Samsung intros solar-powered Blue Earth handset
updated 03:45 pm EST, Thu February 12, 2009
Samsung Blue Earth handset
Samsung today unveiled one of the first touchscreen phones consciously designed to be eco-friendly. Apparently styled after a pebble, the Blue Earth handset is made from recycled plastic from water bottles and has a built-in solar charger on its back panel. Samsung also says the handset and its wall charger don't include brominated flame retardants, beryllium and phthalates that could affect either the users or seep toxins once the phone is tossed away.
In order to save more energy, the Blue Earth has a user interface that promotes saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases in other ways, such as by counting the steps via a built-in pedometer and counting how many trees users have saved by not driving their cars. The phone can also be set up in an Eco mode, which sets up screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth to work at their most efficient.
Although there is no pricing information, Samsung's Blue Earth will be shown off at Mobile World Congress next week and is expected to ship to certain markets in the second half of 2009. [via Pocket-lint]
