OLPC to Air-Drop Laptops to the World’s Poorest Children
by: Inhabitat , 2011-11-03 16:00:14 UTC

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), a non-profit that seeks to provide every child on earth with an inexpensive laptop to use as a learning tool, just announced they’ll soon be air-dropping laptops into remote villages to help children in those villages teach themselves to read. Nicholas Negroponte, the founder of OLPC, explained that his idea is based on a minimally invasive education experiment done in India that shows children have an overwhelming capacity to navigate and learn — without instruction — from technology. Negroponte and his team will approach local leaders about the program in advance, and once agreed to, they’ll air-drop the laptops from helicopters and then return one year later to see if the children have made progress.

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Post tags: developing world, education in rural areas, education in the developing world, free education, inexpensive laptops, olpc, One Laptop Per Child, rural education, world wide education

paolo cappello: music furniture for miniforms
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-11-03 08:57:00 UTC


the integrated speaker-furniture systems offer high definition sound while also functioning as either a working surface or storage unit. 
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sabine marcelis: housewine home-brew installation
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-11-03 11:15:00 UTC


with an aesthetic, yet functional approach to wine-making, the sculptural unit brings the process into the home.  

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Study: Smart Fabrics Pose E-Waste Threat
by: Environmental Leader, 2011-11-03 12:59:22 UTC
The burgeoning smart fabric industry could pose a serious e-waste hazard, according to a New York Times report. Researchers have been weaving small electronic components into textiles, allowing the clothes to function as mobile phones, heart-rate monitors and other devices. The ElectroScience Laboratory at Ohio State University is building a cell phone vest.   The designer [...]

Eight trendy e-readers to read your digital books anywhere, anytime
by: The Design blog, 2011-11-03 12:18:34 UTC
Saifudheen MS:

Today there are millions of readers who regularly read e-books or something else to gain knowledge. By seeing the growing number of internet readers, there are plenty of e-book readers coming to the market. E-book readers makes reading task much easier. It is a special feel to read e-books on reader devices. Here is list of eight trendy e-readers to read your digital books anywhere, anytime. have a look!

1. Biblio leaf

It is a wonderful e-reader device introduced by Toshiba and the interesting thing is that it is running by utilizing solar energy. It is also entitled as the first solar powered e-reader in the world. It is a Wi-Fi gadget and has a stylish 6 inches display. It is also enriched with 3G connectivity and has a built in memory of 2GB. The memory can be expanded by micro SD card. It will be available for $20 per month 3G contract and has the capacity of storing 3000 books.

2. Sony Reader Wi-Fi PRS-T1BC

It is a light weight model of e-reader with touch sensitive screen. You can read any kind of e-books or magazines from that are available online at Sony store. It also provides the access to e-books from other stores that uses Adobe DRM format. If the Wi-Fi is turned off, the battery will remain up to 5 weeks with a single charge. The memory can be expanded using microSD. The cost may be a dream to someone as it is available at $149 but the truth is that it is reasonable.

3. Amazon Kindle 3G

There is no requirement for wireless set up for this product. The reader uses the same signals using by mobile phones. One of the interesting product features is that you don’t need to pay monthly payments. You can use it even when you are not able to find a Wi-Fi spot. Amazon Kindle 3G is best fro travelers as it provide access in more than hundreds of countries. The design of the e-reader is fine and has a stylish shape for buttons. Without wireless usage, the battery will be last for one month in a single charge.

4. Barnes & Noble Nook Color

Actually it is a multi media device that is powered with Android. More than an e-reader, it provides high quality video-audio playback. The e-reader has many facilities with many supportive types of files. The reading will be interesting by its colored stylish screen. Also it allows the sharing of documents to the web. It comes with 7 inches touch sensitive screen and Wi-Fi connectivity. It has 8GB built in memory and it can be expanded also. Above all, it has a stylish design.

5. Kobo eReader Touch Edition

It is a light weight e-reader which has a stylish design. It comes with Wi-Fi connectivity. The memory is expandable with SD slot available. The battery life will be up to one month if the wireless is turned off. But, one down side is that it does not support audio. It enables a web browser. Kobo e-book store is already integrated to the device.

6. Iriver Story HD

One of the interesting features of Iriver Story HD is it has a high resolution screen with 768 X 1024 pixels. Google Books is already integrated to the device. The memory is expandable just like others. It has a built in Wi-Fi connectivity and the battery life will last for 30 days in a single charge if the usage is limited and the wireless is turned off. It has no touch sensitive screen and social media integrations. It is perfect for Google Books fans but the price may be a problem even it has no touch sensitive screen.

7. Sony Reader Wi-Fi PRS-T1WC

It is a light weight e-reader with touch sensitive screen. It provides the access to large collection of e-books through Sony’s online store and many other online stores. It provides additional audio features than PRS-T1BC model. The design is fine. But, it does not support social media integration.

8. Pandigital Novel e-reader

It comes up with fine touch sensitive screen of 800 x 480 pixels screen resolution. It also provides a stylus and is attached at the bottom corner of the device. It enables the users to download many e-books with the help of Wi-Fi connectivity. Facebook, calendar, audio and video play back, slideshows and much more facilities makes the Novel e-reader special. It operates by Android and in addition you can install other e-book reader apps. It has 1GB built in memory and the battery life is just 6 hours when it is in reading mode.

Eight self-sustaining products to ensure a green lifestyle
by: The Design blog, 2011-11-03 13:00:58 UTC
Abhinav Shrivastava:

These days people have begun to realize the importance of sustainable products to reduce carbon footprint and to have better, greener pastures in life. Therefore, designers these days have been trying to create and design innovative products that are eco friendly, sustainable, marketable, affordable and most importantly, functional. Check out this list of 8 products that are not just sustainable but also cool and amazing, providing pleasure to make your life green.

1. Solaris

Solaris is a great technology table that combines sustainability, utility and rigidity. Designer Lulius Lucaci has created this product for all techie users who are constantly troubled by the discharged batteries. Therefore, you can work on your laptop even if it’s not charged. The product contains photovoltaic solar panels consisting of amorphous cells that can generate energy. It also contains four plugs and USB connections. A green bumper is specially designed to protect the edges of the project. As this is made from bamboo, it is not too heavy but at the same time it is extremely durable. A wise choice, isn’t it?

2. Solar Over Door PIR Light

This is an eco friendly modern technology lighting that switches itself on whenever it senses motions. It doesn’t require any batteries of main supply to function. It has solar power panels that harness solar energy and convert it into light. It safely lights the doorways and has no hassles of wires. The good thing is that this product won’t burn a hole in your pocket and charges barely £24.95. Surely, a budget friendly way to be eco friendly!

3. Wind driven boot dryer

This one doesn’t require electricity or solar energy. It efficiently utilizes wind, a basic renewable source of energy and dries wet boots. It directs air into the boot which in turn increases the rate of evaporation of moisture. This is a highly functional product if you live in areas of high humidity or high rainfall. The award winning technology comes handy during troubling times when you need to go out and your gum boots are wet. Buy this eco friendly product for comfort.

4. Love Pot Humidifiers

This simple, elegant looking product can fill your home with aromatic smells. If you are living in an area where there are high levels of humidity, this one is surely a good option to buy. This humidifier is made of tissue ball and wool that reduces humidity by absorbing water content from the air. It has no bacteria and doesn’t require electricity or batteries to function. The pot isn’t very costly at $30 and all the profits are provided to a charitable organization. This is a design for eco friendly individuals. So, enchant yourself in Love Pot’s aroma and let a lesser humid air envelop you.

5. Eco shower

This one saves on energy and water. Designed by Paul Frigout, this shower minimizes the use of energy. A turbine integrated to the shower produces electricity upon water contact and this electricity in turn heats the water. The pressure blocks at the bottom of the shower pump water to the showerhead for energy synthesis. Thereby, the process also regulates water flow. At the same time, it uses water and recycles it for further usage. Moreover, no ceramic has been used in its structure. The show is made from Ice stone which is a recycled product from glass and steel.

6. Breeze

Are eco friendly products compromising with the classy interiors of your home? Not anymore, because Breeze is an eco friendly, sustainable product that makes your home look even more elegant and sophisticated. Designed by Korean Jin Hwan Jeong, this product has energy efficiency and uses solar energy for its main supply. The user can easily decide the number of lights required through selection of light stems. This stylish product gives a subtle glow to your home with an on/off button in the middle of aluminum stem that allows you to use it as per your needs.

7. UVonion onion-shaped lamp

This is a thing of beauty. This lamp has solar panels that receive their charge using sun’s energy. It also captures the positivity of ultraviolet light and sunlight and uses it to sterilize your home. Although you cannot get sunlight at every corner of your room, you can use this lamp to bring light to every section of your home. It has LED lighting and therefore doesn’t emit any heat, making it possible to be placed anywhere in the house.

8. Everchanging Wallnado

This product has been designed to lend a colorful, fun touch to your interiors. This wall changes its color. As seen in the picture, the wall has several designs and different range of colors that gives the cool look. Designer Amirko made this product to lend a full blast to your living room. There are rainbow colors, the soothing white and big black to accommodate your room. Design the colors in a way to reflect your thoughts.

Chilean Designer Develops Material with Discarded Pits and Pulp from the Plum Industry
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-11-03 13:30:00 UTC
Around 47 thousand tons of plum pits and pulp are discarded every year in Chile. A young designer turned it into gardening products.

How to Keep Custom Design Thriving in an Economic Downturn (Video)
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-11-02 16:17:00 UTC
Maker Brian Moore discusses commodities, furniture, and keeping custom, high-end designs available.

Upcycled Rubber Design Products; A Flip Flop Story (Photos)
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-11-03 06:57:35 UTC
Studio Schneemann, together with the Kenyan initiative Uniqueco, collect and turn wasted flip flops from the beach into colourful and squichy furniture and lighting.

New Silent ‘Eco Whisper’ Wind Turbine is More Efficient Than Three Blade Models
by: Inhabitat , 2011-11-02 23:50:54 UTC

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Post tags: "sustainable energy", "wind turbine", australian wind power, ecowhisper, ecowhisper wind turbine, green power, renewable energy, wind power design, wind power technology, wind turbine design