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DIGG-WillNotFixMy-STATISTICS
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langfordJan 9, 2012
A worthwhile goal, although even if the phone is not bad about draining the battery, I would expect a AA battery that was left in the car to have long since leaked out and corroded after 15 years.
brucealmightyJan 9, 2012
Good point. It would make more sense to keep the battery(s) outside the phone and only install when needed....longer shelf life and no risk of corrosion inside the phone.
ronnielbrownJan 9, 2012
I agree. Now wouldn't it just make sense to get one of those solar-powered bags that charge devices like mobile phones, laptops and such instead of this emergency phone with a 5-year standby time? Just saying.
ronnielbrownJan 9, 2012
Oops, I meant to type 15...well I guess it doesn't really matter whether it's 5 or 15. haha.
brucealmightyJan 10, 2012
It's great to go Green and all, but if you need an ambulance in a hurry a 50 cent battery that provides instant power is the hands down winner.
chasersrushJan 9, 2012
It probably uses a high end AA lithium battery, similar to "Energizer® Ultimate Lithium" (15 years storage life)
The question is the terms of service... are you going to be tied in to 15 years contract?
langfordJan 9, 2012
Usually you don't need a contract for emergency services like 911 access.
brucealmightyJan 10, 2012
Yeah...There's some sort of Federal law that mandates free and unrestricted access to 911 services from any wireless device regardless of whether any service contracts are in effect. Your tax dollars at work.......Cool!
wjappeJan 9, 2012
This is something I could use, imagine having a emergency phone that you don't have to wonder if the battery is going to be there or not. I'd like to go to the original article to send it to others that might be interested but digg changed it so I can't get to it anymore without going to the site and hunting it down.
famoustechJan 9, 2012
to sent the article, all you have to do is click the X button in the right hand corner of the digg toolbar on the article...this will take you to the original article.
viralinJan 9, 2012
This would be a good idea if somehow the phone would still be compatible with cellular networks in 15 years. Even now, you can no longer use AMPS based cell phones.
jjosellJan 9, 2012
It's a smart idea, but I think I'd keep a couple extra AA batteries. Just in case.
famoustechJan 9, 2012
awesome idea. but then, what is the need for onstar?
craig1958Jan 9, 2012
Isn't it easier to just carry a charger for you phone?
brucealmightyJan 9, 2012
I keep an old cellphone in my car for emergency use only. It has no service except, like all cell phones, it can still call 911. I recharge the battery every few months but of course the drain is minimal since it's never used nor even turned on. It's not a perfect solution but it is free and better than nothing....and almost everyone these days has an older cell phone just lying around....or can afford to spend $10 on basic Tracfone to dedicate for emergency use only.
datasheeJan 9, 2012
I don't know if you have it in the States but over here you can get phones without tying yourself to a monthly contract. Instead of paying monthly you just pay for what you use, when you run out of credit you can just top it up. If you can get the same kind of thing in the US you could just leave enough credit on there to make some emergency calls and then forget about it.
viralinJan 9, 2012
Yes, we have "pay as you go" phones as well. But also, any cell phone activated or not that can turn on has the ability to call 911 for help. (The equivalent of 112 in Europe) Just have to be careful to take the battery out of those old phones when giving one to a toddler to play with!
benjie25Jan 9, 2012
In the states, ANY cell phone can make emergency calls(911/999 only), activated or not.
Although, I think most people are talking about "tow trucks" and the like. Don't use 911 for that unless you want some angry police officer stopping by and a large fine.
brucealmightyJan 9, 2012
Yes...911 is for time sensitive emergencies, like injuries. Needing a tow truck is an inconvenience, not an emergency, and can wait until a good Samaritan with a cell phone comes along.
donniehoward08Jan 9, 2012
is there a service plan? montly bill? or is the $50 one time life time plan?
mdwvtJan 10, 2012
Knowing engadget is owned by AOL just kind of spoils this for me.
winstonemersonJan 10, 2012
I wouldn't mind one.
yori13Jan 10, 2012
Well I actually thought this could be one of those hydrogen cell powered phones. but it's not lol
Closed AccountJan 10, 2012
How about your car?
rsmongeJan 10, 2012
definitely not going in my trunk.
hiropendragonJan 10, 2012
Phones in the last decade are so are required to be able to dial 911 even if they have no plan. Save yourself $50 and just keep an old cell phone you don't use any more and a car charger, or a battery charger.
chrontiusJan 10, 2012
My last burner phone was a Motorola F3 "Motofone". It doesn't take microSIM, making it no longer easy to swap out my expensive handset for my expendable one when I anticipate I may end up wrecking a smartphone. I know adapters can be made or purchased cheaply - I already have one - but they tend to make the phone less reliable (if things come out of alignment) or less easy to swap into service (since it means lining up multiple little, fiddly components).
This is definitely my next burner phone. (I will, however, use Eneloop nickel-metal-hydride batteries however)
akkiearts123Jan 10, 2012
great..interesting story definitely it's going to work
Closed AccountJan 10, 2012
uh..idk but my car has a factory installed power outlet for my cell charger. so no worries.
practikelJan 9, 2012
Amazing.
wilhoitmJan 10, 2012
Just in time for 2012!