Clipping the Cord on Portable Devices

Even though portable devices like cellphones, PDAs, and MP3 players have gotten  smaller, more sophisticated, prettier, and lighter over the years, there’s still one inconvenient tether anchoring wired consumers to their home bases: the battery cord.

Fortunately, the folks at Citizen Watches have found an elegant solution: The brilliant Eco-Drive design. Effectively a solar battery for watches, Citizen’s invisible Eco-drive recharges whenever it comes into contact with light and can store enough energy to power its watches for five years–in the dark.

Yeah, it’s just for watches now, but imagine the Eco-Drive licensed to portable device manufacturers: Imagine never having to recharge or not having to search your living quarters for additional plugs for your phone, iPod, Palm, PSP, and more. Imagine never having to find or replace another lost battery, or deal with  all of those ugly cords. It could be possible–soon.