K3 Harnesses the Power of the Sun, the Wind, and the Electric Grid

The Kinesis K3 power generator updates their previous K2 unit with a new power source: In addition to its windmill and solar cells, it can now charge its internal battery with external electricity sources.

Sounds a bit weird and anti-green, but for some reason now you can charge its 4,000 mAh battery using a USB adaptor or a car cigarette lighter. Why would you like to do a single charge with an external power source when you can just leave it by the window to have it fully charged is beyond me.

According to the company, one hour of sun and wind will provide you with 30 minutes of talk time in a mobile phone. Fully charged, the K3 can load the battery cells for an average mobile phone five times, or an MP3 player more than ten times.

At $US100 it is a bit on the expensive, but if their specs are correct, it looks pretty useful for emergencies. [CNET]