Where’s the “iPhone” Equivalent for Solar?

The iPhone dominated tech headlines last year, and with good reason. While it’s not a perfect device, it is a sleek gadget that works well and packages together an awful lot of attractive features. It’s not economical compared to some competitors, but it has the Apple brand name and, many would say, a priceless “cool” factor. I don’t have one, but I can understand why people want them.

Coming into 2008, there are already articles popping up that speculate about what gadget will take the throne this year. And something will, of course. Consumers, commentators, and producers all love buzz.

It’s not going to happen in 2008, but I wonder when we’ll first see a gadget-of-the-year that’s either entirely or partially solar-powered, and, more importantly, advertised that way. Portable solar technology is already a reality. With strides in reducing size and increasing efficiency, it’s conceivable that solar power could start powering powerful handheld gadgets in unobtrusive ways within five years. Everyone knows about solar calculators already, one of the most ubiquitous and highly-used solar applications on the market today. But no one really cares about calculators, either. Solar, if it’s going to break into the mass consciousness, needs its iPhone.
I don’t mean literally, of course; something will have replaced the iPhone, or it will have evolved beyond recognition, within a few years. The change will in all likelihood come from Apple.

But when I say solar needs an iPhone, I mean something with an equivalent amount of (a) obvious excellence and (b) overwhelming buzz. A solar-powered cell phone that would barely ever need charging. An all-in-one video/digital camera/phone/music player that doubles as a fold-out video game system, sporting a powerful solar panel on its back. A movie player that projects to your eyes with lasers, all courtesy of energy from the sun. There are lots of possibilities. But what’s needed is something that’s cool, interesting, has cachet, and, most importantly, adopts solar without a second thought. The message will be clear: solar is cool, interesting, has cachet, and should be adopted without a second thought. It won’t make the whole country go out and buy roof panels, but it will help to associate solar with all of the positive images that it needs to break out into the mainstream. An “iPhone” equivalent for solar could be just the thing the industry needs to continue fueling its growth.

Feel free to post your own suggestions for gadgets, real or imagined, that might feasibly be able to integrate with solar power.