WYSIPS-What You See Is PhotoVoltaic Source is a French start-up which apparently has a major breakthrough for solar power to electronic devices. The lenticular skin is transparent but generates serious power for directly charging mobile electronics like smartphones, GPS systems, etc. Because the film is not only transparent but also very thin and highly flexible it can be attached/molded onto a wide array of products. The cost of the part is estimated to be in the $1-3 range; thus the technology is expected to be on devices by next year.
Unkown, however, is the question of the durability of the material. Also the current demos show the material being applied to the screen of a tablet or smartphone. Ye Editor can see it being applied to the back of a tablet or smartphone and then the smartphone or tablet being carried in a bag with a clear plastic slot so the device can be recharging while being toted around. No surprise – this technology won first prize in the 2011 CTIA Mobile Shows new Technology competition.