MotionTouch Debuts Solar-Powered Charger
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Comments 17
Jul 28, 2009, 7:34 AM by Eric M. Zeman

A U.K.-based company called MotionTouch introduced a new charger today that can recharge phones through solar energy. The Powcell — initially designed for iPhones and certain BlackBerries — is a sleeve that fits around the sides and back of the phone. It has an internal battery that is always charging when exposed to light. It can be attached to a phone to recharge a dead battery or continuously charge the phone. According to MotionTouch, the Powcell is designed for each phone and is styled accordingly to match the design of the handset. MotionTouch says that it will build Powcells for other handsets depending on demand. By using solar energy, the Powcell could help to reduce the dependency on chargers that must be plugged into electrical outlets.
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I bet its expensive.
They will have to physically shape the sleeve for every phone that they decide to make a sleeve for, meaning that there wont be a sleeve for every phone because it cost too much to make, thus meaning its going to be expensive. Plus its bulky and ugly.
Can someone say chapter 11 🤣
I agree, it would be more effective to just integrate solar cells into the cell phone itself. Solar cells wouldn't raise a phone's price point by that much...
I am confused as to what you mean that they have to physically shape the sleeve for every phone? Well, for the Iphone there really won't be too much of a hassle to shape since the models are roughly the same. Do you mean "every" phone individually? An...
(continues)
You're missing something
Are you supposed to leave it in the sun to charge??? Thats not good for batteries. If I put the phone on the dash while driving it gets hot in the sun, even if the car is cool.
Office lighting charges a $3 calculator, but a phone? I don't think so.