Everything is better in a chrome or silver finish, right?  That would be our assumption based on Logitech’s Wireless Solar Keyboard, the K750.  It came out last year for the PC, but now Logitech has a Mac version and it’s finished in silver, which is very Apple, at least in terms of their computers.  As it happens you can also purchase it with a blue, pink or green stripe at the top or in all black.

Much like a solar powered calculator, the K750 can be recharged by indoor our outdoor lighting.  That means no batteries to replace or recharge. They’ve even got an app that informs you about how much battery power you’ve got left and how much juice the keyboard is sucking down from your desk lamp.  And let’s not over look that the K750 has a PVC-free construction and a fully recyclable box.  Now that’s green.

This version includes the Mac friendly keyboard layout, which means all the Mac keys – music and brightness controls, command keys and the eject key – are in the places you’d expect them to be.  And because it is specifically designed for the Mac it works right of the box; no drivers to install.

You can preorder the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac right now for $59.99.  Expect it delivered sometime this month.

DriveNTalk, a company that specializes in hands-free Bluetooth telephony in the car, has come up with quite the brilliant proposal: do so with the power of the sun. That is, solar powered gadgets, which could theoretically last forever, so long as you aren’t in Alaska during winter.

The BHF-2000 (not to be confused with the BFG-9000) is a Bluetooth communication device meant to sit on the visor of your car so that when it’s low on battery or whenever it’s too sunny, you can pull the visor down and recharge it. Brilliant! Not that I like being forced to pull the visor down to recharge a battery, but it’s much better than charging it through a cable (also an option) or by swapping batteries.

Not only is it solar recharging, the BHF-2000 also uses a voice-based UI to control whether you take calls or not. When a call is received, the device will ask whether you want to answer it or not. Users can then reply vocally, or through a hand gesture. It also comes with an FM Transmitter to work through your speakers for audio playback, and is rated for 15 hours of talk time before needing to tan again.

Right now, the estimated release date for the BHF-2000 is soon, with a possible (meaning unconfirmed) price of $100. If that price pans out, DriveNTalk is giving us all a bargain…assuming it works well.

DriveNTalk

You know what they say: plans for the worst and expect the best.  That’s gotta be Eton‘s company moto right?

The company, which is largely known for handheld radios that can be powered off the grid, is set to launch the Eton Raptor.  While no witty dinosaur references are coming to mind, the Raptor does pack a serious bite (heyo).  Instead of your usual wind up affair, as found in their other models, this one sports a solar panel, that is of course assuming we haven’t scorched the sun as Morpheus suggests in “The Matrix” movie.  It also has the quintessential and always paramount bottle opener as well as an altimeter, barometer, compass, AM/FM/WB digital radio tuner with presets and NOAA weather alerts and a digital clock with an alarm function.  A USB port allows iPhones an other devices to be charged off its 1800 mAh built-in battery and the device can be charged using the included AC plug.  There is also a rubberized and splashproof (IPX-4) housing, providing protection against water and dust.

There is no word on price, but the device will be available probably sometime early next year.

ES 2011: Etón Corporation Announces Raptor, The Solar Charging Device with All-Terrain Guidance Functions

Solar powered USB cell phone charger also provides the outdoor essentials of light, information and energy

(LAS VEGAS – Upper South Hall, Booth #30959 – January 4, 2011) – Etón Corporation, a leading emergency preparedness company and creator of green-powered electronics, announces the Raptor at CES 2011. The self-powered device uses solar energy to charge a cell phone via USB and provides guidance functions for outdoor activities. The Raptor will be seen for the first time at booth #30959 in the Upper South Hall.

Featuring an 1800mAh rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery, the Raptor uses a high-efficiency monocrystal solar panel to power the utilities of the device. Packed with features, the Raptor houses the ABCs of an outdoor adventure tool; altimeter, barometer and compass. The Raptor also features an AM/FM/WB digital radio tuner with presets and NOAA weather alerts, as well as a digital clock with an alarm function. The unit can be charged via a solar panel or DC power, and the stored solar energy can be transferred to charge a cell phone via USB.

Raptor weighs just over 11 ounces and packs the additional features of an LED flashlight, audio line and DC input, battery charge indicator and even a bottle opener. The device is housed in rugged, rubberized and splashproof (IPX-4) casing, providing a layer of protection against water and dust. Sold separately, a holster is available to hold the unit and a mobile device, providing hands free flexibility and added protection.

“The Etón brand continues to advance new ways to harness the power of the sun, and the Raptor is another example of this innovation,” said Esmail Amid-Hozour, CEO of Etón Corporation. “We’ve incorporated a multitude of novel features into the Raptor and it will no doubt become a must-have device for anyone exploring the outdoors.”

The Raptor will be available in 2011. For more information on Etón Corporation and its products, visit www.etoncorp.com.

UPDATED.  Logitech‘s Wireless Solar Keyboard is, well, wireless and solar powered.  What more do you need to know?  It will stay charged up for up to 3 months in a dark room and can glean power from indoor lighting. The keyboard itself is just 1/3-inch thick and includes Logitech’s unifying receiver. To keep tabs on battery juice their is a solar app, but alas it’s only Windows 7 compatible.

We assume Logitech’s Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 ships November 15th because that’s when the app will be available for download.  You can preorder it for $79.99

Update: Checkout our Logitech K750 Solar Wireless Keyboard review.

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This radio has a regular FM radio, a wind up charger that can connect to your cell phone and other devices as well as a solar charger.

Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan may have invented a revolution in dental care — the solar-powered toothpaste-less toothbrush. It works by charging up via solar cells, then a chemical reaction causes the bacteria in the teeth to die. It’s called the Soladey-J3X, and it’s currently in testing with teenagers. Just make sure you have enough juice for that nighttime brushing.

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Designer Jesper Johnsson’s Solar Charged Collapsible Lantern is the perfect option for a light source while outdoors, whether camping or just out on the back porch. It stays collapsed during the day as it collects power via its solar panel. Then, at night, you can expand it and get some nice, electricity-free light. An included magnetic strap lets you attach to it to trees or anything else. There isn’t any info on where it’s a concept or actually coming out anytime soon — let’s hope it’s the latter.

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Enphase Energy’s Environ Smart Thermostat may be the future of home energy monitoring. Owners can use a web-based application on their computers or smartphones to control thermostat controls, and importantly, solar panel energy production. It works through Enphase Energy’s Internet-connected microinverters, which work in conjunction with a a solar panel to convert direct current to household alternating current (instead of using a large centralized inverter). So it’s really the first system to allow you, the homeowner, to both produce and maintain the energy use in your home. Imagine being able to create and monitor enough green energy to power your entire home  – now that would be awesome. Pricing for the Environ Smart Thermostat is currently unavailable.

The Solar Impulse, a solar-powered single person plane that uses 12,000 solar cells to achieve flight, is in the middle of its first 24 hour flight attempt. If successful, it could pave the way for using solar energy as a viable energy source for long distance flights. The plane, which has had three other successful test flights before, will hit a max altitude of 27,900 feet. Let’s hope it makes it. Best of all, you can watch a live webcast of its flight here.

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Technically, this is only a partially solar powered conditioner, from LG. This thing still uses electricity, since air conditioners suck up power like nobody’s business, but it will take some energy from the photovoltaic solar cells on its top. The panel delivers about 70 watts a charge, which will lower emissions over time. Which is always a good thing, especially with the amount of electricity we use during the summer. No word on pricing or a release date yet, but hopefully before it gets to near 100 degrees…oh wait, too late.

The T3 Transforming Solar Robot is a pretty ingenuous idea for a kid’s toy. Kids assemble the robot, which has seventy parts but only requires a screwdriver as a tool, which once completed then transforms into either a tank or a scorpion via solar cell energy. Education! Robots! What more could you ask for in a kid’s toy, really.

The T3 Transforming Solar Robot is available now for around $20.

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How would you like to score some of those tax credits associated with the installation of solar panels on your home? I know I would. While I don’t think MIT’s printable solar cells will qualify any time soon, the convenience and accessibility should out weigh any monetary breaks from the government.

Researchers say the solar panels can be printed out using a similar process to that of an inkjet printer. The semiconductor-coated paper features carbon-based dyes, which provide it with its solar capabilities, though the cell’s efficiency is just 1.5% to 2%. But the key to their success is the low cost and using them in mass quantity.

Right now the tech is years away from commercialization and still in the research phase. But hey, this could not only cut carbon emissions in the Western part of the world, but help those in less affluent areas to be self sufficient.

[via Inhabitat]

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While some people adamantly attest for their disdain towards IKEA products for whatever reason, I love them.  I’m always on a budget and still have IKEA stuff from almost 10 years ago.  New to their collection comes the SOLIG Solar Office Lamps.

Provided they are in a well lit area during the day, the lamp stores daylight in its solar cell for use of its LED lighting during the evening hours.  Sounds like a steal for only $20 a piece!  Available now at the IKEA website or warehouse near you.

Key features:

• Runs on solar cells that transform sunlight into electricity; helps you save energy and reduce your environmental footprint.
• Solar cells transform sunlight into electrical energy – requires no electrical connections.
• Uses LEDs, which consume approx. 70% less energy and last 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Fun tidbits:

• Position the product so the solar cell panel on top is well exposed to sunlight.
• Approved for use as outdoor lighting, IP 44.
• 3 rechargeable AA 1.2V batteries for solar cell driven products are included.
• Color temperature; warm white (Kelvin 3000).
• Integrated light source.
• LED life time approx. 20,000 hours.
• When the battery is fully charged, the product will light at full power for aprox. 3 hours.
• Recharging time is 8 hours in direct sunlight.

[via Unplggd]

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We’ve seen our fair share of solar powered gadgets, but none quite so odd as the HDTV-T900.  First up, it costs just $88.  Second, you can power it by simply placing it in the sun thanks to the two solar panels.   But outside of that it is your garden variety motion capture device.  It can snap 12 megapixel photos, capture 720p video, has a 1/2.5″ CMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD, LED night vision function, an SDHC card slot and HDMI output.  Oh yeah, you can also power the device using 4 AAA batteries.  Something just doesn’t seem right…

[via RFJ]

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PlanetSolar is the world’s largest solar boat.  Its covered in over 1600 sqaure feet of solar cells and supposedly carries a massive lithium-ion battery to capture the sun’s energy.  The boat itself measures 31m long and 15m wide and can achieve a top speed of 15 knots.  Total cost to date to produce the solar powered boat is just south of $25 million.  SunPower provided the some 38,000 photovoltaic cells and are said to be the world’s most efficient on the market today.

The PlanetSolar boat will launch in just 5 days time, where upon the team hopes to be the fastest solar boat to travel across the Atlantic Ocean.

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In what might soon become a reality, Solar Ivy is an innovative design to help get solar collecting devices into more homes.  Designed by SMIT (Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology), the Solar Ivy is in the running to receive the Pepsi Refresh grant of $50,000 which will help give the technology a much needed boost.

SMIT is currently finalizing a consumer grade version and are also looking for investors.  Solar Ivy will be completely modular and capable of adapting to trees, chimneys, and whatever else moss and ivy are prone to clinging to.

What do you think?  Good idea?

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It’s a luggage tag!  No, it’s a solar powered battery charger!

No…unbelievably enough, it’s BOTH.

It’s the Keystone Eco Tag, and it attaches to your attache–or any other piece of luggage–just like any other luggage tag.  It’s got a space for you to pencil in your name and address and such in case the bag gets lost.  But it also comes with a couple extra slots to plug in AAA batteries, or any device that has a USB connection.

Four hours of direct sunlight–or eight hours of indirect sunlight–will have those batteries charged in a thrice.

It’s not exactly the kind of thing you expect to see together–forget chocolate and peanut butter, this is chocolate and vodka.  But the combination is actually pretty palatable, and considering they want thirty five bucks a pop, the price isn’t terrible.  But if you’re interested, I’ve got a bit of bad news–these don’t ship until February.  I know, that’s only a couple weeks away, basically, but still.  It’s a bit of a wait.

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So sometimes, you’re out in the middle of nowhere, your car is dead and so is your cell phone.  At times like that you start to wish you were carrying a little lightning in your pocket.  But the next best thing just might be the Power HotSpot from Solis.

The Power HotSpot is, basically, what it says it is, like a WiFi hotspot, only for power.  It’s a portable solar panel attached to a base unit that comprises a twelve volt power supply.  Anything with a car cigarette lighter–from a cell phone charger to a portable car fridge–can draw power from the unit.

Anyone calling this a portable unit is clearly stretching the definition of the term “portable”–it’s portable in the same way a car’s spare tire is.  That is, it fits in your trunk and can actually be carried for a while, but I wouldn’t try a mile walk with one.

Anything that generates solar power is pricey, of course, but this one isn’t too bad at $375.

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With Solar Power being about the greenest energy around, it still takes way too long.  These new bags from Mascotte Industrial Associates of Hong Kong use DSSC (Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells) technology to effectively store and convert solar power so your can charge your gadgets on your own time.

I really like the utilitarian approach to these bags but can’t help but think about the restless anxiety of waiting around for this bag to fully charge.  No word yet on pricing or availability but if your looking for a new bag anyway you may want to wait on these.

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If the ReNu solar powered iPhone docking system piqued your interest then listen up, because Regen is at it again.   The REVERB is a giant speaker that stands 35-inches high and can be powered by, you guessed it, the sun’s solar rays.  Up top is an Apple 30-pin dock, 2x USB ports, 1x USB input for charging the unit and a 4-inch LCD to display all the track info your eco heart desires.  Speaker wise were looking at a set of stereo drivers and a 6-inch subwoofer.  A full charge in direct sunlight outdoors takes 20 hours, while inside takes 40, which produces 4.5 hours of play time at full volume or 12 hours at ‘normal’ volume.

The REVERB will be available this coming April for a mere $2,299, but you can preorder one now for $500 down.

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