The Puma Phone includes solar panels on the back

Look out world… solar powered phones are shaping up to be one of the new hot devices this year.  We’re not just talking about solar chargers.  Several companies are actually building the solar panels right into the phone.

At the 2010 Mobile World Congress, we were introduced to the Puma Phone.  On the back of the device is a solar panel that can recharge the phone’s batteries without the need to plug it in – simply set the phone in sunlight.  You can purchase one in less than a month, too!  That’s right – mark your calendars for three weeks from now.  Though we don’t know who will be carrying it, sources say that you can purchase it directly from Puma for around 400 Euros.

Several things we do know about the Puma Phone are pretty exciting, however.  The device itself is marketed largely towards sports/fitness enthusiasts.  It includes a pedometer, GPS, compass and stopwatch.  While you are out running or biking, be sure to use the 3.2 megapixel camera with 6x zoom.  A variety of apps tap into the fun factor: an animated Puma, a turntable for the audio player, and messaging to show you how many calls and/or songs you’ve enjoyed that were powered by the sun.

This is one smart smartphone!

Perhaps one of the coolest features in my humble opinion is point award system to encourage more solar power usage.  The more that you recharge your Puma Phone with solar energy, the more points you earn.  You can them redeem them at a Puma store.  Perhaps the more you are encouraged by its “solarometer,” the more you can rack up on accessories, including a protection sleeve, wristbands, sports armband, headset and a charger.