EUR: First solar-powered phone goes on display
By Adam Plowright17 Feb 2009 12:30 AM
BARCELONA, Feb 16 AFP - Samsung unveiled the world's first solar-powered mobile phone at an industry show at Barcelona on Monday where the sector is showcasing the new technology it hopes will drive demand through the economic crisis.
The South Korean manufacturer put its Blue Earth phone on display in front of curious crowds at Mobile World Congress, with industry insiders keen on its mini solar panels located on the back of the phone.
"This type of device would be ideal for developing markets where workers have long hours and don't have access to electricity," commented Nick Lane, chief researcher at consultancy Direct2 Mobile.
The device is to be launched in Europe in the second half of 2009.
A full charge taking 10-14 hours in the sun would offer about four hours of talk time. The phone can also be charged normally via a plug.
Fellow South Korean manufacturer LG Electronics also put a prototype solar-powered phone on display but the company has no launch date or name for the device.
The Mobile World Congress, which runs from Monday to Thursday, is the world's biggest mobile phone show and is set to bring together 60,000 industry insiders from 1,200 companies, organisers the GSM Association said.
Acer unveiled its first range of high-end phones, with the first four models set to go on sale in March or April and another six to follow, marketing manager Sylvia Pan told AFP.
The touch-screen phones, with a design that resembles the top-selling Apple iPhone, will connect to the Internet via a wifi connection and a high-speed mobile network.
The move illustrates two trends: the growing attractiveness of the high-end market for "smart phones" and the arrival of traditional laptop computer makers in this segment.
In other news on Monday, Chinese manufacturer Huawei revealed only the second mobile phone to integrate the Android operating system developed by internet giant Google.
