Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio - New iPad & iPad 2

Logitech is introducing some interesting solar powered keyboard products and here comes one for you iPad 2 or the new iPad unit. Sorry, it doesn’t support the original iPad at this time. This keyboard connects to you iPad’s via bluetooth technology and uses the same solar cell technology as their desktop keyboard units. Once the battery charge is 100% Logitech claims that the battery will keep you typing for over 1,000 hours. The case is crafted of black, soft-touch, faux leather embossed with a small Logitech logo and has perforations for the iPad's speakers, plus a portal for the tablet's camera.

• 2 year-Limited hardware warranty
• Dye-sensitized solar cells
• (rechargeable NiMh batteries charged by the solar cells)
• Two-year battery life
• Bluetooth 3.0
• Numbers of keys: 64  (US layout)
• Key Travel: 1.5 mm
• Product dimensions: 428 x 17.8 x 253 mm
• Weight: 460 grams (without iPad)

Press Release:

Logitech Introduces Light-Powered Protection for the New, Third-Generation iPad
New Solar Keyboard Folio Provides Hassle-Free Protection with Minimal Bulk
NEWARK, Calif. - May 3, 2012 - Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) announced the expansion of both its solar and tablet accessories lineups with the Logitech® Solar Keyboard Folio.
Made for the new, third-generation iPad® as well as the iPad 2, the ultra-slim, book-style case and keyboard offer stylish design with protection, featuring a built-in keyboard that's powered by light.

Similar to Logitech's solar keyboards for Mac® and PC, the Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio includes onboard solar cells that charge the built-in Bluetooth® keyboard in any light, whether indoors or outdoors. When fully charged, the battery lasts for up to two years, even in complete darkness (based on a average use of two hours per day).

"Now that people are seemingly inseparable from their tablets, using them for everything from sending emails to watching videos, they want accessories powered to meet their needs," said Alexis Richard, director of product marketing at Logitech. "The Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio is a smart partner for your iPad. Its sleek built-in keyboard uses light to charge and it provides hassle-free protection for your iPad – both for the front and back. It gives you an ideal way to use and protect your tablet without adding bulk."

The Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio has two stand positions, so when you want to use your iPad you can choose the viewing angle that's best for you. Open the folio and place your iPad in the first position to enjoy the full keyboard when you're typing. Place your iPad in the second position and the first keyboard row acts as your one-touch media playback and volume controls, so you can play, pause and change volume instantly.
The folio also has an instant On/Off function, which means your iPad automatically wakes when you open the folio and goes on standby when you close it.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in May 2012, for a suggested retail price of $129.99. For more information please visit www.logitech.com or our blog.

Kindle Cover that Charges Your Kindle

I use my Kindle primarily around the pool and a company called SolarFocus has created a cover with a built-in solar panel on the front. So when you have laid your Kindle down and jumped into the pool, you can recharge by having the panel collect those wonder solar rays and boost your battery. If you just have the case with Kindle laying around it will help add up to 3 months of extended charge or 50 hours for it’s include LED lamp.

The SolarKindle is scheduled to be available on January 15th priced at about $80. Pretty neat! A fully charged reserve battery requires only eight hours of direct sunlight and provides up to 80% of backup power to the Kindle. That’s almost three days of use time for each hour of charging!

Google continues to build on its Solar Energy Investment

PR: Ending the year with another clean energy investment.

Google has added another $94 million investment of four solar photovoltaic projects that is being built by Recurrent Energy near Sacromento, CA. This brings their entire investment in Solar Energy to $915 million. They have also committed themselves to providing funding to help more than 10,000 homeowners to install solare PV panels on their rooftops. They go on to state that this $94 million investment represents a much larger scale result than the individual rooftop installations providing a total capacity of 88 MW of energy, equivalent to the electricity consumed by more than 13,000 homes.

Google isn’t the sole investor in this project. They are investing with KKR and Recurrent Energy.Google’s posting states:

We’re joining KKR on their first renewable energy investment in the U.S. We believe investing in the renewable energy sector makes business sense and hope clean energy projects continue to attract new sources of capital to help the world move towards a more sustainable energy future

The energy produced by these projects is already contracted for 20 years with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). SMUD recently created a feed-in tariff program (FIT) to help green the grid for Sacramento-area residents. We’re excited that these projects are the first to be built under the program.
We’ve had a busy year at Google. Since January, we’ve invested more than $880 million in clean energy projects. We believe the world needs a wide range of solutions—from wind, to transmission, to solar PV and concentrated solar—and we look forward to new opportunities next year to further expand our portfolio of clean energy investments.