Gear+Gadgets | greenUPGRADER

The Surge: Solar-Charging iPhone Case Hits Streets

by Tim Hurst on March 15th, 2010

San Leandro, California-based Novothink has finally shipped the Surge, a solar-charging case for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets 0 Comments

Video Game Vampires: Which Gaming Console Is Draining Your Power?

by Beth Buczynski on February 17th, 2010

With the ability to create online gaming experiences shared by thousands of people at once, and graphics that make you think you're watching a live action movie, it's important to question just what kind of an impact these video game systems are having on your carbon footprint.

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets 4 Comments

Device Draws Energy from Inside Lights to Charge USB Gadgets

by Tim Hurst on February 11th, 2010

What if you could charge your gadgets with the ambient electrical energy in your apartment or office? Enter the IllumiCharger, a light-powered USB wall outlet.

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Posted in Concept+Design, Gear+Gadgets 3 Comments

New Honeywell Wind Turbine Coming to Hardware Stores, Rooftops Near You

by Tim Hurst on February 1st, 2010

New gearless wind turbine from WindTronics and Honeywell said to generate electricity at one-third the cost per kWh of any other wind turbine.

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets 4 Comments

iPhone App Will Help You Recycle, then Point You to the Nearest Farmers’ Market

by Tim Hurst on December 7th, 2009

Need to recycle those pesky #5 plastic yogurt cups when you’re away from home? There’s an app for that. Launched in the spring of 2009 by recycling information clearinghouse, Earth911.com, the iRecycle app for the iPhone helps you find the nearest locations to drop-off water bottles, used motor oil, your old cellphone, or virtually anything that [...]

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Recycling Services 3 Comments

Plug-in Smart Metering: Zerofootprint’s TalkingPlug

by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg on November 18th, 2009

A handful bloggers got on the phone with Ron Dembo, CEO of Zerofootprint, to discuss their upcoming answer to smart energy management: the TalkingPlug.

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Innovation, Living 1 Comment

Sprint, Samsung Test Green Waters with Reclaim Phone

by Tim Hurst on November 15th, 2009

The new green-themed Reclaim made by Samsung is more than your standard phone with slick green branding — though there’s a bit of that too. What’s green (or blue), smaller than a deck of cards and will remind you to unplug the charger from the wall after charging? The Reclaim, the new green-themed smart phone made [...]

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Living 0 Comments

Recycled Cardboard Speakers by Origaudio

by Tim Hurst on October 23rd, 2009

Origaudio cardboard speakers let you and your friends listen to music from your iPod without pretension or the need for additional batteries. Everyone travels with their music these days. Those white iPod earbuds are about as ubiquitous as the ears they are supposed to stay in. The problem is that sometimes you don’t want to be [...]

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Home+Decor, Shopping+Services 2 Comments

Kale the Kauzbot Raises Money for Arbor Day Foundation

by Doug Gunzelmann on May 31st, 2009

Kauzbots are stuffed robot dolls that benefit various “Kauzes” from their sale. Although they are from new materials, 10% of the retail value goes to positive programs that directly benefit our planet. Karrisa, Kalvin, Kale, and Kruz are just a few of the cute front men/dolls for organizations like The Arbor Day Foundation, LifeWater International, [...]

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Living 1 Comment

Recycled Paper Board Flash Drives

by Paula Mitchell Bentley on May 29th, 2009

This flash drive is made of 100% post consumer unbleached recycled cardboard. If that's not green enough for you, it is extremely light at only 18grams and is made in compliance with RoHS specifications for non-toxicity and reducing hazardous substances. The reduction in packaging and shipping costs to the environment are substantial. The company, Promo Key Chain, also uses a web server that is 100% wind powered and has definitely found a selection of innovative products for their eco-friendly USB drive line.

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets 16 Comments