GeekSugar

Some Shine Charger Juices Up Gadgets, Decorates Your Home

GeekSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:45:30 -0700

Unlike some other solar chargers that require special adapters to charge your gadgets, and, you know, the availability of the sun, the Some Shine Solar Charger allows you to juice up your gadgets at any time via a USB connector. How can you solar charge your phone without the sun you ask? Well, I'll tell ya.

The Some Shine collects the solar energy from the daylight hours through a special (and stylish) solar curtain, then stores it in a charging base for later use. You can then charge your phone, your iPod, your laptop at night, or whenever you want since you basically have your own solar energy plant at your fingertips. I'm a little bummed cause this product is still a concept, but I'd be first in line to get my hands on one!

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Daily Tech: The Pure Sensia Touchscreen Radio With WiFi

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:10:15 -0700

The Pure Sensia radio offers a touchscreen, social networking apps, WiFi, an on-screen keyboard, and it will cost around $406 - Slashgear
Griffin's new kid-friendly headphones include volume-limiting settings to protect them from hearing loss - Popgadget
President Barack Obama is worried about people getting their information from blogs and not newspapers - The Silicon Alley Insider
Check out this solar-powered Bluetooth headset that is juiced up from the sun's rays - Gizmodo
Tweet Scenes designs customized Twitter backgrounds for $129 - TechCrunch
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game ever bracket! - GeekSugar

Charge Your iPod Touch With the Sun Using This Case

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:50:06 -0700

I love my gadgets, but what happens when your cell phone or iPod needs to be juiced up and you're nowhere near a power supply and you managed to forget your iPod cord at home? Thanks to solar powered gizmos, you've always got a back up - well that is, if you have some sunlight to work with!

Novothink has created this hybrid solar iPod Touch charger case called the Surge (patent still pending), but unlike concept designs, this handy accessory will be available later this month for $70. The way it works is the case features 3.7 V lithium-ion battery that can either be charged via the sun (with the built-in solar panel) or by USB.

No word on whether they will come out with iPhone 3G and 3GS friendly versions.

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Solar Forest Juices Your Car, Looks Cool in the Process

GeekSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:33:06 -0700

If I had an electric car, this is where I'd want to charge it up. Better than hooking up to a charger that gets its energy from a power plant, charging up at this solar forest lets you save a (real) plant or two. A concept design brought to you by Neville Mars, the solar forest would find a home at your nearest urban concrete parking structure (taking up the entire top open-air level, perhaps?), would create its own energy from the sun, and would shade your car while it's juicing up. I can't think of a better and cleaner way to get around, and seriously - this design is pretty freaking cool. What do you think?

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Jimmy Fallon Is a Lean, Green, Charging Machine at Comic-Con

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:33:56 -0700

As if there wasn't enough geekery going on at Comic-Con last week, Jimmy Fallon took things up a notch by coming in costume. Dressed as some sort of solar-powered, charging station superhero (where were you at WWDC when I needed you?!), Jimmy not only promoted his show to the attendees, but also spread the message of green energy. Get a load of those solar panels, eh?

I'm a big fan of solar-powered chargers, especially since it pretty much guarantees your gadgets will be fully juiced at any time. But it's easy to go green even if you don't have a solar charger. Just by unplugging your chargers when not in use (instead of leaving them in the outlet after you unplug) you'll save yourself some wattage on your monthly bill. Every little bit counts! Check out some of my favorite solar chargers (some of which double as fashion) in the widget below!

Solar Beach Bag	Costume National Solar Bag
Solio	Globetrotter Solar Charger
Solar Windbreaker	Logan Solar Bag
Noon Solar-Powered Totes	Samsung Blue Earth Cell	Solar-Powered Swimwear

The Globetrotter Solar Charger Keeps Gadgets Juiced Up

GeekSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:03:04 -0700

Even if you're planning a glamping trip this Summer (glamping as in glamorous camping), and you'll be staying at a hotel or two, we all know that there aren't any guarantees when it comes to finding ample outlets for charging gadgets.

Glamping or camping, the Globetrotter Solar Charger ($100) will surely come in handy for those who travel loaded with gadgets. This powerhouse charging device comes equipped with eleven connectors and connection cables (meaning you can charge you and your friends iPod, cell phone, DS Lite, and GPS device), it will work in all weather conditions, and only takes about four hours of sunshine to fully charge its solar panels. And its internal battery is said to power an iPod for 18 hours, a cell phone for 44 hours, a PSP for 2.5 hours and a PDA for 22 hours. How do you like them apples?

Solar-Powered and Waterproof: The Summer-Ready Tocs Watch

GeekSugar — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:00:15 -0700

Finding products that are waterproof? Easy. Finding products that are solar-powered? Not so easy. Finding products that are both waterproof and solar-powered? Practically impossible!

If you live by the beach throughout the Summer (a pool works too!), then may I suggest checking out this Tocs Ani-Digi Solar Chronograph Watch? It stays juiced up from the sun (with a lithium battery for backup) and is water resistant up to three meters deep.

Now I know it doesn't scream cute, feminine watch (I'm hoping it's unisex), but it does come in orange or black as well. And best of all, it's only $50.

Make Your Fourth of July Geeky and Eco Friendly!

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:04:23 -0700

I'm counting the minutes until the grill gets fired up for my family's annual Fourth of July barbecue! Grilling is one of my favorite pastimes, especially since I'm an apartment dweller, but as I discovered earlier this year, that doesn't have to stop me from enjoying a nicely grilled meal. If you're having a celebration this weekend and don't have a patio to park a barbecue, no worries - the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor grill is here to save you. I know I've mentioned this item before, but it's totally worthy of another spot here. Plus, when used with the Digital Barbeque Thermometer, you'll have perfectly cooked steaks every time.

However, if you will be outdoors this weekend, try to connect with nature and go solar. Not only do Ikea and Amazon have plenty of stylish solar powered hanging and yard lights to keep you partying into the night, but if you invest in a Solio, you can power tunes from your iPod or MP3 player all day long via your eco-friendly DIY Cardboard Speakers.

Have You Gone Solar?

GeekSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:04:06 -0700

It's hip to be green these days - not only to save the environment, but to save a few bucks while you're at it. Late last week, the Department of Energy made $535 million dollars available to a solar startup in order to stimulate the green tech industry, which will eventually mean more solar options for consumers.

Although investing in solar products can mean an investment in the short term, they can save big bucks for the long haul. Just consider how much you'll save on gas with an electric car - the same principal applies to solar energy as well.

My favorite solar gadget has to be the Solio charger ($80), which charges my gadgets on the go without using any electricity. It's totally handy and packs away easily in my bag. Hey, even the President has one! Have you gone solar yet?

Ikea Goes Solar For Summer

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:06:18 -0800

Geek is certainly going to be chic this Summer, thanks to Ikea's new lineup of snazzy solar-powered lights.

Perfect for warm Summer nights, backyard parties, and dinners under the stars, Ikea's mix of solar-operated lanterns, lamps, globes, glow sticks, and decorative hanging lights are sure to light up any outdoor space.

The way these lights work is each LED light stores the sun's power in replaceable and rechargeable batteries, so you don't have to worry about cords or access to power outlets. You can view each light on Ikea's site right now, but unfortunately you can't purchase them as of yet. Keep checking back in the next couple of weeks.