The LED Solar Pebble is a new multi-functional, solar powered device developed by Plus Minus Solar. The Solar Pebble is a sustainable light source that can be used in developing areas such as Africa. In developed nations, it can function as an eco-friendly charger for smartphones, MP3 players and other mobile devices. The Solar Pebble requires no batteries or electricity and generates its own power from its built-in small solar panel. The production costs of the Solar Pebble are low enough that it could be distributed as a humanitarian product, possibly using profits from its sales in developed countries.
Look for the Solar Pebble release in June of 2010.
Disposing of old electronics needs special attention. Cell phones and other gadgets often contain toxic substances and don’t belong in landfills. Now there are some websites that will recycle your electronics and may even give you some cash back. Here are some websites to check out:
Cells for Cash accepts used cell phones and will pay for newer models. They send a postage-free mailer and send back a payment if the phone has value. Cells for Cash refurbishes the phones they receive and sends them to developing nations.
Gazelle is a website that accepts all types of electronics (gaming consoles, MP3 players, laptops, etc.) and will send payment for new models. You can determine the value of an electronics item on the website and will receive payment when you mail it in. Even if your item has no value, Gazelle will pay for shipping and safely dispose of it.
YouRenew is one more website that takes all types electronics and lets you determine before sending it in whether or not you’ll receive payment. This website refurbishes and resells the donations they receive and then makes donations to environmental causes.
If you like your gadgets green, you’ll love this hand cranked Wind Up Mobile Phone Charger. If you find yourself without access to electricity or you just want to save power, all you do is turn the handle for a few minutes and the Wind Up Mobile Phone Charger will generate enough power to run your phone for 25 to 30 minutes.
The charger also has a handy built-in LED flashlight in case you find yourself in the dark without a light. The Mobile Phone Charger is lightweight, portable and easy to pack. It’s compatible with a wide variety of mobile brands, including Samsung, Nokia, Siemens, Motorola and Sony Ericsson.
The new Mint Cleaner is a robotic sweeper and mop that will automatically sweep or wash your floor. Like the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, the Mint detects obstacles and automatically changes its path. See it in action in this YouTube video:
The Mint has not yet been launched, but the price is said to be set at $249.
Roomba also makes a floor cleaner called the Scooba. The Scooba 380 retails for about $500 and only washes the floor (no sweeping). Looks like the Mint Cleaner could be a lower cost alternative with more functionality.
The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker is state-of-the art in the world of rice cookers. This cooker is fully automated, taking the guess work out of cooking perfect rice every time you try. All you have to do is selecte the type of rice you plan to cook from the front panel (i.e., long grain, basmati, jasmine), add water and rice, and then let the Neuro Fuzzy do its thing. A built-in computer chip takes over and before you know it you have a bowl of perfectly cooked rice.
The Neuro also plays a tune at the start and end of each cooking cycle.
Find out more at the Zojirushi website.
Even water bottles can be reinvented with new technology. Platypus has done just that with their new, flexible SoftBottle. This reusable, BPA-free bottle is completely flexible. Stow it in a drink holder or pocket when full. When empty, just roll it up and pack it away. The eco-friendly SoftBottle weights 80% less than other water bottles and it comes in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Find out more at the Platypus website.
Since Apple announced its new iPad tablet device earlier this year, rumors have been swirling about when it will officially go on sale. The latest rumors are saying that March 26 will be the first date that the Apple iPad will be availabe in the Apple Store. According to Apple, the iPad without 3G will begin shipping in late March, with the iPad 3G version coming out 30 days later.
The iPad is expected to compete with Amazon’s Kindle in the e-book market. It will also run apps for the iTunes App Store, like the iPhone Touch. The iPad will play music and video with its built-in iPod.
The Doodle-Track Car is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it packs hours of entertainment. This small toy car has the amazing ability to follow any dark line, either printed or drawn with a marker or crayon. You can design and print track layouts on the Doodle-Tracker website, or drawn freeform tracks. The Doodle-Tracker Car was named by Popular Science magazine as one of the best toys at the 2010 International Toy Show. It retails for $14.99.
NASA and GM have unveiled a joint a new dexterous humanoid robot called Robonaut2 (nickname R2). Developed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the robot is designed to work side-by-side with humans, either in manufacturing plants or on missions in space. In factories, R2 will be able to take over some of the repetitive jobs that cause long-term injuries to humans. In outer space, this robot can take over some of the more dangerous tasks. Vision sensors in R2’s head and pressure sensors in its fingers allow it to work with a high degree of precision.
Just when every other TV is designed to be sleek, flat and minimal, here’s a new TV from LG with plenty of retro styling. This old school television is not a flat-screen in disguise – it’s an old-fashioned, bulky cathode ray tube TV. A rabbit ear antenna and chrome legs complete the look. Korean electronics maker LG is selling this retro TV for about $216. It’s currently only available in Korea.
The LED Solar Pebble is a new multi-functional, solar powered device developed by Plus Minus Solar. The Solar Pebble is a sustainable light source that can be used in developing areas such as Africa. In developed nations, it can function as an eco-friendly charger for smartphones, MP3 players and other mobile devices. The Solar Pebble requires no batteries or electricity and generates its own power from its built-in small solar panel. The production costs of the Solar Pebble are low enough that it could be distributed as a humanitarian product, possibly using profits from its sales in developed countries.
