DailyTech - KDDI au to Release Solar Powered Cell Phone in June

Submit News

Gadgets KDDI au to Release Solar Powered Cell Phone in June
Stephen Kamizuru (Blog) - April 20, 2009 8:46 AM

15 comment(s) - last by Starcub.. on Apr 21 at 4:56 PM

(Source: http://image.itmedia.co.jp/l/im/mobile/articles/0904/20/l_yo_aus01.jpg)

The phone can be charged to 80% capacity using solar power

Japanese cell phone provider KDDI au has announced that it plans to sell a waterproof solar-powered cell phone in June. The phone, which is manufactured by Sharp Corporation, will be part of KDDI’s 2009 summer line up of new phones. The new phone is touted as the world’s first waterproof solar-powered cell phone.

According to KDDI’s press release, after ten minutes of charging the phone will be capable of one minute of talk time or two hours of stand-by. It will be possible to charge the phone battery up to 80% capacity using solar energy. KDDI au is promoting the eco friendly nature of the phone as one of its selling points.

Unconfirmed images on the web show the phone will most likely be a flip phone with the solar panel located on the top cover. In the Japanese market, flip phones with large display screens are very common allowing for easy text messaging. The large display screen would also provide the space needed for a solar panel.

The phone will be sold in the Japanese market only and there are no announced plans for the phone outside of Japan.

The peculiar way in which the Japanese cell phone market has developed allows for advanced features that are not available anywhere else in the world. The ability to watch television and make purchases using a cell phone are standard features on Japanese phones.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

The only practical usage scenario I can think of

By borowki2 on 4/20/2009 9:43:03 AM , Rating: 2

...is building IEDs using this phone. Now you can leave them out in the field months on end before activating it.

RE: The only practical usage scenario I can think of

By Jedi2155 on 4/20/2009 10:02:38 AM , Rating: 2

Indeed...most people will have their cell phones in their pockets or bags. Not outside for it to gather sunlight.

Parent

RE: The only practical usage scenario I can think of

By PhoenixKnight on 4/20/2009 10:36:31 AM , Rating: 4

I don't know about you, but I prefer to keep my cell phone sitting on the top of my head at all times.

Parent

RE: The only practical usage scenario I can think of

By Starcub on 4/21/2009 4:56:16 PM , Rating: 2

I've observed that most people like to keep them stuck to their ear at all times.

I wonder why it will only charge to 80% using solar though.

Parent

RE: The only practical usage scenario I can think of

By grandpope on 4/21/2009 12:06:44 PM , Rating: 2

Well, for me, every time I leave my phone in the sun, it stops working. I'd be quite concerned about it overheating while 'charging'.

Parent

RE: The only practical usage scenario I can think of

By diliff on 4/20/2009 10:45:43 AM , Rating: 3

Don't you usually have bury IEDs, with only the top of the antenna above the ground? If the solar panels above ground are collecting sunlight, they're probably also fairly obvious to see with the naked eye.

Parent

Bleh

By Imaginer on 4/20/2009 12:10:30 PM , Rating: 2

When I first saw the title, I thought these phones would work like how our solar calculators worked. Instant on and use when you expose the thing to some sun.

But if it is for charging purposes.... Colored me not being as amazed.

RE: Bleh

By Marlonsm on 4/20/2009 1:00:17 PM , Rating: 2

I wouldn't like my phone to only work when it's exposed to light.

Parent

RE: Bleh

By b534202 on 4/20/2009 2:09:02 PM , Rating: 2

People recharge their phone when they come home at night. And you usually need to turn on your lights too. Its perfect.

Plus people usually text rather than talk so its even a less drain on the battery.

Parent

RE: Bleh

By omnicronx on 4/20/2009 4:45:23 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
But if it is for charging purposes.... Colored me not being as amazed.

Speak for yourself! Doesn't everyone have a special baseball hat attachment to charge your cell phone while outside?

Parent

awesome

By b3rusty on 4/20/2009 11:41:23 AM , Rating: 2

now i'm just have to hold my breath and cross my fingers and about 3 years for now one of the U.s cell companies will most likely make an unofficial announcement that in the following fiscal year they will begin development talks about an upcoming cell phone development project that may or may not possibly include these functions as an after market add on for agreeing to sign into a 4 year cell contract and $99. yesssss, now i'm going to go eat my king size double whopper meal and mini fat free chocolate cake.

RE: awesome

By chrnochime on 4/20/2009 6:08:23 PM , Rating: 2

Japan is moving ahead with 3.5G and like the article mentioned, they already have HD digital TV on the cellphone(yes view TV shows on cellphones). The mid/high-end cellphones there have at least as many features as iphone, yet costs about the same. IIRC iphone flopped in Japan....well who's willing to buy something that's already woefully outdated when it showed up there anyway??

Parent

awesome

By b3rusty on 4/20/2009 11:43:29 AM , Rating: 2

now i'll just have to hold my breath and cross my fingers and about 3 years for now one of the U.s cell companies will most likely make an unofficial announcement that in the following fiscal year they will begin development talks about an upcoming cell phone development project that may or may not possibly include these functions as an after market add on for agreeing to sign into a 4 year cell contract and $99. yesssss, now i'm going to go eat my king size double whopper meal and mini fat free chocolate cake.

Fantastic

By foolsgambit11 on 4/20/2009 7:25:01 PM , Rating: 2

I know I don't represent the average user, but this phone is just about ideal for me. Living on a boat, a waterproof phone that doesn't need to be plugged in is just about perfect.

I am impressed by the PV unit's output. A minute of talk time from 10 minutes of direct sunlight is impressive. It could be that they reduced the transmission wattage, which would result in poor range/voice quality for the person you're calling.