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Latest Gear Live Videos
Google Tests PowerMeter Monitoring
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Google, Smart Home, Internet,
Google has a new tool that they are testing. PowerMeter will show home energy usage in real time on your PC. You set the rate of your electricity charge, plug in your appliance and a monitor will calculate the cost. Forty million trackers are already in use and Google predicts that another 100 million will be bought in the next few years. Studies show that those who have access to home energy information can save up to 15% of their electricity bills. PowerMeter is not yet available but should be soon.
Read More 
| CNN
Gallery: Google Tests PowerMeter Monitoring
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Want your own mini-power plant? Dow Chemical has been working on the project Solar Solutions for the past year. They are developing solar roof shingles and hope to sell them by 2011. In collaboration with Global Solar Energy and home builders, they have been testing them with both simulated hail and fire to make sure they can handle extreme conditions. “The Beast,” a $2.5 million injection and molding machine, produces the shingles that should have a 20 year life span.
Read More | The Star
Gallery: Dow Chemical Solar Roof Shingles
Sylvania has come up with a nifty idea for combining green and illumination with its ECOlight. The LED light is powered by the water so needs no batteries or other power source. It also has a water temperature indicator and simple installation. The shower light is only $39.99 and can also double as an emergency light although if you have no hot water, you might want to skip the shower.
Read More | Sylvania
Gallery: Sylvania Water Powered ECOlight
Who needs to go outside on a cold night when we can bring part of the universe inside? Moon in My Room has twelve different phase settings and is authentically detailed. A CD comes with it that provides moon facts and its relationship with the planet. The display is simple to put up in one of three different angles, comes with an infrared remote and shuts off automatically to preserve batteries (not included.) Moon in My Room carries a MSRP of $29.95.
Read More | Discovery Shopping
Gallery: Moon In My Room
If you need extra lighting on your desk or when traveling, this retro Lounge Lamp is perfect. Plug into your USB port and the 2 mini-bulbs will shine on your workspace. At a size of 25.5 x 10 x 10cm, the stand is made from black plastic with a velveteen black finish lampshade. Included in the package is a strip of fake wallpaper and a USB cable. Get the lamp for only £5.99 ($8.31.)
Read More | iWOOT
Gallery: Retro USB Lounge Lamp
This is our kind of bathroom fixture. Students from the Skjern Technical College in West-Jutland, Denmark have designed an intelligent toilet. The thing is so smart it puts down the seat after it has been flushed without the use of an energy source. The four contenders were given a prize for best product at the Young Enterprise entrepreneurial awards. This is a prototype that we hope gets some funding and makes it to the market soon.
Read More | The Copenhagen Post
Gallery: Self-Flushing Toilet
Screen Time Manager
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Internet, Misc. Tech, Video Games,
For parents who can’t get their kids away from the electronics, the Screen Time Manager will set a daily or weekly limit and “no-use” time segments where they will not be able to use the TV, computer, video game or other electronic device. Each child is given his/her own PIN number for access and it works 24/7, in case the kidlets try to pull one over on you when you are out. When time is up, the device shuts down. Set up is simple and is good for 6 users. At a size of 4 1/2 x 71/2 x 3 3/4-inches, the time manager is priced at $89.95.
Read More | Brookstone
Gallery: Screen Time Manager
TuneLight iPod Speaker System
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Finally, an MP3 speaker system that can do more than one function at a very inexpensive price. The TuneLight is compatible with any iPod or MP3 player and connects via headphone jack. Available in silver or black, the lamp comes with an energy-efficient 20W halogen bulb. The 2 organizer trays and 2 pencil/pen/scissors holders will help to keep your desktop neat and tidy, not to mention safer. The Tunelight is only $19.99.
Read More | Gracious Home
Gallery: TuneLight iPod Speaker System
Need to keep track of your next anniversary, vacation, finals or other important occasion? Segatoys’ CountDown clock will keep track for you. Order a few of the cubic-shaped clocks, stack them up and never worry about your mother-in-law’s holiday feast again. Or what a good gift idea for that spouse/partner that never remembers said dates, although you are notorious for doing so. Available in black, white, or pink, the timepiece is available for $35.00.
Read More | Audio Cubes
Gallery: Segatoys CountDown Clock
BaR2D2 - Robotic Bartender
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Science, Videos,
Remember the Refrigerator that tosses beer cans? The BaR2D2 makes that look like an infant machine. Creator Jamie Price made the portable bartender in his spare time in his garage. BaR has a motorized beer elevator and ice/mixer drawer, a six-bottle shot dispenser, and sound activated neon lighting and sound effects. Jamie has full instructions available on Instructables if you would like to DIY. While you are there, vote for him so he can win some Craftsman tools to build his next clever creation.
Read More | Instructables
