CellFreakz - cellular phone trend updated

We already knew that Samsung created the gorgeous Blue Earth cellphone, and now Samsung's Korean counterpart, LG, also announced its own solar cell phone. This time, the deal is more concrete, LG promised to give you 3 minutes talk time for 10 minutes cellphone exposure to the sun.

While it seems novel and innovative, we should really question whether solar powered phone is really beneficial or only a fad. Actually, most common folks work in indoor environment. There are only a handful day jobs that require people to work outdoor under the sun. Police, Army, Pilots, Field Engineers, Extreme sports athletes, perhaps. But these kind of people may find military standard phones more suitable.

I have an idea here. Why not combine the ruggedness of military standard phones with solar cell? Wouldn't it be great? Because if I were a sergeant in a drill, and my cellphone gets low battery, I can't risk my career by running out of my training only to charge the phone. But may be I can ask my friend to just expose the phone to the sun. Still...this kind of scenario is too far fetched.

And let's get real, common folk like you and me will not have the time to fry our phone under the sun for 10 minutes to get 3 minutes talk. We are too busy with our emails and phones and fax that come to our desk. And come on, that electrical plug is always within reach either at home or in office, so plugging in charger is much more convenient, and much more make sense. So, there is really no practical need for these solar powered phones. It's just a fad that will be gone before you know it!

Moreover, who needs this solar powered charger, unless you are Lara Croft. Though, again, we never see Lara Croft use a cellphone during her adventures ! :)
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