Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve been hearing about the Samsung Blue Earth — an eco-phone, if you will — since way back at MWC. Now CNET‘s finally gotten its hands on one at CommunicAsia in Singapore, and we have to say that we’re pretty intrigued with what we’re seeing. The back of the phone is covered with a solar panel, and Samsung says that one hour of sunning time for the mobile equals about 10 minutes of talk time. The handset also has a built-in pedometer to count steps for the Eco Walk carbon footprint app — certainly something prospective buyers of the Blue Earth might be interested in. We still don’t know full specs, pricing or availability for the phone, but we’ll let you know when we do. Hit the read link for a video.

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung Blue Earth finally gets a hands-on treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Solar-powered LCDs? Oh, yeah — we’ve got those. Sadly, that’s not at all what Integrated Digital Technologies is aiming to improve upon next week at Computex, though we still find its approach to trimming LCD weight and manufacturing costs an interesting one. If we’re digesting this correctly, we’re hearing that the outfit plans to create interactive displays (or iScreens) that have embedded solar cells in the TFT array rather than extra film or glass with photo sensors. The result? A cost savings of up to 30 percent in manufacturing, not to mention a rather significant decrease in weight. Without any images to go by, it’s still a wee bit tough to really wrap our heads around this new take, but hopefully we’ll see more next week in Taiwan.

[Via TG Daily]

Filed under: Displays

IDT to swap solar cells into LCDs, but not for energy reasons originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 May 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh sure, we’ve seen photovoltaic panels strewn across rooftops before, but this takes things to a whole ‘nother level. Taiwan’s $152 million National Stadium, which will proudly host the 2009 World Games, is home to no fewer than 8,844 solar panels. With under a month to go before the events kick off, construction on the Toyo Ito-designed arena wrapped just in time, and we’re told that some 55,000 observers will soon be spectating underneath the eco-friendly shelter. Early reports have noted that in optimal sunlight, the solar panels can cover around 75 percent of the stadium’s energy needs, and on days when the facility is dormant, the power generated is simply fed into the grid in order to help the local community. So, who’s down for a trip to Kaohsiung? Sunscreen’s on us.

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Taiwan’s National Stadium gets solar panel roof, hug from Ma Earth originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA) executive director Richard Glikes wanted a home theater system, he didn’t just max it out with the best high definition equipment. He also thought to run it entirely from solar energy from four roof-mounted panels that produce an aggregate of 700 watts per hour in sunlight. It’ll reportedly run things for 19 hours straight without having to dip into your traditional power grid. Hardware-wise, we’re talking about a 100-inch screen, Sharp projector, six SpeakerCraft in-wall speakers, Integra AV receiver, Lutron lighting, and a universal remote. See how it was made, with the help of time-lapse photography and 1980s infomercial-genre background music, in the video after the break.

Continue reading Solar-powered ‘guiltless green’ home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Household

Solar-powered ‘guiltless green’ home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A group of engineers, scientists and sailors have banded together to form a team they call Solar Planet. The group are now building a 98-foot-long solar-powered boat, for the express purpose of sailing all the way around the world using nothing but the delicious power of the sun. The $13 million dollar vessel — which is currently in construction in Kiel, Germany — will have 5,059 square feet of photovoltaic cells, and should be able to circumnavigate the earth in about 120 days, at a rate of about 10 knots. The project is being funded by Swiss company Rivendell Holding AG, that has committed to investing in green technology. The group hopes to set sail sometime next year from Marseilles, France, with various stops off along the way. They will undoubtedly tire of hearing that Daft Punk song long before they ever leave the shore. Check out a sweet render of the boat after the break.

Continue reading Solar boat crew heading out on a fantastic voyage around the world

Filed under: Transportation

Solar boat crew heading out on a fantastic voyage around the world originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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