technabob » eco friendly

marvell plug computer 3.0: the latest in plug-and-play computing

range — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:53:46 +0000

We always heard ridiculous things about the future. In fact, I’m sure that I’ve heard that in the future, computers will be as small as a power plug. Well that’s actually partly true. Marvell has been producing plug-sized computers for a while. Their latest has just been announced.

Marvell just launched the newest version of its Plug computer, the Plug 3.0. It’s based on the Armada 300 processor, and draws less than 1/10th of the power that a typical PC uses. However, it still manages to run at a 2Ghz processor speed and has WiFi, Bluetooth and a built-in 1.8-inch hard drive. Not too shabby, eh?

The case is a lot nicer looking than the previous editions. It’s been rumored that a few big-name brands are working on upcoming releases on this platform. We’ll see how relevant the Plug Computer 3.0 really is later this year. Still, it looks pretty cute.

[via Ubergizmo]

the copenhagen wheel, making your biking trip smarter and easier

p. blandino — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:53:54 +0000

This week, MIT unveiled the Copenhagen Wheel at the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change in Denmark. The wheel works with the power of you – every time you brake while biking, it charges the wheel’s internal battery for use later on your trip. That way, you won’t need to charge your wheel before any trip. The wheel will sense when you’re having trouble peddling up a hill, and turn on the internal motor to give you boost and make it an easier climb. The wheel can also make you go faster when traveling on flat surfaces. It’s not a motor that will move the bike for you, its a wheel to assist your current biking stamina.

But wait, there’s more! With your iPhone’s Bluetooth you can connect to the wheels sensors with an iPhone app. The App will tell you your speed, direction, and distance traveled and will pull data from the Internet to inform you of traffic conditions, and even the smog levels around you. That’s a big plus if your already an avid biker and like to keep track of your daily trips.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The Copenhagen Wheel is currently expected to be available some time next year with an estimated price range of $500 and $1,000 (USD).

[via Cnet]

sanyo eneloop portable solar usb charger: green energy on the go

lambert v. — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:00:49 +0000

Sanyo’s latest gadget is perfect for people who go on long trips as well as those who journey to places without readily available electricity. But even simple urban people can still benefit from having a portable solar charger. The Eneloop Portable Solar, as it is called, is small and light enough to be lugged around. Unless that’s a giant in the picture.

The charger actually spreads out into two panels to catch more sunlight. Unfortunately, according to Akihabara News, it’s only compatible with USB devices, so if your gadget doesn’t have a USB port, you’ll have to pair the charger with something similar to Sanyo’s Eneloop Mobile Booster.

Even more unfortunate, we don’t have details regarding the Portable Solar’s specs, its release date or its price. I know that this device is still much larger than today’s batteries and chargers, but I really hope that devices that take advantage of renewable energy become mainstream soon. Not only are they environment-friendly, they’ll save us a lot of money as well.

star wars t-shirts for the eco-geek

alisha k. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:16:11 +0000

It’s important, of course, that we all do what we can to preserve Earth as we know it. Sure. But that doesn’t mean you have to be stodgy about it. You can, for instance, emblazon messages of eco-awareness across your chest as part of an effort to raise visibility for the cause. But what if you could totally nerd out at the same time?

Thanks to a new design that’s surfaced at Zazzle, friends, you can do just that. These t-shirts combine Star Wars references with eco-friendly imagery with hilarious results. Ride to work? You bet I would, if a Tauntaun came with the deal. I hear they’re particularly useful in cold climates.

These particular designs aren’t limited to t-shirts, and you can make changes, as Zazzle is all about customization. Unfortunately, these shirts don’t seem to come in a cheap version–they’re priced at $30.80. Sounds like it might be time for a rebellion against t-shirt pricing. Admiring, however, is always free.

[Zazzle via Super Punch]

samsung’s blue earth phone hopes that your pockets let the sun shine in

lambert v. — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:35:32 +0000

Samsung is set to unveil an eco-friendly cellular phone at the 2009 Mobile World Congress. Called “Blue Earth”, the phone packs a number of environment friendly features, such as a solar panel on the back of the phone and an app called eco walk that tells you how many trees you’ll save if you walk to your destination instead of driving or riding a vehicle.

Maybe Greenpeace can host competitions for the most number of trees saved based on that app, something like “Eco Walk Around The World: Winner gets a Hummer” . Maybe not. Other features of the Blue Earth include the phones’ shell which is made out of recycled plastic, and an “eco-mode” or low-power consumption mode.

I’m pretty sure that the phone will also have a charger like all other phones, unless Samsung expects us to put the phone on top of our heads or have it face down on our palms while we’re walking around, aiming for the top score on eco walk.

[via Pocket-lint]

nopopo batteries: hey pee, I see urine my battery!

lambert v. — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:35:34 +0000

Do you remember the urine filtering machine that Kevin Costner used in Waterworld? Do you remember Waterworld? What was I talking about again? Oh yes, batteries. Aqua Power System has developed batteries that can be recharged using fluids such as beer, apple juice, cola, saliva and urine.

Aqua Power System is of course a Japanese company. They call their leaktastic invention NoPoPo, short for No Policeman don’t arrest me I’m Powering my batteries. Actually it’s Non-Pollution Power. Both sound stupid but mine is funnier. Inside each NoPoPo battery is a combination of magnesium and carbon that generate electricity when mixed with certain fluids. The batteries come with a pipette so you can inject fluids into the battery.

According to James Sherwood of Register Hardware, the life span of an AA alkaline battery falls between 1700 and 3000 mAh (milliamp-hours), while an AA NoPoPo battery lasts only up to 500 mAh. But Sherwood also says that existing zinc-carbon batteries have the same life span as the NoPoPos, so we’re not looking at some blue sky technology here. I do hope they refine and extend the technology so that it can power larger devices such as phones and PMPs. Would you buy an iPee?

Ready to whiz in your batteries? You can grab a pair over at HimeyaShop for $15 (USD).