Green product watch: portable cell-phone chargers that save energy
A dead cell-phone battery really can ruin your day, and we’ve all been there before, so consider getting one of the new, greener charging devices that are portable. Three different choices are described below.
AT&T’s Zero Charger is supposed to be more efficient than other cell-phone chargers sold today. It stops drawing power when your cell-phone is no longer plugged into it to save energy—something few electronics chargers do.
Besides saving on energy consumption, the Zero features a “block and cable” connector that will fit many future phones from the carrier, which AT & T claims will eventually lower landfill waste. Its packaging also will be made entirely from recycled paper. AT&T says it will be available this summer and will cost the same as existing replacement chargers.
Another choice, Ventev’s EcoCharge has some distinctive features that are noteworthy. This wall charger can power up two phones simultaneously and has a slim design that doesn't hog space on a power strip. Available for $30-35, depending on the model, the EcoCharge also has a 5-foot charging cable that pivots up to 90 degrees to accommodate tight situations.
Suppose your cell-phone battery dies and you’re nowhere near a power outlet. Stranded in that cold, dark place, your savior may well be the YoGen Mobile Charger. http://www.yogenstore.com/) The small device, which costs about $40, is a human-powered generator that works with a few tugs on a ripcord to charge your phone, camera, iPod, and more. Check out a video demonstration of the YoGen.
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A "sustainable" cell-phone
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