Monday, June 29, 2009

Solar Powered Cell phones, Relevant Technology ?

Innovation is necessary and an inevitable human urge. But innovation being 'relevant' is equally essential is what I feel. Agreed that you cannot (and should not) stop the geeks and scientists from thinking of whacky ideas - coz if they didn't, then I'm sure we might have been devoid of many of our most loved gadgets and inventions. But when professional companies are investing in research and aiming at commercial viability, that is what adds 'relevant' to the entire process.

Reading an article on Solar Powered Cell Phones, gives me the same feeling that folks are forgetting the term 'relevant' and putting futile (atleast in its current state) effort on making cellphones - solar powered. And it has already been launched in the market in Japan! Look at some interesting specs - 10 minutes of charging in the sun will give you 1 minute of talktime ! but hold on - this is what the company specifies - when it was tested, it took - '40 minutes to squeeze out one minute of talk time, 60 minutes for three minutes of talk time'.

Interesting, but any takers ? - that only time will tell, but I'm not sure if mobile phone is an instrument where the concept of solar energy could be applied (commercially), knowing its usage requirements and functional need.