Green Gadgets

As morbid as it sounds, we as humans know we will not live on this earth forever. So in our minds, many of us go about our lives without even the slightest thoughts about saving the earth. So why even bother you say? Well, someday you will have kids (if you don’t already) and/or pets that will eventually outlive you. Are you sad yet? Well, let’s turn that frown upside down and pull together to save the planet for our kids and generations to come.

There are plenty of ways to help save this planet, one of which would be to use eco-friendly gadgets whenever possible. As technology advances, more eco-friendly gadgets are being created are readily available for everyday use. Let’s take a look at a few of these neat options.

Nest Thermostat

The Nest Thermostat has seen quite a bit of exposure in the past year or so, not to mention it has received multiple awards for its unique design. This is a popular but pricey thermostat that learns about your desired temperatures throughout the day and automatically sets itself up in the most efficient matter. It is also directly connected to your home Wi-Fi so you have the ability to change any settings on the go using their mobile app. You can start cutting back on your energy costs and start saving on your electric bill with the Nest Thermostat. http://www.nest.com/

Solar Power Gadgets

Many gadgets on the market use the sun as a source of energy. Solar power can be easily converted to power phone chargers, music players, and lighting. This is very useful for when you are traveling and are on the move frequently.

Suntrica, Solio, and XTG are a few solar power phone charging manufactures. The differences between them vary in durability, size, voltage, and price. These products are perfect to have around on that vacation where you spend most of your time outdoors traveling between multiple locations. I personally find this useful for those day long music festivals since my phone is in constant use from taking pictures, recording video and locating friends. Stop worrying about your cell phone battery life and just worry about enjoying life. http://www.suntrica.com/ http://www.solio.com/chargers/ http://www.xtgtechnology.com/

Solar-powered docks and speakers can be useful on camping trips and any outdoor get together. Eton offers a solar-powered iPod docking station that plays your iPod through speakers while charging your device at the same time. Who really likes buying expensive batteries anyways? http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/soulra-xl

The Honeywell Wireless Outdoor Solar Speaker offers a transmitter that hooks up to your music device while transmitting your tunes to an all-weather outdoor speaker. The outdoor speaker is designed with a solar panel to soak in energy from the sun. This is perfect for storing your music device indoors while playing your music pool side. http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Wireless-Outdoor-Solar-Speaker/dp/B003UL...

Gramo Speakers are exactly what the green doctor has ordered. The actual speaker surface is made of three layers of photovoltaic panels. This design is actually very attractive and eye-catching. The panels actually store power in a built in battery pack making sure your beach party lasts all night long. http://www.designboom.com/project/gramo/

Solar power lighting comes in all shapes and sizes. As you drive around town, you may not be aware of it, but you are passing solar power lighting on a daily basis. Light posts, lawn lights, house lights, and other various city lights are being powered by the sun. There are plenty of manufactures that offer solar power lighting, however your decision should be determined based on your needs and budget. Head over to your local Home Depot or Lowes to check out the different types of solar power lighting.

Water Based Gadgets

No sun? No Problem! The MYFC PowerTrekk is a portable fuel cell charger that runs on regular water. It can charge your phone as well as any of your other USB connected devices. This is perfect for that week long trek up to Machu Picchu. This is a fairly new product so availability is limited at this time. http://www.powertrekk.com/powertrekk/

Are blackouts problematic in your area? Are you heavily dependent on your clock to keep you on track each day? This cool little water clock will solve that problem. The Bedol Water Clock works on the natural power of water and salt for up to three months. You’ll have the correct time for your whole life as long as you own this clock and water is available. http://www.bedol.com/

These gadgets are just a few of the cool eco-friendly products that are available on the market today. I understand that living 100% green is quite difficult for us normal city folk, however these products can point us in the right direction, which is ultimately beneficial for the planet. Unplug from the power grid, save yourself some money on electricity, and become an eco-friendly gadget owner today!