The word is spreading here near the end of 2013: USB is over, if you want it. USB PD (Power Delivery) is set to be the new standard for the next generation, working with standard specifications set to start taking effect as early as 2014. This technology may very well change the way we power […]
There’s a lot to love about USB. The plugs are small and convenient. The cable can carry both power and data. Plus, USB is, well, universal. This is why USB is considered by some to be the future of electricity. Smart grids, more convenient storage, solar power—according to a new Economist report it’s all easier with USB.
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South Park was unable to meet its deadline for the first time in its 240+ episode history because of a power outage. That’s 17 straight seasons of somehow making things work on a short deadline until now. What a bummer!
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When you think of Disney, most typically think of animated movies and theme parks, but Disney also has a research arm that looks into all sorts of future technology. Researchers at Disney have created an interesting and very cheap power generator that uses pieces of paper. This won’t create enough power to run your computer, but it does generate enough electricity to make LEDs glow, make sounds, or turn on an e-book display.
The generator uses sheets of conductive Teflon to create an electrical charge as users rub, touch or tap its surfaces together. Circuits are then able to take advantage of that electric charge and harness it to create power for small electronic devices.
The researchers say the generators are extremely cheap and convenient to produce. Such generators could to add interactivity to just about anything you can think of. Disney sees the potential for such generators to be used to power interactivity in books, papers, magazines, posters, and a number of other places.
Researcher Ivan Poupyrev said, “This simplicity leads to countless applications enabling interactivity everywhere and anytime. My overall goal is to make the whole world interactive, and creating ubiquitous power supplies is a key step in that direction.”
[via French Tribune]
What if you are camping or find yourself in the wilderness and you need to use your phone? Chances are you will need a charge. Good luck finding a power outlet out there. But that’s okay. FlameStower has your back. This device uses the heat from fire to charge cell phones and other electronics via USB, making it perfect for camping or during emergencies due to power outages.
In the worst of situations, you can almost always start a fire. It will work over a cook stove, campfire or any fire source, and starts charging gadgets in seconds.
This project is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter through October 24th, and it seems like a worthwhile investment. A pledge of at least $80(USD) will get you your own FlameStower when it starts shipping this December.
[via Laughing Squid]
What’s the point of using a compact travel power bar that gives you extra outlets when it ends up using and blocking the pair already on a wall? With Quirky’s new Contort Power supply that’s no longer an issue, since its short plug is angled 45 degrees so the extra outlet and USB ports don’t end up blocking anything.
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Having lots of devices can be fun, but it’s a pain when you run out of juice. I’ve had to scramble to find a power plug more than once, and the external battery that I have usually doesn’t last that long. Lugging around a large battery in your backpack makes sense if you’re heading outdoors.
The SOOT Electropack is supposed to be able to power your devices for up to two weeks without having to plug it in. Now that’s what I call self-sufficiency. The bag is made up of three modular bags, which can be combined to suit your needs.
Each one contains a 10,000 mAh battery. The pack can charge up to four devices at once, from smartphones to tablets. A single battery pack can charge a typical smartphone up to seven times, or an iPad once. Get the version with an extra battery pack to double that for up to two weeks of capacity for your smartphone.
The SOOT Electropack has got 34L of storage, so you can still lug around a lot of gear while keeping your devices fully juiced up. It was launched as Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which ends on October 17th. You’ll have to pledge at least $239(USD) with one battery pack. $279 will buy you a the version with the extra battery pack.
[via Yanko Design]
Google’s goal of meeting its electrical needs with renewable sources got another big boost today. The Happy Hereford wind farm in Texas will produce 240 megawatts of juice, and all of that output has been bought by Big G. That power won’t flow directly from the turbines into Google’s data centers, instead it’ll be fed into the regional grid when Google sells the energy on the wholesale market. The 240 renewable energy certificates (REC) acquired in the deal will be retired in support of mother earth, and any additional REC’s created by the wind farm will be used to “reduce our [Google’s] carbon footprint elsewhere.” According to Google, this is similar to other green energy deals it’s done in Iowa and Oklahoma, so it’s highly likely we’ll be seeing more such deals in the not-so-distant future. Of course, no one will be receiving any of that Happy Hereford wind power just yet — the farm won’t be sending out any renewably-sourced electrons until late 2014.
Filed under: Misc, Alt, Google
Source: Google Official Blog
With connections for microUSB, Apple’s old Dock Connector, and its new Lightning option, the CrossLink cable by Id America can sync or charge pretty much any modern smartphone or tablet you can get your hands on. And if the Crosslink’s flat cable anti-tangle design isn’t enough, it’s also available in six different colors that will perfectly complement your iPhone 5C, and it will set you back just $18. We’ll take ten, please. [id America via The Awesomer]
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It really sucks when your car won’t start. Normally you would have to bother your neighbor or get a stranger to give you a start with jumper cables. Those days are over thanks to Jump Genie. It will give your battery power with no outside help. You won’t even have to lift the hood of your car.
All you need to do is plug it into your cigarette lighter socket and wait as it delivers juice to your car battery. Then just start your car. It might take a while to get things going, but it’s still a handy gadget we should all carry in our cars.
Bonus: When you drive away, all happy and carefree, you can re-charge the Jump Genie as you drive. This takes about 40 minutes. Then it’s ready for the next time. The Jump Genie sells for £29.95 (~$47 USD) over at The Verdict.
[via Red Ferret]
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