Pixel Qi hopes to bring solar power to tablets
Prototype hinges on the low-powered Pixel Qi screens and a computing platform that uses less than the 1W of power generated by the integrated solar panel.
Pixel Qi has been showing off its sunlight-readable, low-powered displays at CES for years. But other than a DIY kit for the Lenovo IdeaPad S10, devices sporting the Pixel Qi display, such as the Notion Ink Adam Tablet, seem to perpetually remain in "upcoming" status. Still, the company doesn't seem to be slowing its R&D efforts, and its latest baby is a solar-powered tablet.
The prototype shown in the video below hinges on the low-powered Pixel Qi screens and a computing platform that uses less than the 1W of power generated by the integrated solar panel (which can be embedded in the bezel). While this sounds like a good idea on paper, we wonder if the actual implementation is technically feasible.
For one, the solar panel can only generate 1W under direct sunlight, and we all know how much consumer electronics "love" being left in the sun. Another issue is that of the solar panels used in the bezel. The surface of these panels need to be reinforced since most cheap varieties are easily scratched.
Nonetheless, as an alternative power source this sounds like a great idea, as long as it does not remain in the "upcoming" state indefinitely.
(Source: Crave Asia via Ubergizmo)