
Okay, okay, yes it's a toy, but so's my iPod (it is, in fact, my favorite toy at the moment). As long as we're going to be playing with electronics, why not make them sustainably-powered?
"Bird Electron is developing a solar iPod charger to go on limited sale from May. The unit very sensibly comes with a battery built in, meaning you can charge that during the day and plug your iPod into it overnight. At the moment it apparently takes two fine days to get a full charge, but they reckon a single day's worth should be enough to cover you for a shortish commute. Obviously it's going to take years before the electricity savings pay for the charger, but the idea here is ecology rather than economy. Man."
(thanks, Cory!)
I can't imagine the idea of "ecology" by purchasing more silicon...
It would be nice to get away from proprietary battery formats, or at least proprietary voltages. Seems unlikely though.
Ta hell with ecology, it's how to keep your tunes rollin' if you are stranded on a desert island - always take this item on plane and boat trips : )