Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Gigabyte's 3G-Capable MID M528 Coming Out On Sept 17 For $689 [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/366582217/gigabytes-3g+capable-mid-m528-coming-out-on-sept-17-for-689

A release date and price has been set for UMPC contender Gigabyte's MID M528, a diminutive portable computer with a slide out keyboard, according to the folks over at UMPC Portal. A product page on Gigabyte's site put the cost at $689 and availability on Sept. 17. The page then disappeared, but not before intrepid internet surfers could get a nice screen grab.

The M528 contains a 4.8 inch screen with a 800 x 480 pixel resolution, a 800 Mhz Intel Atom, 512 MB RAM, roughly 4GB of storage space, and an 11 hour battery in a case that weighs about three quarters of a pound. It also boasts 3G, which makes it a possible replacement for the Nokia N810 if you think 3G's worth paying over double for. [UMPC Portal]

Greencore Semi-Solar-Powered Units Use Both the Sun and the Grid [Air Conditioners]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/366641036/greencore-semi+solar+powered-units-use-both-the-sun-and-the-grid

AC manufacturer Greencore has come up with a long-awaited solution to the inherent problem in solar-powered air conditioning units—solar panels are still not efficient enough to power the energy-gobbling machines on their own. The company's 10200 model uses a single 170-watt solar panel during the day and electricity from the power grid during the night to charge its batteries, leading to massive energy savings even if the solution isn't 100% solar.

Greencore has three versions of its AC system, a fixed one, a portable one with two batteries and another portable with four batteries. All three run on 24 volts DC and have a cooling capacity of 10,200 BTUs and a heating capacity of 13,400 BTUs. According to the company, McDonalds and the US Navy are already on board with testing the units. [Treehugger]

Fujitsu Siemens Could Debut Amilo Mini Notebook on August 28 [Amilo Mini]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/367483399/fujitsu-siemens-could-debut-amilo-mini-notebook-on-august-28

Fujitsu Siemens looks like it's about ready to launch the svelte Amilo Mini. According to IDG News, the company has announced a press event for August 28 at the IFA show in Berlin, and the signs and portents indicate a big reveal could happen at that time. The specs don't really differentiate the Amilo Mini from the plethora of other ultra portable notebooks hitting the market these days, but it does boast changeable face plates (brown, black, pink, and red). Cost is expected to fall between $600-800. [Liliputing]

Moisture Vaporators Spotted In Buenos Aires [Moisture Vaporators]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/367553290/moisture-vaporators-spotted-in-buenos-aires

The Buenos Aires government would have done the late Owen Lars proud with their newly installed $5 million Intelligent Monitoring Towers. Designed to collect information about the city's air and noise quality, we can easily see these 42 towers being at home collecting moisture on a dusty planet in a certain binary star system far, far away. The towers measure cobalt, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, benzene and humidity (just like on Tatooine!).

When the program is fully functional by the end of 2008, city officials expect to have a complete map of the environmental quality of the city. They'll use that info to influence bus routes and improve overall quality of life for citizens. No word yet on whether that will require any power converters from Tosche Station. [Treehugger]

EnergyHub minds your electricity, saves you cash

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/366065369/

Filed under: Household

We've seen electricity-monitoring / controlling devices similar to the EnergyHub before, but few have provided such a handsome interface or modular, expandable options. The device uses a touchscreen control panel (familiarly referred to as a "dashboard") to help gauge and adjust energy levels for satellite outlets that it communicates with. The data will be accessible and adjustable online, and users will also be able to compare their stats with other eco-tweakers or neighbors. The company claims the devices could reduce energy costs by 20 percent for homes that employ the system. There's no word on a release date or pricing, but we'll keep you abreast of any exciting developments.

[Via Inhabitat]

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