World's First Solar Cell Phone

I'm a huge solar power advocate, and would be more than happy if the world had more sun-harnessing gadgets. So why is it that eco-friendly gadgets are always more expensive than regular ones? Could that be their way of discouraging consumers from going green?

I was really excited to hear about the existence of the "world's first solar cell phone" made by a Chinese company called HiTech Wealth. The idea sounds great, I mean, who wouldn't want a phone that never runs out of battery? The S116 features a 1.3 megapixel camera, an MP3 player, microSD card slot, and the battery is supposed to last 2.5 times long than a traditional battery. It's definitely no iPhone, yet it currently retails for over $500 in China!

Fortunately, you don't have to take the phone out of your pocket for too long. One hour of direct sunlight powers the phone for 40-minutes of talk time. Thanks to solar panels located on the top side of the clamshell, the phone charges under weak light and even by candlelight, so it doesn't always have to be exposed to the sun. This is the first phone released from a collection of six that will be out this year, and the company plans to release another 30 next year. Hope that sun-loving goodness reaches our shores soon.