Archive for the ‘Green’ Category

Philips Introduces The Econova Green TV With Solar-powered Remote

Philips has introduced its Econova LED TV, a TV that has been awarded the European Green EV 2010-2011 by the European Imaging & Sound Association, designed to address concerns about the environment without compromising on performance. The 42-inch LED TV consumes just 40W of power in eco-mode and offers some other eco-friendly credentials such as a solar-powered remote control, e-manual and the use of recycled aluminum panel. The use of the latest LED technology also reduces energy consumption by up to 60 percent, while still delivering best-in-class picture quality. A Zero Power Switch is also included to reduce power consumption to 0W when the TV is turned off.

Permalink: Philips Introduces The Econova Green TV With Solar-powered Remote from Ubergizmo | Hot: Macbook Air Review,
Epic 4G Review

Solar Pebble Powers Africa And The World

The Solar Pebble is a solar powered lamp targeted for use in rural Africa, as a humanitarian product, and at home in the UK as the perfect gift. The LED Solar Pebble is powered by batteries that are charged from the sun via a small, efficient solar panel. It can also charge mobile phones and other devices. The versatile ratchet handle allows the product to be carried and angled when standing or suspended. On the go? Just strap it onto a backpack for daytime charging.

Designer: Adam Robinson for Plus Minus Solar

I Daresay… SNAP!

No foolies, this concept vehicle right here is called the “SNAP.” This is the first time I’ve seen a transport vehicle that not only offers single-person transportation, but also a multi-singular long-range option. What I mean is this is basically a three-wheel single passenger vehicle until it’s time to get on the train. Each SNAP vehicle is able to simply connect to the main SNAP train, one next to the other, offering private mass transit with ease!

And once you’re on that train, you can open your door and talk to your fellow SNAP pilot along the way to your train’d location. Or keep it closed. Eat your sandwich in there in peace, probably.

What’s more? The SNAP singular vehicle option is similar to a two-wheel motorbike, shelling out tight turns like they were french fries. Adjustable track width back wheels for stability, giant front wheel for ease in leaning. Moveable chassis allow for connection to the locamotive. The train travels with multiple SNAPS at a time for a slightly more gas-friendly and environmental option.

SNAP races are a definite must when these fabulous machines come to fruition. I say so.

Designer: Vít Bechynský

Remainders – Stuff We Didn’t Post (and Why) [Remainders]

Trade in Your DVDs, Plus a Couple Bucks, and Get the Blu-ray Versions…Steve Ballmer Acknowledges Apple’s Gains, Remains Cocky…Sanyo to Build Houses Powered by Solar Energy and Li-Ion Batteries…Sony Announces Vague “iTunes-Like” Store on PlayStation Network for Books, Movies, Music…

Trade in Your DVDs, Plus a Couple Bucks, and Get the Blu-ray Versions

Warner set up a DVD to Blu-ray exchange program called, appropriately enough, DVD2Blu, as sort of a more-tempting version of its HD-DVD to Blu-ray version. The problem is, it’s not actually that great of a deal; you’re limited to Warner movies, obviously, but it also costs $8-10 per DVD, plus $5 shipping, for the exchange. You might actually be better off just hitting Best Buy or Walmart or whatever and looking for sales, since DVD2Blu could cost you 18 bucks plus the agony of waiting for your new HD copy of The Wedding Singer: Totally Awesome Edition to arrive. [Engadget]

Steve Ballmer Acknowledges Apple’s Gains, Remains Cocky

Microsoft held a shareholder’s meeting this morning, led by the always-dynamic Steve Ballmer, and an interesting question came up: Why does Microsoft have such a lousy reputation among certain demographics, like, say, upper-middle-class college kids? Ballmer admitted that Apple’s been seeing some gains that, while small, are a clear sign that Microsoft has room for improvement, either in marketing or product positioning. It’s a pretty clear-headed statement from Ballmer—after all, he notes, Microsoft still has an insane marketshare, even in the high-end consumer demo, so despite Apple’s visibility, Microsoft doesn’t exactly have cause for concern. That level-headedness is why this story’s in Remainders: Where’s the explosive, frothing-at-the-mouth, prone to Bidenesque gaffes Ballmer we all know and, um, know? [TechFlash]

Sanyo to Build Houses Powered by Solar Energy and Li-Ion Batteries

Sanyo, considered Japan’s “greenest” electronics manufacturer (sort of like being the best-dressed homeless person), is about to start building solar-powered, lithium-ion-based homes in its native country. The houses are all equipped with LED lighting, solar-powered water heater, all that stuff. They’ll be a little pricey, at around $355,000—an equivalent non-green house would cost $62,000 less, although the Sanyo houses come with a $30,000 government subsidy. It’s in Remainders because it’s Japan only, and because I don’t understand enough Japanese to learn any more about it. [Crunchgear]

Sony Announces Vague “iTunes-Like” Store on PlayStation Network for Books, Movies, Music

Sony announced the tentatively named Sony Online Service today—it’s described as an “iTunes-like” service on the PlayStation Network, offering movies, music, and books, all media for which Sony also sells accompanying hardware. It’ll also allow users to upload their own video, and will probably have support for independent app development later on down the road. We don’t really know much else, like, say, a launch date or pricing (or even a final name), so it winds up here, alone in the dark corner of Gizmodo we call Remainders. [AppleInsider via Engadget]

Moisture Collectors

Inspired by the Giving Tree, this project called the “Savior Bud” latches on to trees (one of Earth’s most generous living things) and uses it’s natural recycling processes to obtain water. In a simple process which basically involves collecting the moisture from the leaves and emptying it out into containers, the Savior Bud takes one more step toward acceptable living conditions in Africa.

As our intrepid designers note, Africa is plagued twice by their hydration situation. Twice because not only is their water supply low, but the water that’s available is often undrinkable and polluted.

The process goes like this:

1. Find a broadleaf tree with lots of leaves.

2. Opening the Savior Bud like a giant clamp, surround a few leaves, and release. The Savior Bud should now be containing the leaves like you see in the picture below, sort of like a greenhouse.

3. In about four hours, the leaves will have produced about one cup of water. Turning the bottom of the bud like a faucet will release the water to be put into a separate container for drinking.

Additional details below. I wouldn’t mind one of these for camping or something like that, would you?

Also, C-3P0 not required.

Designers: Kim Hyo Jin and Seol Ah Sun

« Older Entries