Sunlight Direct brings us a very effective and useful hybrid solar lighting technology. It consist of a device on the roof that collects and concentrates sunlight throughout the day. After filtering the UV and Infra Red spectrum (for heat reasons), this light is piped down to the building interior where it can be distributed via hybrid fixtures. On sunny days the fixtures might emit 80% natural sunlight mixed with 20% fluorescent or incandescent. On cloudy days it might be just the opposite. The natural light has been shown to improve our productivity, help synchronize our circadian rhythms or sleep patterns. Microprocessors control the system, aiming the collector directly at the sun (within accuracy of .1 degrees) throughout the day and adjusting the blend of natural light and artificial light at the fixtures to keep a steady light level.

check out this video segment about it from the Discovery Channel

Lightpipe lighting from Sunlight Direct has the ability to make a significant difference in your energy cost. With some proven health benefits as well. We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on this and future developments like it.

via - Gizmodo

Technorati Tags: hybrid solar lighting, sunlight direct, solar lighting, solar power

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For sake of the environment, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is announcing development of a 125cc fuel cell scooter called the “FC-AQEL”. Using a hydrogen fuel cell system, it will include a pair of 35 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tanks, a Lithium ion secondary battery and more. This technology will be compacted in an ultra flat brushless DC motor. The transmission will be neatly contained in the hub section of the rear wheel. Now of course we know that hydrogen is really only a storage medium for energy. We will really have to work on green ways to create energy to make some gains and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

via - Fareastgizmos.com

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Is it luxury or over doing it ? In either case, Grohe Digital Showers may just make your morning routine more convenient and luxurious feeling. Their new device allows you to turn on your shower as you wake up by remote control. The wirelessly controlled base unit then adjust the water mix to meet your ideal pre-programmed settings, and pleasantly notifies you with visual or audio signal when your parameters have been achieved. It is also smart enough to respond to changes in water pressure or temperature and will strive to maintain your ideal settings by split second adjustments. Just be sure not to waste any water!

via - New Launches

Technorati Tags: bathroom gadgets, shower head, temperature control

A french consultant released a controversial new study claiming that a 30 inch Apple Cinema display increases productivity. Of course this study was sponsored by Apple. However despite the possible lack of objectivity, Apple generously provides those of us who need to convince a suprevisor, boss, or even spouse with ammo for us to use in justifying why we need one of these beautiful big displays. Very clever Apple. According to the study it was concluded that:

large screens can offer gains of up to 50 percent to 65 percent in productivity on a variety of specific office tasks and can earn back their extra costs in time savings over several years. The 30-in. display costs $1,999.

Well there you go. That sounds perfectly logical to me - but other experts disagree (spoil sports)

other experts say those conclusions are wrong, arguing that the productivity improvement estimates are too high and that using two monitors side by side would likely be a better productivity booster than one larger monitor.

via - Lifehacker

Technorati Tags: Apple, 30 inch Cinema Display, Mac, Ergonomics, Productivity, Studies

The ST3620-B2 Hard Drive Caddy System from Stardom offers a removable hard drive caddy storage solution that is seldom seen outside of heavy power user pro circles. It holds 2 trays which contain your hard drives ( SATA drives are recommended for maximum speeds ). These drive trays can be swapped out and fitted with fresh hard drives, allowing you to carry massive projects on the go or to bring much needed additional storage to bear when necessary. The one thing that puzzles me is that all this storage connects via a single USB 2.0 connection. Maybe I’m not familiar enough with the USB 2.0 standard as it compares to the earlier version, but this seems like it would be slower compared to something like FireWire. I’ll have to find out more about this. When I do, I’ll write an article showing my findings.
via - UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog

Technorati Tags: hard drive, removable storage, USB

In this fast moving web 2.0 world an official press release often becomes an mere after thought in the wake of many prior leaks and sneak previews. Such might be the case with the T-Mobile Dash. This device has been widely previewed, anticipated and the specs are already out there. But now it’s official, from the source T-mobile itself.

Just to review, the T-Mobile Dash offers the following:

• Quad-band for global use cabablity
• Windows Mobile 5.0
• GSM,GPRS, EDGE, WiFi and blue tooth
• AOL, MSN and Yahoo! instant messaging
• email support
• 1.3 megapixel digital camera
• video capture
• expandable onboard memory

The Dash will have a suggested retail list price of $349 but of course that means nothing because being a T-Mobile phone, you will be purchasing it with one of their service plans. With a 1 year plan the price is $249 and with a 2 year plan the price goes down to $199.
via - SlashPhone

Technorati Tags: PDA, Dash, smart phone, T-Mobile

Have you ever rushed around the room in a mad dash to find your cordless handset, then short of breath and sweating, you finally pickup only to find it’s some telemarketing company that called you despite your being on the national do not call list. This product is a solution for that. The Color-Call system allows you to assign different colors to different callers. These colors flash when you receive a call, allowing you to answer the phone on your own terms if and when you feel like it. This is a very cool concept, imagine being able to turn the ringer off when you’re relaxing and seeing who is calling from anywhere in the room. Also this could really help the deaf and hearing impaired.

via - SCI FI Tech

Canon is at it again on the digital camera front with the release of the Ixus i7 7.1 megapixel digital camera Otherwise known as the new PowerShot SD40 Digital ELPH. While this appears to be a trendy camera available in four colors, gray, dark brown (sepia), pink and blue, it packs a serious punch with a 7.1 megapixel count. While it has the power, the Ixus i7 also provides the point and shoot ease of use with features like automatically detecting faces and focusing on them, shake reduction, and a host of others:

• Compact, stylish 7.1 Megapixel Digital ELPH with 2.4x Optical Zoom
• Four attractive colors: Twilight Sepia, Olive Gray, Precious Rose, and Noble Blue
• DIGIC III Image Processor with Face Detection technology for superior image quality, fast operation and low power consumption
• Fashionable camera station with wireless controller for easy charging, image transfer and printing anywhere
• 1.8 inch LCD monitor enables you to view your images on camera with ease
• ISO 1600 to reduce image blur and expand low-light shooting capability
• Improved Movie Mode with Fast Frame Rate at 60 fps QVGA (320 x 240) or 30 fps VGA (640 x 480)
• Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with Canon CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers

Visit Canon to find out more

Technorati Tags: Camera, canon, Digital, Digital ELPH, digital photos, Ixus i7, photo accessories, PowerShot SD40, 7.1 Megapixel

via - UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog

Technorati Tags: 1080p, HDTV, LCD

At Cornell University, some interesting research is taking place. A bacteria and virus detecting napkin that utilizes nanotechnology is being developed. In this time of contaminated spinach and other vegetables, let’s hope this development comes to market soon. According to Sci Fi Tech,

The napkin will contain nanofibers that are bound to certain antibodies, and when those antibodies latch on to specific elements the cloth will change colors. It could be used from detecting anything from E. Coli in meat to the flu virus on your kitchen table to cooties on your little sister’s face.

It also seems that this napkin won’t be too expensive and we could possibly see it in a variety of different everyday situations. It’s still a few years away so exercise your usual caution and common sense when it comes to avoiding germs and viruses.

via - SCI FI Tech

Technorati Tags: bacteria, ecoli, Future Kitchen, health, Kitchen, kitchen gadgets, health, saftey