I was recently contacted by a PR firm representing the folks at Better Energy Systems, which make the absolutely righteous-sounding Solio Portable Hybrid Solar Charger. You can get electricity into the device the old fashioned way-by plugging into the wall, or you can get your juice from that big orange ball in the sky!

A number of cell phones, MP3 players, GPS units, game systems, and digital cameras are supported through a series of tips-sold separately, of course. Kind of reminiscent of the iGo universal charging system, but you get the more eco-friendly solar charging option as well.

The battery built into the Solio is 1600 mAh, which is enough to charge most devices twice without needing to sit in the sun or visit the wall socket for more juice. We'll have to see how well this works in practice here in the not-so-sunny Puget Sound. Fortunately, they are sending me a review unit. I will get to experience this gadget for myself. You can bet I will report my findings here and other places as well.

One of my fellow CW bloggers covered this particular gadget also.