We have been talking for years now about how solar panels are getting thinner and more flexible. And among the scads of quirky uses that people have come up with for this technology, here’s one that might actually be practical and useful: solar-paneled headphones that can gin up enough juice to keep your mobile device on even as you drain the battery with your constant Twitter-checking, Facebook-updating, and Instagramming.

Grist State of Emergency | A limited-run newsletter from Grist, exploring the ways climate disasters are reshaping elections. Delivered every Tuesday until Election Day.

Reader support helps sustain our work. Donate today to keep our climate news free.

The solar panel’s built into the headband part of the headphones, and there are batteries to store the power in the ear cups. TechCrunch writes:

The creators also claim the headphones can keep another device juiced up all day, albeit they’re not backing up that claim with any sample charging data yet. It seems likely the output is only going to be enough to keep your phone or tablet ticking over rather than fully charging it, so manage your expectations accordingly.

A device that turns sun into entertainment. Could anything be more perfect for the beach?