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Posts with tag conservation

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AlertMe Service Automatically Shuts Off Gadgets When You Leave

by Tim Stevens, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 12:02PM


In-home power consumption monitors are trendy pieces of kit lately, with a new one popping up every few months. But, while they're all happy to just kick back and tell you what a wasteful pig you're being, a new service from UK security company AlertMe could actually make you more efficient. Subscribers to the company's monitoring plans, which start at about $260 plus another $17.50/month, will be able to purchase Smart Plugs for $43 each that can communicate wirelessly to an AlertMe Heating Controller.

From there subscribers can monitor their energy usage online via computer or phone. That's all standard stuff, but the service also includes keyfobs that will automatically turn down the heat and deactivate devices when you leave, and allows users to manually control the plugs and the thermostat by text message, meaning you'd never be more than a few thumb-presses (and a 20 cent service charge) away from a warm and inviting home.

[Via SmartPlanet]

Internet, Video Games Blamed for Drop In Camping

by Will Safer, posted Feb 6th 2008 at 5:50PM

Camping

Research sponsored by The Nature Conservancy has determined that as people spend more time surfing the Web and playing video games indoors, they are less interested in experiencing the outdoors and less caring about what happens to the environment.

The study was conducted in the United States and Japan and tracks the rise of video game play in the early 1980s along with a decline in visits to national parks, camping, fishing and other outdoor recreation. Declines of 18 to 25 percent were reported.

According to a statement by the researchers, "Video games, home movie rentals, going out to movies, Internet use, and rising fuel prices explained almost 98 percent of the decline in people visiting national parks."

The consequences, they determined, are not just a general decline in people's health but also a decline in their interest in biodiversity and conservation efforts.

So, stop reading and go take a walk in the park. Just bring your cell phone in case we need to reach you.

From The Associated Press via Wired.

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Girl Videotapes 300-Page iPhone Bill

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Aug 14th 2007 at 11:04AM

If you're not familiar with AT&T's billing practices you might be a bit shocked to receive your first iPhone bill. Justine Ezarik was less-than amused when her 300-page bill was delivered in a box.

AT&T makes sure to take note of every single text message, every data transaction, and every phone call and print each on a separate line. That means that every time you hit that Safari web browser button, you're adding a line to your bill. Every time to receive or send a TXT message, you're add a line to your bill. It may not sound like much, but for those of us who live and die by our phone it adds up quickly. A 300-page bill is certainly uncommon, but 50-100 pages is fairly normal for heavy texters and mobile web users. Those of you with an AT&T account -- especially iPhone users -- may want to consider signing up for electronic billing to save a tree or two.

From Engadget and Tasty Blog Snack

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