Nokia has released a pedal powered cell phone charger kit slated for developing nations where the power supply is limited, unreliable or expensive. The kit includes a bottle-dynamo, like the ones used to power a bike light, plus a cell phone holder that attaches to the handlebars. Nokia hopes to begin selling the kits by the end of 2010 for around 15 euros in countries that have a large bicycling population. These dynamos are great sources of renewable and human power and make it that much easier for people to want to choose biking as their main mode of transportation.
Nokia says that charging times will vary according to they cyclist as well as the phone, but riding for a mere 10 minutes at about 6 mph (10 kph) will produce enough power for 28 minutes of talk time or 37 hours of standby time. You can even go as slow as 4 mph and still recharge your phone, although it will certainly take longer to charge it. The device is designed for any phone with a 2 mm charger jack.
The first bike powered chargers will be made available in Kenya for around 15 euros and then go on sale later this year worldwide. When they unveiled the charger, Nokia also showed off four new cell phones designed for developing nations where the electricity supply is limited. The handsets are designed to have a long battery life with six weeks worth of standby time.
Via Gadget Lab and BBC news
This is a great idea and fantastic use of peoples ability to power not only their mode of transport, but also their way to use less electricity. The simple ideas l was told many years ago were the best,well here is an old idea of a dynamo being used for modern day living.
By the way does anyone remember the bicycles of long ago that used dynamos to power their front and back lights with pedal power ?
Best of inventions are usually using what worked and making it better for people and not just for profit.As from people profit will eventually come.
Back in the late 50′s i was riding to school with a “Sturmy Archer” 3speed and dymano powering the front & rear lights. the top of the dynamo rubbed on the rear wheel side wall so as to rotate as it was powering the lights. Bulbs used to pop from time to time causing you to carry spares in the large leather saddlebag attached by straps to the leather saddle.
My current Carbon Selle Marco Saddle is a lot more comfortable, today was 7hrs on the run and occasionally drafting at 45kph with a variety of groups out to enjoy the sunny saturday after a week of snow down to 800m(heavy rain at lower altitudes)here in Tyrol!