A Jolt of Apple

Apple’s new line of Bluetooth peripheral devices comes with their own pitfalls.  Wireless also means powerless, where cords are concerned.  The new devices all depend on battery power to survive, and Apple is looking to make a little money there as well.

Apple now has its own AA battery charger that you can buy for $30.  The kit comes with 6 AA batteries that will supposedly last you ten years with charging.  The truth of the statement remains to be seen.  It may end up being a necessity for many Mac consumers, but who knows how well it will work compared to other chargers already on the market.

Water Saver

Save the planet one shower at a time.  Everyone likes to talk about global warming and conserving resources; once again we’re working with water.

The Waterpebble is a small easy to read self-monitoring device for water use.  Just put the little white rock of sorts in the bottom of your shower and watch for the lights.  Green at the start of the shower, red at the time you should be turning the water off.  Green, yellow, and red light flash through the clear white surface informing you as to whether or not you’ve used just enough or too much water (whether or not you care to listen).  The real trick is that Waterpebble gets personal.  It takes a reading the first time you shower and slowly changes when the yellow and red lights start flashing each subsequent time helping you to use less and less water as you go.

The biggest problem is that this little device runs on batteries that cannot be replaced, so you can only measure shower times for about six months per pebble.

Portable Sunshine

We’re all about renewable energy these days. Solar panels, wind energy, rechargeable batteries, all are part of the global vocabulary. Well, Eneloop is catering to just such a mentality.

Specifically, with its new portable solar panel (about the size of a book) you can charge a cell phone on the go (outside specifically) through a USB connection. Now we no longer have to worry about wasting energy when we leave our phone chargers plugged in.

Eneloop also produces rechargeable batteries and adapters for anything that uses a battery (so that’s pretty useful). Who can pass up the chance to buy batteries less often?

Versatile Pictures

Almost every digital camera these days comes with a setting for action shots.  You want to take a picture of a track meet and cut down on the blur, it is possible.  But what about taking a picture in the actual track meet?  Or even better, while you’re in the process of skiing?

That’s what the Gopro Hero camera is all about.  Not only is it a good quality camera, but it comes with mounts for everything from a car dashboard, to a helmet, or your chest.  Sure, you’ll look a little weird, but the picture possibilities are surely worth it.  It’s unfortunate that the camera works on AAA batteries, thus battery life will likely be sketchy, but it would be worse.

At $200 it’s not a real expensive camera, which is always a plus.  The camera is small, and not waterproof in and of itself, but it comes with the shock resistant waterproof case to begin with.  With summer on the way this could be just the thing to spice up those vacation pictures.

Alternatives to AA’s

The Wiimote has been a part of our lives for some time now and the greatest problem I’ve run into with mine, is battery life.

Lets be honest, Wiisports is a little too fun to have to stop every time those double AA batteries give out.  Luckily, there are other options.

Lets start with the Penguin United Quad charger.  If you’re lucky enough to own four Wiimotes this special stand will take care of keeping them all well charged at once.  The station comes with four rechargeable battery packs (fully charged in four hours).  A Dual Charger is also available.

Energizer has also announced a Power and Play recharging kit for Wii.  The kit comes with batteries and replacement doors for both Wiimotes.

Lets be honest, the money saved on AA batteries over time would more than pay for either system.