solar Duo $100 (last updated 7-24-09)
Solar Focus Webstore (solarmio.com): Solar Duo £70 (last updated 7-24-09)

Features:

Solar panel and battery pack weigh 140g which is less than half a pound (.31 lbs to be exact)
Charges 5 volt or 6 volt electronic devices (mp3 players, iphones/ipods, cell phones, gps’s, etc..)
5 hour typical charging time
30 minute charge gives 10 hour standby and 20 minutes talk on typical cell phone
1mm thick, flexible, durable and uses no glass
Bendable, scratch proof, extreme temperature tolerant panels

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Solio Magnesium Solar Charger

The Man — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:15:07 +0000

Smart, durable, useful and sexy.

If you’re always on the move, love hiking, and relaxing in the sun but need to stay connected, let me introduce you to the Solio Magnesium Edition Universal Solar Hybrid Charger. This device is great for the outdoors or for anybody that uses portable devices such as GPS systems, MP3 Players, cell phones and digital cameras and just don’t have time to look for outlets and wait around while they charge. Do you really want to hang around that outlet hub in the airport where lurkers constantly come up to you asking you if they can borrow your outlet? Do you want to be that lurker?

If you’re a homebody, the Solio Magnesium Edition Universal Solar Hybrid Charger is probably not for you. A couple potential Solar Magnesium users who may appreciate a product like this:

The Beach Bums

If you’re riding your bike from Manhattan Beach to Santa Monica and back in your hipster helmet on your fixie, you’ll know you’ll have enough battery power in your cell phone to coordinate with your friends about the evening bonfire and enough battery power for your digital camera. You can even toss it in your hip beer cooler while you bake in the sun.

The Outdoorsman

Knowing that your GPS is attached to your Solio Charger during the day and you have an extra pair of batteries for the GPS at night during a long camping and hiking trip can give you peace of mind. The durability of the product is also amazing. Attach this to your backpack on those hours of trail time without fear of it losing power or malfunctioning because of the harsh cold, wet, or dry weather.

The Jetsetter

You’re out most of the day when you travel, and you’re in and out of airports. Sometimes there are outlets, sometimes there’s not. Either way you don’t want to be standing around the outlet, waiting for your cell phone to charge. And lets face it, the temporary cell phone battery extensions are pretty weak, and expensive. The last thing you want to think about during a day of sightseeing is where the next outlet is going to be. With Solio, running out of power will become a non-issue.

Solio Magnesium Edition Universal Solar Hybrid Charger also has the capability to charge using an outlet for speed. A good way to make sure you’re prepared before heading out the door.

Overall this product is solid. It’s sleek and really useful for people always on the move. It’s also durable as hell. It can withstand either sitting in the rain all day and baking outdoors and still be fully functional!

FuncFash-ness: 6/10

Functional: 4/5 (Reliable and durable, a good combination for people on the move)
Fashionable: 2/5 (It’s a nice looking product, but nothing eye popping)

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Where to Buy:

Amazon: 119.00 (Updated: 07-23-2009)
Solio Online: 179.00 (Updated: 07-23-2009)

Features:

Elegant magnesium alloy shell
Comes with “tips” for most popular cell phones
Comes with USB adapter for iphone/ipod touch
Capable of charging typical cell phone’s twice
Durable, rough and waterproof
Compatible with most small electronic devices

Other Solar Chargers to Consider:

Solio Hybrid Solar Charger ($99.95 @ Eastern Mountain Sports)

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