These LEGO-like building blocks are made from “a composite of the bark of the cedar tree, compressed dust from sawn cedar logs, and coffee beans as well as other recycled materials.”  The Earth Toy Earth Blocks are 1.25″ long x 0.6″ wide x 0.6″ high.  A set of 50 blocks is $30 at the Guggenheim Store.  I think this might be taking “green” too far, because half of the fun of LEGOs is mixing and matching the colors.  I think buying a used set of LEGO blocks at a yard sale or consignment shop would be just as green and a lot more fun.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Green, LEGO, toys

Eco-Friendly Earth Blocks Building Blocks originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

Your next notebook (electronic one) may be made of paper if Pega Design has anything to do with it. Their Paper PP Alloy is made to replace plastic shells using  a combination of recycled paper and polypropylene.  The paper-based material is strong, sturdy, flexible, environmentally-friendly and inexpensive to make.  The material can be molded using injection molding methods.  Turn your notebook into a notebook.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Green

Paper PP Alloy – A Greener Paper Notebook? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 19, 2012 at 9:00 am.

Environmental friendliness and sustainability are pervasive topic these days and “green” is a term that is being applied in countless areas. How about your computer? Recompute has developed what they call the “eco friendly computer workstation.” And it’s made of cardboard. Blasphemy! you scream? Brilliant! you squeal? Either way, it’s an interesting concept—check out this video for a run though. The case is made from multiple layers of food-grade, die-cut, C-flute corrugated cardboard, laminated together with waterproof non-toxic white glue, then treated with a non-toxic UL tested flame retardant. The intent is for the hollow spaces in the corrugated cardboard to dissipate the heat generated by the internal electronics.  Linux OS, AMD Athlon II Quad-core 3.0 GHz processor, 500Gb hard drive and 4Gb RAM, among other specs. 2011 model starts at $599.95 USD and depending on options, up to $999.95. Recompute gives a fourteen day trial with a full refund if not satisfied.  I’m a Mac guy, but I have to admit that this is intriguing—anyone else?

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, News

Tagged: Desktop, environmentally friendly, Green, PC

Is your PC made of cardboard? This one is. originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 8, 2011 at 1:00 pm.

(this is a 2nd opinion review of bag that we featured last year)

I really hate flying.  I’ve never been a big fan.   I hate the high prices, the long lines, the rules, the regulations, the baggage fees, what you can carry on and what you can’t carry on.  Honestly, I wonder if it isn’t just easier to drive.

But since sometimes driving is out of the question, I either have to fly or take the train and either way, I have to go through TSA checkpoints.

Let me make something clear:  I don’t try to sneak stuff on planes that I’m not supposed to have.  I obey the rules. That doesn’t mean I like the shakedown at the checkpoints.

When I first found out about Checkpoint Friendly laptop bags, I was more than just interested.  Finally, a company is doing something to alleviate some of the misery at TSA check ins.

MobileEdge has taken this a couple of steps further. The Anaheim, California based company, mindful of the needs of the traveler has designed a series of bags; ScanFast 2.0, that allows faster check throughs.  The ScanFast 2.0 is designed so that the lap top need not be taken out of the bag while going through the X-ray machine.  The bag zips open like a clamshell and lays flat so that the laptop in the sleeve is displayed and need not be taken out of the bag, run through and then packed back up causing delays and hold ups.

Mobile Edge doesn’t stop there.  They have actually designed a bag with the computer user and the environment and the economy in mind.

The Computer User

For some reason we’re all using black bags that look alike.  Some of them have padded laptop compartments and that’s really cool.  MobileEdge’s laptop compartment reads CheckPoint Friendly in bold white letters on a see-through sleeve secured with a velcro tab.  It’s easy to scan it, see through it, and send you on your way.  MobileEdge also advises the buyer (based on a nifty cardboard sleeve housing the velcro attachment) that nothing but nothing should be in the sleeve other than the laptop and that all cables, transformers, plugs etc should be in the adjacent compartments and they give you plenty.

This compartment pretty much stores anything: USB sticks, memory cards, cables, ID, Nooks, even snacks. It's a neat way to put all those bits and pieces necessary to electronics.

TSA sees this and they should be cool. Zip open your case, send it through the scanner and you don't have to stop, take out your laptop, blah blah blah. Just zip it open and the only thing you have to worry about is the pat down.

The outside panel of the bag houses four different sized pockets to store bulky transformers, plug ins, chargers; all kinds of  electronic devices that you need including a nice roomy folder/magazine/nook sized compartment.  The first inside compartment can hold flash drives, USB drives, pens, pencils, ID, CDs, DVDs, Nooks, Kindles, books…seriously whatever you need to travel and work at the same time.  The second compartment is the laptop compartment which houses yet another pocket facing the laptop sleeve that will hold even more media.  On the back of the bag, a tight Velcro strap can hold a folded over jacket or sweater or travel pillow.  Women can use this bag and have enough room for those items they would usually carry in their handbags and not have to carry two items on board with them.   It is definitely designed for efficient use of space.

Moreover, Mobile Edge has worked with closely with the Transportation Security Administration to develop the ideal bag to help them and help the passengers make their way through security checkpoints with the least amount of hassle and flight-missing delays.   This is a huge step.  Most retailers don’t care.  They’re usually going for aesthetics.  By specifically catering to the needs of the computer user who also flies, Mobile Edge has produced a bag that is not only sharp looking, but is efficient and TSA friendly.

Going Green:

Mobile Edge didn’t stop at just the computer user. They went after the computer user who is concerned about the environment as well. Utilizing a polymeric material called Sorona, this material is partially made from corn.  That’s right…corn.  Other bags use nylon or polyester but Mobile Edge, in conjunction with DuPont, has incorporated corn into the main material of their products thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 63% over those petroleum based products.  Did I mention it’s also stain resistant? Did I mention the solid construction and sturdy zippers?

In This Economy… 

Who wants, needs, or can pay exorbitant prices for a laptop bag that’s not going to stand up to wear and tear?  I’ve dug through lots of electronic carrying bags in various shops over the years.  I’ve seen designers offer attractive but not very utilitarian bags for prices ranging from $30.00 upwards past $200.00.  They were designed for looks mostly but not much else.   The Mobile Edge ScanFast 2.0 briefcase will run $99.00.  You can buy cheaper bags and good luck with that. Good luck with the crappy construction, good luck with the limited size, good luck with TSA if you fly with it.  For $99.00, the ScanFast 2.0 solves a myriad of problems, needs and wants and is worth every penny of the $99.00.

When I received my ScanFast 2.0, my husband immediately commandeered it for himself.  The ultimate “mobileer”, he rocks an HP-TC1100 as well as a Nook Color ( that he’s rooked to work like a tablet PC), and a  ThinkPad X61.  We’re not even talking about his Mp3 player, Android phone and God knows what else.  He took one look at the ScanFast 2.0 and called “dibs”.   Under normal circumstances, I might have acquiesced.  In this case, he’ll get one for Christmas.  This one’s mine.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Green, laptop bags, TSA friendly

MobileEdge ScanFast 2.0 Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 3, 2011 at 1:30 pm.

Stapler that does not use staples...um...ok.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: Back to School, Green, stapler

Back to School Gadgets: Staple-less Stapler originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 17, 2011 at 10:00 am.

How would you like an inexpensive, attractive, small digital clock that never needs new batteries or power from a wall outlet? Check out the Bedol Water Clock. Just fill it up with tap water, add some lemon juice and it’s good to go for 8-12 weeks. It’s available in 4 colors and costs $16.00. They also offer a model with an alarm for $29.00.

Filed in categories: News, Watches and Clocks

Tagged: Green, Spotlight Gadgets, Watches and Clocks

Bedol Water Clock – Never Change Batteries Again originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 15, 2010 at 7:30 am.

In an effort to continue the fight against vampire power suckers, Belkin’s new Conserve Valet power station gives us an energy efficient way to charge up to four of our electronic devices at a time. The benefit of the Valet is that it shuts itself off once all the connected devices have been charged. This reduces energy consumption by 75% as the station itself draws zero power when not in use. The Valet will be available in July on Belkin’s website for $40.

Filed in categories: Gear, News, Reviews

Tagged: Green, Power

Fight Power Suckage with Belkin’s Conserve Valet originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 28, 2010 at 10:00 pm.

I love Green gadgets, and I’m not just talking about their color. The ECO Button is a small device that connects to your Windows PC (sorry, no Mac support at this time) through the USB port. When you aren’t using your computer, you can press the Eco Button and your computer will go into energy saving mode. When you come back to the computer, pressing any key on the keyboard will instantly wake it back up to where you left off. The included software will also display how much power, money and green house gases you have saved by using this device. The Eco Button is available now for $13.70 from EFO.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Green, Power, Spotlight Gadgets

ECO Button Puts your PC to Sleep for Savings originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 6, 2010 at 9:40 am.

It doesn’t suck power. As in vampire power, the new buzz term for chargers that continue to slurp electricity even when they are not actively charging your phone. AT&T’s soon to be released ZERO Charger automatically shuts down when it is not in use, eliminating 100% of vampire power. The ZERO is an AC charger with a USB socket, allowing you to use it with all sorts of devices that can be charged via USB. There’s no info on price or release date, but you can sign up to notified via email when it’s available.

[Via Gadgetreview]

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Green, Power, Spotlight Gadgets

AT&T’s new ZERO Charger doesn’t suck… originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 19, 2010 at 4:13 pm.

I try to be aware of my impact on the environment. I recycle as much as possible and recently installed a programmable thermostat. I’ve often wondered how much water I use every morning when I take a shower. The Waterpebble is a nifty little device that can help you keep your water consumption at acceptable levels. Just place it in your tub or bottom of your shower stall and it will indicate, via a flashing LED light when to finish showering. It starts out by flashing Green, then changes to Amber when you’re halfway through the shower. It finally ends at Red when you should stop. Each time you shower the device will  automatically reduce your showering time by a tiny bit to help you save water without needing to think about it. It appears that they are currently only available in the UK for £5.31 ($8) at Dry Planet.com

[Via Unplggd]

Filed in categories: Home Tech, News

Tagged: bathroom, Green, Spotlight Gadgets

Save water with a pebble in your shower originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 8, 2010 at 9:37 am.

The device plugs into the wall and then to your gadget. When your gadget is fully charged, Leech Plug ejects the cord. Photo courtesy of engadget.com

It’s no secret that everyone is looking for new ways to save power for whatever reason; either because you want to be “greener” or you want to lower your power bills from the “vampire suck” of plugged in but turned off electronics.  For $40.00, TV TrickleSaver shuts off the flow of power to your gaming consoles but now conorklein.com has demonstrated  “Leech Plug”.   Leech Plug also shuts off the flow of power to a chargeable device once its fully charged.  Only they go one step further…the device automatically ejects the plug in from the device. Interesting concept .

Interesting Video here:  http://vimeo.com/9392135 Courtesy of Engadget.com

Filed in categories: Home Tech, News

Tagged: Green, Power, Spotlight Gadgets

Geek Going Green originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 26, 2010 at 10:21 am.

The Kill-A-Watt Graphic Timer displays the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly power usage of a connected device on its large backlit LCD. We’ve reviewed Kill-A-Watt products before (see related posts below), but this gadget goes one step further by providing a programmable timer feature with up to 96 programmable on/off settings per day. It also has a built in surge protector. The Kill-A-Watt Graphic Timer is available at ThinkGeek for $49.99

Filed in categories: Home Tech, News

Tagged: Green, Power, Spotlight Gadgets

Track Electrical Usage and Program Devices to Power On/Off originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 8, 2010 at 12:51 pm.

It might look like something that Dr. Seuss might eat for breakfast, but this Green egg looking USB device is a button. The USB Green Button from Solutions has been designed to put your Windows or Mac computer into low power mode when pressed. This is one of those devices that no one really needs because Windows and OS X have options to go into power saving mode after a specified time of no activity. I guess this is for people that like to collect USB doo-dads. If you’re one of those folks, you can buy one for $7.99

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Green, Power, Spotlight Gadgets, USB

Go Green with a Touch of a Button originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 17, 2010 at 12:45 pm.

The TrickleStar TrickleSaver is a device that can cut down on the “vampire” or stand-by power used by secondary devices in your video (or other electronic) system.  It uses a “master/slave” mechanism, where the “master” (normally your TV set) controls when the “slave” (or “slaves” such as VCR, game console, cable box or other devices connected to the TV) is given real power.  This means that when your TV is off (or, more accurately, in its own vampire or sleep or stand-by mode) the other peripherals are cut off completely from pilfering power.  Only when you turn your TV on does the TrickleStar allow power to the peripherals; thus saving power when these devices would otherwise be in their stand-by modes.  This can be a savings for you if you have many vampiric devices interconnected in your video setup.

This is actually an over simplification, in reality you need a power splitter to connect multiple "slave" devices

The device can control up to X number of slave devices, as long as the sum of Xs’ power (or Amps) use does not exceed 10A.  I used a watt meter (one similar to the killawatt) to measure the basic vampire and working mode of my Samsung DVR/VCR which showed 0.05 and 0.1 A, respectively.  However, there is only one input slot for the slave side, so if you have more than one slave device, you will require a power splitter to allow connection from each of them.

The device worked fine on my TV and VCR but if your TV or master device has an overly or anemic somnambular sleep state (meaning that your TV’s stand-by mode differs from the out-of-the-box expectations of the TrickleStar) there is a variable dial to help you tune the power values that the TV requires.  I did not have to deal with this either with my newer TV and VCR nor with my really old TV and VCR.

Another concern I did not have to burden myself with was the use of a cable or set-top box with a hard drive as a peripheral.  The TrickeStar web site sports a warning in large block letters  basically saying that you need to check with the manufacturer of the peripheral devices to determine if completely shutting them down will either harm them, interrupt your cable/satellite service, or (I am imagining) causing a hard drive fault if abruptly turned off rather than being placed in its sleep mode.

None of my devices have a hard drive in them.

So the bottom line is: turn on your TV, and your peripherals are sleeping but ready for your command; turn off your TV and all devices (except the TV) are completely shut off.  (The TV goes into its stand-by mode.)

You may ask yourself why not just use a power strip with an on/off switch to control all of the devices (I do this for my computer setup, everything is connected to one power strip).  The reason that the TrickleStar is a nice alternative is that (again this is the laziness in me) you do not have to throw the power strip switch before flipping on the TV with the remote.  “How lazy are you??” you may then ask yourself.  Lazy enough to recognize that this has an advantage over the power strip solution, and lazy enough to dig into this item a little further.  Actually I guess the latter is not laziness but the anticipation of being lazy in the future.

Here are the results of my findings.

First I measured the stand-alone power (using a device similar to the killawatt) of my main TV and DVR when in the “pseudo-off” (vampire) modes:

TV in stand-by mode: 0.05 A

DVR in stand-by mode: 0.05A

For curiosity, I also measured the Amperage used by the TrickleStar with no load:

TrickleStar with no load: 0.04 A

I then connected the TrickleStar with my TV as the master and DVR as the slave and read the values when the TV was in its vampire mode:

TV in stand-by mode/w TrickleStar: 0.05A

DVR in stand-by mode: 0A (actually that was a trick to see if you were paying attention; the TrickleStar turns off the DVR so it is not in a stand-by/vampire mode – it IS truly off and thus should show 0A)

For this set up, then I would save 0.05A if I were to use the TrickleStar.  Over a year’s period that would be roughly (*see calculations) $1.20 a year.  So clearly this particular set up is not going to be greatly improved by using the TrickleStar.  If I had a game console, cable box, amplifier, satellite receiver, BlueRay player, and other such items it might add up.  (See Mr. Electricity for example stand by power estimates on various devices.)

However, I am never satisfied with using gadgets strictly for what they were intended.

My other video setup room which includes a TV, SlingBox, DVR, security camera receiver and security camera is a sufficient mess and might gain a slight power-use advantage with the TrickleStar.

Can you find the review product?

For this system I need the SlingBox on at all times while the DVR can be in its vampire mode.  When the DVR is awoken, it could control (through the use of the TrickleStar) the power to the security camera receiver and camera transmitter.  This would allow me to save a little bit of power whenever I logged in to my DVR via the SlingBox to check my nanny cam.  This is totally not for what the product was intended.  So I had to try it.  Here is a summary schematic of the set up:

To my satisfaction (and perhaps to the horror of the manufacturer), this set up works I was able to turn on the camera and transmitter via the DVR via the SlingBox via the internet.  So the product not only works as advertised but it can also be extended to unconventional uses.

The TrickleStar is a slight improvement to the power strip solution and is a nice touch in that I can control it simply with my TV remote (or my SlingBox connected to my DVR over the internet but that’s a long story).  I can see someone like my mom preferring this device to a power strip.  (Actually I can see myself preferring this over a power strip just so I don’t have to explain to mom that “OK first you gotta turn on the power strip and THEN you gotta turn on the TV”.)

A similar product, the Belkin conserving power strip, serves a similar purpose as the TrickleStar, but I think TrickleStar is a little better suited for TV because the Belkin product uses yet another remote to enable it.  But one advantage of the Belkin over the TrickleStar is that the Belkin product allows you to plug in more than one device without the need of a power splitter.

Long live electronics, death to the vampires.

Footnotes

(*) Rough calculations of vampire power usage of my DVR (I assumed a nominal 120 volts and 10 cents per killowatt-hour)

0.05A(amps) x 120V (volts) = 1.2W (watts)

1.2W x 24H(hour)/D(day) x 30D/M(month) = 864WH/M

864WH/M x 1KW(kilowatt)/1000W = 0.9 KWH/M

0.9KWH/M  x  10c (cents)/KWH = 9 cents/M

So the vampire mode of my DVR/VCR costs roughly 9 cents a month, rounded up about $1.20 per year.

TrickleSaver offers a version of this product that is made specifically for your PC too.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, Home Tech

Tagged: Green, Power

TrickleStar TV TrickleSaver Power-Strip Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2009 at 7:57 am.

If you’re a fan of BBC Comedy (and even if you’re not), you should check out these YouTube videos with Jon Plowman. He does some quick reviews of a bunch of different electricity monitoring devices for Energy Saving Day 2009. E-Day 2009 takes place on the Isles of Scilly on October 6 and is the first ever coordinated attempt by a whole community to reduce its electricity consumption. The videos are both entertaining and informative.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Gear Diary, Green

E-Day Electricity Monitor Reviews on YouTube originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 8, 2009 at 6:11 pm.

Do the words Going Green, cause you to roll your eyes or open them? I fall into the eye opening group as I’m a self-proclaimed tree hugger that hates to hear about the the polar ice caps melting and oceans warming. We are big on recycling at my house and we’ve switched 90% of the incandescent light bulbs over to compact fluorescents. CFLs don’t use as much electricity, which good for the planet and good for your electric bill and your wallet. What about LED light bulbs though, are they better than CFLs? Let’s take a look at the HydraLux-4 bulbs from EternaLEDs and see.

Features

Saves on average $13.96 per year*
Costs $1.75 to run per year*
Saves $157.00 over lifetime in bulb and electricity costs*
Lasts 35,000 hours or 35x longer than incandescent bulbs
Fully Dimmable
Contains No Mercury or Hazardous Substances
Approved for Outdoor and Indoor Use
No Flickering, No Headaches
Runs Cools
2 Year Warranty & 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

* At 8 hours usage per day, 365 days per year and $0.15/kWh

They sent me a Warm White and a Daylight White version of their bulbs. Both look exactly the same and are direct replacements for any standard threaded light bulb socket (E27 medium base socket) indoors or outdoors.

The first thing you notice when you pick up one of these bulbs is the weight. They are heavy little guys. The next thing you notice is that they are filled with liquid. Unlike CFL bulbs that contain Mercury, the liquid inside the HydraLux-4′s is harmless paraffin oil that has been tested and certified safe to UL and ROHS standards. This liquid keeps the bulb cool to the touch.

These bulbs use 4W to put out as much light as a 25W standard “A-Shape” incandescent bulb while lasting 35x longer. 25W doesn’t sound like a lot though… Most of the bulbs in my lamps are at least 100W.

Here you see one of the HydraLux-4 bulbs installed in one of my floor lamps. As I feared, by itself, it does not put out enough light to really be useful all by itself. I was surprised how cool they run though. I left it on for an hour and it was just warm to the touch.

As for the difference between the Warm White and Daylight White bulbs, it’s not a lot. The only difference is the brightness. In order to get Warm White, the white LED’s are covered with a phosphor coating to make them “warmer” and thus reducing the light output slightly.

Here are a couple of questions that I asked Jeff of EternaLEDs:

Q: Is 25W the max wattage bulb you sell of this type? Just wondering because they really don’t put out enough light to be used all by themselves (in my opinion).
A: 25W equivalent is the max at the moment but we’re planning on coming out with 8,12, & 16W versions by the end of the year. The 16W version may not be available because we want to keep the costs low enough to be practical – but 8 &12W versions are very likely a go. We realized that these weren’t very bright to begin with – they’re not meant to replace every light in a home but more for low-light/ task lighting applications like a desk lamp, wall sconces, accent light, chandelier etc where incandescents are normally being used or Compact Fluorescent Bulbs would just look unattractive in the fixture.

Q: What is the lifetime for a bulb? Is there a difference in the lifetime of a cool vs. warm light?
The lifetime is 35,000 hours. Many manufacturers prior, when LEDs first came out were listing 100,000 hours and 50,000 hours for 1st and 2nd generation bulbs. 1st generation would be something like this: http://www.eternaleds.com/PAR16_LED_Spotlight_2W_Halogen_JDR_48_LED_p/hjdr-jdr.htm uses what’s called 5mm LEDs. (low-power) 2nd generation bulbs – using heavy metal heatsinks like this: http://www.eternaleds.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HP-7 uses high power LEDs (1W – but heatsink isn’t very efficient) These ratings were simply inaccurate and since then, after being able to test for 2-3 years, we’ve found that the lifetime is closer to 35,000 hours. Note after this time, the bulbs are supposed to be at 70% of their original brightness – they don’t just “burn out” like regular lightbulbs. 3rd generation designs – include a number of more efficient designs – from plastic housings, less metal being used with a larger surface area to increase airflow…. like the HydraLux or this: http://www.eternaleds.com/PAR38_LED_Floodlight_18W_Eternaleds_Quanta_18_p/quanta-18.htm

Besides the fact that these LED light bulbs are not available in higher wattage (brighter) versions, they are currently too expensive for an average person to buy to replace all the bulbs in their home. I look forward to the time when LED bulbs are less expensive and can provide the same light as a 100W incandescent bulb. In the mean time, I’ll continue using my CFLs and make sure that I take them to the recycle center instead of just throwing them away when they burn out.

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Green, LED

EternaLEDs HydraLux-4 LED Light Bulb Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 6, 2009 at 4:31 pm.

I’m a big fan of green devices and ways to save electricity and money. I currently use a Belkin Conserve power strip and love it. The PC and TV TrickleSavers from TrickleStar are similar products, but in addition to the US, there are also versions available for Australia, New Zealand, UK, Italy, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. When the main device is turned off (PC or TV), it will automatically power down any accessories (monitors, DVDs, DVRs, Audio/Video receivers, etc), saving electricity. When you turn the PC or TV on again, it will power up the accessories.

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Electricity, Green

Electricity trickling is a sad thing originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 9, 2009 at 6:29 pm.

Sony Ericsson will be holding a webcast at 1pm (GMT) tomorrow (Thursday 4th June) to announce its new global strategy to put more green technology into mobile phones. The webcast will be chaired by Ernest Doku from Omio.com and because they will be streaming it via Kyte, anyone will be able to ask questions live.

You can either come back here to watch the webcast (the channel is embedded below), or you can view it from Sony’s GreenHeart blog.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Gear Diary, Green, Sony Ericsson

Learn about Sony Ericsson’s plans for green technology originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 3, 2009 at 2:16 pm.

I do my best to be a steward of the environment through recycling, reusing, composting, minimizing fuel and electricity use when ever possible. As the story goes, this past year we purchased a new home in need of much updating and remodeling. My wife and I have taken it upon ourselves to integrate as much energy efficiency as we can into each remodeling effort. Our most recent home improvement project involved the complete gutting and redesigning of our kitchen area. Along with buying Energy Star appliances, installing a mountain of insulation, sealing every nook & cranny; we researched the most environmentally sound and energy efficient lighting technology available. Other than sunlight, the new LED technologies win hands down when compared to incandescent and compact fluorescent lights.

There are many LED bulbs available to retrofit a typical recessed (canned) light but only one (that I could find) that manufactures a true LED recessed light.  The engineers at Juno have created a very well made light called the ‘Juno LED Downlight‘.  Juno’s Downlight is the best made canned light I have ever seen and integrates several very high-tech features as well. And while these Juno LED lights are not a true gadget, LED lighting is a great use of new technologies to reduces your carbon footprint and electrical bills in the process.

The Downlight is available in five and six inch housings and each size comes in new construction and remodel styles. Historically, the retrofit LED option did not provide enough light output and generated a good deal of heat.

Juno has incorporated the latest generation Nichia high lumen LED light engines into the Downlight. Each size and style comes in three ‘flavors’ of light, 3000k, 3500k, and 4100k. These numbers are the temperature of the light itself. The lower the temperature the ‘warmer’ the light the LED gives off. The 4100k LED’s give off a much purer white light that I have read many think is too harsh. We went with the 3000k, 6 inch new construction Downlights and the lighting they produce is just what my wife and I were hoping for.

Installation of the Juno LED Downlight is no different that any other recessed lighting. My electrical buddy installed them quickly and easily.

The only thing I was surprised about, is a one second (or there a bouts) delay between the flipping of the switch and the light coming on. I believe the delay is from the capacitor charging. One of the great features of the Downlight is that it can be controlled by a standard dimmer switch (something most retrofit LED bulbs cannot do).

The cast aluminum heat sink is integrated directly into the housing providing excellent heat management/dissipation to ensure the long life of the LED and can be completely covered with insulation. The housing is engineered for use in IC (insulated ceiling) or non-IC construction and the .032” thick aluminum housing sealed for Air-Loc compliance. The LED is rated for at least 50,000 hours of use and produces 600 lumens using a mere 14 watts of energy. The point is that these and other LED based products use a tiny fraction of the energy and last several orders of magnitude longer than an equivalent incandescent light.

The Juno LED Downlight produces an excellent light, will last long after I am dead and gone, and use very little energy along the way (remember, every little bit helps ). However, I have to admit these lights are not cheap. Actually they are the most expensive recessed light I have ever purchased/seen. The cost of the Downlight at your average lighting store is over $200. But even at this high dollar price tag, these LED lights are in very high demand. At the time, I bought the last case of new construction 6″ 3000k in my end of town.

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Green, Home Improvements, LED

Juno LED Downlight (aka recessed canned light) Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 2, 2009 at 2:30 am.

Today’s Earth Day product idea is an ecofriendly replacement wet mop pad for Swiffer wet-jet or similar mops. They are made of multi-layers of absorbent chenille cotton. Meredyth claims that they are great. You get two for $16.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Green, Spotlight Gadgets

Ecofriendly Reusable Swiffer Mop Pads originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 20, 2009 at 5:00 pm.

Here’s another Earth Day idea… It’s the “I am not a paper cup…” cup. It sure looks like a paper cup, but it’s actually a porcelain cup with a silicone lid. It might look like it’s more a novelty product, than something serious, but it has double walls to keep your beverage insulated and hot. I think it’s a great idea to use an alternative like this instead of trashing disposable cups every day. I have a regular glass mug that I keep at work to drink my tea in the morning. Something to consider

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Beverage, Green, Spotlight Gadgets

How many paper cups do you trash in a day? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 18, 2009 at 4:22 pm.

RAY: (With theme music) Welcome back to Flashlights Today. I’m your host, Ray O’Vac and we are talking to PAD-L, the new guy from Altus Lumens. So, Pad, tell us a bit about yourself.

PAD: Well, I am a sustainable lighting option built with intelligent energy management from 75% renewable materials, so I am eco-friendly. I also support a variety of causes and initiatives, so I am socially conscious as well.

RAY: Wow! Impressive! According to your resume, you passed the famous Gadgeteer Stress Test with flying colors. It says here that you are rock solid and well-built. Being water resistant (but not waterproof), you are a great option for the outdoorsperson, huh?

PAD: It would not do much good to build a ‘green’ device if no one used it, so I was designed with great versatility. I have a small form factor- about half as thick as a deck of cards. I have a swiveling cover, a wire support, and a case designed so I can be positioned, hung, clipped, or held in almost any position you need.

RAY: Sweet- but the proof of a flashlight is the actual light. What is yours like? I see you use four of those square, flattish .5w high intensity LEDs and are powered by four AAA batteries.

PAD: Right. My Intelligent Power Management gives me four light levels-

1. Power Saver, almost a ‘night light’ that can run 100 hours,
2. Low Power, brighter than most pocket-size flashlights, with a 12 hour life,
3. Medium Power, which is brighter than most other flashlights and gives me a 2.5 hour life, and
4. High Power, a brilliant light that lasts for about an hour.

I bought some clips, if we can roll them…

2D flashlight (top), PAD-L 'Power Saver' (bottom)

Power Saver setting in a corner

2D Flashlight (top), PAD-L 'Low' setting (bottom)

Low setting in a corner

2D Flashlight (top), PAD-L 'Medium' setting (bottom)

Medium setting in the corner

2D Flashlight (top), PAD-L 'High' setting (bottom)

High setting in the corner

PAD: All you need to do is to click the one button to walk through the levels. Not only that, but if you hold the button for three seconds, I go into a flashing mode at the selected level- half a second on, half a second off.

RAY: I can see where that would be useful for signaling or marking a spot at night. Wow, I am still seeing spots from those last three levels- gotta watch out for that!

PAD: Additionally, the Intelligent Power Management signals a small red LED on the side to let you know the battery is fading, and the main light will flash when there is about a minute of life left so you are not going to be caught by surprise!

RAY: I see you are a wide-angle light. No focus, huh?

PAD: With several power options to choose from, if you need more light on the job you can just use more power. At the mid-levels, I make a great area light and after all, usually when you need light, you need it in more than just a single focused area.

RAY: Fair enough! As a lover of nice cases, that little nylon case you come in interests me. Two big zippered compartments and a mesh pocket in front. You fit in the mesh pocket with the light fully exposed so you can shine out, and you have a belt loop and a ring on back so you can be worn several ways. I also see that both compartments are big enough to hold you, which means you can carry spare batteries, supplies, and more. Handy!

PAD: Thank you. I also come with a cord and headphone manager that looks oddly like an oblong Altoid gum tin with a rubber bottom.

PAD-L, case, headphone manager, instructions

RAY: Ah, yes, the headset manager. In your instructions, it suggests carrying a cord in this to help hang you up with, which seems kind of silly- a metal and rubber contraption to hold some string seem like a contradiction to your environmental focus. If its main job is to hold headphones, it seems like a rather random inclusion.

PAD: Er, ah…

RAY: Now, I have to admit that you DO hang neatly- the way your wire loop sort of traps the cord, and when you wrap the cord around the cover as shown, it works well and is nicely adjustable- but I do sort of feel like a simple hook would have done as much. Let’s talk about your swivel cover for a moment too- what is it supposed to do?

PAD: Well, it protects me when it is closed, gives you more of a handle when it is opened straight back, and can be angled to support me in several positions…

RAY: But it really does not do those jobs very well, does it? As a handle, it is more awkward than just holding the housing. As a brace, it positions you with the light on the bottom and can hold you pointing slightly up, about 15 or 40 degrees from flat, but the cover does not really hold any position between them. What’s up with the light being at the bottom of the unit in these positions anyway?

One of the angles it works at

PAD: I also have the wire support if you need me pointing more downward.

Forward positioning

RAY: Yes, it lets you point down about 30 degrees from level. In your user’s guide it shows someone taking a picture with the light up on a convenient rock, pointing down on the subject. Does this happen often in real life?

PAD: Using it for photography? Certainly. The very slightly bluish, 240 lux at about 18” I put out in high power mode is great for photography.

RAY: I meant the conveniently placed rock, but my photographer daughter felt that the light was a bit harsh, although she thought it would be OK through a thin filter. Let’s move on. Eco-friendly, huh? Your company offers a solar cell and rechargeable lithium batteries on a more expensive model, but you can ONLY use batteries- how eco-friendly is that? Does it really matter that you are 75% recyclable if you use a handful of batteries every few hours?

PAD: You can use rechargeable batteries, especially the better lithium ion versions to reduce impact, but remember that we also use eco-friendly manufacturing processes to help in ways that you cannot as easily see in the end product, like my tough finish that reduces heavy metals in…

RAY: Well, thanks, Pad! I think that is about all of the time we have to…

PAD: But wait- I want to talk about my causes, my values and mission, my…

RAY: Yes, we can easily see how dedicated you are in your packaging, user’s guide, and website. Join us next week when our guest will be… (fades to black)

Shucks, mistimed my exit line. Oh well. So, Dave, what did you think? Nice enough little guy, huh? A few odd design elements, but a good guy. Heh, did you read his package and user’s guide? It is kind of hard to figure out what he is from it- no where does it call him a flashlight. On the other hand, he comes with a year limited warranty.

I think what I like most about the PAD-L is that it is small, bright, and tough enough to replace so many of the lights in my life- camping area light, reading light, household emergency light, portable work light, hiking light, closet light, and so on.  Huh? Good point Dave- if I could clip it to a pocket, lanyard or headband, it would be even more functional- maybe adding a spring steel clip to the main body. Being able to plug in a solar panel or other charger would be nice also. Yeah. I gotta go too, Dave. See ya!

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Flashlight, Green, LED

Altus Lumen’s PAD-L LED Light Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 3, 2009 at 1:00 am.

Go Green with this 1500mAh solar charger from epogo. Comes with 12 connectors covering all popular mobile phones, handheld games consoles such as Nintendo DS and Sony PSP and MP3 players including iPods.

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Charger, Green, Power, Solar, Spotlight Gadgets

Spotlight Gadget – Juicebar Pocket Solar Charger originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 23, 2009 at 11:26 am.