Category Archives: Gadgets and Tech
Imagine having to charge your phone a couple of time a week and not a day! It was a dream of mine, soon to be realized? The probabilistic complementary metal oxide semiconductor chip (PCMOS) is a kick-ass microchip that will operate seven times faster using 30 times less power than the existing ones. The microchip is this fast and efficient because unlike conventional chips that use the Boolean logic to perform calculations, this one uses a probabilistic one which isn’t as accurate as the former which in turn decreases its power consumption.
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By simply installing solar panels and energy meters that help to generate as well keep a tab on our energy consumption isn’t enough for many of us. A constant reminder of our energy abuse is a must. And what can be better than a display of the detailed energy figures on our screens of television, PC or cell phones. Since most of us keep staring at either of these screens for a major part of the day and even night. For the solar panel users, Sharp has conceptualized the JH-RWL1, a device that will help the users to know the precise details of the energy produced and consumed. Once connected, it can also transfer the data to the local power companies to help regularize the power abuse.
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After talking about Microsoft’s green foray, it time to know about Google’s attempt to regularize energy consumption. They have conceived a free web service, dubbed PowerMeter, to help users to keep a tab on their energy consumption. Intending to team up with compatible manufacturers, Google plans to introduce this service soon. This green software will offer detailed information on how much electricity is actually being used which in turn can help to reduce bils by as much as 15 percent. Integrated into the company’s iGoogle platform, it will allow users to create a customized page with lightweight Web-based applications. Designed to show a granular, real-time view of electricity-consuming devices, it will take data from smart meters a.k.a. advanced electricity meters and other electricity management devices.
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Microsoft with its soft heart has introduced a toolset for one of its software that will help the corporate giants keep a watch on the declining green spots on the earth. As in they can keep a watch on how much the environment around them gets screwed up every time they do something to screw up the environment or in other words, encourage ‘development’. The Environmental Sustainability Dashboard for users of the Dynamics AX Microsoft software can now provide the necessary data on energy consumption and green house emissions. The toolset is available for free with the AX software.
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Whether it’s for fun and entertainment or serious business, hard drives with maximum data storage are mandatory. And Hitachi has hit the nail right on spot by unveiling the 2.5inch CinemaStar C5K500. But why are we talking about this kinda technology on Greenlaunches? This latest Hitachi product deserves a mention here as it comes with EcoTrac classification. And what does that mean? It implies that these drives are halogen-free and consume very less power. This 5,400 RPM consumer electronics hard drive supports mainstream capacities ranging from 160- to 500GB. Designed to be used for 24×7 applications, it features a 22% reduction in read/write power specification (at 1.4W) compared to previous models. This eco-friendly fourth-generation CinemaStar hard-drive promises a balance of capacity, cool operation and ruggedness to provide manufacturers with more eco-friendly options for slim digital video recorders (DVRs), set-top boxes and surveillance systems.
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Japan shelves will soon see slim, green Panasonic plasmas as the company intends to launch its super-thin, energy efficient TV in the spring of 2009. It is reported that these plasmas are much thinner (quarter of the original thickness) and consume half as much electricity as conventional models. Some relief from the escalating electricity bills! The company will release a 50-inch screen model that is only an inch in depth for 600,000 yen ($6,685). Going by the claims, it will consume around 260 kilowatt hours of electricity a year. Though there is no official word on when these green models will surface on other continents, but the buzz is that before the year ends, folks in Europe and North America can watch out for them.
[About-electronics]
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As my readers hit Core77 to vote for their most favored green design, here I go about the 50 entries of the Greener Gadgets Design Competition randomly. Brenden Macaluso from United States intends to redefine the problem of e-waste with his Recompute. Addressing this menace at its core, Brenden has come up with a recyclable and renewable cardboard casing for the computers of the future. Ditching the plastic and metal cases that rule current manufactured systems, this green alternative is shaped out of corrugated cardboard. This real working computer is designed to allow the user to take advantage of existing hardware like old keyboard. Fitted with 8 USB ports, it also allows easy add-ons. The designer also adds that the making of this kinda cardboard case is green too. Also it only needs three major electronic components, a motherboard with processor & memory, power supply, and a hard drive. However, I am wondering that how can this green design tackle the electronic interference? Also it could win more votes if the casing for the whole unit that is, CPU, monitor and keyboard, is shaped out by recycling existing metal or plastic e-waste stuff that are waiting to hit the landfills.
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Concerned about boosting your health as well as the well being of our planet? Easy Health Juicer is the solution for both the concerns. This eco-friendly kitchen gadget squeezes out the healthiest potion without consuming any electricity. A hand crank system helps to churn out glasses of orange, lemon, grapefruit, carrot or apple drinks. It is even helpful to serve medicinal juices of wheat/barley grass, sprouted bean and ginger with ease. Oh did I say, with ease? Well many of you may disagree on this as it is slightly inconvenient for those who are used to gulp down a glass of juice at the push of a button. But then eco-friendly health-conscious folks will go for the Easy Health Juicer as it cold presses the fruit or vegetables that helps to preserve the natural flavor and nutrients.
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Since most of the Northern hemisphere is still bearing the brunt of plunging temperatures, its time to warm up in the closed comforts of our homes and read about some eco-friendly way to do it. Since central heating consumes abundance of energy, it is time to take a look at the self powered EcoFan. This heat-powered fan utilizes the heat from the stove to generate its own electricity. Isn’t it the most economical way to effectively circulate warm air directly into the living area? And also make the optimum use of the heat energy that is otherwise shoved out through chimney. Moreover the portable fan is smart enough to start automatically and adjust speed with the stove’s temperature. Ideal for locations which are deprived of electricity, this kind of heat-up system promises green warm times without harming the environment. It also helps us to save wood and forests. For just about $100, people from any corner of the world can keep their dens comfortably warm.
[Envirogadget]
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When the sun didn’t shy much from showering us with its heat in the month of November, we mentioned about the solar powered robotic lawn mower. And these days, when the same sun’s heat isn’t enough to keep us comfortably warm to step out, we bring to you another solar charged device to take care of the nastiest chore of the season. i-Shovel is the world’s smartest snow shovel that can clear the snow off the driveway in a green automated style. Tweaked with sensors, this smart machine can detect snow accumulation and determine the perimeter of the area to be shoveled. Fitted with electric batteries that can be optional charged with solar power too, the bot can keep shoveling for about 4,000 square feet on a full charge. Wonder what the prefix ‘i’ signifies in the name….or is it just the lucky marketing mantra? If you are hunting for a buy-here option, then hold on till the next winters for a commercial version as it is still a prototype.
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