Jun 02

Eton Soulra iPod sound system is rugged, splash-proof and solar-powered

Posted in: ipod dock, IpodDock, rugged, solar, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili, waterproof
Solar-powered sound systems are certainly nothing new, but Etón has taken things a bit further than most with its new Soulra system, which not only adds an iPhone / iPod dock to the equation, but wraps it in a rugged, splash-proof enclosure. That obviously makes it better suited for the beach or pool-side than some other options, but you’ll also naturally get an AC adapter and line-in to use it at home and connect other audio devices. Not much else in the way of technical specs just yet, unfortunately, but it looks like it should be available in the coming days for $199 — Etón actually says “now,” but most retailers seem to be saying otherwise. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Eton Soulra iPod sound system is rugged, splash-proof and solar-powered

Eton Soulra iPod sound system is rugged, splash-proof and solar-powered originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Gear Diary  |  sourceEton Soulra, Amazon  | Email this | Comments

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May 28

Sony patent application points to dual-screen, dual-use tablet

Posted in: e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, solar, solar power, SolarPower, sony, tablet, Today's Chili
We never put too much faith in patent applications leading to actual products, but we can’t help but get a little bit excited about the possibilities presented by a recent Sony application for a dual-screen tablet. Described specifically as an “electronic book with enhanced features,” the device would sport two screens that could take on a different functionality depending on how the device is oriented — functioning as an e-reader when in portrait mode, and displaying a keyboard on the lower screen when placed on a table, for instance. Now, this obviously has a few similarities to the Courier, and even more to Microsoft’s earlier Codex project (with its “Battleship posture”), but Sony does seem to have put a slightly unique spin on things, and has even thrown in a few more ideas of its own — even mentioning solar charging in its claims for the application.

Sony patent application points to dual-screen, dual-use tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 19:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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May 26

Devotec rolls out updated Solar Sound 2 Bluetooth speaker

Posted in: bluetooth, solar, solar power, SolarPower, speaker, Today's Chili
Devotec’s new Solar Sound 2 Bluetooth speaker may look nearly identical to the original model we got our hands on last year, but the company assures us that it has in fact been “re-designed from the ground up,” and promises that it’ll give you a whole lot more for the slightly higher $99.99 price tag. The biggest advantage, it seems, is some significantly better sound thanks to some new and improved speaker cones, silver plated oxygen free copper speaker cabling, and a more efficient power circuit that promises to “get even more juice to the amp and speakers.” You’ll also get some new gold-plated connectors on the unit itself, along with an integrated line-out, and a slightly larger battery that should give you between five and ten hours of use (compared to eight at most before). Head on past the break for the full press release, and hit up the source link below to get your order in if you like.

Continue reading Devotec rolls out updated Solar Sound 2 Bluetooth speaker

Devotec rolls out updated Solar Sound 2 Bluetooth speaker originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 May 2010 05:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDevotec  | Email this | Comments

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May 10

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: salad spinners, diapers, and solutions to the Deepwater catastrophe

Posted in: LED, mit, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili

The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week’s most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us.

This week renewable energy received a giant jolt forward as Google unveiled plans to invest $40 million in North Dakota wind farms. Solar power is also having a moment in the sun as MIT unveiled the world’s first solar cells printed on paper – we can’t wait to see a post-it version that we can stick to our walls! Meanwhile a team of Swiss researchers are harnessing rays of light for an entirely different purpose — they’ve figured out a way to create rain clouds by shooting laser beams into the sky.

With the Deepwater Horizon oil spill still saturating the sea weeks after the leak sprung, we also looked at an array of innovative solutions for cleaning up the catastrophe. The first step to stemming the spill’s damage is predicting its spread, which is why scientists are harnessing advanced virtual reality models to aid in cleanup efforts. We also took a look at the BP’s first massive oil containment dome, which the company plans to lower 5,000 feet below the sea to plug up the leak.

This week we also looked at several ingenious inventions that find incredible new uses for everyday items. Two students at Rice University have transformed a simple salad spinner into a centrifuge that can save lives by diagnosing diseases, and a Japanese company called Super Faith has invented a machine that can transform used adult diapers into an energy source.

Finally, we were dazzled by two high-tech garments that harness LEDs to light up the night. Katy Perry recently took to the red carpet wearing a shimmering gown studded with thousands of blinking rainbow lights, and we were impressed by this LED-laden coat that keeps bicyclists safe when they hit the streets at night.

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: salad spinners, diapers, and solutions to the Deepwater catastrophe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 03:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 02

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: wind power, shoe power, and the world’s largest laser

Posted in: laser, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili

The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week’s most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us.

This week Inhabitat showcased several smart new technologies that harness clean green energy from unexpected (and undeniably awesome) sources. Volcanoes may be the bane of air travel as of late, but Indonesia has hatched a plan to harness their geothermal might to produce 4,000 megawatts of power. Meanwhile The Netherlands is turning the tide on hydroelectric power by upgrading their dikes with energy generating underwater turbines.

In other news, harnessing energy from stars may seem like an out-of-this-world proposition, but that’s precisely what scientists are attempting to achieve as they fire up the world’s largest laser in an attempt to grasp the holy grail of energy: nuclear fusion. And speaking of out-of-this-world developments, this week Japan announced plans to launch its solar “Ikaros” spacecraft, which will sail through the stars using rays of light.

While keeping stride with these developments we also looked at several innovative technologies that stand to shape the future of consumer tech. Looking to put some punch in your step? Then try these energy generating piezoelectric shoes on for size. We also brought an eye-opening new night vision technology to light that is so thin, lightweight, and cheap that it can integrated directly into eyeglasses, car windows, and cell phone cameras. Even our canine friends are getting high-tech upgrades — check out this geo-tagging rescue dog jacket that can be used by people in peril to transmit emergency messages.

Finally, this weekend marks the start of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, which we’re celebrating by showcasing the top six futuristic pavilions that harness high-tech green building strategies. But if you only check out one, make it the amazing interactive Dream Cube, which is made from recycled CD cases and features a stunning LED-laden facade that changes color with a wave of the hand.

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: wind power, shoe power, and the world’s largest laser originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 27

Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability

Posted in: car, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, hybrid, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili

Chinese carmaker Geely is no stranger to building derivative designs, and its latest PHEV effort takes so much inspiration from Volkswagen’s Beetle that even the press release begins with a metaphor about caterpillars flourishing into butterflies. That’s also a little nod to the car’s development, which has seen its initial design overhauled into the four-seater, photovoltaic cell-laden transporter you see above. The powertrain is still a hybrid number and not entirely electric, but seagull-wing doors have been added for some extra flair. Geely’s IG is currently on display at the Beijing Auto Show, alongside its all-electric EK-1 and EK-2 brethren, the latter of which is promised to deliver 150kmph top speeds together with 180km cruising ranges and an 18-minute recharge time for 80 percent of the battery capacity. We’ll believe it when we see it. This trifecta, along with a pair of other alternative fuel vehicles, is slated to “be marketed” in two years’ time. You can wait that long, can’t you?

Continue reading Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability

Geely IG is covered in solar cells, two years away from marketability originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAutoblog Green  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 25

Jetyo’s HDV-T900 solar-powered camcorder will capture only your brightest holiday memories

Posted in: 720p, solar, solar power, Today's Chili
Jetyo's HDV-T900 solar-powered camcorder will capture only your brightest holiday memories (video)

This traditionally-shaped camcorder may not be ergonomically friendly, but it is environmentally friendly — ostensibly, anyway. It’s the HDV-T900 from Jetyo, a 720p30 model that records to SDHC memory cards through what appears to be a fixed zoom lens (its specs promise only an 8x digital zoom). The thing that makes this a conversation piece is the solar cell on the backside of the three-inch LCD display. It’s hardly encouraging that the company’s site doesn’t say anything about how quickly it recharges the 4 AA batteries used for power, or indeed how long those batteries can power the thing in the first place. But, the site does say the current from the solar cell is 120mA, so we can do the math. Assuming you’re using something like 2,500mAh AA rechargeable cells, you’re looking at about 25 hours of sunlight to recharge one battery and there are, of course, four used here. Hey, sounds like a good excuse to extend your vacation to us.

Jetyo’s HDV-T900 solar-powered camcorder will capture only your brightest holiday memories originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Engadget China  |  sourceJetyo  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 16

Massive, solar powered bird is overseeing Coachella, pretty stoked about its chance to see Phoenix

Posted in: solar, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili

This massive structure will greet you this weekend if you’re headed to the Coachella music festival. It’s a 45-foot tall solar-powered crane (the bird), and it boasts multicolored LEDs for what will surely be an awe-inspiring night. The huge art installation has a wingspan of 150 feet and weighs about 35,000 pounds. The photovoltaic-powered birdie was designed by Crimson Collective, and it’s just another reason we’re regretting our decision not to head out west for the festival. If you’re lucky enough to be at Coachella, be sure to snap some closeups of the origami-styled crane hanging out with Steve Malkmus for us, okay? Hit the source link for a bunch of other photos.

Massive, solar powered bird is overseeing Coachella, pretty stoked about its chance to see Phoenix originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Inhabitat  |  sourceCrimson Collective  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 11

Inhabitat’s Week In Green: solar panels, solar planes, solar trains

Posted in: car, mit, solar, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili
The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week’s most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us.

It was an interesting week in green tech, as Inhabitat explored the past and future of solar technology. We dug up the world’s first modern solar panel (still working after 60 years!) and wrapped our brains around MIT’s plan to create super-efficient photovoltaic panels by folding them up like origami. Not to be outdone, IBM unveiled plans to roll out a new solar desalination system that could transform entire expanses of desert into rivers.

Solar power also took to the skies this week as the Solar Impulse plane made its first successful flight. And speaking of futuristic transportation, Minority Report-style podcars may be just around the corner if this solar powered urban transit system takes off. We were wowed by Finland’s new all-electric supercar, which will be vying for the Progressive Auto X Prize this summer.

We also took a look at several innovative kid-friendly designs including an incredible Game Boy made from paper and a biometric baby monitoring alarm clock that lets parents monitor their babies’ temperature and heart-rate remotely, as well as cue up lullabies from anywhere.

The past week also produced several promising developments from the realm of energy storage as Hitachi announced that it’s developing lithium-ion batteries that last twice as long. And finally, meet BOB, a battery the size of a building that is capable of powering an entire town in Texas. The gigantic sodium sulfur backup battery can store up to 4 megawatts of power for up to 8 hours.

Inhabitat’s Week In Green: solar panels, solar planes, solar trains originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 05

Solar Pebble lamp doubles as a gadget charger, world changer

Posted in: charger, charging, concept, green, light, solar, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili

It might not change the world, but it won’t be for lack of trying. Plus Minus Solar has designed what it’s calling the LED Solar Pebble, a multifaceted device that requires just a pinch of sunlight (or maybe gobs of it, actually) in order to generate artificial light. And charge your arsenal of gizmos. It’s engineered to be built at a low cost and used in developing nations, but unfortunately there’s no confirmation on what exactly it’d charge. ‘Course, it’s just a concept as of now, so we’re guessing a micro-USB and mini-USB socket could be tossed on by whatever manufacturer would be kind enough to get this to a production line. Right, prospective manufacturers?

Gallery: LED Solar Pebble

Solar Pebble lamp doubles as a gadget charger, world changer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceYanko Design  | Email this | Comments

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