Japanese maker Thanko has started selling their solar charged media player, a device that incorporates its own solar panels in the design.
The Solar MP4 supports MP3/WMA/WAV audio and AVI/RM/MPG/VOB/DAT/RMVB video files, and it also serves as a voice recorder and a FM radio. The unit has a 2 inch TFT display and 4gb of memory,and it supports micro sd cards.
The charging rate for the player is rated at one hour charge for 35 minutes music or 15 minutes of video. No doubt that is under direct sun, but it does make it practical. These type of devices will no doubt really mature when the charge gains on the use (i.e. 30 minutes of charge will give you 40 minutes of play, etc.), but for a first generation using current technology this is not bad. (Picture Credit: NewLaunches)
Aloha
via
