Gadget Love: Solio Hybrid 1000 Solar Charger

Quick: What's green and yellow at the same time? The sun, of course! You can harness its awesome power with the Solio Hybrid 1000, a solar-powered charger designed expressly for gadgets like phones, Bluetooth headsets, iPods, and GPS receivers.

Just leave the Solio in the sun for 8-10 hours (or connect it to a PC's USB port if you live someplace like Michigan, where the sun rarely makes an appearance). It stores its charge for up to one year. Out of the box, it can power/recharge most devices, as it comes with USB, mini-USB, and Nokia connector tips. (Additional, device-specific tips are available for $9.95 each.)

The Hybrid 1000 weighs 4.6 ounces and sports a carabiner so it's easy to clip onto your travel bag. This is definitely a worthwhile accessory for anyone seeking an environmentally friendly way to charge their gear. It sells for $69.95. (Sorry about the Michigan crack, by the way; I'm just sick and tired of the overcast skies and bitter cold.) [via The Perrin Post]