ThinkEco's smart outlet cuts wasted power (photos)
At the Consumer Electronics Show, ThinkEco said that its power-saving smart outlet, which cuts wasted power, will be available in the spring.
Martin LaMonica
Martin LaMonica is a senior writer covering green tech and cutting-edge technologies. He joined CNET in 2002 to cover enterprise IT and Web development and was previously executive editor of IT publication InfoWorld.
LAS VEGAS--ThinkEco's modlet is a plug equipped with a Zibgee radio that can communicate with a PC through a USB key. The system can track how much energy electronics use with the modlet and let people schedule things to turn off at set times. It lets people cut down on wasted power when things are left on but aren't being used or by eliminating stand-by and vampire power. A consumer product, priced at $50, is due this spring.
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Energy dashboard
A look at the software application that works with the modlets. This is the energy usage at an office, where you can see the power drops to zero at certain times every day, eliminating stand-by power.
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iPhone app
ThinkEco is preparing an iPhone application, due this spring, for scheduling when to turn things off and to monitor electricity. The company is also preparing a power strip, which will be available this summer.
