EcoButton
The EcoButton is a cool USB gadget that saves you money and fights global warming! I can practically hear your tuts of disbelief back at Zath HQ. But seriously this little eco-friendly gizmo will do exactly that and even has the balls to gloat about it too!
I am talking about the EcoButton. Essentially it is a large nicely lit button that plugs into a USB port and once clicked puts your machine into “Eco Mode”. This allows your computer to go into a standby mode that only uses 1.8 watts of power (apparently that is loads less then most normal standby modes). “who cares” and “nothing new” I thought when I first saw it, but I decided to look a little deeper.
The cleverest bit about this device is the software it comes installed with. Once you take your computer out of eco mode (happens almost instantly) it brings up the EcoButton display page. This is where it gloats about how many spondoollies (£) and how much CO2 emissions you have saved while you have been AFK (away from keyboard).
I am no eco-warrior and have never thought about what my carbon footprint may be stepping on, but I find this information very gratifying. Imagine how enjoyable it will be informing eco-friendly people about the exact amount of CO2 you have saved or the feeling of self gratification when the little gadget shows you have saved the amount it cost for you to buy it. Satisfaction at its finest…almost.
As an additional feature the EcoButton also has a password protect function built in. This means that every time the Eco mode is cancelled you will be prompted for a password before you session will be restored. This is handy if you have family or co workers who enjoy jumping in you seat before its cold.
So now maybe we are all thinking the same thing. I wonder what I look like in woman’s underwear?…Just me?…Ok…But seriously why is this cheap addition not part of all PC’s? Still you can join the fight against the evil global warming, save yourself a few bob and secure your computer at the click of a button. Not bad for such a small gadget with a small price tag.
In Short: The EcoButton is a small gadget with a small price tag that can make big changes to the environment and your bank balance!
What a great gadget! I too am no eco warrior but I think the key to “doing our bit” for the planet is to make it fun (like this!) rather than boring (like not flying to far away destinations for your hols). Two thumbs up from me!
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Thanks for sharing all these insights, tips and resources. I will surely take note of all of these. I have in fact bookmarked your site.
This is really stupid. Laptops and most desktop computers already have a Standby button on the keyboard that puts your computer into the exact same “enhanced sleep mode.” The EcoButton is actually using more power than just using the existing sleep button, because the EcoButton is powered and stays lit when the computer is asleep (at least on computers that still power the USB ports when in sleep mode, like in the video).
I wonder how long it will take you to offset the manufacturing and transportation of this item not to mention the bus or car journey to purchase it. It would be more efficient to decrease the time your pc takes to go into standby and hibernation mode. Judging by the video clip, and the stats page it presents you with upon resume, they haven’t even tested it on differing screen ratios - hence the co2 and £ saved are not quite displayed in their box. - in my opinion it’s a badly designed novelty gimmick.
Some good points raised people. I appreciate all feedback, good and bad, as it should help me select better items in the future.
Thats a cool little button,and seeing how it isn’t really intrusive at all i think a lot of people that don’t normally think green will give it a chance.Expect this to be the norm in the future as we have no choice but to look after this planet and respect it.
electronic gift ideass last blog post..Where can I find a $2 electronic gift certificate?
This item is meant as a promotional product for companies to use or giveaway. The ecobutton promotes eco friendly thinking in the work environment. I would rather see companies utilize a product like this as a promotion that sending out items that are not made of recycled material and do not promote green thinking.