Nokero C110 Solar Battery Charger

People would usually not care about those batteries that power remote controls, wall clocks and other similar devices until they run out. It is usually at this time that they might realize how spare batteries can be useful, if only they have it. And for those who with to always be ready for such circumstances, having the Nokero C110 Solar Battery Charger would always come in handy.

The Nokero C110 is a simple device that will really be handy especially for those who frequently use batteries on their gadgets at home. The Nokero C110 features a solar panel that can generate enough power to recharge a single AA battery. A user only needs to put the Nokero C110 in direct sunlight and it can fully charge the battery in around a couple of hours.

And since this simple solar charger needs to be placed under direct sunlight, the Nokero C110 is designed to be weatherproof.  This makes it a convenient device to have at home to ensure that there is always some back up battery available when needed. The Nokero C110 Solar Battery Charger is available at Nokero for US$14, including a single AA rechargeable battery.

sourcs: gadget

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Seagate expects flood-related hard drive shortages to continue

Seagate took some time out from its busy earnings reporting schedule to address supply concerns stemming from the recent devastating floods in Thailand. The storage manufacturer announced that hard drives supply will likely fall 150 million units short of demand by year's end.

 While Seagate's own factories weren't directly hit, suppliers for the company were impacted -- as were competitors, like Western Digital. The events have also had a more positive impact on Seagate, however -- as a result of the floods, a number of large buyers have entered into long-term agreements, according to the company.

source: computerworld

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iPhone Skin is Really a Wind-Powered Charger

One of the few complaints about the iPhone is the short battery life. Most people need to charge their phones on a nearly daily basis. The possibility for a low battery while away from a power outlet is pretty good, so off-grid charger concepts have come up often over the last few years. Most revolve around solar power, but the new iFan concept from Tjeerd Veenhoven utilizes the power of a good strong breeze. However, is it at all possible a wind-powered charger could work for an iPhone?By using a modified computer fan, the designer was able to charge his phone in 6 hours. It's rather a lot of breeze to have to capture before reaching a full charge, but the total time sounds about right considering the charge time of wind-powered chargers already on the market like the HyMini and the Kinesis.

The iFan concept is a rubber skin you place around your iPhone, complete with a fan at the top to catch the wind. The designer is modifying it so that it can be attached to a bicycle handle to capture the breeze while you ride. He is also working to make the fan blades even more efficient, and changes that would allow a person to wear it while they walk or attach it to a car while driving.

Again, 6 hours is a lot of time spent in the wind, especially while having your iPhone hanging off your bike handle or, gulp, out your car window. We aren't sure that having it be a skin for the phone is such a great idea. But we do love the idea of getting an extra charge for your cell phone just by sticking a fan out on your window sill for most of the day.

source: stumbleupon

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