The Novothink Surge for iPod Touch ($70) is the most clever of extended batteries. Like the Mophie Juicepack, the Surge is designed to both charge and cradle your iDevice – in this case, 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Touches.
But what makes the Surge noteworthy is the integrated solar panel on the rear – allowing you to top off just about anywhere there’s light. (Supposedly, it’ll even trickle charge via some types of indoor lighting.) Novothink has also created an app to help calculate your solar charging needs. And if you’re pegged at 6 hours, as I was, you can optionally refill at a quicker clip via the included mini USB cable rather than leave the Surge on your dashboard all day (which is frowned upon in the user manual).
Entering the Surge for iPod Touch giveaway is as easy as it gets, simply leave a comment. (US residents in the lower 48 only, please.) We’ll choose the winner at random in a few days.
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Power me up. Solar power that is. Sounds like an interesting product.
This looks useful. I tried to homebrew something similar (mighty minty boost), but I didn’t get the leads on the solar panel configured right….
Let’s go green and marvel this masterpiece!
Don’t suppose it works with the iPhone 3GS?
Let’s try this again, w/o a typo’. Thanks!
How well does the phone actually fit into the pack? It looks like there’s some space up at the top. Have you used it for a couple days just walking around and stuff? I’d like to know how you find the size/protection compared to the “typical” cases?
Morac, I didn’t try and don’t think it’ll fit given the iPod Touch is much thinner than the 3G/S.
Jay, the Touch fits snuggly in the case/sled. Although, unlike Mophie, it doesn’t entirely encase the device – the top portion is open as you can see in the pics. The Surge is thicker than a regular case as it contains it’s own battery. Basically solar or USB charges the battery in the Surge which in turn charges the battery in the Touch. As far as use, I only very briefly used it yesterday for the purposes of taking a few pics for the giveaway. Whoever wins should be willing to provide a review for the rest of us. ;)
Thanks for the contest!
hm. neat.
I would like to be an Eco friendly winner
Me, me, I want it!
I’d love to dip my toe into the solar water. Thanks for the chance!
Looks interesting.
I would love one!
Looks cool…
Add me in. Will provide review from the kid’s perspective.
Looks great, sounds great!
Sounds awesome. I’m in. Thanks.
Looks cool. If you have to flip it over to charge, I might be worried about the screen.
Interesting product (the solar charging aspect). $70 seems steep, but hopefully the street price will be much lower like you can get on the Mophie products. The gap on the top looks weird… like the first gen Mophie juice pack but worse (IMHO).
Sounds like a Mophie-killer!
I love solar powered devices!
Nice concept. Hook me up!
I’ll go off the grid! :P
Thanks.
I’d love to play with that please dave :)
wow it seems like a really useful thing to have it your going out of town and forgot your charger..
Would love to get a chance to do some “solar sledding!”
I hope it is not too late to enter
Thanks for the giveaway.
hope i win
I have the POWER….. Please
please!
That is cool!
why not? its cool
Hope I can use this with my soon-to-be purchased Touch
Nice, I need a solar charger.
Oh wow. Yes please.
more green, more gooder… sign me up.
Interesting concept at least.
Neil (#28) is the big winner! Stay tuned for more fun giveaways.