This is a once in a lifetime chance to get a solar bag designed by top designers like Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, Loomstate, Loeffler Randall, Lutz & Patmos, Rogan, Vena Cava, and Zero + Maria Cornejo worked with Sheila Kennedy to create sun power hungry bags.

Kennedy who founded the Portable Light Project, a non-profit initiative that provides solar textile kits to empower the world’s poorest people who do not have access to electricity and these top designers came together for ELLE Magazine’s ‘Green Issue’ to demonstrate how good looking solar bags can/could be made and to highlight the usefulness of solar power harvesting ‘on-the-go’ products for people in regions on our planet who have not the luxury to have a wall wart in their house or even village.

The designers where given from Kennedy the FLAP (Flexible Light and Power pack) module consisting of an 13″ x 4.75″ flexible solar panel, rechargeable batteries, an HBLED (High Brightness LED) light and a USB port.

These gorgeous looking solar bags will be auctioned off at eBay starting today, July 5th until bidding ends on July 15th. All profit will go towards the nonprofit, Portable Light Project.

It is amazing how beautifully looking solar bags top designers can make considering they had to use a standard flexible solar panel module.

[via: Treehugger]

We have covered Wifi sniffing T-Shirts, Sneakers and bags for a while and my biological radar is always going off when I see a new clothing or bag item that offers a Wifi network indicating feature.

Wifi signal indication and knowing the Wifi signal strength is almost as knowing there is breathable air around – which is nowadays not the case anymore everywhere that’s why air quality indicating clothing comes right after Wifi indicating clothing and bags.

It’s pure convenience to have such indication integrated on items we use all day almost all times especially when outside. there is no need to fire up the portable devices which cost a lot of limited battery power to find out there is no Wifi or a very weak signal.

Soyntec, a company dedicated to the Laptop Lifestyle is offering a range of WIFFINDER™ bags in various sizes, Retailing for around $360.- each.

Each style features an integrated Wifi indicator combined with a clock in a nice looking decal like style element of the face of the bag.

[via: Ubergizmo]

If you are one of the growing number of people who love to hike around the great outdoors whenever there is an opportunity you might know that having free hands is the best insurance to balance down a trail, cross water ways or venturing through dense Forrest vegetation.

At the same time you don’t want to let go of your digital gear like cellphones or music player but headphone cables get caught up in the vegetation, the phone in the bag rings at the moment where it is most inconvenient to stop and dig it out of the pocket or bag.

If all these points sound familiar to you, here is a solution from Canadian brand DEW (Digital Equipment Wear), the Digital Gear Quiver.

It’s a shoulder strap with wallet pocket and a pocket for your digital gear with inSound controls, a soft control keypad based on Fibretronic’s CONNECTEDwear. The CONNECTEDwear modular system connects almost to any phone, iPod or MP3 player and can be conveniently controlled from the outside of the Quiver.

To top of the convenience and practicality of the Quiver, a earphone cord management system will guide and protect the headphone cable which comes out of the Quiver just where they are needed, at the neck area.

Practical, functional but not necessarily something for the high street fashionista, the Digital Gear Quiver can be ordered by Small Dog Electronics for $84.99

No, I have not made a typing mistake in the headline, Neon Green, a new brand joining the solar power bag market, named their soon to be launched range Soular Power Back-Up Packs.

What can be seen so far from the 2010 catalog of Neon Green’s new range is very impressive besides the fact that these bags capture the sunlight on the go and convert it to electrical energy for our pocket devices.

Among the innovative designed range is the Capsoul 3-in-1 Back-up-Pack (see images) which has the option to take off the solar panel part and use it as shoulder bag or a hand carrying case with solar charging function for a stroll around the city or have it attached to the backpack for the adventure trip power supply.

Let’s hope Neon Green is coming out with these great looking, style flexible \solar bags in time for the spring/summer sun season. We will watch out and notify you once the Soular Power Back-Up Packs hit the stores.

[via: ChipChick]

I might have a bit of an advantage when it comes to the use of solar power bags as I am living in a part of this world where sunshine is the standard and rain the exception. More often than not I can happily recharge some of my little gadgets either on the go or later when home, giving me a sense of achievement by saving a small, tiny bit of fossil fuel generated electric power.

Solar power transforming bags have seen over the past 2 years a growing number of established companies offering solar power options in their newest collections and new companies coming to the solar power bag market with fabulous designs to choose from.

The latest member of this growing bag segment is no one less the Samsonite, one of the leader of innovative luggage and bags. A Samsonite messenger bag has been seen on the recently held CES featuring an integrated, flexible solar panel on the front flap which is a able to generate a full power charge for the Blackberry Curve with just 4.5 hours of sun shine.

Expected to hit the stores this spring for under $100.- the solar messenger bag will come with a 12V automotive charging adapter so users will be able to connect their devices with their automotive adapters.

Not the best connection solution as people without a car will face the situation to buy such adapters just to use the solar bag. A standard USB connector would have served the consumer base better – just my 5 cents.

When companies like Samsonite finally discover the benefits of the suns energy and offering solar power bags next to their great looking bag collection it might be the start of an era where power charging bags will be a feature nobody wants to miss anymore.

[via: Electronista]

With all the snow and cold weather around us we should not forget the sunny side of life. Whenever there is sun you have the opportunity to catch not only warm sun rays but at the same time some additional electrical power for your pocket devices – that is, if you have a solar charging bag.

Concord Keystone Trading LLC, currently exhibiting their portable solar charger collection at the CES has added a solar charging sling bag called 4U2ReUSE (for you to reuse) to their portfolio.

Following the trend of other solar bag companies, their solar bag offers next to the environmental friendly, renewable energy generation environmental friendly materials for the bag which is made from recycled PET plastic bottles and shopping bags.

The 4U2ReUSE Solar Sling is using G24i‘s solar panel technology, a flexible, thin-film solar panel which keeps on charging the batteries even when the sun is hiding behind clouds.

The ‘on-bag’ battery stores all the energy and gives it off when needed via a USB connector cell/smart phones, digital music players and digital cameras.

No price or online shop is available at this time and the company side seems is not working as well. We will give you an update once we found a place where you can purchase this bag.

[via: Imaging Resource]

Noon not only redesigned their Website but also added a new, great looking solar bag model to their growing range of ecologically designed and manufactured solar power bags.

Like the whole range of Noon solar bags, the latest model called ‘Linden’ is made in the most sustainable and ecological way using leather processing free of heavy metal and other chemical substance and naturally dyed organic hemp canvas.

The natural dyeing process gives every bag a unique individuality, making each piece a one-of-a-kind bag.

The bags solar panel charges a battery pack inside the bag which can then supply power to cell phones, iPod or other personal devices day or night.

Making a complete charge of the on-bag battery takes around 6-8 hours in bright sunlight and naturally will extend when the sky is overcast.

The Linden solar bag has a retail price of $433.- and is available like the other solar bag models via their website.

Luxury fashion brand Cole Haan launched what must be the best looking interactive handbag for women, featuring a touch sensitive control pad on the front pocket of the handbag.

The soft eTextile controls from QIO Systems have been beautifully integrated into the style of the handbags, radiating classiness technology embracing  fashionistas will love.

The handbags are made from recycled fabric with vegetable tanned leather trim, canvas lining interior and custom nickel hardware.

The ‘Dylan Mini Crossbody‘ is the smaller of the two models measuring 8″ L x 7″ H x 3 1/2″ D. A nice twist in this model are the eight credit card slots and two bill compartments on the inside. The retail price for the ‘Dylan Mini Crossbody’ is $178.-

The ‘Dylan Hobo‘ model measures 18″ L x 10″ H x 9″ D providing plenty of space for a day out around the city. The retail price of the ‘Dylan Hobo’ is $248.-

Both models come with the PANiQ control module for the iPod but can easily be upgraded to support next to iPod and iPhone cell phones with the PANiQ Bluetooth Hub Controller for $79.99

Leave your cell phone or iPod inside the bag and manage them from the outside. An eye catcher with style.

Soft touch controls in bags have been around for a while but Cole Haan’s integration into a classy handbag design is the most stylish use of a bag remote control we have seen so far.

Sunnybag is a new line of exclusive shoulder bags with integrated, flexible solar panels made by Austrian company Ponsold.

The first model available is the ‘Business Pro‘, made of finest dark brown cow-skin leather and includes a 1600mAh Li-Ion battery pack, 2 flexible solar panels with 3 watts of power output, connectors to more than 400 different cell phones, iPhone 2G, 3GS, iPod and USB-port.

The ‘Business Pro’ is a exceptionally good looking business bag with a large, 2 piece solar active area which will still charge the on-bag battery on a cloudy day.

I have expressed my opinion, my love for solar bags, which are one of the best marriages of technology and soft goods, multiple times. Flexible solar panels on bags don’t add much additional weight, they are robust enough to withstand the ‘treatment’ we give our bags but they generate almost unlimited electrical power for our growing number of electronic pocket devices. Power we never can have enough off, power we often badly need for that important call or other tasks we depend so much in our digital lifestyle.

The retail price of the ‘Business Pro’ SunnyBag is $299,- available via Sunnybag’s online shop.

I particularly like the statement of Stefan Ponsold, project leader of R&D in SunnyBag’s press release: ‘Our solar bags are more than a fashion statement, they are a personal statement about a commitment to sustainability, sensibility and responsibility.’

Triggered by a question from one of our readers looking for a boom bag, I came across the Mini Boom Box Bag from Hard Rock Cafe.

It’s styled like a 1980s ghetto blaster, complete with speakers, controls and a cassette in the tape deck.

Simply plug in your iPod or MP3 player and groove to your favorite tunes.

It may be called a mini tote, but this Loop Design handbag is large enough to carry all your essentials.

A cute alternative to listen to music and a potentially huge attention attraction when you stroll down the streets with it.

Available via the Hard Rock store or other online shops for $30.-