Gadgetsteria » green

Review: NoiseHush SOLAR Visor N650 – Solar Bluetooth Hands-free Carkit

ecastleman — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:13:24 +0000

Many cities and states are enacting laws to restrict driving with your cell phone to your ear. I am as guilty as the rest of you on this one.

One solution is to succumb to Bluetooth headsets. Another is to fork over a grand when purchasing a vehicle for the Bluetooth connection option. Here is where the NoiseHush N650 comes into play. It is a run of the mill Bluetooth device, but it is equipped with a small solar panel on the back to continuously charge the battery when the sun is present.

As cool as it sounds, that solar cell slapped on the front isn’t worth $59 on its own. With that said, does the rest of the device perform well enough to stand out, and should the NoiseHush become part of your arsenal? Hop inside to find out…

Function

I found that the overall function of the device was decent; I could hear the people on the other end of the line and they didn’t have any major issues hearing me. It was fairly intuitive to use. There are things I would change (of course there are!). I would put a stronger battery in the system because a few times when I wanted to use the device the battery was dead. I had to plug in the 12V/USB charger, but then I was off and running. It was a little annoying having to change the position of it on my windshield, but nonetheless, it still worked. I would also change the tone that it emits on startup. I didn’t much care for the loud ascending beeps and having to hold the ON/OFF button for five seconds.

Package

The package of the device effects the how you use it. If I were king, I would change the orientation by 90 degrees. I think it would sit better at the top of a Windshield and not force the consumer to place it on the side.

Useful Features

Some useful features of the device include a LCD display that rotates to the user’s liking as it is installed in a windshield (this is nice since the rake of the windshield varies from car to car), Caller ID, built-in phone book (transfers from your phone), and echo cancellation/noise reduction.

Conclusion

In the end, I don’t know if I would drop $59.95 on this device. I don’t buy the marketing claims because there wasn’t unlimited talk time with the solar charger. It functions okay and lives up to the majority of what it is intended to do. There are a hundred of these devices out in the market. Don’t get me wrong; I applaud the small company’s efforts, but I tend to stick to the big guys like Motorola. The big companies tend to spend more money on product development and nail packaging before releasing products to market.

Interested parties can purchase the NoiseHush from WirelessGround.com for $59.95.

A special thank you to WirelessGround.com for the NoiseHush review unit.

Gallery

T-Mobile erects first completely self-sufficient, solar powered cell tower.

Mike Norris — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:07:49 +0000

T-Mobile has been called a lot of things over the years. Though “Green” isn’t something that immediately comes to mind. But that’s exactly what you could say now that Team Magenta has deployed their first fully self sufficient, solar-powered cell site in Chalfont, Pennsylvania.

With 12 solar panels affixed to the station, power is harnessed directly from the sun…for free. Even more cool is that in times of low network usage, the tower can even give back pent up energy to the utility company who then in turn resells it to customers. Ideally, this is how the US electric grid should operate in the future. For now we’ll have to deal with this single cell site. Speaking of which, this earth-loving style costs upwards of 2x-3x more than your standard tower, so don’t expect uptake and adoption to be quick. Think of it more of a “proof of concept” for now. 20 years in the future, however, I wouldn’t mind seeing quite a few more of these around. You?

Source:
IntoMobile

Solar panels of the future to be sprayed on.

Mike Norris — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:20:13 +0000

When people talk of vast solar farms in 2010, the common image that penetrates our minds is that of a massive piece of land housing thousands, if not tens of thousands of individual solar panels. It’s certainly a site to behold. Even much smaller scale farms look immense when a birds eye view is taken. But a new technology will drastically cut down how big a solar panel is and how it’s made. Not only that, it will change what solar panels are… (Hint: Spray on tan)…

EnSol, a Norwegian-based company, is perfecting a solar film spray that they say can be applied to any glass. The result is a solar panel that is in many ways better than current options. What’s even cooler to think about is that if glass can be made into make shift solar panels, what else can? Heck, if we can spray solar sucking material on any object/surface you choose, solar power usage will skyrocket.

For now, EnSol is hoping to have their prototype spray-on solar panels operating at a minimum of 20% efficiency and operational in the global market by 2016.

Source:
Dvice
Gizmag

It’s official: Chevy Volt costs $41k before $7,500 tax credit. Pre-orders now open!

Mike Norris — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:10:29 +0000

Fancy saving a tree or two and happen to title yourself a nerd? There’s no doubt that Chevy’s ambitions Volt project has been a long time coming. Since the truck market bombed out a few years back, they’ve been scrambling to catch up to other manufacturers more fuel efficient and alternative fuel-powered vehicles. And up until now, the biggest mystery about the Volt was the price. Price it to high no one will buy it. Lucky for consumers, it looks like Chevy will make it relatively affordable, at a now confirmed base price of $41,000. Interested parties may even get a stab at the electric wonder vehicle for a far cheaper price, however. At stake is a tax credit totaling up to $7,500 as well as leasing options. Speaking of the latter, the leasing program looks like it’ll hit a little closer to more individuals’ homes with a $350 monthly payment and $2,500 due at signing.

But what good is a hot new geek car with relatively new and untested reliability without decent warranties and protection from the factory? Oh dear reader, jump on in and find out…

As far as warranties go, both fully owned and lease customers will be able to be at peace. Leases will be covered by a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty while fully owned customers will see the same 3-year warranty expanded to 6. On top of that, a 100,000-mile corrosion warranty and 8-year warranty on the battery packs also comes standard.

It looks like Chevy has quite a winner on their hands. I haven’t a shred of doubt that the 10,000 initial vehicles for 2010 will all be accounted for, perhaps all in pre-orders. Speaking of which, pre-orders are now officially open, with Chevy dealers being instructed to start taking said early orders. If you can swing the fully tax credit, a cool $33,500 for one of the geekier vehicles in recent memory doesn’t seem too bad, does it?

So what are you guys going to do? Are you going to jump in feet first and snatch up a piece of GM history? Or are you going to be a bit more cautions and wait it out. As we’ve seen so many times in history, first generation products are really beta products, with the second and third generations bringing much needed refinement and improvements.

See supported dealers near you and pre-order your Chevy Volt now at: GetMyVolt.com

Crunchgear

Chevy Volt to come with 8-year warranty on batter pack. Relieved?

Mike Norris — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:11:21 +0000

People always look to flying cars as *the* sign that the future has arrived. While a flying car has recently been talked about as making its way into production (albeit in limited quantities), right now the general consensus is that battery-powered cars are where it’s at. The only issue so far has been runtime. Cars are very large and very thirsty machines. Most of our batteries simply don’t have the power or longevity to make solely battery powered cars practical or affordable. But things are projected to change with the introduction of the Chevy Volt.

Taking on the image of a sort of “Mechanical/Electrical Jesus”, the Chevy Volt has certainly enjoyed its fair share of media attention. But one very important aspect, replacing the spent battery pack after a few years of continuous charge/discharge cycles, hasn’t been highlighted quite as often as one may like. But the jury has finally come back and it’s looking pretty promising. How’s an 8-year warranty sound? That’s what GM is offering. Yeah, it’s not as long as non-battery vehicles. But it’s pretty much the king of warranties compared to other offerings from foreign manufacturers.

What’s the big deal you ask? Well, the most recent estimates have a full replacement of the Volt’s battery sitting heavy at $10,000 per pack. So warranty replacements are a pretty big deal if you ask me. Is it enough to sway you in the direction of electric vehicles?

Technology Review

Super green super computer makes trees smile while getting it done, real fast.

Mike Norris — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:50:04 +0000

All the talk around super computers usually involves talk of Megaflops and pure, blinding speed. Power consumption, while not as popular, also get’s a notable mention as such number crunching powerhouses suck down energy like there’s no tomorrow. But not Kei Hiraki’s Grape-DR “Green” supercomputer.

Located in the Department of Information Science at the University of Tokyo, the Grape-DR super-green-computer is comprised of (64) Intel Core i7 920 processors with 4 Grape-DR accelerator chips. The latter reportedly can achieve 200Megaflops all while sipping down a relatively meager 50 watts of energy. Overall, the Grape-DR can pump out a healthy 815.43 Megaflops.

In the name of happy trees, the Grape-DR is the fastest, “greenest” supercomputer around. But when stacked up against their nature-slaying, we don’t care about bambi brethren, they fall to the bottom of the pack — 500th out of 500. Still, the Grape-DR is a monumental achievement for sure.

GizmoWatch

Save the planet one bike at a time: The USB Bike Generator

Mike Norris — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:05:16 +0000

I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase “Save the planet one *insert word here* at a time.” It’s a phrase commonly used by those who practice the way of life erring on the side of frugality, in order to preserve as much of this little blue marble that we have left. And you know what? There’s nothing wrong with that. Though often times, being gadget/electronic junkies that we are, energy savings and “earth friendly” things tend to get tossed by the wayside. But there’s a way to make everyone happy — The USB Bike Generator.

The design is simple: A small generator is mounted to a bike and powered by the bike’s wheel. With each tire revolution, a small bit of electricity is created. Hook up a couple of receptacles (in this case 2 USB ports) and you’ve got yourself a small mobile gadget charger. I can’t think of a more useful device to place on your bike. For those who live in big cities where bike travel is more preferred to sitting in traffic in a car, I can see this making a big splash.

The build is easier than you might think. Head on on over to Instructables and give it a read. Your very own USB Bike Generator is this close…

GizmoWatch

The camera accessory for everyone: Solar Powered Camera Strap

Mike Norris — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:44:32 +0000

Of all the accessories one could buy for a camera, a robust or spare battery is perhaps the most important. What good are all the other knick knacks if you can’t even take a simple picture? That’s why all photographers planning to be out and about shooting for days on end need one of these — a solar powered camera strap.

The only negative about the solar camera strap is the release date. Speaking of which, the solar powered camera strap is only a concept at this stage. So don’t hold your breath in regards to picking this up anytime soon. Though I’m sure someone out there in invention land has to have a working prototype with plans to manufacture. Anyone?

Coolest-Gadgets > Yanko Design

Orange’s latest eco-friendly phone charger comes in a boot.

Mike Norris — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:20:54 +0000

Have you hugged a tree today? If not, don’t fret. Simply pick up a pair of the Orange Power Wellies boots — a pair of boots that uses heat from every foot step to recharge your phone.

I often forget to bring my charging cable with me, resulting in a power depleted phone by midday. Though I doubt I’d ever forget my feet (unless someone else was using them of course). Precisely the phone accessory I could use. However, the reported 12-hour stomp session that only nets you an hour of charge time is kind of disappointing. But it’s a prototype so I’ll let it slide.

TechChee

Forget batteries: The Hand-Crank Eco Twinkle Light

Mike Norris — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:51:54 +0000

Forget about worrying whether or not you’ve got enough batteries. They don’t last that long in “real” gadgets. And unless you buy strictly rechargeables, you’re going to be replacing batteries for the rest of your life. Not a good deal in the slightest. Toss ‘em out and pick up one of these nifty hand-crank lights designed by Australian designer Kenan Wang. Green. Simple. Cool.

Yay or nay?

The Awesomer > Kenan Wang

The calculator of tomorrow, today! The water-powered calculator.

Mike Norris — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:12:38 +0000

Batteries really haven’t changed much over the years, only going through a few big changes every few decades. Even still, they’re wholly inefficient and toxic to the planet. But a water powered calculator with some unique new age batteries could go a long way to making this planet happier…

“Powered by water?” — you say. Yes. It’s actually not that complicated. The batteries that power this calculator are simple capsules filled with water and interact with two electrodes, causing a chemical reaction which in turn produces the electrical juice we all crave so desperately.

The best part — when the batteries are dead (all the water evaporates eventually), simply refill with water and viola!

$10.99 and it’s yours. Step inside for the links…

[Product Page: Perpetual Kid]

7Gadgets

Think your Prius is fuel conscious? Japan Electric Vehicle Club takes test car over 1,000km on a single charge.

Mike Norris — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:12:50 +0000

The Prius may be the go-to standard for fuel efficiency with a few cult circles preferring lesser known hybrids. But none of that matters as all current “Green” cars pale in comparison to what Japan Electric Vehicle Group achieved.

These talented folks managed to take their Mira EV over 1,000km (~620 miles) on a single charge…

…1003.184 to be exact.

The feat was accomplished at a test track in Shimotsuma, Japan and took a full 27.5 hours to complete with an average speed of only 40kmh. Talk about determination. 40km/h isn’t fast at all. Add in the fact that you’re sitting there crawling along at 40km/h can only mean one very, very long day for the drivers.

Powering this record beater is a Sanyo lithium-ion battery that is roughly equal to 8,320 cylindrical batteries found in your typical hybrid/electronic.

CoolestGadgets > CrunchGear

Free hot water power shower? Piezoelectricity says yes.

Mike Norris — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:39:02 +0000

Is it really possible to obtain “free energy”. Out entire lives we are taught and witness firsthand that nothing is ever truly free. Someone, something, somewhere is always making up for “free” further on down the line. But a new piezoelectronic shower concept by Sebastian Jansson (Finnish designer), Fernanda Pizà (Mexico), Victor Stelmasuk (Brazil) and Natalie Weinmann (Germany) questions the very principles of the science we know today…

Their Piezo Shower concept uses friction and vibrations within the tiny pipes to raise water temperature naturally and without using any electricity. It sounds awesome on paper and in due time will probably show it’s face in how bathrooms in some form or another. But not yet.

As a commenter on Dvice points out, raising water from a normal 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 100+ degrees Fahrenheit can easily exceed 1 kilowatt! Meanwhile, the Piezo Shower concept you see above could only really muster ~30 watts if everything is perfect.

Clearly there are some hurdles in the tech in the near term. Issues aside, the Piezo Shower is still a mighty fine specimen to look at, no?

Dvice > MocoLoco

Ecomat blocks the savior of geeks and desperate homeowners alike.

Mike Norris — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:43:26 +0000

Think of one of your biggest wishes when you were a kid. For some, it was a constant rain of chocolate. Others wanted an unlimited supply of toys. Yet some were more logical in their wants and wishes, and instead sought out something a tad more useful, say, massive, larger than life LEGO blocks. If that just so happens to quantify your early years, a new building block by Ecomat is just for you.

These massively sized LEGO-like bricks by Ecomat are large enough and resilient enough to build just about any structure you could think of. Because they’re recyclable they’re pretty decent for ‘ol mother earth. And, let’s not forget their pretty cheap to buy, so lesser wealthy nations/communities/persons will find the Ecomat blocks a perfect solution to construction woes.

Now excuse me while I disappear for a few weeks as I build myself a LEGO/Ecomat castle…

Inhabitat > Ecomat

The brilliant mind behind the CD spindle bagel holder is a modern day Jesus…

Mike Norris — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:34:57 +0000

Ya, you could be all crafty and invent some uber gadget that completely automates your life — dressing you, brushing your teeth, wiping your as…. but that would just take all the fun out of life, wouldn’t it? So what is the next best thing to the brain implanted chip that allows you to see through walls and compute complex calculations faster than the world’s fastest super computer? Simple — a CD spindle bagel holder. It’s so basic yet so ingenious that I want to shake this guy (or gals) hand. As an added bonus, by not using plastic bag after plastic bag, some baby walrus laying motionless on some remote iceberg will live to see another day. Awe…how sweet. Think of the baby walruses will ya….

Dvice > Inhabitat