Impress friends and influence people by going off-grid and powering your iPhone 3G with solar power.
This solar powered iPhone charger will fully charge you phone in 3 hours or provide a steady source of power while you’re tanning by the pool. The rechargeable battery in this charger can charge via USB connection or fully charge in 12 hours of direct sunlight.
Downside: Perhaps they could make this thing out of something other than leather…and the Chinese characters in the product photos indicate another issue – maybe a better idea than product.
$48 @ brando.com.uk ($3 shipping worldwide)
via: macdailynews
Related: previously on AlternativeConsumer
Apple Juicz – solar power for Mac laptops (7.30.08)
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Why do you have to charge the battery in the solar charger. Isn’t the sun supposed to do that?
You can charge via USB if you’re not in sunlight. Also, I believe the battery in the case charges a little quicker via USB.
Does it work for the first iPhone too?
I got one of those from Solar Arcadia and is totally dead after the first charge. I’m trying to contact them with no success.
If you google it you will find other comments about the same issue.
http://ourmaninside.com/2008/10/07/iphone-solar-charger-case/
Don’t waste your money!
I have an update on this device here:
http://www.smartphonemag.com/iphone/node/222
The best solar ipod and solar cell phone charger I have used is the Power Monkey Solar Charger. It includes a small backup battery that makes it much more versitile as you can use it at night and on rainy days.
Amazing! Solar power is the future.