Gizmodo: Bamboo

We May Need a Global Unit of 'Green', But It Won't Be Easy or Clear

Jason Chen — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:20:00 EDT

Ken Musgrave of Fast Company comes to the conclusion that we need a "unit" of green measurement for products, much the same way that calories and fat grams are used in food. Yes, but it won't be so easy.

How are we going to measure greenness? How much of the original product is used in the new, recycled product? How much energy in joules it takes to make this? How many pounds of carbon is spent? Many of these are nebulous numbers, and it takes a combination of them to determine whether or not one thing is "greener" than another. Something may be using 99% of its original materials but take a lot of energy to recycle, whereas something may be using very little original material but be quickly grown from the earth.

It's an interesting idea, but I don't see it happening any time soon, at least not in a way that actually helps people make a decision about which products to buy. [Fast Company]

Bamboo Speakers Aren't Just For Looks, Are Really Made of Bamboo

Adrian Covert — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:00:00 EST

Any set of speakers that only push 2W and cost $30 probably aren't the greatest, but you have to respect any piece of electronic gadgetry that's made of ACTUAL FREAKING BAMBOO.

According to Gadgets Alerts, the company chose bamboo because it provides a greater sound range than similarly spec'd speakers, but who knows for sure. Clearly, the reason for buying these is for geek bragging rights. [Bamboo Speakers via GadgetsAlerts via Technabob]

Bamboo Post-it Flash Drive is an Environmental Paradox

Mark Wilson — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:40:00 EST

Look at you, Mr. Bamboo drive. You're so eco-forward, abandoning plastic for a renewable resource. But wait, is that paper I see? You're not going to write on that, are you??

This Bamboo USB drive with built-in Post-its is, maybe, the absolute cutest little flash drive we've ever seen—in spite of its somewhat confusing stance on the environment. Of course, that cuteness comes at a premium beyond the glare of fellow earthy-crunchy office workers. A 2GB model runs $30, including just 100 miniature notes. And at that price, you may be better off just slicing dollar bills for your grocery lists (like I do now). It works OK as long as you start with crisp bills and keep your twenties far from the singles. [Daramouse via bbGadgets]

Lightning Review: Kangaroom Bamboo Laptop Stand and Charging Station

Jason Chen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EDT

The Gadget: Kangaroom's laptop stand and charging station, which offers a ventilated laptop stand as well as two phone/iPod holders so you can have a place to charge your gear without cluttering up your desk. It's even tilted, since many laptop users enjoy typing at an angle.

The Price: $45

The Verdict: We've been fans of Kangaroom's organizational kits for a while now, and this bamboo laptop stand continues their tradition of quality organizational products with a gadgety tint. In this case, this product design combines four good concepts into one useful device.

• Laptop stands = useful
• Things made out of bamboo = fun for eco-fetishists and pandas
• Gadget charger dock = good times for gadget-heads
• Ventilated middle = keeps your laptop cool

And all of those features in a sturdily constructed shape means we'd gladly pay the $45 for one of these. It even feels nice when you take it off a desk and put it on your lap, giving a nice bamboo barrier between a hot laptop and your fleshy (uncharred) thighs.

[Kangaroom]

Asus Reveals Bamboo-Trimmed U6, Ditches All-Bamboo EcoBook Concept

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:54:02 EDT

Asus showed us its newest U6 fashion laptop, trimmed with bamboo to give it an eco-friendly nature vibe. It works—the thing is exceptionally elegant, and you'll pay for that: the thing will ring up at around $2000. But what happened to the all-bamboo Asus EcoBook? Apparently, it's tough to pull off heat management. So way, really? Building laptops entirely out of wood is not a good idea? Whatever, we're actually pretty satisfied with this compromise. Have a look:

Chute Smartphone Concept Puts Wood in Your Pant Pockets

Haroon Malik — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 22:30:00 EST

The Chute Smartphone concept is a vision of the future, a future where cellphones are made of Bamboo, where cellphones have names like Chute and where ~~pot is not outlawed~~ renewable sources of energy have finally reached ubiquity. The details on the gadget that lies beneath the woody exterior is not mentioned beyond it being functional and powerful, but what more could we ask for in a smartphone? The unique feature is the Bamboo casing, which actually has some benefits over plastic, including its stronger build, lighter weight and far more environmentally friendly production. Bamboo is also completely biodegradable, which means the Lion King could explains its life in epic fashion to a cub lion. We love The Lion King. We love the Chute Smartphone concept. [Yanko]

Concept Stereo Adds Cuddle-ability to the Mix

Kit Eaton — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:08:24 EST

The base unit in this "Bamboo" concept sound system has a display, CD slot, controls and wireless connectivity, but the clever action is in its detachable speakers. Their curving LED display acts as a music visualizer, and when mated to the base they charge up—but when you unbolt them and connect them together directly, they become a portable unit that is comfy enough to snuggle up to when you're in bed. At least, that's the opinion of designer Soohyuk Im—we'd be happy to give the final word on the subject if the concept ever becomes reality. [Yankodesigns]

Asus' Updated EcoBook Bamboo Laptop Hands On (Gallery)

hook — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:15:34 EST

We reported on Asus' ultra green EcoBook bamboo laptop back in March, but now that we're seeing it in person, we can tell the design has changed. This latest edition of the bamboo beauty features even more wood accents than before with bamboo surrounding the touchpad, as well as the bamboo facade. The bamboo is also blonder now. Asus reps teased us that this, too, was just a prototype and that the design may well change again before its release in 2008. We didn't get any additional info on what the EcoBook would include under the hood except that it would be based on Intel's Core Duo 2 processor. Even so, we want one. [Asus]

Wacom Scraps Graphire for Bamboo

blongo3 — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:54:47 EDT

Wacom has replaced its old consumer model, Graphire, with a new two-model line called Bamboo and Bamboo Fun. First off, neither one of the new models can recognize that your pen is tilting, change functions depending on what application you're running, or use other non-Bamboo specific drawing pens.

But they both have added four programmable buttons as well as a large zooming/scrolling circle. The Bamboo is the more professional model of the two. It features a nice clean design, but lacks a larger tablet option, a mouse or even an eraser on the pen. But it's relatively cheap at $69.99. The Bamboo Fun, while looking significantly goofier, does include the pen, a larger tablet option and the mouse. But these extras bump up the price to $99.99 for the smaller tablet and $199.99 for the medium-sized one. Look for them later this month. [Crave]

Bamboo Helmet from Roof is for Eco Petrol-Heads

AddyDugdale — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:10:48 EDT

We've already covered denim crash helmets and now here's a bamboo version from Roof. The shell is constructed entirely from bamboo fibers, and has passed the E22-05 safety requirements needed in Europe.

The cost of this limited-edition helmet is $378 ( 189) and it's available in the UK. There, I managed to use the words wood, helmet and head without even the tiniest bit of innuendo. Are you proud of me, or just very disappointed? [Treehugger]

Bamboo Entertainment Center Looks Good, is Functional Too

Travis Hudson — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 20:15:14 EDT

Don't fret, bamboo lovers. There is more bamboo crap out there to sink your teeth in. This is a entertainment center constructed out of bamboo. Not only does it look good, but the way the bamboo is placed together allows better airflow from the hot components that are placed inside. If I was a rich panda bear, I would be all over this entertainment center. $1,599. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Treehugger]

First Look: Asus Ecobook Bamboo Laptop

Travis Hudson — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:30:56 EST

Holy crapola! It is double bamboo Thursday! If that bamboo LCD didn't fit your fancy, maybe this laptop will. The Asus EcoBook is a laptop set for release in 2008. It supposedly communicates Asus' eco-friendly message by being covered in beautiful bamboo. Man, I bet those ~~koala~~ pandas are getting pumped today! –Travis Hudson

Photos: The Asus EcoBook bamboo laptop [Via Crave]

Widescreen Bamboo LCD TV

Travis Hudson — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:45:42 EST

Just in case you have yet to find a TV to match all of the other bamboo crap in your house, this LCD may finally fill the bamboo-less void in your home theatre. Other than the koala-friendly finish, this is a very average LCD TV. It measures in at 19 inches wide and has a 1440 x 900 resolution, 700:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response time and it is available for $474.58. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via uber-review]

Bird-Electron EZ-TAKEGTF2 Electricity-Free Bamboo Speaker

Charlie White — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 13:16:35 EDT

No need to worry about batteries when you take along the Bird-Electron EZ-TAKEGTF2 electricity-free portable bamboo speaker ($199). Just plug the stereo miniplug into your MP3 player and you can rock the bamboo, off-grid style.

And bamboo, is, you know, sustainable. Get yourself a solar power unit for that iPod, and you'll be set to hunker down all the way through The End Times, where the definition of "sustainable" may mean lasting into the next day. What song will you listen to during the upcoming apocalypse? – Charlie White

Bird-Electron EZ-TAKEGTF2: Electricity-Free, Portable Bamboo Speaker [Treehugger]

Pantech's Four New Concept Phones

Jason Chen — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 18:30:00 EDT

Like concept cars, you either love a concept phone or hate it. Pantech's four designs are probably have a win ratio of 2-1-1, which isn't too bad. The first is Incense, which is long and has no screen. Maybe it folds out? It looks like an incense holder had a drunken night with an iPod and its glossy surface and gave the result up for adoption.

More after the jump.

The Wavelength looks like some kind of sea creature with its wavy base and pod-like peripherals. We can't even venture a guess as to how this one works.

The Shadow has the design of a Motorola PEBL, but more glossy than matted. We're guessing the smaller Shadow is some kind of speakerphone?

The Bamboo looks like a standard ~~slider~~ swiveler with a thin-waist. It's more traditionally-designed than the first two units, so it and the Shadow are probably the most likely ones to get to market. – Jason Chen

Pantech reveals four concept phones [Smartfone]

Images courtesy Telecoms Korea

Evergreen Bamboo Keyboard and Mouse

Charlie White — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 11:32:04 EDT

Sometimes you get sick of plastic everywhere, and if you're ready to go back to basics, check out this polished bamboo keyboard and mouse from Evergreen Japan. Bamboo is a readily renewable resource, and it's one of the hardest woods in existence. Heck, even ritzy houses have floors made of the stuff.

These fine computing accoutrements are not too expensive, either, for what you get—the keyboard is $68 and the mouse is $34. Available in Japan, can't tell if we we'll be getting them stateside anytime soon.

Evergreen DN-BBKB01 Bamboo Keyboard and Mouse [Newlaunches]

Gizmodo Japan: Bamboo Keyboard

gizmodo.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:05:18 EST

If the ultimate shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa had created a PC keyboard in the 15th century, it surely would have looked like this! At least that's what the package for this Links Bamboo keyboard suggests. This finely finished piece is called "Takechiyo" (in Japanese take means bamboo and chiyo translates to perpetuity) and was created by Links International. Should be available on February 11 for about $82. - SKN

Product Page [Links International]