Toshiba's tiny methanol fuel cell, expected on sale 2005

[amk]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3837585.stm

For handheld consoles, this could mean longer "battery" life, brighter screens, more processing power, and you could even carry a small bottle of methanol around to refuel it when needed - 2cc per charge.

The 2005 timing seems good for a PowerVR MBX equipped handheld, powered by a fuel cell. It also seems unfortunate for PSP and GB DS.

XBox Portable perhaps? Maybe N-Gage 2? Even a pocket Dreamcast (there was a DC SoC)?

 

[Paul]

And you have to go to the store and buy cartridges when it runs out right? Even if it's once a month, still sucks. I'd rather they perfect recharagable batteries.

 

[PC-Engine]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3837585.stm

For handheld consoles, this could mean longer "battery" life, brighter screens, more processing power, and you could even carry a small bottle of methanol around to refuel it when needed - 2cc per charge.

The 2005 timing seems good for a PowerVR MBX equipped handheld, powered by a fuel cell. It also seems unfortunate for PSP and GB DS.

XBox Portable perhaps? Maybe N-Gage 2? Even a pocket Dreamcast (there was a DC SoC)?

That only has enough power for cellphones. For handheld it would have to be much bigger. Also why is it unfortunate for DS? DS will have great battery life just like SP.

 

[amk]

Ah, OK, maybe I'm overhyping myself

The reason I thought it may be unfortunate for existing handhelds is that substantially more energy stored may not just mean longer battery life, but also more power consuming components - bigger, bright screens, higher clocked processors. There is always a trade off between battery life and such features.

Still, if the fuel cell can't produce the wattage...

The linked story strongly implies that the fuel cell can be recharged by squirting in some more methanol, so no new cartridges.

Edit: Err, 100 milliwatts. Missed that

 

[jvd]

The linked story strongly implies that the fuel cell can be recharged by squirting in some more methanol, so no new cartridges

yes because we want children to not only walk around with methanol bottles , but also a console filled with it while they do who knows what to the portable .

That is not good imho .

 

[amk]

The linked story strongly implies that the fuel cell can be recharged by squirting in some more methanol, so no new cartridges

yes because we want children to not only walk around with methanol bottles , but also a console filled with it while they do who knows what to the portable .

That is not good imho .