Uni students pulling all night essay marathons may need to share their Coke with their phone …  That is, if they want to keep their mobile charged to browse the net for their much needed essay filler information. 

“What?” you ask

A conceptual mobile phone has been developed, in partnership for Nokia, powered by Coca Cola or similar sugary soda drinks.

The Chinese inventor, Daizi Zheng, says:

“Through out my research, I found that phone battery as a power source, it is expensive, consuming valuable resources on manufacturing, presenting a disposal problem and harmful to the environment.

The concept is using bio battery to replace the traditional battery to create a pollution free environment.”

Using the eco-friendly bio battery, which generates electricity from the carbohydrates and utilizes enzymes, has the potential to operate three to four times longer than a conventional battery’s single charge AND could be fully biodegradable.

Remember, we’ve seen something a little similar, charging with an energy drink and onion, but this puts the theories to practical – and possible – use.

A battery powered by soft drink? Now that’s sweeeet…

Source: Mashable – “Forget the Nexus One, We Want the Coke-Powered Phone“

Mobile Phone Radiation – is it safe exposure?

The jury is still out a little on the answer to that and more research is needed. The Environmental Working Group (Washington) think that mobile phone users should be warned about levels of radiation until such time as scientists know much more.

Recent studies find significantly higher risks for brain and salivary gland tumors among people using cell phones for 10 years or longer. The state of the science is provocative and troubling, and much more research is essential.”

The EWG have created a database ranking more than 1,000 mobile phones in terms of the amount of radiation they emit, so that consumers can factor radiation emissions into the purchase decision.

Top 5 phones (least radiation)

1. Samsung Impression
2. Motorola RAZR V8
3. Samsung SGH-t229
4. Samsung Rugby (SGH-a837)
5. Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627)

Of course, being an American database, some models are different to what is released here. Don’t fear though, mobile phone users can input their mobile phone models to check against the EWG database how much radiation they may be exposing themselves to.

Most radiation?

So which handset is the highest rated?

You can see here that Samsung ranks 4 out of the Top 5 (and actually had 5 out of 10 for the lowest radiation exposure), which sounds like a big win for them, but don’t be caught out by that.  Looking at the entire table, there are also some Samsung in the extremely high levels.

Although Motorola came in the at No2, Motorola handsets were also sprinkled all the way down the table, along with the Blackberry.

And well, there’s no mention of the Apple iPhone in the Top 10 table … Apple fans (or non-fans who want to gloat) need to search quite a way down the online database to see how it ranked.

Reduce your Risk

Check out their tips for how you can reduce your exposure – for example more texting than talking. Yay, justification for not having to take any more phone calls?

Originating source: How much radiation does your mobile emit?

“Blinking phone calls!”

Maria Sharapova unveiled a protype dress that lights up when your mobile phone rings.

Arrggh, not what you and your dirty mind thought…

Mixing technology and fashion, this flashy (and very stylish) dress, is the brain child of British fashion student, Georgie Davies, who teemed up with Sony Ericsson to make the project.

Davies said the dress is designed to eventually be connected to the wearer’s phone by Bluetooth wireless technology, so she can be alerted to a call even in noisiest of places.”

It’s unusual, it’s different, it’s noice!  Check it out.

Source: Reuters

Causes of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Ok, well, added to Blackberry thumb and RSI from texting, we now have to watch out for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, or ‘mobile phone elbow’ (cell phone elbow in the US).

Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve, which passes through the cubital tunnel (a tunnel of muscle, ligament and bone) on the inside of the elbow, becomes irritated due to injury or pressure.”

The frequent bending of the elbow, such as when using a mobile phone frequently or for extended periods of time, can cause Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.  Also to blame of course, could be extended use of the desk or house phone, incorrect use of keyboard etc.

“What are the symptoms?”

Initial symptoms may be:

• Numbness, tingling and aching in the forearm
• Numbness and pain in the hand
• Weakness of the thumb

(All of which I have as I type, damn overactive mind)

“So how can I avoid Mobile Phone Elbow?”

Some good ideas particularly related to mobile phone use could be:

• Reduce length of calls (girls, I know it may seem impossible)
• Use a handsfree headset
• Use loudspeaker (of course, only if you’re not going to annoy commuters, workmates or others around you)
• Switch mobile between hands during calls

Of course, we could also practise engaging in more face-to-face communications?  I know, that’s a crazy idea!