Solar Pak Announced for GBA
NOTE: Linked image is the render I am assuming the article linked to. Unfortunately, the original link does not work anymore.
This weekend Gemini Industries unveiled a new accessory for the Gameboy Advance which allows you to play your GBA and charge its batteries using the power of the sun. The new add-on will be titled the Solar Pak (oh don’t we love forgetting the “c”) and is said to work on natural light (the sun), and artificial light (lamps, etc.) meaning you’ll be able to get solar power indoors and outdoors. The Solar Pak was shown at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and won the “Best of CES Award.” It will retail for an MSRP of US$29.99 and will not be compatible with the Gameboy Advance SP even though they both will be availble at around the same time in March. Its obvious that it won’t be compatible with the GBASP if you take a look at this picture (yes, the picture is named “GEGBASP” but the SP stand for Solar Pak and not for whatever the SP in GBASP stands for). If this hasn’t been enough information for you, the full press release is below.
LAS VEGAS, January 9, 2003 – Gemini Industries penetrates the video game accessory industry with an explosion of new peripherals at CES 2003 that constitute their new ‘Game Elements’ line. Three of their new gaming products have received high accolades from International CES; a ‘Best Of CES’ and two ‘Innovation Awards’ were bestowed upon Gemini.
Honored with a ‘Best Of CES Award’ is Gemini’s Solar Pak, an innovative power supply for the Game Boy Advance® that transforms natural sunlight into energy used to supplement battery power. Accented by futuristic aesthetics (a solar voltaic array and four light emitting diodes [LEDs] with a metallic silver coating), the Solar Pak is operational both outdoors and indoors. Gemini’s Solar Pak Model # GEGBASP ($29.99 MSRP) will be available in March 2003.
Gemini’s multi-platform accessory, the Universal Extention Retracta Cable, garnered a ‘CES 2003 Innovation Award’ for its functionality and compelling design and is part of the Retracta series to be unveiled at CES. It easily enables any PlayStation®2, XboxTM or GameCubeTM to extend players’ mobility up to ten feet. The Retracta Cable Model # GEMPREC, hitting store shelves this March, facilitates easy storage. Its MSRP is $11.99.
“These stellar products are simply the beginning of our giant leap into the gaming industry,” said Jacki Nacht, product manager for Gemini. “More than a dozen SKUs are slated for 2003, including SpongeBob Square Pants game controllers, lights for playing in the dark, and interchangeable character face plates. Also, many of our upcoming devices will be universal, appealing to fans of all gaming platforms, especially players that own two or more platforms.”
Gemini Industries, Inc., owned by York Management Services, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and distributor of consumer electronics accessories marketed under today’s most prominent brand names, including Philips®, Philips Magnavox®, Magnavox®, Southwestern Bell Freedom Phone®, Zenith®, and For Dummies®. Gemini’s customers include over 20,000 leading home improvement stores and mass merchants. Gemini Industries is headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey and can be found on the World Wide Web at www.gemini-usa.com.
Source: http://www.gemini-usa.com