Go solar with new iPhone, iPod touch cases
Now that the warmer months are upon us, you’re likely to be spending more time outdoors and on the go -– and toting a smartphone or portable media player packed with music, audiobooks, photos, videos, games and apps. Well, a new battery case for the device might have you humming “Here comes the sun.”
If an Apple iPhone is your weapon of choice, you might want to slip it into the Novothink Solar Surge, the only Apple-certified solar charger carrying case that doubles battery life by harvesting the sun’s rays. Yes, you can also power up the lithium-ion battery by plugging it into computer via its bundled USB cable, ideal for a rainy day, but the premium price for this accessory is tied to its solar panel on the back of the case.
Available in multiple colours, for iPhone (US$79.95) or second-generation iPod touch (US$69.95), the durable Solar Surge also protects the device if banged around – though the top of your player is exposed (instead of the case wrapped around the entire body). Also near the top is a small hole in the case you can use to attach to a backpack or purse.
Just how much power does the sun provide? Our testing was in line with Novothink’s estimation of about 30 minutes of talk time (for 3G) or 60 minutes for 2G from 2 hours in the sun. We let the case drain to near empty before leaving it on a backyard patio, in direct sunlight, for a couple of hours before making some phone calls. Similar to other chargers, such as the Mophie Juice Pack, the Solar Surge has 4 built-in LED lights on its back to let you know the status of the external battery.
However the battery pack is charged, a fully-juiced Solar Surge provides roughly 4 hours of talk time for 3G, 8 hours of talk time for 2G, up to 6 hours of web surfing via WiFi, video playback up to 6 hours and audio playback up to 20 hours.
We also downloaded the optional Solar Planner software, a free app that estimates how much sun exposure you’ll need to maintain the battery lever or your iPhone or iPod touch (by incorporating your city’s current weather). On a related note, Novathink says there’s also an integrated thermal sensor to prevent potential overheating.
Readers, would you use something like this?
No, I wouldn’t use this. Takes a nice slim phone and makes it a bulky mess. If I was to ever use something like this, I’d want a separate solar panel that charged the iPhone’s internal battery and then is stored away. I have no need to have this as a case with extra batteries.
What you want is the solar monkey which actually works for multiple devices.
I was actually looking for a solar-powered battery pack or at least a solar charger over a year ago but ended up buying a Mophie Juice Pack, I was just a bit ahead of my time.
A great idea for the someone who will be off the electricity grid for a few days; like camping trips.
Wow, huge and bulky and Where is the FRONT protection?!?! No way am I putting my expensive iPhone into a case that exposes the touch screen to the elements. Someone dropped the ball in the design department.
Why can’t they have a top piece that slides on to protect the rest of the iPod/iphone