Wireless gadget charging over WiFi
Gadgets have been powered by many means over the years, from the humble plug to the battery to wind-up radios. But now one company thinks it can take things a step further - and pluck power from the air simply by harnessing WiFi signals, writes the Guardian.
Airnergy, a new system from electronics company RCA, hopes to make a breakthrough by allowing people to charge up their gadgets without lifting a finger.
The company's first Airnergy device - dubbed a 'WiFi hotspot power harvester' by its makers - claims to harness small amounts of the signals broadcast by wireless Internet access points, turning it into a useful power source for small devices such as mobile phones and music players.
CES features table touchscreen, slates
From a projector that can turn any flat surface into a touchscreen to a mind-boggling iPhone-controlled mini-helicopter, the devices on show at CES ranged from the useful to the downright ridiculous, says The Sun.
More than 2 500 companies from around the world showcased their latest gizmos and the Light Touch by British firm Light Blue Optic wowed visitors. It projects a 10-inch touchscreen which can connect to the Internet wirelessly, meaning users could soon be browsing Facebook and checking e-mails on the kitchen table.
Another top invention for 2010 is the 'slate' device - a laptop with a screen that doubles as a hi-tech writing pad.
Green gadgets monitor energy use
Oregon Scientific can tell users how much energy their home appliances are using via gadgets coming out in August or September this year, states NBC Bay Area.
The Advanced Wireless Appliance Manager monitors up to eight appliances with the use of remote sensors. At a glance, users can learn their real-time costs, power consumption, and carbon emissions. The base unit also includes a clock and calendar.
The Individual Appliance Manager, a single-appliance device, plugs into any outlet. Users can then plug an appliance into it to track electricity use, as well as associated costs.
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