Tag:Tips
U-Socket
The U-Socket from FastMac features built-in USB ports. It is available in Decora style (shown to the right) and standard style. With so many smart phones, iPhones, gaming devices and other items that charge from USB style adapters, you need a place to charge without having to search out your charger or having to turn on your computer. U-Socket provides this.
U-Socket’s built-in smart sensor automatically detects required wattage and only outputs power when it’s needed and shuts off when it’s fully charged. This makes it a green solution as most chargers continue to try and charge when the device is fully charged or even when the device has been disconnected. Stoppng this kind of “Vampire Drain” is an easy energy saving solution.
We’re going to suggest this device for home office locations and for those counters in the kitchen or near the door where everything gets dropped when you enter your home. Personally, I’ve started using my phone as an alarm clock and the duplex I plug into isn’t conveniently accessible. That means I don’t unplug the charger during tthe day. This appears to be a great solution for this everyday problem.
For more about the costs of vampire drain and how to prevent it, check out the article at the Department of Energy site here.
Dewstop Fan Switch
Excessive condensation is an issue in bathrooms, particularly those with showers. The Dewstop Fan Switch by GTR Technologies is designed to prevent this problem. Code requires that all new bathrooms have exhaust fans. Often the fan does not get turned on when it is needed. Conversely, it may get left on and forgotten. The old solutions to this problem are motion sensors and timers, but neither of those solutions actually run the fan for the correct amount of time.
The Dewstop switch has a “Condensation Sentry” which detects condensation on nearby surfaces and automatically activates the exhaust fan, airing out the room until it reaches an acceptable humidity level. The fan then automatically shuts off. This means that the fan runs the correct amount of time and doesn’t waste energy by running too long and doesn’t risk moisture problems by not running long enough. That makes this a green solution to the problem.
The fan can be activated manually as well, so it can be run at other times as well. It is also available in a Fan/Light combination.
What’s missing here is a timer or motion sensor for the light switch. This would make it truly hands-free device. That would enhance it as a green device as well. Possibly that’s something that will be coming down the pike.
Color Matching Apps
Sherwin Williams and PPG Industries (Olympic Paint) have color matching applications for Android, iPad, iPhone and iPad Touch. Both applications allow a comparison of colors snapped with the device’s camera where applicable or from pictures downloaded or found online. Olympic Paint’s version is ColorClix. Sherwin Williams has ColorSnap.
I haven’t tried either of these yet, but I’m intrigued. I will try the ColorSnap since Sherwin Williams is in Plymouth and easily accessible. It is generally our go-to place. I’ll try to report back when I’ve tried it. I have it on my phone, so we shall see!
Follow up 10-8-12: I tried it and it has flaws. See details in a post here.
Write a Bike
Well, it’s a cool concept but there seems to be a few issues remaining before they go to production, i.e. I notice that none of the bikes shown have pedals and several of them don’t even make a connection between some of the letters. Other than that, it’s interesting…
