Cisco Innovates...

Cisco has introduced Home energy systems that monitors usage of electricity and enables you to minimize wastage. It is a touch screen device with energy management software that enables you to maintain your electricity usage. This device is initially working with Duke Energy while Cisco has plans to provide it to other energy utilities too.
For all the home based devices this controller will be behaving as a hub and display their energy usage wirelessly. The devices can be connected using a two way switch while with the controller the devices will communicate via Zigbee protocol. In this manner you can connect several devices with the controller and make use of electricity efficiently.
Cisco plans to add more protocols apart from Zigbee. Cisco has ventured into the energy sector with companies like Duke Energy, Enmax, and Yellow Storm. It has also invested into a smart grid setup using wimax by Gridnet.

Both Google and Microsoft also provide web interfaces for your energy usage name Powermeter and Hohm application respectively. Cisco has first time introduced a handheld device for this purpose. Cisco is also involved in smart grid projects with IBM to develop an efficient electrical distribution system.
This is definitely a breakthrough in the energy sector by Cisco. However this concept should also be introduced in the developing countries to help them utilize electricity in the best way.

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Charge Your Mobile Phones…As You Ride! By Nokia

Are you agitated with the inability to charge your mobile phones because of the frequent power outages? If so, there is nothing to be bothered about any more. Mobile manufacturer giant, Nokia, has come up with something extremely innovative – the bicycle charger kit, which allows the riders to charge their mobile phones as they ride.
With this pioneering idea, Nokia is not only targeting emerging markets, but also the developed countries where bicycles are increasingly used as a cheaper means of transport. It is indeed apparent that Nokia does not eye technology as a marketing tool but consider it a strategy aimed at empowering the world.
The Kit will supply free and environment-friendly electricity for the mobile phones. The unit comprises of a charger, a dynamo, and a holder to secure the phone with the bike. The Dynamo is basically a small electrical generator which is driven by the bike wheels to charge the handset through the non-standard 2mm charging jack used in most Nokia mobile phones. It is said that the charging time is speed dependant, but on an estimate, a cyclist riding for 10 minute at 6mph (or 10 km/h) will generate sufficient power for 28 minutes of talk time or 37 hours of standby time. In fact, for effective charging, a speed of around 4 mph (6 kph) should be maintained.
The pedal-powered-charger is uncovered at the Nokia Global Entry launch in Nairobi, Kenya, which undoubtedly assures an increase in the number of Nokia mobile phone users there. By the end of the year, it will be available in the Ugandan market as well.
Nokia chose Kenya for the launch, as the product is initially aimed at emerging markets and places where electricity is inadequate, unpredictable or costly. Nokia is also seeking to extend the eco-friendly technology in the near future.

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