Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Tech Tips]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/environment-what-can-i-do/ http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/environment-what-can-i-do/ http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/environment-what-can-i-do/#comments
Environment: What can I do?
So you gave your buddy a high-five when 'An Inconvenient Truth' won some Oscars -- that's a good start. Too bad some of your favorite gadgets -- not to mention the TV you used to watch the Academy Awards -- use up a boatload of energy, even when you think they're turned off. That said, some technologies can actually help you save energy and use fewer natural resources. The convenient truth is that taking proactive steps towards living a greener life is easier than you think. Here are just a few.

Upgrade Your Lightbulbs

Don't be scared off by the high sticker prices of GE's fancy compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescents (25 percent less than halogen), last up to 10 times longer and cost between 50 and 80 percent less to use. Only candlelight is cheaper -- but that's a fire truck on your front lawn waiting to happen.

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Earth-Friendly Tech Tips originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking newsclimateenergyenvironmentfeaturesgreenrecycletop switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:04:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How To Recycle Your Dead Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/how-to-recycle-your-dead-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/how-to-recycle-your-dead-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2008/04/22/how-to-recycle-your-dead-gadgets/#comments
How to Recycle Dead Gadgets
Grandmas get Boca Raton, but most gadgets aren't fortunate enough to live out their last days in the sun. According to the EPA, those electronics that don't rest in peace (or pieces) at the bottom of a drawer end up cramped in a landfill with the other 4.6 million tons of electronic waste that are dumped each year. Fortunately, there's a home for most any device to expire with dignity.


Computers

How to Recycle Dead Gadgets Most of the major computer manufacturers offer a recycling program for their own systems -- as well as their competitor's systems -- through their Web sites. At ComputerTakeBack.com, you can see each plan spelled out alongside any sweet trade-in incentives that manufacturers, and even some retailers, are offering. Just be sure to thoroughly erase the data on your hard drive, though.

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How To Recycle Your Dead Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> features switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:07:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Dumbest And/Or Funniest USB Gadget Gifts]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/12/07/10-dumbest-and-or-funniest-usb-gadget-gifts/ http://www.switched.com/2007/12/07/10-dumbest-and-or-funniest-usb-gadget-gifts/ http://www.switched.com/2007/12/07/10-dumbest-and-or-funniest-usb-gadget-gifts/#comments
Thanko USB Ashtray

Thanko USB Ashtray
Do you smoke at your desk? Do you often mix up which Red Bull can you're drinking from and which one you're ashing into? Then, it's a lucky thing there's this $16.50 ashtray, which employs a USB-powered motor to suck up the smoke from your nicotine log. Once it hoovers in your smog, the ashtray passes the smoke through two built-in filters to keep your workspace from being damaged by the very same toxins and poisons you're brutalizing your insides with.

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10 Dumbest And/Or Funniest USB Gadget Gifts originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> HolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuideUSBUSB gadgetsUsbGadgets switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:17:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets/#comments As far as computer ports go -- and technologies in general -- USB has got to be the friendliest. Not only does it lovingly accept almost any kind of gadget imaginable, it also generously parcels out power to those gadgets so that they don't need to be plugged into a wall. As a result, it's quickly become the de facto interface for our printers, scanners, digital cameras, iPods, thumb drives and every other techno-majig we've come to rely on. However, this ubiquity and good will has led to the misuse of the USB port, which is increasingly being used to juice products that have no business being connected to a computer. In the following pages, you'll find the 10 dumbest miscarriages of the USB port we could find.

Thanko USB Ashtray

Thanko USB Ashtray
Do you smoke at your desk? Do you often mix up which Red Bull can you're drinking from and which one you're ashing into? Then, it's a lucky thing there's this $16.50 ashtray, which employs a USB-powered motor to suck up the smoke from your nicotine log. Once it hoovers in your smog, the ashtray passes the smoke through two built-in filters to keep your workspace from being damaged by the very same toxins and poisons you're brutalizing your insides with.

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World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> dumb gadgetsDumbGadgetsusb switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:26:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-10/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-10/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-10/#comments
USB Absinthe Spoon

USB Absinthe Spoon
Absinthe, the potent green liquor with a rich history in French artistic circles, isn't allowed to be imported into the U.S.; That's the law. The famously elaborate spoons used in its proper preparation, however, are plenty legal. They're fashioned the way they are so that you can put sugar cube on top to pour the absinthe over in order to make it more palatable. Now, someone's gone an put a USB dongle on the end. Why? No reason. Seriously. The spoon doesn't need to be heated, which a USB port might be good for. There's even a lengthy history of the project at www.usbabsinthespoon.com, but it provides no reason at all for the USB connectivity. That's fine, but please tell us a USB spork is also in the works ...

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World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-9/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-9/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-9/#comments


USB Noodle Strainer
Soumen is a Japanese noodle dish served cold and often topped with sauces, leeks, sesame and horseradish. If that sounds appealing to you, but you have no free outlets in the kitchen, grab your laptop and this USB-powered noodle strainer. Your laptop battery powers the flowing circulation of ice-cold water, which cools the pre-cooked soumen noodles to their desired frigid temperature. Add toppings and, voilà: You win an award for the stupidest waste of battery power ever.

World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:18:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-8/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-8/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-8/#comments
USB Mouse on a Bike

USB Mouse on a Bike
There's computer mice, and then there's computer mice. If you ever hope to claim carpal tunnel as a reason for staying home from work, then you're going to want to pick up this little USB-powered fitness fanatic, who pedals faster on his stationary bike the faster you type. The point? We'll have to get back to you on that ...

World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-7/#comments
USB Finger Dance Mat

USB Finger Dance Mat
If your chubby fingers make it hard to dial phone numbers, don't resort to buying one of those phones with over-sized buttons they make for the elderly. Instead, trim those sausages down with a little finger exercise! At first glance, this USB-powered mini 'Dance Dance' game appears to be some glorified, real-time version of Simon, with mini-lights and sounds that would only make old-school Mattel handhelds jealous. Of course, that's before you knuckle-up to the female cardboard cut-out and settle into a DDR-groove sure to burn tens of calories.

World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:14:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-6/#comments


Screen Smasher
Screen Smasher is like that Whac-a-Mole arcade game ... only instead of drubbing plastic pests, you get to throw your arm out by thrashing your computer and its never-ending barrage of program glitches and fatal errors. This supposed cure for computer rage is a $20 USB foam hammer that, when whacked against your computer screen, pops up an animation simulating shattered glass. Sounds great, but there's one problem: When your computer completely freezes up -- which is what usually incites violence out of us -- wouldn't a device and program running on that computer also freeze up? Clearly this one wasn't really thought out too much before it hit market.

World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:12:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-4/#comments
Warmmi USB Heating Knee Pads

Warmmi USB Heating Knee Pads
An ingeniously simple solution for chilly Internet-surfing conditions, these $20 leg warmers toast your lower appendages through the magic of USB. They're perfect for flying, too. Why go through the trouble of fetching your laptop bag out of the overhead bin to power these babies instead of cuddling up to a free, easy to reach blanket? Lice, baby! Sadly, there's no included software for programming these warmers with your optimal leg-heat sweet spot. And, in case you didn't catch on to the sarcasm, let us spell it out for you: This is the stupidest product we've ever seen. Or is it? We've still got six more to go!

World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:07:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Dumbest USB Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/10/12/worlds-dumbest-usb-gadgets-2/#comments
Shenzhen Sunstars Alarm Clock and Letter Opener
Shenzhen Sunstars Alarm Clock and Letter Opener
Finally, your crippling fears of paper-cuts, oversleeping and port shortages have been cured with one gadget. Hailing from Hong Kong, this bizarre product is 1) a four-port USB hub 2) an alarm clock and 3) a letter opener. Though thoughtful, it's obvious the USB extras are just thrown in there because there was room. It's the other two functions, however, that have us scratching our heads. Unless you work in a sweatshop opening Publishers Clearing House entries, why would you ever need an alarm clock on your desk that can open mail?

World's Dumbest USB Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-9/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-9/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-9/#comments

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets

Eikon Digital Privacy Manager

Why remember your mother's maiden name when you get just give password-askers the finger? Upek's $40 print-reader provides easy access to your password-protected sites and, unlike many digit-scanners, it can be used in browsers that aren't named Internet "Easy Target" Explorer. Like Firefox, thankfully.

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-8/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-8/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-8/#comments
10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets

Adesso AKB-230W

Science has ruined our pre-lunch Pop-Tart by confirming that over 400 times more germs live on our desk than on our toilet seat. A sure way to combat this grossness is by using this $35 indestructible keyboard; it's dustproof, waterproof and 100-percent washable, thus completely impervious to that pre-lunch Yoo-hoo we're sure to spill.

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:43:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-7/#comments

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets

Avixe Q

Dive into the Internet phone movement with style! Combining speakerphone, webcam and stand-alone mic, the (other) Q makes using Skype's video services as easy as connecting one stylish unit into a USB port. Hey, it might look like a bent-over dog's behind, but your cubicle needed a conversation piece anyway.


10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:34:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-6/#comments

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets


Visomate Vision and Posture Reminder

Unless Mom pays you to be her personal assistant, your boss probably doesn't nag you much about your bad computer posture -- that doesn't mean you shouldn't be mindful of it. Propped on your PC, this $26 ultrasonic sensor lets you know whether your back, neck and eyes are at a proper position and distance from the computer. Red light means you're too close, blue light means you're in the recommended range. Just remember our helpful rhyme: "Flashing red, back up your head. Flashing blue, no scoliosis for you."

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:22:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-5/#comments

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets


ID-One Scotty

'Anchorman' made loving lamps more socially acceptable, but ID-One has given us a valid reason to actually adore them. Though only a concept product at this time, ID-One's Scotty is both a floor lamp and a media PC/server. Those forces even combine by lighting up red when you've got mail.


10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:03:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-4/#comments

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets

Spion DeFIBulator Lie Detector

With this $50 palm-sized polygraph, calling out an in-office nemesis can be as simple as making small talk. The DeFIBulator compares the vocal-vibrations in the answers to three yes-or-no questions to the voice-stresses in any subsequent answers. Then it tells you whether that person is lying or not -- via an animated face that grows horns, lengthens its nose and is named Demonochio, of course. It even works stealthily over the phone, too!

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10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:56:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-3/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-3/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-3/#comments

10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets

USB Minifridge

It's simple science: The more time your hands spend typing, the warmer your can of Sunkist gets. This $33 5V fridge-for-one ensures that one can keeps its cool while your other can keeps that groove in your office chair filled. Display Post-it notes like mommy-approved first-grade drawings, or use it to hide any daddy-beverages your boss would in no way approve of.

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10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:34:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/06/19/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets-2/#comments 10 Ultimate Cubicle GadgetsPoetic Technologies Aura

There's not a kitten calendar in this world that can improve bulletin-board walls, so consider this space-age pod the perfect excuse to kick them over 'Office Space'-style and start anew. Fully-loaded at $10,200, the six-way adjustable seat is the most basic part of this cubicle replacement; once seated, you're treated to refined lighting, an electronically filtered air-circulation system and a programmable rotation feature that can follow the sun for optimum natural light throughout your shift. It's not quite rotating like Tommy Lee above your co-workers, but it's a start.

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10 Ultimate Cubicle Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 05:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 05:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Tech Tips for a Cleaner Earth]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/21/tech-tips-for-a-cleaner-earth/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/21/tech-tips-for-a-cleaner-earth/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/21/tech-tips-for-a-cleaner-earth/#comments
Each year on Earth Day, the shocking facts surrounding the poor health of our planet guilt many people into promising to take action. Unfortunately, once the bamboo noisemakers go silent and the organic-cake hangover wears off, those oaths to be greener suddenly aren't such a huge priority anymore, particularly when it involves shutting off some of our energy-hogging, toxic-ingredient-filled gadgets.

But living a more eco-friendly existence and keeping up with the latest technology is easier than most of us think. With that in mind, Switched presents this Earth Day 2007 package that's brimming with information, tips and advice. You'll learn which tech products are especially nice to Mother Nature, how to recycle your dead gadgets and some simple ways to use your technology to lower your personal impact on the environment.

Switched Earth Day Features:

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Tech Tips for a Cleaner Earth originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateearthenergyenvironmentgreenplanetrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How to Recycle Dead Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets/#comments
How to Recycle Dead Gadgets
Grandmas get Boca Raton, but most gadgets aren't fortunate enough to live out their last days in the sun. According to the EPA, those electronics that don't rest in peace (or pieces) at the bottom of a drawer end up cramped in a landfill with the other 4.6 million tons of electronic waste that are dumped each year. Fortunately, there's a home for most any device to expire with dignity.


Computers

How to Recycle Dead Gadgets Most of the major computer manufacturers offer a recycling program for their own systems -- as well as their competitor's systems -- through their Web sites. At ComputerTakeBack.com, you can see each plan spelled out alongside any sweet trade-in incentives that manufacturers, and even some retailers, are offering. Just be sure to thoroughly erase the data on your hard drive, though.

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How to Recycle Dead Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking+newsGreen, Recycling, Earth DayGreen,Recycling,EarthDaytop switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:57:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Environment: What Can I Do?]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-8/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-8/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-8/#comments Audit Yourself

Environment: What Can I Do? To see just how much of your act you need to clean up, give yourself an energy audit. Most utility providers will audit your home's power usage for free, but devices like the Energy Detective allow you to monitor your home's energy expenses in real-time, providing your with second-by-cent-burning-second utility estimates.

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Environment: What Can I Do? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Environment: What Can I Do?]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-7/#comments Take Advantage of Tax Breaks

Environment: What Can I Do?It's a shame Earth Day comes right after you've spent days plotting ways to write-off your Netflix expenditures. Had you known earlier, you could have gotten Uncle Sam to reach further into his pockets for 2006, the first year the Energy Policy Act tax-incentives were made available. Designed to bring about eco-friendliness through bribery, the new policy offers as much as $12,000 for buying certain cars, such as hybrids or "less-burn" diesel vehicles. Renovations for such items as energy-saving insulation, central air conditioners and solar water heating are also credit-worthy.

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Environment: What Can I Do? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:04:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Environment: What Can I Do?]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-6/#comments Go Easy on MySpace

Environment: What Can I Do? A word of caution for overzealous MySpace designers who lean a little too heavily on the fuchsia-and-yellow: The display of certain colors requires more power out of computer monitors than others, with light colors using up to 20 percent more wattage than darker colors.

This fact actually lead to the creation of Blackle, an unofficial version of Google displayed on a globe-friendlier black background instead of Google's usual, energy-sucking white. It's estimated that if all of Google's users switched to Blackle, it would reduce worldwide energy use by 750 Megawatt-hours per year.

To see where your favorite color rates, check out Energy Star's color chart.

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Environment: What Can I Do? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Environment: What Can I Do?]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-5/#comments Conserve in the Bathroom

Environement: What Can I Do? Flipping through an encyclopedia while you're on the john isn't the only way to be smart in the bathroom. After a shower, for example, reach for the Bodyflik (pictured) before toweling off. This people-squeegee removes 75 percent of the water from your body, keeping your towels dry and mildew-free for up to a week longer than usual. That translates to fewer spins in the washing machine for your towels, thus saving water.

When it comes to un-hairing yourself, disposable razors are the least environmentally-friendly method. That is, unless you've got the Razor Shaver, which re-sharpens disposable blades and makes them good for as many as 130 shaves. You won't feel like a hippie using these innovations, and because you're clean, you won't smell like one either.

Environment: What Can I Do? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:47:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Environment: What Can I Do?]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-4/#comments Service Your Car Regularly


Environment: What Can I Do?Keep on top of your heap! Regular tune-ups and properly inflated tires can help improve gas mileage. Aside from the obvious financial benefits, even the slightest mileage improvements help decrease the amount of carbon dioxide your ride coughs up.

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Environment: What Can I Do? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenmpgrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:44:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Environment: What Can I Do?]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-3/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-3/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-3/#comments Plug Intelligently

Environment: What Can I Do? Consider the machine you're currently staring into. When that screensaver pops up or your computer goes into standby mode, it still eats energy. The same goes for other electronics that don't really turn off when you think they're off. What do you think powers the clock on your microwave -- sorcery? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, three-fourths of the electricity your home uses (and that you pay for) is spent keeping your gear in standby or sleep mode. The Smart Strip LCG5 power strip ($32.95), however, allows you to choose which products need to stay in standby mode (a cable-box or DVR), and which get the juice cut off completely (your TV).

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Environment: What Can I Do? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Environment: What Can I Do?]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/environment-what-can-i-do-2/#comments Don't Go Postal

Environment: What Can I Do?The easiest way to immediately have less impact on the environment is to pay your bills electronically. According to 'Time,' if every home in America did this, solid waste would be cut by 1.6 billion tons a year and greenhouse-gas emissions would be slashed by 2.1 million tons per year. Your second move should be to log onto 41pounds.org, a site that contacts junk mail marketers on your behalf to eliminate up to 95 percent of unwanted mailbox clutter. The site is named for the amount of junk mail the average adult receives per year.

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Environment: What Can I Do? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:27:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How to Recycle Dead Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-6/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-6/#comments Everything Else


How to Recycle Dead GadgetsE-Cycling Central offers a state-by-state rundown of the various recycling centers that accept a variety of electronics. If leaving your front door isn't an option, services such as GreenDisk will accept most anything computer-related you send them and they will recycle or refurbish it -- guaranteeing your data will be wiped clean and erased entirely.

Related Links:

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How to Recycle Dead Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How to Recycle Dead Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-5/#comments Ink Cartridges


How to Recycle Dead GadgetsWhen ink cartridges run out, the actual cartridges still work fine. That's why recycling them is not only important for landfill's sake, but profitable for wallet's sake. Emptysolution.com will buy your ink, laser and toner cartridges off of you, which the company refills and then resells as "remanufactured." Save them in bulk and they'll even send you a prepaid packaging label.

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How to Recycle Dead Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How to Recycle Dead Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-4/#comments Batteries


How to Recycle Dead GadgetsHeavy metal? Good. Toxic heavy metal? Bad. Unfortunately, batteries have too much of the latter. Dropping off the little guys (as well as larger, recyclable phone and laptop batteries) is as easy as visiting earth911.org or rbrc.org/call2recycle and finding a collection site nearest you. In fact, as of last December, recycling those larger ones has been the law in New York.

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How to Recycle Dead Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How to Recycle Dead Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-3/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-3/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-3/#comments Cell Phones


How to Recycle Dead Gadgets (3)As with computers, most cell phone providers will take back your phone when you're done with it, with varying degrees of reward, incentive and privacy-invasion (find the collection program closest to you here). Those that aren't refurbished are pilfered for their metal and plastics for use in other products -- everything from circuit boards to kitchen cabinetry -- which keeps those materials out of the landfill.

With RIPMobile.com, you can turn your old phone in using a free postage label and receive gift certificates in return to places like Circuit City and PayPal. If you'd rather continue the good recycling karma, wirelessfoundation.org will collect your mobiles to help Call To Protect, a program that refurbishes and resells mobile phones and donates the proceeds to domestic abuse charities.

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How to Recycle Dead Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:46:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How to Recycle Dead Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/how-to-recycle-dead-gadgets-2/#comments Computers

How to Recycle Dead Gadgets Most of the major computer manufacturers offer a recycling program for their own systems -- as well as their competitor's systems -- through their websites. At ComputerTakeBack.com, you can see each spelled-out plan alongside any sweet trade-in incentives that the manufacturers (and even some retailers) are offering. Just be sure to visit the magnet factory to thoroughly erase your drive, though.

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How to Recycle Dead Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreenrecycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:33:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth Day's Tech Losers]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/earth-days-tech-losers/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/earth-days-tech-losers/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/earth-days-tech-losers/#comments
Not-So Earth-Friendy Gadgets
Kermit the Frog said it best: It's not that easy being green. Gadget manufacturers can hum that tune better than anyone. These companies, many of them household names, require vast amounts of unnatural resources to create, manufacture and ship energy-draining do-dads in the face of federal regulations and watchdogs of all sizes.

Our list of not-so-Earth-friendly gadgets, software, and technologies can be found here.

Earth Day's Tech Losers originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Tech]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/earth-friendly-tech/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/earth-friendly-tech/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/19/earth-friendly-tech/#comments
Earth-friendly Tech
Earth Day is upon us. Sure, we could bring you to tears with frightening figures about our rock's climate crisis, but we think it's more helpful to show you the coolest innovations happening in the realm of eco-friendly gadgetry, and hopefully inspire you to stop and think about the products you purchase in the future.

Most of the electronics in your house probably already have the ENERGY STAR sticker slapped on them -- in fact, if they don't you should replace them. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program that was launched by the EPA in 1992 to promote the use of energy-efficient products. According to the ENERGY STAR site, in 2006 alone the program saved consumers $14 billion on their utility bills.

The gadgets we feature here go way beyond simply being ENERGY STAR-compliant. Some are flat-out hippie-like.

Sony Reader

Earth-Friendly TechReading books may be good for the old vocab, but it's murder on Earth's forests. 'Digital books' have been around in one form or another for a few years. But where those systems use old-school CRT or LCD displays, the Sony Reader ($390) uses a technology called E Ink, which doesn't require battery-power to maintain its image and does an incredible job of replicating the look of ink on paper. The result is eBooks, which you read right on the handheld Sony device. Once you've soaked up the vast catalog of thousands of eBook titles -- everything from Hemingway to Rhonda Byrne's 'The Secret' -- you can use the Reader to enjoy newsfeeds, photos and MP3s.

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Earth-Friendly Tech originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Eco-FriendlyEnvironmentEnvironmentalGreen switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Not-So-Earth-Friendly Tech (5)]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-5/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-5/#comments Audi S4 Avant

Not-So Earth Friendly TechWhen you're on the same list as Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini and Mercedes-Benz, you must be doing something right. Unfortunately for Audi, that list is the U.S. Department of Energy's round-up of the "Least Fuel Efficient Cars." Sure, the Lamborghini Murcielago clocks in at a shameful 9 mpg as compared to the Audi S4 Avant's 15 mpg -- but it's a Lamborghini! There's only a handful of Murcielago owners in the U.S., and who can afford one anyway? Back in the real world, the Avant makes our list for taking top fuel-inefficiency honors in the "Small Station Wagon" category. After all, station wagons meant to be sensible. In fact, that's the only reason people subject themselves to driving them.

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Not-So-Earth-Friendly Tech (5) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreen switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Not-So-Earth-Friendly Tech (4)]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-4/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-4/#comments Windows Vista

Not-So Earth-Friendly TechYes, Vista fixed many of the energy-gulping problems that plagued previous versions of Windows. But, it's been argued by a lot of folks that since many of Vista's features require newer, more-capable hardware, older computers will soon be populating landfills en masse. Sian Berry, the UK Green Party's Female Principal Speaker has said, "Future archaeologists will be able to identify a 'Vista Upgrade Layer' when they go through our landfill sites."

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Not-So-Earth-Friendly Tech (4) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreen switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Not-So-Earth-Friendly Tech (2)]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-2/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/least-green-gadgets-2/#comments Blank CDs

Not-so Earth-Friendly TechConsidering all of the packaging, plastic, paper booklets, fuel costs and everything else that goes into delivering your favorite artist's CD to the music store, it would seem that downloading is definitely the Earth-conscious way to go. And true enough, downloaded music's ecological impact is half that of the store-bought variety. But when you start burning your downloaded music onto blank CDs, the Earth-friendly aspects of MP3s go out the door. According to Digital Europe, a research project formed to study the sustainable development of technology, the energy used by your computer to burn music onto blank CDs is more than three times more harmful to the environment than plain old store-bought CDs.

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Not-So-Earth-Friendly Tech (2) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentgreen switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:51:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Tech]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/greenest-gadgets-4b/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/greenest-gadgets-4b/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/greenest-gadgets-4b/#comments Eclipse Solar Gear Hybrid Notebook Case

Earth-Friendly techInstead of looking to the heavens for hope and guidance when your laptop battery sputters out, you'll soon be able to look skyward for some actual laptop-resuscitating power. While Eclipse's messenger bags already use a built-in solar panel to power small gadgets such as cell phones and iPods, the company's upcoming, yet to be priced Hybrid Notebook Case will use the sun to feed wattage to an auxiliary battery capable of powering dead computers.

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Earth-Friendly Tech originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentfriendlygreen switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Tech]]> http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/greenest-gadgets-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/greenest-gadgets-7/ http://www.switched.com/2007/04/17/greenest-gadgets-7/#comments USB Cell Batteries

Earth-Friendly TechFifteen billion batteries are sold each year, most of which end up at the landfill when they die. Rechargeables are, of course, a better option -- especially these nifty AAs that juice up from your computer's USB port rather than a bulky, socket-sapping charging station. Two AAs will cost you $19.50, while nine-volts and a model for cameras and smart phones are also available.

Earth-Friendly Tech originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> climateenergyenvironmentfriendlygreen switchedtips@gmail.com (Phillip Crandall) Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:45:00 EST Switched