Posts tagged EnvironmentallyFriendly

Digital Works’ ReZap recharges disposable batteries, coming to North America in May

We don't know what charlatanism is afoot here, but word is that Australian company Digital Works has come up with a way to recharge non-rechargeable batteries. We'd usually scoff at such blasphemy, but the tech has been convincing enough to at least get PC Treasures (who?) to distribute the ReZap Battery Engineer on the North American continent. This little do-it-all device will juice up rechargeable and standard batteries alike -- allowing up to 10 recharges for the latter type -- and is also capable of electrifying up to four cells of varying sizes at the same time. You can expect the ReZap to arrive in May with an SRP of $59.95, which we'd consider cheap if it does everything it promises, or extortionate in the somewhat more likely event that it doesn't. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Digital Works' ReZap recharges disposable batteries, coming to North America in May

Digital Works' ReZap recharges disposable batteries, coming to North America in May originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo to launch new ThinkPads, probably on April 22

Those wily social media hounds over at Lenovo are at it again, this time teasing us with a crossword puzzle relating to a new "ThinkPad Series" of machines. Referencing our handy, and so far wholly accurate, leaked slide from February shows that the only Think-branded laptops not yet revealed are the midrange L series. Positioned to replace the aging R models, the L400 and L500 are expected to slot in as bulkier alternatives to the premier T-label ThinkPads. This puzzle tells us that whatever the new computers, they'll be firmly focused on energy and resource efficiency, and for an extra bit of PR kick, they are likely to be announced on Earth Day 2010, which just happens to be this April 22nd. Let's wait and see what Lenovo does to justify the name change and grab for green attention, eh?

Lenovo to launch new ThinkPads, probably on April 22 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Captain Piccard’s Solar Impulse completes first full test flight, nears another frontier (video)

We've tracked this solar-powered tub from its announcement last year, through its first runway tests, past the little hop that counted as its first flight, and now we've arrived at the HB-SIA's first legitimate test flight. The Solar Impulse, brainchild of one Bertrand Piccard, took the upward plunge into the skies yesterday, successfully rising to 5,500 feet and a speed of 30 knots before gliding down gently and calling the whole thing an unqualified success. You can find video of the event after the break. A nighttime test flight is planned for later this year, after which a bulkier production model will be cobbled together with the intent of reaching the final goal of circumnavigating the globe by 2012.

Continue reading Captain Piccard's Solar Impulse completes first full test flight, nears another frontier (video)

Captain Piccard's Solar Impulse completes first full test flight, nears another frontier (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlanetSolar boat aims for Earth circumnavigation with Sun’s help, enters testing stage (video)

You'll be forgiven for letting the PlanetSolar boat slip your mind in the year that's passed since we last heard of it, but the engineers behind the project haven't been slacking and today we're hearing that the multihull vessel has been put into the water to begin its seafaring tests. With nearly 5,400 square feet of photovoltaic cells adorning its roof, this is by far the biggest and most ambitious solar-powered boat yet, so it's no surprise that it won't be casting off on its globe circumnavigation attempt until at least April 2011. For now, you can enjoy photos of the vast ray-muncher at the PlanetSolar link below or skip past the break for the latest video from the team.

[Thanks, Pavel]

Continue reading PlanetSolar boat aims for Earth circumnavigation with Sun's help, enters testing stage (video)

PlanetSolar boat aims for Earth circumnavigation with Sun's help, enters testing stage (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earth Hour starts at 8.30PM tonight, asks for sixty minutes of natural living

Time to don your eco-warrior armor, strap on your nature-loving helmet, and flick that big old... light switch. Yes, in honor of the WWF's Earth Hour, countries around the globe are tonight switching off non-essential lights and appliances for sixty minutes, with highlights including Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Burj Khalifa, and the Empire State Building all going dark in the hope of helping the planet stay green. Timed for 8.30pm your local time, this unorthodox event has already commenced with Australia, New Zealand, China and others doing their bit -- videos after the break -- and is just now hitting Eastern European borders. So, fellow earthlings, will you be among the projected one billion souls that go au naturel for an hour tonight?

[Thanks, Pavel]

Continue reading Earth Hour starts at 8.30PM tonight, asks for sixty minutes of natural living

Earth Hour starts at 8.30PM tonight, asks for sixty minutes of natural living originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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