FRX Series of radios can also charge your mobile devices!

Radios may seem to be a tad bit anachronistic in our contemporary realm of technologically advanced gadgetry. However, with the changing times the core functionality of radios have also expanded beyond just listening to your favorite stations. In fact, this 'multi-faceted' trend is quite apparent with the newly released FRX Series of Safety Radios from Etón Corporation. Exclusively infused with an internal Ni-MH lithium ion battery, these devices can be self powered from both kinetic energy and solar energy.

FRX Series of radios

Equipped with a 'hand turbine' for cranking up power, the $60 FRX 3 is the highest end model of the aforementioned series. This contraption features a slew of attributes like an AM/FM/WB digital radio and display, along with NOAA weather alert, bright LED flashlight, glow-in-the-dark indicator, AC and DC input, headphone jack and a digital alarm. But, the definitive element of the device is its direct power transfer capability. This means its internal battery can conveniently charge other mobile devices when they are connected through the integrated USB port.

The subsequent lower range models of FRX 2 and FRX 1 (with respective price tags of $40 and $25) are also equipped with a hand cranking system for power generation. However, the FRX 1 loses out on the direct power transfer technology and AC input in favor of reduced cost. Moreover, they are being supplied in collaboration with Red Cross, thus making their distribution more 'collective' in nature.

Via: BusinessWire