Green Plug Reacts to Universal Phone Adapter Initiative

Who wouldn't like a universal power adapter that would save energy? Friendly Computers found an article about a new energy efficient adapter for cell phones and other devices. Read more below…

Green Plug has responded to the GSMA initiative to create a universal phone charger. While Green Plug was not part of the announcement made last Tuesday, the company said it is committed to creating a universal power adapter for all electronic gadgets, including mobile phones.

Paul Panepinto, a Green Plug executive vice president, posted an upbeat blog entry about the announcement. He praised the GSMA announcement for "[validating] the need for reusable, interchangeable power solutions for cell phones," and noted that Green Plug's own universal power adapter will be able to power all GSMA phones.

Panepinto shared some additional thoughts about the GSMA project in an e-mail interview with the Industry Standard:

On Green Plug's relation to the GSMA initiative: "By virtue of the fact that the default power from Green Plug-enabled power adapters conforms to the USB-power standard, the load devices (cell phones) do not need to execute Greentalk, the Green Plug protocol, in order to work with Green Plug-enabled power adapters."

On the lack of major players like Apple, RIM, and Samsung publicly supporting Green Plug: "Green Plug is working with a few early adopters now, and we are a startup. We hope that the big vendors (HP, Apple, Sony, NEC and others that we have been meeting with) will decide to adopt the new, free, open systems power interface."

On the big venders preferring the status quo because they can overcharge for replacement and spare chargers: "It's a common misconception that the status quo is profitable. I have spoken with executive staff from several major electronics vendors, all of whom confirm the economics of closed, proprietary power solutions are a huge cost drain on operations. That's because the vendors must give away the initial power adapters, at their expense."

In an effort to build public support for a universal power adapter, Green Plug recently launched a website that lets consumers cast votes and send messages to electronics manufacturers. To date, less than 9,000 votes have been cast in support of a universal power adapter on iwantmygreenplug.com.

Source:http://www.pcworld.com/article/160426/green_plug_reacts_to_universal_phone_adapter_initiative.html

 

SMC Networks to Push 'Green' Technology of its Business-Class Products Down to Small Office Product Lines

Friendly Computers found out that SMC is pushing ‘Green’ business class and small office product lines, which will save on operating power. Read more below…

SMC Networks, a leading provider of advanced, high performance networking solutions for the SMB and enterprise markets, today announced at Interop Las Vegas 2009 (booth 969) that it is incorporating the "green" technology that has defined its enterprise-class TigerStack(TM) and TigerSwitch(TM) switching products as among the industry's most energy-efficient, into its SMB-targeted EZ Switch(TM) product line.

To reduce power consumption by as much as 45 percent, SMC is transitioning to new product designs incorporating single-chip architectures which will be introduced to the market later this quarter. In addition to utilizing new silicon processes to shrink the size of the devices, the switches will utilize intelligent ports which are able to detect cable lengths and automatically reduce the power for data transmission over shorter distances.

The design changes to the SMB product line supplement an aggressive and long-standing dedication to eco-friendly manufacturing processes that SMC Networks implemented back in 2003. Today, over 90 percent of SMC's products provide energy efficient, environmentally friendly, lead-free networking solutions for deployment by their channel partners worldwide. SMC's eco-friendly processes extend from design and manufacturing down to the recycled packaging that carries each product to market.

"SMC is extremely proud of its long-standing, proven commitment to delivering some of the industry's most eco-friendly networking products and the changes we're making to our SMB product line are bringing our small office products in line with our corporate vision of environmental responsibility," explained Keith Alexis, Vice President of Sales at SMC Networks. "SMC incorporated green manufacturing processes years ago before they were required in the U.S. and Europe. Today, our efforts continue as we work to stay ahead of the curve by following new country-specific RoHS requirements and WEEE demands. As you can see, SMC takes a holistic approach to its eco-friendly processes from design, to manufacturing, to packaging. We believe that we've set the bar in the network switching industry and challenge our competitors to follow."

About SMC Networks

SMC Networks is a leading provider of affordable, easy-to-use, high-performance networking solutions for the consumer, small- and medium-sized businesses, and enterprise markets. With a global presence that supports customers throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, SMC leverages its heritage of over 35 years to deliver to market a level of quality, reliability and technological advancement that has established it as one of the premier network companies in the industry.

Since 2003, SMC has maintained a Green portfolio of networking products demonstrating its commitment to the environment at a very early stage. In 2008, Instat confirmed SMC's commitment to go beyond cursory attempts at power management when it stated that SMC was one of the top five most energy efficient in the 24/48 port managed switch category. SMC's Green Policy is a key component of the company's core strength that can be leveraged by its install base.

Source: http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-19-2009/0005028801&EDATE=