Going green can not only save you money and help save the planet but in some cases it also solves another problem. Case in point—handsfree speaker phones. These devices sync with your cell phone and then let you talk handsfree when driving. Generally the downside of these gadgets is the need to charge them using a wire that runs to the car’s cigarette lighter. Scoshe Solchat solved that problem by developing a Solar powered Bluetooth speakerphone. First let’s go over pronouncing this company’s name “Scosche” I’m told its pronounced Sco—as in rhymes with “show” and “-sche” like a librarian saying “shhh”. The Scoshe Solechat includes a windshield suction cup mount and sun visor clip for easy operation. Since it sits on the windshield all day—it’s always charged, so you never need to plug it into a cigarette lighter. Other cool features include the Solchats ability to announces calls as they come in for hands-free driving. It also features a simple three button design and automatic, user-friendly cell phone pairing Price: $99.99 Website: www.scosche.com
If there’s one complaint I keep hearing about the iPhone is how quickly the battery runs down. There are lots of iPhone battery accessories on the market, but here’s the first green solution I’ve found—it’s from Novothink and it’s a Solar iPhone Case. This is the world’s only Apple-certified solar charger carrying case– it doubles the battery life of iPhone and iPod Touch using solar panel technology to power up the devices directly from the sun. It’s perfect for traveling, hiking, biking, trips to the beach, and camping. -The 4 built-in LED lights (one the back of the case) let you know if you have a sufficiently powerful light source in addition to how much charge remains in the battery. Price: $79.95(iPhone) and $69.95(iPod Touch).
It isn’t that people don’t want to go green—it’s just that they don’t want any hassles along the way. That’s why the inventor behind the EcoStrip came up with this product. This surge protecting power strip plugs into the wall and has a USB plug that goes into your computer’s USB port. When you turn off the computer, the EcoStrip turns off all of the computer peripherals (as in the printers, speakers, monitors etc.) that are plugged into the power strip. Most of us normally don’t turn off all of the power sucking accessories. The EcoStrip does it automatically—so you don’t have to even think about it. It can save consumers $50-$150/year USB EcoStrip 2.0 http://www.ecostrip.com $45
This morning I’m poolside at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, FL doing a satellite media tour all about summer travel gadgets.
First I have to point out this resort is amazing–there is a pool that crosses on top of another pool–and the top pool has a glass bottom overlooking the lower pool–incredible.
Gadgets I’m showcasing include the Nintendo DS–great for gaming, now great for reading with the new 100 Classic Books software you get 100 great works including Huck Finn and Alice in Wonderland –all for under $20.
Duracell’s Smart Power Line-Up Instant Charger is a must-have for any traveller. Plug into your laptop’s USB and you can store up to 35 hours of power for your cell phone, dig camera or MP3 player.
Also check out Mattels MindFlex. Not a gimmick. You put on a headset and it reads your brainwaves–then using the visual feedback you learn to use your brain activity to move a little ball through a maze–it’s amazing
Finally there’s the Sub-Jumpa. It’s an underwater pogo stick. If this doesn’t drain your kids of all energy nothing else will.
March 12th, 2010 . by Steve Greenberg and Lois Whitman
Steve still thinks he is 21. Steve was trying out a new Go Cart Yesterday in Hermann Park, Houston, TX when he took a tumble. He admits to going around a bend faster than he should have and promptly fell over. Ouch !! Not sure what he did to his ankle and arch, but in his words “Walking is a nightmare.” We hope he feels better now that it is 24 hours later. He showed up for his Great Day Houston “Green” segment , KHOU, on crutches. He is threatening to use a wheel chair later today in the American Airlines terminal before his flight back to Miami. The show must go on.
February 25th, 2010 . by Steve Greenberg and Lois Whitman
We have to applaud our good friend Mitchell Kaplan, who owns the Books & Books chain in Miami for always adding innovation to the art of reading. Books & Books is one of a number of retail outlets across the United States where you can buy the new EyeGlow glasses. Offered in various stages of prescriptions, the reading glasses feature miniature spotlights on both sides of the front frame so you can read in the dark. They work. We tested them in a dark room and the light actually shined on the individual page, just enough to read.
This is just perfect for the person who doesn’t want to turn on the bedroom light for fear of waking his or her significant other. Also ideal for when you are on an airplane/train/automobile and you need direct light. In our opinion, the EyeGlow is far better than any gizmo that attaches to a book. They always fall off and they make the book too heavy.
The EyeGlow requires four CR927-3V lithium batteries. The reading glasses are packaged with the first set of batteries. The batteries last about 16 hours and they are very simple to replace. No tools required. The company is EBX2 Optik (800) 697-7397 x225
On NBC’s Today Show, What’s Wow Now blogger Steve Greenberg shows Kathy Lee Gifford and Chuck Nice some innovative new products that can help make life a little easier.
Imagine just putting a pot on your granite or Formica countertop–and the water inside starts to boil–and the countertop stays safe and cool to the touch. This same technology will let you charge your cell phone or laptop without plugging in any wires–just put your phone on the nightstand and it will start charging.
It’s not science fiction–we have the technology today. And just as bluetooth has become an industry standard–now a group of tech companies including Dell, Fulton and others are working on an induction standard called eCoupled. As opposed to conduction, induction is safe way to move an electric charge without heat or sparks. You’ll be hearing much more about eCoupled in the not too distant future. Very cool demo on the floor of CES.
Gadget Nation