End User

FlexScan LCD Monitors Can't Wait for You to Leave

All gags about "in Soviet Russia" aside, the newest FlexScan LCD monitors from Eizo Nanao feature the power-saving "EcoView Sense", where the monitors will watch you and automatically shift into a low-power state when they sense you getting up and leaving.

It works by using motion sensors that look for movement within 120 centimeters of the front of the monitor.  If no movement is detected for 40 seconds, the monitors will go to standby mode.  When someone sits in front of the monitor, it will automatically return to full power.  In addition to EcoView, the monitors' sensors also monitor ambient light and can automatically adjust display brightness.

In addition, they are two of the world's first monitors to receive full TCO Displays 5.0 certification, and are Eizo's first monitors to achieve EPEAT Gold status.  Both TCO and EPEAT are "green"-focused certifications relating to energy efficiency and product recyclability.

These new FlexScan monitors come in two flavors: the 20" EV2023W (1600x900 resolution, 3000:1 contrast ratio) and the 23" EV2303 (1920x1080 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio).

The 20" will run you about $385, and the 23" will cost about $450 or so.  Both monitors are expected to hit warehouses on May 21.

--Aric A.

How Green Are Your Favorite Electronics Manufacturers?

As 'gadget heads' it's a given that specs are going to be first and foremost in our minds when it comes to making a buying decision on our toys, but there are certainly other considerations beyond price, speed, processing power, OS and the like to take a look at. For one, how green are the manufacturing processes we are encouraging when we lay down cash for the latest must-have gizmos?

Granted, for the majority of us this line of questioning might never pop into our heads, but in a world where products are less expensive than ever, resulting in a flood of discarded electronics hitting the landfills, dumps, and hopefully recycling centers every year, it should be something that we give at least a little consideration to. Thankfully Greenpeace continues to take the lead on this, publishing the eleventh edition of its quarterly 'Guide to Greener Electonics' report last month. In it the top 17 manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TV's and games consoles are ranked according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change. Leading the way as it did in the last report is Nokia, with its comprehensive voluntary take-back program and reduced levels of manufacturing based toxic pollutants. Similarly, continuing to bring up the rear is Nintendo, with a "pitiful" showing regarding e-waste, among other criteria. All the other big names are there too, mixed up in the middle. Regardless of their standing all could stand to improve their processes and we to be aware of that. It just takes a second to check out the findings of the guide, either through synopsis or a downloaded report featuring promises made, kept and broken, etc. Obviously we will never base our buying decisions strictly on a rating system such as this, but it is another piece of information that deserves consideration before making a buying decision, so take a look.

--Tom Milnes

Plug Computers: Green, Small, Cheap and Maybe the Future

What is it exactly that makes a good PC? Is it an ever shrinking size? Is it affordability? Is it ease of use? Historically it has been a mix of all the above and those three may only become more important indicators with this week's announcement of Silicon Valley based Marvell Technical Group's SheevaPlug computer and their Plug Computing Initiative.

With a plug-in design that resembles powerline network adapters, which utilize existing electrical wiring to extend a home network, Plug Computers are ultra small Linux based computers that plug into wall sockets and can run network-based services that normally require a dedicated personal computer. The SheevaPlug connects to a router via its Ethernet port, and to external storage sources or networked devices via USB 2.0 or mini USB, sharing those out over your network. It features a 1.2GHz Marvell Sheeva CPU with 512MB of flash memory and 512MB of DDR2 memory. Marvell is hoping that the SheevaPlug will be a natural fit in households and small businesses comfortable with and competent at sharing digital media across networks and at the same time looking to go green. The SheevaPlug address the green sentiment of the latter by using only a tenth of the power a typical, always on computer used as an inexpensive media server does. It also comes at the nice price of $99 each, with eventual price drops predicted. Of course this being an open source based product it is a little dubious how successful it will be in the mainstream market as is. That's why the kit, which includes a SheevaPlug, USB cable, Ethernet cable, CD containing software and documentation, is in fact a developer's kit. I'm sure that there are lots of people capable of writing fantastic code for this and I hope they do. If it was made easy for me and the price was kept down, I'd buy a few from a middleman. If not I might just have to learn to write a little code myself and take a shot at it.

If you want to learn more about the SheevaPlug and plug computing check out the Marvell site.

--Tom Milnes

In a Wi-Fi World of Devices Even a Thermostat Can be Smart

If you are going to climb aboard a bandwagon, the green bandwagon is generally not a bad choice, but assuming that you have a home wireless network in place, is a smart Wi-Fi connected thermostat right for you? If heat conservation basics like sufficient insulation, proper and consistent ducting throughout the house and an efficient variable speed furnace/cooling system are in place, then perhaps so. Either way the folks over at ecobee have have something for you to consider, the ecobee Smart Thermostat.

The ecobee Smart Thermostat is a 7-day programmable thermostat designed to help you conserve energy, save money and reduce your environmental impact. Utilizing WiFi 802.11 b/g wireless protocols, it allows users to place a thermostat anywhere in their home. Assuming the noted heat conservation basics are in place, this should allow you to maintain the temperature you want when and where you want it instead of relying on a thermostat tethered to a distant location in your home. Users can also automate heating and cooling patterns around their schedules and lifestyle through the unit's calendar-based programing schedule which can be laid out by the day, week or month. Weather-related news and information, system alerts and reminders relevant to the user and the system can also be attained by checking the unit's 'personalized Web portal,' or if you choose, through email which you send to yourself. There are a lot of features here and possibly a fair amount of savings if you are the kind of person who tends to leave the heater on whether you are home or not and/or like to come home to a specific temperature when away. Ecobee claims that these savings could be 20% or higher, but these come at a price. Ecobee's Smart Thermostat runs about $385 and requires a yearly 'platform fee' of $35 and installation by a professional technician is recommended. It is planned to beginning shipping early next year and system specs are available here.

--Tom Milnes

The Promise of Wireless Magnetic Power Resurfaces at CES

The concept of using magnetic induction as a means of providing wireless power to gadgetheads eager to rid themselves of the tangle of adapters cluttering desks and filling carry-ons, has been around for a while. The fact that the market has not seen a reliable prototype, as well as some unfulfilled hype has lead some to question whether the technology is real, but this year at CES two companies took the lead in jumping on an idea that if it works, could become wildly popular and possibly profitable. These are Powermat and Leggett and Platt/Fulton Innovation.

Without going going into technical details that I'm not qualified to explain, basically the two approaches both do away with metal-to-metal, power adapter reliant connections, instead working off a scenario where a surface, imbued with AC power acts as a charging base/power source for virtually any gadget or appliance that you lay on it; thus the wireless moniker. Because each system is "smart" in that it automatically provides the appropriate charge for each device, the difference between the two approaches is how the exact amount of power is determined. Powermat's technology does this via a device specific skin with an embedded chip that your gadget is fitted into prior to being laid on the empowered surface, while Leggett and Platt/ Fulton's eCoupled technology seems to rely on signals emitting from the devices themselves via batteries or built-in components. Both systems seem capable of utilizing coils that can be laid on the power surface, with specific power needs parsed out via adapters; mini-USB or otherwise. Taking the information visible in the videos below shot at CES it would seem that Leggett and Platt/Fulton are taking more of an industrial approach utilizing large desktop setups while Powermat seems more focused, at least for now, on travel or at least more scaled surfaces. Although it is way too early to choose one over the other, consumers leaning toward efficient, wireless power technology should take note that Powermat is quoting prices of around $100 for the Powermat and about $30 for each device skin, versus Leggett and Platt's noncommittal response to anything related to price. This question mark regarding price makes sense since their model would seem to necessitate cooperation on the part of manufacturers. If everything goes well, there are offerings planned from both in the latter portion of '09.

Regardless of who gets my gadget charging business in the short run, if magnetic induction power succeeds in becoming a viable option for the future, it could be a game changer. Just imagine how wireless power embedded into the walls we live and work between will change where you place flatscreen TVs, lighting fixtures, appliances and workstations. Maybe it's the fact that I just laid out many thousands of dollars to have my house rewired, but I think the changes will be huge.

Check out videos below for each technology from CES 2009.

Powermat

Leggett and Platt/Fulton Innovation

--Tom Milnes

People-Powered Computing with Easy Energy's Yogen Max

I'm sure that 2009 will be packed with must-have gizmos, but if I had my choice the one that I'd most like to get a hold of it would be Easy Energy's Yogen Max. 

Although there is pretty scant information available on this device, apparently it is designed to be just what it looks like, a human-powered energy source for your laptop, consisting of a foldable footpedal that plugs directly into your laptop, and/or perhaps other devices that it can be suited to work with. So, you say I might be able to stick with my light, but not very long-lasting battery and never have to worry about running out of juice as long as I'm willing to tap-tap-tap? Hmm, who wouldn't be for that? All I have to say is why hasn't anyone come up with this idea already. Unfortunately Easy Energy's Website says next to nothing about the product, beyond a flash demonstration. Yet, according to a recent Endgadget posting, Easy Energy has completed a working prototype, so this is looking for real. Also, Easy Energy CEO Guy Ofir, in a Coolest Gadgets posting, says of the product, “This unique product will allow for the complete charging of a laptop anywhere in the world, inside or outside, wired or not.” The key words for me here are 'complete charging.' If he is claiming that a full charge can be produced this should sell itself.

It may seem a little goofy at first to think of walking into the local cafe, lining up a latte and busting out your little orange wah-wah power pedal, but if it works, is light and compact and is affordable, I'm sure you won't be the only one pedaling away across the WWW and beyond. And just think of the workout your calfs will get. Like I said, this little power pack is high on my list of '09 must-haves. Lets hope that prototype makes it to production.

--Tom Milnes

Aesthetic Computing: Leather and Bamboo Notebooks

Never having been accused of being stylish in any aspect of my life that I can recall, I suppose it's not surprising that beyond connotations of size like slim and sleek, I've never really considered the aesthetics of a laptop very important. Actually, truth be told, I've never really considered aesthetics at all when it has come to picking a computer and why would I? Computing is all about function over form, right? Well, yeah, but that might be changing, at least when it comes to those willing to pay a premium for a little something-something to set their box apart.

What brought this to mind was a post this morning on Engadget of an Eee notebook that a Russian user had modded with a full body casing of leather. I have to admit, it looks pretty cool in a Naugahyde kind of way, although myself, I couldn't really see trying this out on anything but one of the old laptops I have sitting around. I'll have to keep this in mind as craft night approaches. The posting also pointed out that Taiwanese PC maker ASUS has been offering an entire leather collection for a few years. Again, who knew? Me? Nope. Corporate CEOs, Sharper Image and Sky Mall types? Probably. These units would fit right in next to a leather chair, blotter and pen set. Maybe it is just the do-it-youselfer in me, but I think I prefer the Russian version. The look aside, one thing I wonder about is whether a leather outer can cause a unit to overheat? Hmmm? Something tells me that realistically I'll never have to worry about this. The other thing that came to light as I visited the ASUS site was that they have been making an attempt to go green with their manufacturing over the past several years. Good for them, us and hopefully the planet. The most recent example of this, albeit in a very cosmetic fashion is their upcoming U6 Bamboo Notebook. Somehow it doesn't look nearly as cool as the leather models, but it could equate to a little less man-made materials sitting in landfills around the world for the next 1,000 years. I'm down with that.

If you are interested in going bamboo, you can reserve a U6 through Amazon.com. Here are some general specs, but check its product page for more details.

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processors T9400: 2.53GHz, 1066MHz, 6MB L2 cache
• 320GB 5400RPM SATA
• NV 9300M GS 256MB VRAM DDR2
• 12.1-Inch WXGA LED backlight wide panel for lower power consumption, better luminance and high mobility
• Unparalleled Voile LCD cover with shimmering fibers for stunning sparkles
• $1,999.00

--Tom Milnes

Amazon.com Launches Frustration-Free Packaging

Amazon.com has launched “Frustration-Free Packaging,” a new initiative designed to make it easier for customers to liberate products from their packages. Amazon is focusing first on two kinds of items: those enclosed in hard plastic cases known as “clamshells” and those secured with a large number of plastic-coated wire ties, commonly used in toy packaging.

Frustration-Free Packaging is being launched in the United States with 19 bestselling products from leading manufacturers including Fisher-Price, Mattel, Microsoft and electronics manufacturer Transcend. The product itself is exactly the same – Amazon has just streamlined the packaging. The project will expand across Amazon’s international sites beginning in 2009.

We’ve pulled together a video and a few pictures that demonstrate how frustrating packaging can be—feel free to send us your pictures and videos by visiting www.amazon.com/upload. We’ve also created a Frequently Asked Questions document on the program for those of you who want to learn more.

--Andi

Killer SOLo: the Solar-Powered Work Table

With the recent consumer-oriented rush towards producing greener everyday tech products, it seems like it was only a matter of time before a product like this came along, but it makes great sense:  the SOLo Lounge Table, made by iF, Inc.,  whose surface is covered in photoreceptors which power several different kinds of outlets built into the table itself.

There are three conventional outlets along with a USB outlet and even a car-lighter outlet, so the table's got you covered for all your gadgets.  There's also a pull-out system monitor that will let you know whether the table's stored up enough energy to use yet or not.  It produces about 73 kilowatt hours of electricity per year under normal use, so as a coffee table you can work from it seem like a solid solution.  I can't help but wonder if the table's surface gets extremely hot when charging in ambient or direct sunlight, but surely someone thought of that already?

[via Inhabitat]

--Aric A.