5 Surprising Green Uses for Cell Phones

With the growing popularity of apps, cell phones are becoming useful for much more than calling, texting, and sending emails. Friendly Computers found some marvelous “green” ways to use your cell phone that you may have never thought of. You can read more below…

Let's face it - it's a rare person these days who doesn't have a mobile phone as a constant companion. And while we talk often about cool green apps and ways you can use your cell phone for activism, there are a growing number of surprising new ways you can use your cell phone to be a little greener. Here are five off-the-wall things you can or will soon be able to do with your cell phone that'll make your life just that much more simple and green.

Deposit Your Checks
USAA is a bank for military service personnel and their families. Their Deposit@Home program lets customers deposit checks via images sent through their mobile service platform. Even though it feels a little sketchy in terms of security, it makes sense. Customers simply take pictures of both sides of their checks with the cell phone camera, upload the images into the electronic check deposit system at USAA, and then void the paper check after the deposit clears. It'll be interesting to see if other banks catch on to the system, decreasing the number of trips customers need to make to the bank. While it's ideal to participate in direct deposit in the first place for pay checks, this works well for the random instances where Aunt Maude sends a $15 check as a birthday gift.

Get Green Coupons
There's a growing number of ways to skip the clipping and get coupons directly on your cell phone, eliminating the need for paper and/or getting coupons specifically for green stores and products. Green Perks from T-Mobile will get you coupons for eco-friendlier products and services, and an app from Coupon Sherpa lets you search for coupons right in the store, letting you save paper and money.

Show Your Boarding Pass for Planes
Over the last couple years, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been working on a way to let people use their cell phones to show their boarding passes at airlines. It's likely you're already familiar with the fact that on most airlines, we can check in early, print our boarding passes and skip the lines at check-in at the airport. Well, we are now able to skip the lines and the paper by showing our cell phones with the bar code displayed when we get to the security line. American Airlines has already extended the capabilities to several of its airport terminals, and it is becoming an increasingly popular practice, with Delta, Continental and others also taking part. Check with your airline next time you fly to see if you can get a 2D barcode pass sent to your cell phone, and eliminate the need for paper.

Take a Tour
Skip hopping on a bus or wandering along with a crowd during your next museum trip. More and more, tourist spots are providing tours via cell phone. You can often find tours online for city walking tours, historic sites, museums, and we recently saw the New England Aquarium launch a cell phone tour based around carbon footprint information. The organization murmur provides oral histories of different areas in Canada, based on calling a number posted on a sign in that area. Getting the interesting information you're seeking via cell phone decreases the demand not only for things like tour buses, but also for electronic devices that you can rent in order to listen to audio tours.

Eat
From choosing sustainable seafood to finding locally grown foods to choosing products while in the supermarket, cell phones are our friends for eco-friendly and healthier food shopping. We'll see more and more apps come out that will help us choose restaurants that use sustainable, organic foods; help us find farmers' markets with local seasonal produce; help us check out the farms nearby so we can see where our food is coming from. Cell phones will play an ever bigger role in how we eat.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/5-surprising-green-uses-for-cell-phones.php

Energy-aware Internet routing coming soon

Friendly Computers discovered a new energy-efficient method of routing Internet service that could save companies tons of money. Read more below…

Researchers have come up with a new way to route Internet traffic that could save big Internet companies like Google millions on their electricity bills, according to an article published by MIT's Technology Review.

Researchers from MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, and the networking company Akamai recently published results from a study that suggest big Internet companies could save up to 40 percent on their electricity bills by using an algorithm to send Internet traffic to data centers where electricity is less expensive.

Data centers consume a lot of energy, which costs operators like Google and Amazon millions of dollars to run each year. And now as more digital information is "virtualized" and accessed in the cloud, centralized data centers are getting even bigger and are consuming even more energy.

In fact, data center energy usage is expected to quadruple during the next decade in the absence of efforts to improve efficiency, according to the article, which referenced a report from McKinsey & Company and the Uptime Institute published in July 2008. The article also estimated that today, some large Internet companies spend more than $30 million a year on energy costs.

But now there could be a way for these companies to lower their energy costs. Using an algorithm developed and tested by researchers at MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Akamai, these companies can track electricity prices that fluctuate by location and time of day. It then calculates the best option depending on the price of electricity and the distance that data must travel to get to a particular location, to provide the most cost-effective route for data based on energy costs.

There is mounting pressure for big Internet companies to reduce their energy usage. Not only is it expensive, but these companies face pressure from governments and others concerned with the environment to reduce their carbon footprints.

The algorithm developed by these researchers doesn't necessarily cut the use of energy. It merely helps companies better manage their energy costs. But researchers argue it could also be used to direct traffic to facilities where greener forms of energy are being used.

The example used in the article is a Google data center in Belgium that relies on ambient cooling to keep its facilities under a certain temperature instead of firing up expensive air-conditioning systems. On days when the weather is too warm, the servers in the data center simply shut down. One researcher working on the project said that the energy-routing algorithm is an extension of this idea.

Managing energy and its costs is likely to be big business in the coming years for technology companies. Cisco Systems, the largest networking company in the world, recently said it sees a $100 billion market in helping power utilities better manage their electrical grids using communication technology.

Other high-tech companies, including IBM, Intel, and several start-ups, are also ramping up to develop sensors and other technology that alert power companies and their customers about energy usage in an effort to balance usage and reduce costs.

The idea of the "smart grid" is to modernize the electricity industry by overlaying digital communications onto the grid. For example, smart meters in a person's home can communicate energy usage to utilities, allowing these companies to more efficiently manage the electricity supply and potentially allow a consumer to take advantage of cheaper rates.

Some utilities are already testing technology from Cisco that will help its routers and switches more efficiently manage the flow of electricity and prevent outages in grid distribution equipment. Cisco also released new software earlier this year called EnergyWise, which allows more efficient use of energy in office buildings. The software is a free upgrade to Cisco Catalyst switches that can monitor and manage how energy is used on IP-connected devices, including phones and wireless routers. Using the software, companies can set policies on energy use, allowing PCs or networking equipment to go into sleep mode after work hours, for example.

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10312408-54.html

Recycle Your PC the Right Way

You may know that it’s important to recycle your old computers but may not know how to go about it or be worried that someone could access the data that is saved on the hard drive. Friendly Computers found a great article that describes everything you need to do when recycling your computer, including how to ensure that your hard drive is wiped clean. Read more below…

If your system still works, the best move is to donate it to a family member or local charity. Earth 911 (earth911.org), the CEA's myGreenElectronics.org, and the Electronic Industries Alliance (www.eiae.org) all have resources for finding a donation center in your area. But if the system's truly farkakte, be responsible and recycle it. Here's how to get it ready for retirement.

1) BACK UP YOUR FILES
Make sure you have all the files you might need from the system. You can back up to an external drive using the included software or the Windows backup utility (for XP Pro users, you can find this in the Start menu under Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Backup; XP Home users can find the Ntbackup.exe program on the Windows XP disc. You can also use boxed software, such as ShadowProtect Desktop 3.1 ($79.95, www.storagecraft.com) or Paragon Drive Backup ($49.95, www.drive-backup.com); online backup solutions, such as SOS Online Backup or the free DriveImage XML (www.runtime.org); or a free utility such as FolderShare.

2) WIPE YOUR HARD DRIVE CLEAN
Although a recycled computer will most likely be ripped up, don't assume that someone down the line won't try to plug it in—especially if the system still works. Just to be on the safe side, it's a good idea to wipe the hard drive completely, including the operating system to remove your version of Windows and your administrator's account. To do this, you can use a number of utilities, including WipeInfo on Norton System Works, Disk-Deleter Pro 2.2.0 ($39.95, www.bluestsoft.com), or a free online utility, Eraser 5.86. If you're really paranoid, you can remove the hard drive, open it up, and smash the platter with a hammer. (But before you do that, read step 3).

3) SALVAGE WHAT YOU CAN
Before you toss out the bytes with the bathwater, take a moment to consider whether there's anything inside that's still in good working order. If there is, you may be able to use it down the road. Since your power supply, graphics card, sound card, and mother-board are most likely outdated, they probably aren't going to be of much use to you, but hard drives, RAM modules, IDE cables, cooling fan, and optical drives are good examples of components that are easy to remove and less likely to become obsolete.

4) FIND A REPUTABLE RECYCLING LOCATION
Keep in mind that many recyclers charge a fee to take a desktop tower, monitor, or printer off your hands. The EPA's Web site has a useful page with a list and links to company take-back programs, big-box store recyclers (such as Best Buy and Circuit City), and local programs (www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm). You can also check with your town's sanitation department. Some communities offer free take-back programs at certain times of year.

5) SPREAD THE WORD
Brag about your good deed to friends, family, and coworkers. Try to get your company to participate in a corporate take-back program. Send around links to recycling locations and possible donation sites. If you had a particularly good or bad experience with a certain company or recycler, e-mail or log on to discussion forums and let everyone know.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2276111,00.asp

3 Reasons Netbooks are Greener Than Notebooks

If you’re looking to go green with your next laptop purchase, Friendly Computers thinks netbooks might be the way to go. Here are a few reasons why…

1. Netbooks are smaller and use fewer materials than notebooks
Netbooks are tiny versions of notebooks, weighing usually from 2 to 4 pounds, with smaller batteries, screens ranging from 8.9 to 10.1 inches and keyboards shrunk down to 89-93% of standard notebook keyboards. They're still highly usable once the owner gets used to to the smaller screens and slightly scrunched typing surface.

The smaller size means fewer materials go into not only the making of the computer itself, but also the packaging. The lighter weight makes for a smaller carbon footprint when it comes to shipping as well.

2. Netbooks use less energy than notebooks
Netbooks typically come with 3-cell or 6-cell batteries. They require power supplies of just 30 Watts, versus the 65 Watts of notebooks. The batteries are also long lasting, considering the netbooks are made to be stripped down and ultra-efficient, often lasting 2-3 hours on a charge for 3-cell batteries and 6-7 hours on a charge for the 6-cell batteries.

Factoring in even more variables like getting a solid state drive for higher efficiency (which is a trade off since it has slower read/write speeds), netbooks blow right past notebooks when it comes to power consumption. And the efficiency is only getting better as netbooks become more popular among manufacturers and consumers.

3. Netbooks get us back to Less Is More thinking
Most people have notebooks that are far more powerful than really necessary. The majority of us use laptops for basics - surfing the web, watching videos, email, word processing, photo editing, listening to music, and other basics. Yet the notebooks we buy are capable of far more than we require them to do.

Returning to devices that are simplified yet can accomplish the things we need them to without additional bells and whistles - and the associated energy consumption and carbon footprint - reminds us that, really, less is more; less bulky devices, less money spent, less consumption of materials, and thus achieve more overall satisfaction.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/are-netbooks-green-6-pros-and-cons.php

Sanyo Making Portable Solar Chargers More Stylish

Friendly Computers thinks solar power is a great source of energy and an excellent way to help our planet. Sanyo will soon be releasing a stylish portable solar charger that can be used to charge cell phones and other micro-USB powered devices. Read more below…

Granted, it's not vital to have a solar charger look super slick - but we do love to see beautiful designs for green items. Rather than carrying around a relatively clunky solar panel, or having something sewn onto clothing in a very cheesy way, Sanyo is trying to make portable solar power look a little nicer. They've just announced a new solar charger that is indeed one of the nicest looking ones we've seen. But does it do the job?

For sale in Japan only starting later this month, the Eneloop Portable Solar is compact enough to carry around easily. It has a cool little mesh case, and can be set up on a table or hung in a window. However, we don't have great details about its capabilities (or pricing). According to Sanyo:

After approximately one hour of generating solar power under fair-weather conditions, the twin version of the ‘eneloop portable solar’ (SSL-SBWL3AS) can charge a USB-charge enabled cell phone enough to continuously talk for approx. 40 minutes*4, for the single panel version of the ‘eneloop portable solar’, the same amount of generating time yields approximately 20 minutes of talk time on the cell phone, perfect for emergency or daily talking conditions.

Doesn't sound too bad for something so compact. We're curious to see if it works as well as the claims, and very curious to see what it will be priced at.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/sanyo-making-portable-solar-chargers-more-stylish.php

Researchers Make White LED Light Bulbs using Salmon DNA

Long lasting, energy efficient LED lightbulbs are the wave of the future, and Friendly Computers found an… interesting new way of making them. Read more below…

I'm Not Kidding
By now there's little doubt that LED-based lightbulbs are the future, and while a lot of cool LED technology still needs to make its way from the lab to the store, it's exciting to see that engineers are still finding new ways to squeeze more performance out of those semiconductor diodes. The latest breakthrough comes from the University of Connecticut, and it uses salmon DNA to create very long-lasting white LEDs (though they can be tuned to other colors). Read on for more details.

A Bit More Technical Information About the Salmon DNA LEDs
Fluorescent dyes (two different ones, spaced between 2 and 10 nanometers from each other) are added to the DNA molecules, which are then spun into nanofibers. These are very durable because DNA is a particularly strong polymer (it has to be!) (they should last 50 times longer than acrylic, for example).

A LED emitting ultra-violet light is then coated with the DNA nanofibers: "When UV light is shined on the material, one dye absorbs the energy and produces blue light. If the other dye molecule is at the right distance, it will absorb part of that blue-light energy and emit orange light." Using DNA has the benefit of orienting the dyes "in an optimum way for efficient [fluorescence energy transfer] to occur," according to David Walt, a chemistry professor at Tufts University.

To tune the light quality, all you need to do is vary the ratios of dye. The light can be tuned from cool white to warm white, for example.

Not Ready for the (LED) Limelight Yet
Unfortunately, numbers on how many lumens per watt these LEDs produce haven't been released yet (though that might just be because they're still improving them), so it's not clear if the main benefit from these will be the longer life, or if the extra fine tuning will also mean better light quality than other white LED (like those that use quantum dots, for example), or if energy efficiency will also be superior. But it's a new trick that will no doubt be useful.

I'm a bit sick of writing this phrase - "it's too early to tell" - but that's how it is with discoveries straight out of the lab. Maybe someday we'll have a bit of DNA in our lights...

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/salmon-dna-led-light-bulb-warm-white-connecticut.php

Nissan Releases Details About New Electric Vehicle

Friendly Computers discovered new info about Nissan’s new purely electric vehicle, the Leaf. The Nissan Leaf is 100% battery powered and thus will release zero carbon emissions. You can read more about the energy-efficient vehicle below…

This weekend Nissan released photos and details of the electric car it intends to put into production in 2010. The Nissan Leaf is a purpose-built, pure battery electric vehicle. Nissan previously let us test-drive the Leaf's power train using the Cube as a test model. The Nissan Leaf has its own distinct look; it's a more conventional car than the Cube, with four doors and a hatchback. Although it hasn't announced pricing, Nissan says the Leaf will be affordable, priced as a C-segment car. The company also notes that the Leaf will cost less to operate than a gasoline-powered car, both in energy and maintenance, as there are fewer moving parts. Also, many governments offer incentives in the form of tax credits or rebates to purchase an electric car.

The Leaf uses a laminate lithium ion battery pack with an output of over 90 kilowatts. The car's drive motor puts out 80 kilowatts of power, substantial enough to give it performance equivalent to a gas-powered car. Nissan claims the Leaf has a range of over 100 miles, fairly typical for electric car projects from other automakers. The Leaf uses regenerative braking, and has a recharge time of 30 minutes to get the battery pack up to 80 percent using a quick charger. From a 200-volt source, the Leaf takes 8 hours to recharge.

One of the more innovative elements of the car is its onboard computer. Along with typical functions such as charge level and range, this computer is connected to a data center that will receive diagnostic information from the car. It will also keep the driver informed of local recharge stations. Although not specifically mentioned, this onboard system could easily show navigation with traffic conditions. Nissan says the computer will also provide entertainment for passengers.

The Leaf will originally be built in Japan, and sold in Japan, the United States, and Europe. As demand dictates, Nissan will build additional units in its Smyrna, Tennessee plant.

Source: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10301570-48.html