Samsung Announced "Blue Earth" Solar Powered Eco Phone

Samsung Blue Earth Solar Powered Eco Phone

While it's a far cry from a smartphone, at least in the traditional meaning of the term, Samsung might really be onto something with it's new eco-friendly Blue Earth phone. It has quite a few interesting features, from it's integrated solar cells, built-in eco-calendar, built-in pedometer (with the nifty CO2 saved calculator), and the amount of care and attention that went into selecting the materials it's made from and even the box it's packaged in. I know quite a few "non-smartphone" users that care enough about the environment to consider switching, should this phone ever become available here in Canada.

Here's a quick blurb from the Samsung Mobile World Congress / Blue Earth Dream site:

You can see the example of Samsung's activities in eco-friendly products such as the Samsung Blue Earth.

Samsung Blue Earth is the first solar powered full-touch screen phone

• Solar Panel on the back of the phone
  
• Eco-friendly phone made from recycled plastic extracted from water bottles
  
• Free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardant, Beryllium and Phthalate
  
• Eco-UI: Eco-mode / Eco-calendar / Eco-walk
  
• 5 star energy efficient charger which uses standby power lower than 0.03W
  
• Small and light package made from recycled paper

Be sure to click through to the Samsung Mobile World Congress / Blue Earth Dream site to learn more because they have two animated video clips showing the Blue Earth phone "in use".

Here's the Blue Earth eco phone press release:

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today unveiled the innovative solar powered full-touch screen phone “Blue Earth”, alongside Samsung’s vision for environmental sustainability. Under the slogan: “The Blue Earth Dream: Eco-living with SAMSUNG mobile”, Samsung reinforced its commitment to protect the environment through the design of eco-friendly products and a programme of activities for its customers. It will be showcased at Mobile World Congress 2009 for the first time.

Designed to symbolize a flat and well rounded shiny pebble, Blue Earth is the first solar powered full-touch screen phone. By charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough electronic power to call anytime anywhere.

Blue Earth is made from recycled plastic called PCM, which is extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the manufacturing process. The device, including charger, is free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants, Beryllium and Phthalate.

The latest in a series of eco-friendly products, Blue Earth comes with a unique user interface which is designed to draw attention to preserving our fragile environment. Simple to set screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth to an energy-efficient mode, this new user interface allows the user to be energy-efficient with just one click of ’Eco mode’. Through the ‘eco walk’ function the user can count their steps with an in-built pedometer, calculating how much CO2 emissions have been reduced by walking as opposed to motor transport. This unique function allows user to calculate the value of this footprint through the number of trees that have been saved.

The packaging for Blue Earth is designed to be both small and light, made from recycled paper, and comes with a 5 star energy efficient charger which uses standby power lower than 0.03W. As part of the Voluntary Agreement of European Commission IPP (Integrated Product Policy) pilot program, Samsung has agreed to start using rating on energy consumption on the no-load mode of the mobile device charger.

“Samsung’s ‘The Blue Earth Dream’ demonstrates our small but meaningful commitments for the future and our environment,” said Mr. JK Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of Mobile Communication Division of Samsung Electronics. "We are committed to achieving the highest eco-status with our customers and business partners by providing the best eco-products and promoting eco-activities.”

Get in touch with Samsung Mobile! Learn more about ‘The Blue Earth Dream’ and other eco-friendly initiatives at www.samsungmwc.com (The site will be opened on February 16) and visit us at Hall 8, Stand 8a139 at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona.

About The Blue Earth Dream

The Blue Earth Dream conveys hope and sets goals for sustainable growth and life. In increasing environmental awareness, Samsung is developing ways to reduce CO2 emissions and to save energy at every stage of the product life cycle, as an effective response to climate change. Milestones have been put in place to eliminate hazardous substances from handsets and packaging will be designed from recycled materials. Samsung will encourage its customers to recycle handsets at a growing number of special take-back points worldwide.

About Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$105 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of two main business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.