Who would’ve thought a Macbook Pro would be the spotlight of the Macworld conference, instead of desktops? (See our live blog of the event.)
The 17-inch Apple Macbook Pro was rumored to receive the same aluminum brick, glass trackpad, and new Intel CPU treatment–but that was a long shot, to say the least. The biggest story here is the non-removable battery.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, a Dutch chip designer plans to demonstrate a remote control that could have battery makers quaking in their boots. GreenPeak claims its design offers two-way communication with multiple devices through walls and other obstacles with such efficiency that, in some cases, one watch battery can power the remote longer than some remotes last.
If only there were a human equivalent. For technology journalists, CES is about talking to everyone, writing about everything, and catching some sleep on the flight back from Vegas. For companies like GreenPeak, CES is about setting up deals with larger consumer electronics manufacturers. Sure enough, GreenPeak will be showing them a reference design featuring its Emerald GP500C chip, which it hopes they’ll start putting into their remotes next year. One reason they might is that in addition to the RF transceiver, GreenPeak’s chip includes an IR transceiver so it can work with consumer’s existing gear. But efficiency is the main selling point here.
"By using GreenPeak’s network radio technology, these remotes will
be able to run for the life of the device or until the battery falls
apart," stated the company.
GreenPeak’s chip’s
IEEE 802.15.4 protocol allows for two-way communication, so
these potentially greener remotes would be able to offer
high-definition album art and menus from household devices on their screens, although at this
point, running a full display for a long enough time would require more
than a watch battery. The company’s reference design features no such
screen, since one of the advantages of this design is keeping AA and
AAA batteries out of landfills.
GreenPeak made its name building decentralized, energy-neutral mesh networks to help farmers monitor their crops more efficiently. Oddly enough, what began as a tool for farmers could wind up in the
hands of couch potatoes.
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The mCube90G smart-plug hub plays the role of a strict bartender at a bar full of heavy drinkers — only in this case, the drinkers are power-thirsty gadgets running up your tab.
Research has shown that the average American family pays anywhere from $50 to $150 extra
a year on wasted energy costs from plugged-in electronics that aren’t
being used, such as DVD players and TVs that are ostensibly "off" and cellphones that are fully charged but whose chargers continue to draw a trickle of electricity from the wall outlet.
It’s the latter category that the upcoming plug hub from Innergie targets: It cuts off the electricity flow of gadgets at the moment they’re done charging, offering a good energy efficiency option to those looking for ways to save a few bucks.
While many gadgets know when they are charged fully by an internal
indicator, their chargers often continue to pull energy out. Since most
people don’t have the time or the inclination to constantly plug and
unplug appliances, even with easy-to-see standby settings, this
gadget’s steady, silent work should make things easier.
The gadget is compatible with many different types of electronics and you should be able to plug them all in at once. This will save you the trouble (and the space) needed to carry an extra charger for each.
The mCube90G uses technology developed by San Ramon, California-based Green Plug. The latter’s "Greentalk" open system is an universal interface that will also be adapted into the gadget charge systems of other consumer electronic companies, in addition to this stand-alone unit.
But this hub will only be regarded as an intermediary solution to a larger problem. It doesn’t track the detailed consumption in a visual data form, like the Wattson power monitor. It also depends on the volition of individuals to use them with all gadgets, as opposed to being part of a complete home energy system.
According to Innergie, one of the most interesting features of the mCube90G is what it calls its ability to "dynamically adapt" to the energy demands of individual gadgets. For example, if you plug in a large laptop at only 20 percent of energy, a cellphone at 80 percent and a low-powered lamp running LEDs, it will funnel most of the energy from the charger to the laptop until its close to full, while it slowly siphons some to the ones who need it less.
And when all the juice is consumed and every gadget is nice and toasty, the plug turns off the lights on itself by shutting down. That sounds like a responsible way to deal with the terrible addiction that is the leading symptom of years of energy abuse.
The mCube90G will be available in 2009, presumably after its CES debut. There’s no word on the price.
Photo of mCube90, predecessor to mCube90G: MyEnergy.com
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