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November 4, 2008
A few cool tech gifts to soothe your conscience
Blaine Kyllo
For bchydro.com
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as giving during the holiday season. This year, let your conscience be your guide, and consider gifting items that are energy and environmentally responsible.
Here are some technology offerings to get you started. Of course, these are also great gadgets for your personal wish list, too.
Tripods reinvented
Joby Gorillapods are not only the slickest, most flexible tripods that exist, they are minimally packaged so you won’t have to toss a bunch of plastic and padding after you get your bendy tool.
The tripods come in a range of sizes that can accommodate everything from the smallest digicam to heavy, professional video cameras. Plus, the three arms are constructed of interlocking spheres that can move in 360 degrees, so you can wrap your tripod around a tree branch to take that nature shot.
Tune in, turn off
The PowerCost Monitor lets you track how much electricity you’re saving, or identify the electronic toys that are using the most energy. By tapping into your electricity meter, the monitor will show you how much energy—and money—you could save by turning off unneeded appliances and flipping a few light switches. The manufacturer, Blue Line Innovations, claims that users can save between five and 20% on their monthly electricity bills, which has to be good.
The other vampire slayer
One euphemism for the power used by your gadgets in standby mode is “vampire” power. Belkin has come up with a new, slim surge protector that works better than garlic in the fight against these vampires.
The Conserve has eight outlets, two of which are always on for devices such as modems, while the remaining six turn off at the touch of a remote control, so you won’t have to crawl in the dust behind the entertainment centre to reach the surge protector. The same remote can control multiple Conserves, too.
Sustainable listening
Fashionation’s Eco-Speakers look like they’ve been fashioned from leftover cardboard boxes. That’s because they are.
The three-inch bookshelf speakers, which fold flat for shipping and storage, are made from 100-percent recycled materials, and come in purple, pink, aqua, green, red, or blue, or in eye-catching combinations of red/yellow, purple/blue, and blue/green. The same company also manufactures a colourful range of iPod holders made from organic hemp.
Bring on the sun
Voltaic's backpacks and messenger bags are made from recycled plastic bottles. The fabric that comes from the process is a nylon/polyester replacement, and, the company claims, looks better than the material it replaces.
If that isn't enough, Voltaic bags are also equipped with solar panels and designed to charge your portable electronics. One hour in the sun will generate 1.5 hours of talk time on your mobile phone.
So long sun, hello breezy
It’s not a good idea to rely on solar power during winters on the Wet Coast. So power your gadgets another way. The HYmini is a handheld universal charger that turns wind power into electricity.
Strap it to your arm while you’re crashing down the North Shore trails on your bike, and your cellphone will be charged up by the time you’re done. Wear it while shredding the slopes and power your iPod the entire time. If the sun does come out, you can accessorize your HYmini with a solar panel to charge devices even faster.
Make mine a Mac
Apple’s new line of notebook computers were just released. Not only are the new MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro cheaper, thinner, and even slicker than before, they adhere to Energy Star 4.0 standards.
The LED-backlit displays are energy efficient and the manufacturing process for the computers has eliminated toxic chemicals such as PVC, mercury and arsenic. The frame for the new computers is constructed out of a single block of aluminum, rather than multiple pieces stitched together. That makes them thinner and stronger, and when you’re ready to upgrade, the “unibody” is highly recyclable.
The views and recommendations in this story are those of the writer and not necessarily those of BC Hydro. Blaine Kyllo is a freelance writer whose technology and video game columns appear regularly in the Georgia Straight.
Source: BC Hydro
