Technology

A ‘Trash Amp’ For Your iPhone, Solar Chargers For Your Tablet… 2011‘s Coolest ’Green’ Products

As 2012 creeps up on us, it’s time to start looking back at 2011 and the highlights of the past year.  Blaze editors have already reviewed some of the news and political events of the year on GBTV, but what about all of the cool stuff in the geek universe?

The folks at Discovery Networks have gathered 30 of their favorite Green Gadgets and Tech Stories from 2011. Here are three that caught my eye.

The Trash Amp – For around $50 you can have room-filling sound from your smart phone or a very portable amp for your guitar.

The coolest and greenest gadgets of 2011

Trash amp disguised as a Dr. Pepper

See (and hear) the full demonstration of the Trash Amp from its inventor.

Did Santa leave a new iPad2 (or almost any tablet computer) under your tree? If so, there are myriad products for holding or displaying these magical tablets, but this one does both of those jobs and it is also a solar charging unit. For each hour of sunlight, the Voltaic Spark claims to deliver one hour of power for use. The $299 marvel will act as a case, a stand and charge other devices. It can also be fully charged from an AC current to act as a backup battery.

The coolest and greenest gadgets of 2011

My personal favorite item among the thirty wonderful gadgets in the TreeHugger story is this very clever, Satellite Chair.

The coolest and greenest gadgets of 2011

This stealthy design allows folks living in apartments or places that have restrictions on satellite dishes to still receive dish-delivered programming.

The folks at Gizmodo report;

“The chair provides the same level of reception as a 24-inch dish, and manages to incorporate a hidden LNB, or low-noise block downconverter, which is that small arm you see positioned in front of modern dishes. The chair can even be sat on with the removable cushion installed, but since a warm body pressed against its backrest hinders reception, you‘ll want to keep that spot clear if you’ve got friends over watching the game.”

To wade through all 30 of these cool/green innovations, visit the full list on the TreeHugger.com page from Discovery.

 

Comments (46)

  • HuckleberryFriend
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 1:54pm

    I think some of these items on this list are pretty awesome, like the one that produces fresh water in the desert through condensation. For those of us who get down on the green movement because it is hugely corrupted by socialists wanting to control economies and redistribute wealth, keep in mind that it doesn’t hurt to have some entrepreneurs who just want to promote good stewardship of the planet through free market capitalism.

    Report Post » HuckleberryFriend  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on December 29, 2011 at 12:03am

      I personally do not get down on conservation. The green movement is the corruption of conservation.
      the ones that discover and invent will always do so.In a corrupt environment they will be crushed. in a free society they and their ideas will prosper.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • theaveng
      Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:55pm

      The Satellite Dish-chair is pointless.

      The U.S. Congress already passed a law in 1996 that forbids apartments from barring the use of a DTV satellite dish. Rather than set the fake chair on your balcony, just put the dish there. Simple as that.

      .

      Report Post »  
  • BuggiOlleo
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 12:21pm

    I love the color green—
    Call a product ‘GREEN’ —
    I ain’t buying it–ever!
    I do not care for GREENS’ illicit use by the propaganda machine of MEDIA—
    GREEN is a word which cannot speak but says so much about the savant wearing a GREEN Hat at a political rally and dare not speak–
    So,…GREEN says so much
    —————————–for saying nothing at all..

    Report Post » BuggiOlleo  
  • TreeTrimmerJim
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:15am

    England use to be covered with Live Oaks which were used to built their ships, which lead to the British Empire. There are few Live Oaks in England today. If the United States stops using coal, oil or natural gas for heat will we return to using wood and rape the land?

    Our standard of living in based on ways to make heat for warmth and changing heat to a rotating shaft. Storing heat is difficult and ineffective, how do we create heat on demand?

    Report Post » TreeTrimmerJim  
  • TreeTrimmerJim
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:04am

    We tended to recycle and repurpose stuff in the 1930s & 1940s that we do now. Recycle changes with cost and affluence. Recycle is around now because someone is making money off the process.

    Report Post » TreeTrimmerJim  
  • cjc3usa
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 10:47am

    sounds like trash……there are much better external speakers out there,,

    Report Post »  
  • Quasimofo
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 10:37am

    Did any of you people even read the full article? There are some amazing devices being developed, if not for the green reason, good to use for survivalist/doomsday applications.

    Report Post »  
  • gonetotheright
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 10:00am

    The Green Socialist want clean water and air. But don’t care if we starve or freeze to death!

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:44pm

    If these enviro-turds actually gave a ratsass about the enviroment, they wpuld be in India or Russia or China, thats where actual damage is taking place…. But they dont, its a way to slow down the mighty engine called America, not to mention they’re gettin rich onmthis BS…. socialist pigs in enviromental clothing… You aint foolin us anymore, and we are coming for you….. So be afraid, be very afraid…. Cuz the ice caps are melting and your gonna die, and im gonna turn the massive propane heater on my pool way way up, in order to melt the ice caps faster and faster….. Bwwwwahhhhh Bwwwwahhhhhh… Unless you write me a large check …..

    Report Post »  
    • jcannon98188
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:57am

      I am far from being pro-green technology, in fact I think a lot of it is a waste of time. But did anyone actually look at these inventions? They are wicked awesome, even if it wasn’t “green”! Seriously, I think we are all too quick to judge these days -_-

      Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:07pm

    Have these greenish democrats like Al gore checked with Iran to make sure their warheads won’t harm the environment? Maybe they believe Ron Paul and don’t think are working to perfect them!

    Report Post »  
    • RightThinking1
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 10:25am

      Well, Jimmy Carter checked with N. Korea, and they assured him that they were not into weaponizing nuclear fuel…, so we know they are Ok…

      Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:04pm

    I wonder if these dufus democrats have checked to see if Iran’s nuclear warheads are GREEN and will not harm the environment?

    Report Post »  
    • jcannon98188
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:58am

      They would check on Iran’s nuke warheads, except OH WAIT, Iran does not have Nuke Warheads -_- Seriously, don’t believe the warmongers. Iran does not have a Nuke and will not have one for quite a while.

      RP 2012!

      Report Post »  
  • Secret2soon
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:00pm

    My favorite thing about windmills are how they litter the beautiful landscape with steel giant propeller heads. What happened to keeping the innate beauty of the planet? All for two percent. What a bunch of Jack Wagons.

    Report Post »  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:06pm

      How do they make that steel without coal or natural gas?

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • Secret2soon
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:43pm

      That’s the same with electric cars. HEY YOU GREEN MORONS what do you think they use to generate the power to recharge your Flaming Electric Death Machines? Use every viable energy resource available! At this point in time Wind and Solar are not viable. They require acres and acres of land that the little animals need for their home.

      Report Post »  
    • BOsux
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 2:22am

      and how they kill over 400,000 birds every year…that’s really environmentally friendly right there!

      Report Post »  
    • matinva
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:57am

      They kill hundreds of thousands of birds during the DAY and they kill bats at NIGHT! Now insect populations are rising near these wind farms. Some are beginning to shut down at night to prevent bat deaths. Liberals claim to be more ‘intelligent’ than the rest of us. They are actually some of the dumbest people on the planet. How about that ‘War on Poverty’ that cost us too many Trillions of dollars to count and the poverty rate is now 2% higher than it was in 1965 when that great lie was sold to us. Time to get the Socialists and Marxists out of our government. Vote!

      Report Post » matinva  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:35pm

    Any and all enviromentalists and enviromental groups , especially the enviro lawyers, should be investigated to make sure they are consuming zero fossil fuels, riding donkeys to work, and living 100% off the grid…. If not, then they should not be allowed to lecture the rest of us, i for one am working hard to leave as large a carbon footprint as that fat ass Al Gore….. What hypocritical windbag pig…..

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:29pm

    I will listen to , and have a little respect for, these enviro nuts, when they walk the walk, those stupid unsafe little electric cars…. They run on coal you morons… Start ridin a horse to work and live completely off the grid, otherwise shut the hell up….

    Report Post »  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:32pm

      Can’t do that! Horses produce methane… Do you want all the ice to melt? What were you thinking??

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:12pm

      @13thgenerationmoron
      And you need to get on your donkey, head off to your Ted Kazinski hut and burn your own turds to cook with, otherwise , shut the hell up, now im gonna go jump in my mega propane heated pool, and feast on some huge t-bones….

      Report Post »  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 3:42am

      Actually, we switched from horses to automobiles to avoid being buried in MANURE…Yes, this was a very real concern arount the start of the industrial revolution…

      Report Post »  
  • Drakkhanlord
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:16pm

    the liitle panels are fine ..the others are BS..

    Report Post » Drakkhanlord  
  • 82dAirborne
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:16pm

    When they develop a coal or natural gas powered version let me know. The green technology is nowhere near mature. Not yet ready for prime time in any way shape or form.

    Allow the private sector to continue to work on new technologies with private capital and stop throwing our tax dollars away.

    If you folks on the left want to invest in it go right ahead! For now coal & natural gas are the resources to develope.

    Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:06pm

      And this green BS, it is not nor has ever been about protecting the enviroment, these are people who want to starve America of the energy we need to sustain our awsome lifestyle, they are rabid lefties who hate and resent this nation because of our wealth and power, their goal is to bring us to our knees until we live more in line with their idea of their global utopia… They are socialist , commies, doing whatever they can do to slow down America… Hiding behind , caring about the enviroment, just like they do with the school kids, or pushin granny offf a cliff or unions for the workin man or the NOW GANG pretending to care about women, or naacp, , leftist , socialist commie pigs, ALWAYS, hide behind a CAUSE… ALWAYS

      Report Post »  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:14pm

      And they and their buddies are getting rich in the process!

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
  • billrow
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:15pm

    Wind power kills over 1/2 million birds (including endangered ones) each year.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Generation American
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:04pm

    Sustainability is no longer an option.
    Sustainability is an imperative.

    http://www.ibm.com/ibm/green/

    Go IBM Go Science

    Report Post » 13th Generation American  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:32pm

      Imperative for you maybe, i will work extra hard to burn the fossil fuel that your not consuming, or that you say or think your not consuming,.zzz

      Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:50pm

      IBM= intense bowel movement…..

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Generation American
    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:00pm

    International Business Machines
    That is wind power, with an annual growth rate of 39%. This is the largest increase in capacity on record—helped significantly by economic stimulus funding for green energy. Since 2002, the country’s installed base of turbines has jumped almost sevenfold. Today, wind power represents nearly two percent of the total power in the U.S.

    http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smart_grid/article/wind_power.html

    Report Post » 13th Generation American  
    • Drakkhanlord
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:16pm

      killing birds and bats by the thousands…2% WOW…How many 100‘s of billion ’s ?

      These sob‘s are shutting down America’s Energy for this BS…Fargin Criminal…

      Report Post » Drakkhanlord  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:23pm

      And in 25 years it will still represent 2% of our power. Cuz its a joke !!!!

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:24pm

      Yeah and bats are needed for the pollination process

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Generation American
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:43pm

      Those statements are false and besides, who on this website cares about birds, coal and oil kill tens of thousands of species and acid rain is ruining lake and river fishing throughout the US and the world. Get real will you.

      Report Post » 13th Generation American  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:47pm

      From the Washington Post:” Windmills kill nearly half a million birds a year, according to a Fish and Wildlife estimate. The American Bird Conservancy projected that the number could more than double in 20 years if the administration realizes its goal for wind power.”

      “Six birds found dead recently in Southern California’s Tehachapi Mountains were majestic golden eagles. But some bird watchers say that in an area where dozens of wind turbines slice the air they were also sitting ducks.”

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • 13th Generation American
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:14pm

      82DAIRBORNE

      So you must be against deep water drilling; the effects of the spill wiped out marine life for a generation

      Report Post » 13th Generation American  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:59pm

      13th – Drill baby drill! The earth naturally leaks several times the amount of the BP spill every year. And it has done so for thousands of years. The planet heals itself. You and your kind give us puny humans WAAAAAy too much credit. We aren’t that powerful.

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • bristoltrucker
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 1:25am

      The Deep Horizon spill occurred in September of 2010, it is now December of 2011 and the marine life in the Gulf was not killed off for a generation. The impact was low enough on the marine life that they have been back to harvesting marine life for food for quite some time; and that was in way less than a “generation.”

      Petroleum and natural gas spill into the worlds oceans every day wether we drill or not. There are cracks in the oceans floor were this seepage occurs daily. Here is a link to some information about it: http://oils.gpa.unep.org/facts/natural-sources.htm

      Report Post »  

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