Solar cellphone chargers are a dime a dozen, but this one from
British telecom company Vodafone puts a few new spins on an old
idea. I guess it makes sense that students from University
College London would think of making an umbrella into a solar
charger, seeing as umbrellas are pretty much a part of the
landscape over there. I lived in various parts of England for
about nine years, and can assure you that the endless rain thing
isn't just a cliché. Given enough sun (kind of rare in England)
the 12 solar panels will generate enough juice to recharge a
typical phone in about three hours. There is a battery in the
handle to store the charge, so you don't need to leave you phone
connected as you stomp around. As if that wasn't enough, the
students also made it so the umbrella acts as a signal booster,
adding a lot more antenna area for those long lonely treks out
into the wilderness, and there's even a solar powered torch
(flashlight in American) to help you find your way. The Vodafone
Booster Brolly prototype