Samsung unveils solar-powered "Blue Earth" phone

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Billed as the world's first solar-powered touchscreen handset, the Blue Earth—like the recent Motorola Renew—is built out of recycled water bottles, and even boasts a pedometer that tracks how many trees you've saved by walking rather than driving.

Details on the Blue Earth, which is slated to get its close-up at next week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, are still sketchy; Samsung has yet to announce pricing or availability, nor any details on the built-in camera, internal storage, media features, or data capabilities.

What we do have, though, are some images—specifically, the one that shows a big solar panel on the back of the phone (there's also a camera lens sitting just above the panel). Presumably, you can charge the Blue Earth anytime it's sitting face-down in direct sunlight—but how long would it take to get a full charge? Still waiting for those details.

On the front of the Blue Earth, we have a full-on touchscreen, complete with Samsung's new, widget-friendly TouchWiz interface and dedicated Talk and End buttons. Samsung says the handset also comes with Bluetooth, a one-click, energy-efficient "Eco Mode," and an "Eco Walk" app (pictured above) that tracks your footsteps and calculates how much you've reduced your carbon footprint.

Like the Motorola's green "Renew" phone (which I reviewed last week), the Blue Earth's shell is molded out of plastic derived from recycled water bottles, and its "small and light" packaging is made out of recycled paper, according to Samsung (which also notes that both the handset and charger are beryllium-, phthalate-, and brominated flame retardant-free).

That's pretty much all we know for now; until then, we'll just have to feast our eyes on the pictures.

So, what do you think: Like the idea of a solar-powered phone? Thoughts on putting the solar panel on the back of the phone? Fire away.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/38466

[Jasman0717 9]

I will save a fortune in charging costs

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Is it "carbon friendly"?

Edited February 14, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[MrsCat 6]

I know what all the Pahoa hippies will be talking on from now on.

[Danno 1,228]

As they watch their energy draining flatscreen TVs.

Ironically many "Preachers of green" converted their lightbulbs (which consume little energy) the same year they bought those huge, energy consuming..... TVs.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

As they watch their energy draining flatscreen TVs.

Ironically many "Preachers of green" converted their lightbulbs (which consume little energy) the same year they bought those huge, energy consuming..... TVs.

Nice segue, Danno, but LCD TV's use less electricity than conventional TV's. They're no different in that respect from flat screen computer monitors. The old CRT's are big energy hogs in addition to weighing a ton and taking up most of desk space.

[MrsCat 6]

As they watch their energy draining flatscreen TVs.

Ironically many "Preachers of green" converted their lightbulbs (which consume little energy) the same year they bought those huge, energy consuming..... TVs.

That's what we did.

[Danno 1,228]

As they watch their energy draining flatscreen TVs.

Ironically many "Preachers of green" converted their lightbulbs (which consume little energy) the same year they bought those huge, energy consuming..... TVs.

Nice segue, Danno, but LCD TV's use less electricity than conventional TV's. They're no different in that respect from flat screen computer monitors. The old CRT's are big energy hogs in addition to weighing a ton and taking up most of desk space.

That's good info to know FP, one of the reason I have not even shopped for one was I thought they were large energy consumers. .... naturally the only "green" I am concerned about is the green in my pocket

With work being as slow as it is, I have no business shoping for big items now anyway but I did hear Clark Howard on the radio talking about how cheap you can buy them on-line now.

Clarkhoward.com is a consumer advocate out of Atlanta and if you have never been to his site you might find some good money saving (as well as other) info.

Everything from Rental cars to a list a eateries which give you a free meal on your B-day.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I wonder if this phone has a "backup" battery. Sometimes you're just not in a position to get solar energy. I realize that solar batteries can store up energy, but in an emergency, it'd be good to have a non-solar backup.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I wonder if this phone has a "backup" battery. Sometimes you're just not in a position to get solar energy. I realize that solar batteries can store up energy, but in an emergency, it'd be good to have a non-solar backup.

You've never owned a solar powered calculator? Most indoor lighting will work when there's not enough outdoor light.

I've also seen a crank cell phone charger that works for any cell phone.

Sidewinder Portable Cell Phone Charger

A wind-up generator that can always provide unlimited emergency cell phone power

http://thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorco.../sidewinder.htm

[DeadPoolX 9]

I wonder if this phone has a "backup" battery. Sometimes you're just not in a position to get solar energy. I realize that solar batteries can store up energy, but in an emergency, it'd be good to have a non-solar backup.

You've never owned a solar powered calculator? Most indoor lighting will work when there's not enough outdoor light.

Sure, I've used a solar powered calculator. But I've never run into a situation where needing a calculator could become a life or death situation. Besides, cell phones do a lot more than mere calculators, so the energy drain would probably be far greater.