CES 2011: Solar-powered laptop bags

One of the best things about CES is wandering the massive show floor and finding a completely unique product that just makes you smile. I was rushing through one of the main halls and noticed that I was in front of the Samsonite booth. What the heck does a luggage company have to do with consumer electronics? I saw a small crowd gathered for a demo so I stepped inside.

The demo was showing a smartphone being charged by … a laptop bag with solar panels on the outside. There were solar-powered backpacks on display as well. TechDadCentral is no slave to fashion but these bags and backpacks actually looked quite nice. Coupled with the ability to charge a device whenever you are in direct sunlight (they produce 4.5 watts), these bags could become the de facto accessory for the power-hungry. Plus, you get some green street cred for going solar.  The laptop bag is available now and the backpack line will soon be released. If any of TechDadCentral’s kids are reading this …. Fathers Day is only six months away.

Ron Remy