mushroom

Charger helps solve vampire power problem (video)

Who hasn't left their various mobile devices plugged in long after they're fully charged?

A new product -- still a prototype but expected to go on sale soon -- aims to solve the problem of so-called vampire power. Plug your device into the Mushroom GreenZero charger, and when your device is fully charged, the charger will turn off automatically. SmartPlanet's Sumi Das takes a closer look at the handy device.

This video originally appeared on SmartPlanet with the headline "Charging devices eliminate vampire power."

Mushroom kit has roots in used coffee grounds (video)

If you're a city dweller who dreams of moving beyond growing mint on your kitchen windowsill, you can impress your friends with something more: oyster mushrooms.

As UC Berkeley students, the co-founders of "Back to the Roots" discovered they could grow mushrooms using recycled coffee grounds. Now their DIY mushroom kit sells at grocery stores across the country.

The pair developed a "grow it at home" kit where the soil is made from used coffee grounds and mushroom spawn, or seed, gets mixed in. Co-founder Nikhil Arora tells SmartPlanet how the idea grew and about … Read more

Do you want me to draw you a map?

OkMap is a free geographical software package that can create, edit, and manage digital maps, import data from GPS devices, scanners, and other sources, plot your position in real time, and extract statistics.

With its detailed toolbar and feature-packed menu bar, OkMap's interface bears a strong resemblance to digital imaging and word processing tools, but with a specific geographical focus. The program opened with an optional tool tip that we could click through for a general view of the program's capabilities. An online-hosted, PDF-based Help file does an excellent job of explaining this versatile application's many features … Read more

Slice mushrooms with one push

When I'm done slicing a mushroom, it tends to look like I used a saw. With the Mushroom Slicer, though, it's easy to get thin slices that look good and all it takes is one little push. The slicer looks like a glass, but has blades in the base. You line it up over the mushroom and press downwards. It chops mushrooms and collects the slices in the cup, with each new mushroom pushing the last upwards. The Mushroom Slicer works with other small fruits and vegetables of similar almost-firm consistencies--strawberries and tomatoes come to mind.

The Mushroom … Read more