Showing posts with label Solar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solar. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Wireless Solar Keyboard Eliminates Need For Charging Batteries

Solar KeyboardIf you are very interested in solar, then you need to continue reading. Many of us like to use wireless keyboards rather than wired. And for tablets, using a Bluetooth keyboard is the way to go. There are also wireless keyboards that work with a USB plug to connect you up to the computer or tablet. One of the problems with wireless keyboards is the same problem that plaques smart phones. The life of the batteries is not as it should be.

But, for the wireless keyboard, there is a solution for the battery life problem. The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard eliminates the need for charging up the batteries. No more having the keyboard stop working because the batteries are low or drained. By adding two solar panels to the top of the keyboard, they remove the need to charge it up. It is being charged simply by using it. Since most tablets do not have USB ports, this is going to be limited to use with a computer or latptop.

We associate solar with sun light as the source for conversion into store-able power. But, with the Solar Keyboard, it will charge from the light in the room. That is the light coming from the light fixture. This removes the need to ever have to plug in a USB cable to charge it up and can be considered the first real wireless keyboard

The wireless portion operates at 2.4 Ghz. So, you need to make sure there will not be interference from other devices. And this comes in at 1/3 inch in thickness making it very low profile. With this thin profile, you can move back from the computer to use it and will work great when your screen is beamed onto a projection device for viewing by a larger audience. If you like wireless keyboards, but hate to have to keep plugging them in for charging, take a look at the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard.

The Solar keyboard is available at Amazon for a price of $52.99.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Goal Zero & ATT To Setup Charging Stations - Alternatives?

Is this really the best solution to be provided for charging phones?


[caption id="attachment_5458" align="alignleft" width="305"]GoalZero_NY Credit: Goal Zero[/caption]Many of us remember the problems experienced in New York and New Jersey where power was out in areas for an extended period of time. So much so, that people were lining up to charge smartphones, tablets and laptops so that they could continue to communicate with others. It brought out the worst fears that we all have about our devices running out of power because there is not a power source available. It seems that in New York, ATT & Goal Zero have teamed up to provide solar power stations to people who are in need of a charge for their smart phones. This sounds like a great idea. Or is it?

This has been widely reported, such as by The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. Calling them the Street Charge stations, the goal is to provide 25 of the solar power chargers from Goal Zero in a partnership with AT&T. This sounds like a really great idea. They will place these in various areas where those who need a charge can use one. At least on the surface it does sound like a good idea.

We all know about the problems with with cell phone theft where thieves do the snatch and grab routine before running off with a person's cell phone. Here in San Francisco, this is a very big problem with people sometimes getting injured as thieves steal smartphones. It was just last week where officials in both San Francisco and New York were calling on wireless carriers to put "kill switches" on smart phones to make they worthless to thieves once reported stolen.

That does not look like it is going to happen anytime soon. And as a result, the really great idea of solar charging stations in New York is going to create a situation for thieves to steal them. Having people standing around with their smartphone sitting on a table is going to invite problems. A better alternative is to have a battery charger which you carry with you to charge up your smartphone. At least you would not be exposing yourself to getting your phone stolen.