It doesn't take much to sell me on energy saving gadgets or the fact that we should all be monitoring our energy use, but I'm still unsure what I think about Blackle, a custom Google search that claims to save energy simply "because the screen is predominantly black."
The site's only differing function from Google is the fact that its background is black and the results are white - making it a hard-to-read, but allegedly power-saving, adaptation of the world's favorite search site.
Apparently, the idea for the site was born from a 2007 blog post, Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year, which proposed that a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy and the fact that "a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen." None of this has been proven, but the creator's of Blackle say they believe that there is value in the concept because even if the energy savings are small, they all add up. Of course, they believe Blackle every time someone loads the Blackle web browser it will remind them to take steps to save energy. Whatever works, right?
A few weeks ago I shared that Industrial Designer Branko Lukic is working to develop and license products that will be "treasured not because of their specifications, but because they make the owner happy to own it." The idea, which Branko details in his upcoming book "Nonobject," is about the "space between you and the object" and while it may seem esoteric to some, points to an exciting, interactive and deeply personal trend in technology. This week, a preview of Lukic's book hit the web and gadget lovers have been fawning over his ideas.
"What if products could take on the diversity of nature?," asks Lukic. "What if products embodied twists and contours, and off-colored spots? What if a line of MP3 players, say, could be designed to resemble an array of pebbles scattered along an ocean's shore? Or like a basketfull of heirloom tomatoes at a farmers' market? Imagine the possibilities of mass customizing with such diversity in mind How would it change the way we interact with devices? How would it change the experience of consumption? How would it impact the human-product relationship?"
Do you think gadgets should be more reflective of the natural world? Check out the gallery of images from Lukic's book and then leave me your comments.read more
Thank goodness for the geeky, but fabulous Jean Aw, otherwise I might never have seen the Nano-Nano, a tiny art robotic object made with real electric parts designed by Koichi Miyajima.
Miyajima created the humorous and nostalgic figure of a human-like robot out of anonymous inorganic parts found in standard electronic goods. The phone strap robots called Nano-Nano have various models and occupation and each fits into a part of urban life. A bus driver, a biker, a musician, a machine operator...I'm alone in wanting one?
Just when I thought Natalie Portman was one of the few A-listers who strives to maintain a low-key profile in Hollywood, she heads straight to Silicon Valley in search of funds for a new online project. According to the tech gossip blog Valleywag, Natalie is "proposing a continuous video feed of her work and personal life," which means she is basically signing up for "lifecasting" like Justin Kan of Justin.tv. I wonder what fueled all this? Maybe a means for her to promote all the organizations she's apart of? To possibly educate? Raise awareness? Whatever her reasoning, I must admit that I'd be one of the first subscribers to watch "a day in the life of Natalie Portman."
When I came across this older (as in 2002) picture of Donatella Versace, Madonna, and Gwyneth Paltrow having some fun with Gwyneth's 35mm film camera, it brought me back to the days when I religiously carried my huge film cam to every party and function. Now with digital cameras we have the freedom to take all the shots we want, view them, and delete the ones we don't like on the spot. I'm curious to know how many of you still use 35mm film cameras (hey, I'm not giving mine away any time soon)! And how many of you have completely switched over to the digital. Better yet, you might use a really expensive manual camera packed full of amazing features and functions! Either or, let me know below! Image Source
Girl C recently alerted me to the fact that she's looking for a chic laptop bag and because so many of us are online trolling the web all day, I figured we could probably help her out. "I guess actually more like a tote," says Girl C. "Something that can hold my laptop and wallet and phone. I would prefer a zipper on top, but won't be too fussy. Does anyone have a bag they LOVE? The prices differ so much that I want to know why I would pay more for one than the other."
I love this Faye Laptop Messenger Bag, but I am pretty certain we can find her a tote. So, let's all geek out and search the web for attractive, chic laptop totes for Girl C. Look for zippers, a nice handle and hopefully, make sure it costs less than $200. Please tag your finds with "laptop tote" then check back to geeksugar next week to see if I featured your Geek Gear!
To learn what Geek Gear is and how to bookmark your finds on our site, click here.
To see some of my favorite online stores, read more
I must be suffering from Spring fever or something because I can't seem to pull myself away from these wild and colorful prints! Last week, I showed you the exotic leopard laptop case by Betsey Johnson which a majority of you loved and a few of you hated. Nonetheless, I am carrying on my leopard streak with this Prada laptop/messenger bag which was featured on Purse Page. First things first, let's ignore the ginormous $1512 price tag (and the fact it's made from real pony hair) and try to focus on its positive. It is in fact Prada, which translates to leather, luxury, style and quality. And it has an adjustable shoulder strap which measures up to 52" which is kinda nice. I guess since it's the real deal it's somewhat appealing to me. What are your thoughts?
It doesn't take much to sell me on energy saving gadgets or the fact that we should all be monitoring our energy use, but I'm still unsure what I think about Blackle, a custom Google search that claims to save energy simply "because the screen is predominantly black."
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