Solar Kindle Cover

[Hoosiermama]

http://m.engadget.com/default/article.do?artUrl=http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/07/solarkindle-cover-basks-in-the-suns-rays-charges-for-days-and/&category=classic&postPage=1

I ran across this article this morning. A bit pricey, but if I don't need batteries for a light, it might be worth it. I'm curious to check it out!

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[KimberlyinMN]

WOW! That is seriously cool! 

http://m.engadget.com/default/article.do?artUrl=http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/07/solarkindle-cover-basks-in-the-suns-rays-charges-for-days-and/&category=classic&postPage=1

I ran across this article this morning. A bit pricey, but if I don't need batteries for a light, it might be worth it. I'm curious to check it out!

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk

[The Hooded Claw]

I really like it in the abstract, but I generally read my Kindle naked (one of the reasons I like the small size and light weight of the K4), and I don't honestly see me having much use for it, even though I think it is cool!

[Hoosiermama]

I read outside in the spring/summer/early fall a lot on our lake dock. This would be wonderful for me. I hope its as nice as it looks!

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[RobertKindle]

This is nice.  At $80 it is the price of a second Kindle, however because most cases tend to be in the $20-to-$50 range it doesn't look like it is over priced.

[NapCat]

Too Kool !

Thanks for sharing that !

[StephenLivingston]

Neat idea.

[Sporadic]

The preorder is already up at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006E95V8M/?tag=kindleboards-20

Only problem is that it adds significant bulk. If I'm reading the site right:

Kindle - 6.5" x 4.5" x 0.34" 5.98 ounces
Kindle with that case - 7.9" x 4.7" x 0.72" 13.56 ounces

That's almost on par with the original Kindle 1 (8.0" × 5.3" × 0.8" 10.2 ounces). I'm still tempted to get one. It is a great idea.

http://www.solarmio.com/en/SolarKindleLightedCover.aspx

SolarKindle Features:
 · Solar powered e-reader cover with flexible, lightweight solar panel built into the cover.
 · Dual-charging (USB/solar) reserve battery greatly extends reading time.
 · 3-month guarantee for unplugged Kindle use under normal sunlight environment.
 · LED reading lamp turns on with one touch release.
 · Integrated reserve battery runs the LED lamp for up to 50 hours continuously without using the Kindle's main battery.
 · Integrated reserve battery can also transfer energy to the Kindle's main battery to extend reading time.
 · Integrated solar panel collects and converts solar energy "on the go" -- one hour under direct sunlight can provide up to 3 days reading time.
 · Premium leather cover.

[Hoosiermama]

Ack...I have a Touch, so it won't fit! Oh well....

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[Toby]

Sounds good! On their site, it says to use a small, thin, non-metalic object to remove kindle from cover. What object would that be?

[Tip10]

Write up on the case on Gadgeteer today:

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/01/09/solarfocus-solarkindle-cover-solar-powered-kindle/

[Eltanin Publishing]

Although it is very cool, I prefer a stand-alone solar collector, so that I can read AND collect energy from the sun at the same time. For instance, I recommend the Solio Bolt:



Solar chargers need hours and hours in the sun, and it works much better if you can point the solar panel right at the sun (which is why the Bolt can use a pencil to prop it up) rather than laying flat on a table, as the kindle would most likely be. Also, I'd feel more comfortable leaving the Bolt outside if there is a slight chance of drizzles, than the kindle (the chargers work MUCH better outside than through a window). Finally, a stand-alone charger lets you charge other things like your cell phone in an emergency.

Still... this charger is very cool...

EDIT: The page at amazon (linked to in a previous post) has some grammar issues. There are also glowing reviews even though it isn't available yet. Those things would make me be a bit cautious before buying. Just FYI.

[Betsy the Quilter]

It appears that both both Gadgateer and m-gadget's articles are based on a press release from the company.  It'll be interesting to see what actual reviews say...

Betsy

[Chad Winters]

I don't think I read outdoors enough for this to be helpful. If you were someone who went camping for long periods of time or were off the grid regularly it could be helpful...but really, how many people can't charge their kindle every 2-4 weeks?

[Hoosiermama]

Sounds good! On their site, it says to use a small, thin, non-metalic object to remove kindle from cover. What object would that be?

I have no idea...I wonder if it comes with that. I wonder if the cover hooks into the Kindle like the Amazon covers do. If so, the Touch doesn't even have holes on the side where it COULD hook in. So it sounds like this cover can be used only with the Kindle 4.

[Betsy the Quilter]

Here's the link to the company's website provided by Sporadic previously
http://solarmio.com/en/SolarKindleLightedCover.aspx

There are also some videos, I think...

Betsy

[QuantumIguana]

The company says that one hour of direct sunlight will provide energy for three days reading. That sounds pretty good. The Kindle doesn't use a lot of energy, so even indoor lighting would charge it, there will be a lot of time where the Kindle is just sitting there on a table, it can be charging all that time. At $80, it's a little pricy for me, but I have a cheap case, someone who would buy a lighted case probably wouldn't think this too expensive. I would expect that solar cases will decrease in price, this tends to happen as competitors enter the market.

[BevAnneS]

Rats!  Obviously it doesn't fit my months-old KK.

[Sporadic]

Ack...I have a Touch, so it won't fit! Oh well....

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A new Engadget eyes-on says that a Touch version is coming out in mid-March

We're here at CES Unveiled and we've just got our mitts on SolarFocus' Kindle case. The $80 e-reader sheath is said to provide for three months of unplugged use as well as 50 hours for its onboard reading light. While the construction seemed solid, the case added an extra bit of heft, with a heavy grey backing and a comfortable black leather detail surrounding the rather large solar panel on the front. The case is now available for the fourth generation Kindle, but we're told a Kindle Touch version is on its way sometime in mid-March, with more iterations in development. Check out a closer view of the case in the gallery after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/solarfocus-kindle-case-eyes-on/

[Chad Winters]

I wonder why 3 months is a maximum, it seems if you left it in the sun regularly it should be unlimited

[QuantumIguana]

I wonder why 3 months is a maximum, it seems if you left it in the sun regularly it should be unlimited

The case has a battery of its own. It's true that if you left it in the sun regularly it would be charged indefinitely, the three month charge would be if for some reason you kept your Kindle in a box away from all light sources and only used the case's battery charge.

[Chad Winters]

ahh thanks.....I thought it was just charging the Kindle's battery
Ohh that would add some weight...

[Hoosiermama]

The case is now available for the fourth generation Kindle, but we're told a Kindle Touch version is on its way sometime in mid-March

Drool. Thanks for that, Sporadic! Just in time for lake weather!

[Toby]

What would be a good, small non-metalic object to use, if you want to remove the solar cover??? I can only think of the metal kinds. Anyone know?

[dori chatelain]

I am wondering if that case can be used as a charger and then after the kindle battery is charged take it out of the case and put it in your case you usually use. If that could be done and I traveled a lot I would buy one. Especially if I went camping where there is no electricity or like my daughters grandmother went to africa on a safari and they were in remote locations most of the time where the camp used generators so they couldn't charge stuff like phones and kindles.

[jafTwo]

Something that would concern me is heat.  I have a solar Ni-MH charger and it gets really hot in direct sunlight.  I wonder if that would be a concern?

[Toby]

I got my cover today. I will let you know if it works. I am still waiting for the reserve battery to charge my kindle, at this moment.

Update - As soon after typing this, the red light stopped flashing. It works! My kindle battery is charged. I am not sure if the light is brighter on the Amazon lighted cover, so will have to do a comparison test.

[Sporadic]

I got my cover today. I will let you know if it works. I am still waiting for the reserve battery to charge my kindle, at this moment.

Update - As soon after typing this, the red light stopped flashing. It works! My kindle battery is charged. I am not sure if the light is brighter on the Amazon lighted cover, so will have to do a comparison test.

Could you post some pictures of the Kindle in the case? Also did it come with something to help get the Kindle out of the case?

[Bigal-sa]

Something that would concern me is heat.  I have a solar Ni-MH charger and it gets really hot in direct sunlight.  I wonder if that would be a concern?

My worry too - Li-ion batteries don't like getting too hot. The battery in my current solar charger is already down to 70% capacity after only 3 months. I'd hate to leave my Kindle in the sun anyway, and the way that cover is made, you can only charge the battery when the cover is closed.

[Toby]

It looks just like the pics on the Amazon's page. It's wider & longer than Amazon's lighted cover. The weight feels about the same. No non-metal thing included. I feel that it would have been nice if they did include something, to make it easier to remove. However, as long as the cover & kindle work, I am keeping it on. It's not such a big deal to let the sun shine on it for an hour, more or less, here & there, or under a lamp light.