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Bicycle rigs for charging cellphones have lit up our radar before, but now the EcoXPower is being billed as the first device of its kind that can simultaneously juice up LED lights and a smartphone with the power of your pedaling. Packing a headlamp, a red tail light and a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, the contraption attaches to a bike’s front wheel hub with the help of a universal mount. When clamped on, the apparatus’ clutch engages between the velocipede’s spokes so it can generate electricity. A USB adapter cable runs up the two-wheeler’s fork to a water-resistant, touchscreen-friendly case that can house iPhones, Android handsets and “all major GPS devices” perched atop the handlebars. Cyclists yearning to charge their electronics with the dynamo can pick one up for $99.99. Roll past the break for the full press release.

Continue reading EcoXPower charges a smartphone, bicycle headlight and tail light with pedal power

Filed under: Transportation

EcoXPower charges a smartphone, bicycle headlight and tail light with pedal power originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 01:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bicycle lights generally use battery or solar-powered LEDs these days, not bike dynamos like in the 1980s. That doesn’t mean that these types of tiny power stations aren’t still useful. I’ve seen a couple of different ones allowing you to charge up your devices simply by pedaling a bit more. The BikeCharge will take this to a new level since it generates more current and is lighter than other models.

iBikeConsole’s BikeCharge Dynamo is a mounted DC power generator and it works with most smartphone brands. It’s supposed to charge up your phone in 2 to 3 hours, which isn’t bad – especially if you’re going for  It’s weatherproof, and the all-in-one design is 20% lighter than other systems of this nature. There’s a quick-release clutch that will allow you to disengage the dynamo when you aren’t in need of the extra power, though it’s designed to add minimal drag to your pedaling efforts when engaged. It’s also got a front LED light and two rear red LED lights, which can stay illuminated for up to 2 hours after you stop riding.

The BikeCharge Dynamo sells for $99.99(USD) but is currently out of stock.

[via Ubergizmo]

It’s all about power when you’re on the go. Depending on your usage, it doesn’t take long for the battery of your tablet or smartphone to run out. It’s happened to everyone, stranded with no way to juice up your gear. The Exovolt Plus stackable batteries might help you out in these situations.

Exogear’s Exovolt Plus is different from most external batteries, because you can simply stack up modules to add more battery power. The main unit, which sells for $89.95(USD), has got a 5,200 mAh battery. You can add as many subunits as you want at $49.95 a pop. Each of these also has a 5,200 mAh capacity. The batteries have double circuit protection, overheating protection, and short-circuit protection so they won’t explode in your face.

I guess these batteries would be good for camping and outdoor trips. The batteries aren’t that big, about twice the size of an iPhone, so they should be pretty easy to carry around in your pack. Exogear hasn’t yet confirmed a release date for the Exovolt Plus, but they should be coming soon.

[via DVice]

Apple’s main data center is currently located in Maiden, North Carolina, covering 500,000 square feet that houses the servers for iCloud among other services. Wired has managed to take pictures of the new addons that Apple is adding to the data center which will help generate power, including a site for a 4.8 megawatt biogas plant, plus a solar farm that can generate an additional 20 megawatts, spanning 100 acres.

Wired commandeered a 1949 Piper PA-11 (Cub Special) spy plane in order to snap the photos of the work in progress at Apple’s data center. Work is currently underway not too far from the main server farm, indicating the site where the company will lay its 4.8 megawatt biogas plant, converting the gas produced there into electricity. Meanwhile, the 100 acre 20 megawatt solar farm is still under construction, with a second installation located only a few miles away.

Curiously, there’s a smaller “tactical” data center located next to the main 500,000 square foot installation that Apple is staying quiet about. It’s significantly smaller at 21,000 square feet, but John Engates, Chief Technology Officer at Rackspace, believes the space could be used by Apple’s partners for testing iCloud and other online services without giving up access to the main data center.

Apple’s goal is for 60% of its power requirements to be met by the renewable energy projects found on site. The other 40% will be purchased from local and regional companies, which will also come from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and biogas.

Pics reveal expansion at Apple’s data center is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’ve seen plenty of users report that Apple’s latest OS, Mountain Lion, has caused a massive drop in battery life. While we haven’t been able to confirm any decrease in longevity with our own OS 10.8 machines, which include previous generation MacBook Pros and the company’s latest Retina model, it’s clear that some of you who were able to get the operating system downloaded and installed have experienced some not-so-favorable side effects with your Pros and MacBook Airs. While there are plenty of theories, there has yet to be a fix, though Apple is reportedly investigating the issue. This isn’t the first time users have reported decreased battery life after an OS update, with a lengthy support thread popping up after Lion’s release last year. So, how has the upgrade affected you? Sound off in the poll below to let us know.

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Filed under: Software

Poll: Is Mountain Lion devouring your Mac’s battery life? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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