Press Releases > Motorola Introduces New Energy Source For Wireless Phones

2002-01-08
2002-01-08

Motorola Introduces New Energy Source For Wireless Phones
FreeCharge Wind-Up Charger Provides an Extended Power Source for Mobile Phone Users

LAS VEGAS, How many times has this happened to you? You haven't had a chance to charge your phone, but you grab it and try to make a call anyway, anxiously await the connection andÖthe phone battery dies. Thanks to FreeCharge, a portable self-sufficient power source for wireless phones jointly developed by Motorola, Inc. and Freeplay Energy Group, you will now be able to continue your conversations or mobile Internet session for an extended time even if your battery is low or if your battery dies and you are not near a power outlet.

With dual energy options, FreeCharge can be powered by Freeplay's self-sufficient wind-up technology or charged off DC input via the phone's own adapter. With only 45-60 seconds of winding, you will be able to talk for up to three to five minutes or maintain hours of standby timeÖand the more you wind, the more you charge your phone. FreeCharge also comes equipped with an LED light indicator, which tells users the unit is delivering a charge and suggests the optimal winding speed.

"The FreeCharge product will provide our customers with extended usage of their mobile phones," said Gary Brandt, business director of Motorola's Companion Products and Accessories Division. "We understand that our consumer's lifestyles are more mobile today than ever before and, at Motorola, we are bringing products to market, such as the FreeCharge, that make their lives easier and their mobile phone experience more reliable."

"The Freeplay self-sufficient energy technology is a source of freedom for mobile phone users," said Rory Stear, chairman and CEO of Freeplay Energy Group, the world's leading developer of self-sufficient energy technology. "The FreeCharge will empower travelers, consumers and the business community with the independence and flexibility to always have a charged phone in the palm of their hand."

The FreeCharge contains a rugged generator unit, expertly crafted to industry standards, which is connected to your phone via a plug-in adapter module. The adapter is individually matched to the exact electric needs of your phone model. At initial shipment, adapter modules will be available for most major models of Motorola phones. Additional modules compatible with most major brand cellular phones are expected within the year.

Designed for people on the go, FreeCharge is built to fit in the palm of your hand, weighing just 11.5 ounces. An internal battery can also store the energy input from either power source, providing the convenience of an extra battery that can be used to recharge your phone anywhere, anytime. The FreeCharge also has a built-in flashlight that is powered by either energy source.

With a suggested retail price of $65, the FreeCharge is expected to be available in March 2002 where Motorola products are sold, in addition to outdoor and specialty retail stores.

The FreeCharge product will be on display this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV - Booth #277.

About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2000 were $37.6 billion. For more information, please visit the Motorola Web site at www.motorola.com.

About Freeplay Energy Group
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in London, Freeplay Energy Group is the world's leading developer of self-sufficient energy technology. The company is dedicated to creating real products that benefit people worldwide, empowering people by giving them reliable access to needed energy. Freeplay is focused on the continuous development of commercially feasible applications for its self-sufficient technology, which incorporates multiple energy sources, including solar panels, rechargeable batteries and patented wind-up capabilities. The company is working with several manufacturers, including Motorola, Inc. and The Coleman Company, Inc., to develop and distribute products worldwide powered by Freeplay's self-sufficient technology. Freeplay Energy Group's Web site can be found at www.freeplay.net.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jill Shea
Freeplay Energy Group Ltd.
(212) 445-8112
jshea@webershandwick.com

Juli Burda
Motorola, Inc.
(847)-523-1837
juli.burda@motorola.com

* All talk and standby times are approximate and depend on network configuration, signal strength and features selected.

MOTOROLA, the stylized M Logo and all other trademarks indicated such as herein are trademarks of Motorola, Inc Æ Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.© 2001 Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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