NTT solar charger for mobile gear

From NTT, a smallish solar charger, the Pocket Energy, that can be used to power most major mobile gadgets (3.8V-8.5V, and up to 10W; rules out laptops, unfortunately). Apart from using a new layout that makes it 1.5X more effective than previous types, the standout feature is what NTT refers to as a "software-controlled converter technology" whereby the charger detects the power needs of the device it's connected to via the power cable and adjusts current and voltage accordingly. In sunlight it'll turn out enough juice to charge a cellphone battery in a couple of hours.

Should be on sale in Japan in May, though no pricing information is forthcoming as yet.

[Via Ascii24 (Japanese)]