Engadget brings us news of an upcoming new accessory to keep your mobile 
device charged when you lack access to an AC outlet. The Brookstone USB charger generates electricity via a lighter fluid powered fuel cell. The fuel cell generates direct current electricity without burning the fuel, and is stated to be capable of providing 14 full charges for your iPhone or other smartphone before needing to be refilled.
The technology is exciting, and a welcome addition to the various means of charging what is rapidly becoming a must-have device. While it’s a step in the right direction, I hope that devices such as this are just a tease for what this technology can do. Fuel cells could someday power everything from your portable device to your vehicle or off-grid home.
In the meantime, if you want a greener source of recharging your iPhone you might want to consider the Pocket Socket, 
a hand crank powered generator touted to be able to recharge any iOS device, digital camera, or AA/AAA rechargeable batteries. The accessory can be used either right or left handed and sports a 10 watt/120 Volt generator. The site doesn’t discuss how much effort would be needed to recharge your portable device, but I’d wager you’d be in for some tired arms before your iPhone’s battery hit 100% capacity.
Want to have a green method of recharging your iPhone but feeling too lazy to 
use a crank generator? Then the Mobius Rechargable Battery Case might be just the thing you’ve been looking for. The case features a high-efficiency mono crystal solar panel as well as an external battery backup for your iPhone, as well as a USB connector for faster non-green recharging. The backup battery in the case is advertised to double the use time of your iPhone, while the solar panel offers an additional 25 minutes of talk time per hour of direct sunlight exposure. The case’s manufacturer Eton has an entire lineup of solar and crank generator powered devices listed on their website; if you’re an outdoors enthusiast or just someone who wants to be prepared for anything give them a look.
