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Novothink ships solar-powered iPhone, iPod touch cases

updated 04:35 pm EST, Thu March 11, 2010

Novothink Solar Surge case recharges itself

Novothink today put out its promised Solar Surge case for the iPhone and iPod touch. The design acts like a battery sled for Apple's devices and, as its name suggests, is one of the few such cases that can power itself. While slow to charge, a two-hour exposure to daylight can give an iPhone 3G or 3GS enough extra power for 30 more minutes of calls and considerably longer for music.

The lithium-ion packs powered by the solar cells give varying amounts of battery life. A complete charge for the iPhone version extends 3G calling time or browsing by about four hours and up to 20 hours of music; the iPod touch unit has a slightly larger battery that should provide a greater effect. Either version can charge directly over USB, clip to a carabiner to stay outside for longer, and mate with a Solar Planner iPhone app that gauges how much sunlight would be necessary for a recharge based on current weather.

Prices vary between the two case shapes and put the iPhone's Solar Surge at $80 where the iPod touch example costs just $70.



 
Previous Comments

Excellent

03/11, 04:54pm reply

I do a lot of backcountry flying into unimproved landing strips for hiking and camping. Sometimes for weeks at a time. Surprisingly, I can often get some kind of cell signal in these areas, but not a lot of power sources. This will work out nicely.

jameshays

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2003

+1

One half of the puzzle solved.

03/12, 04:48am reply

If our fragile grid gets taken out we now have a way to power our iPhones. The other half of the puzzle is the fixed network being active & useable in same situation.

I would recommend this to any person or organization that goes into disaster zones. Also good for boating/sailing.

- A

Fast iBook

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2003

+1

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