It seems that when it comes to being environmentally friendly, people can come up with so many excuses, especially in the business and technology world.  It’s either too much work or too expensive.  In the past, big companies have only been interested in looking at environmental issues if it made them look good or increased sales. 

These days, if you don’t do your part, you’re behind the times.  It’s pretty much impossible to conduct any business that isn’t easy on Mother Earth.  There are numerous outlets for information to help consumers and businesses get with the program.

Here are some resources that are very helpful:

“Share the Technology” is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting the word out about recycling and donating used computers.  Their website includes tips on donating, places to donate or recycle, and other useful information regarding our responsibility to protect the environment from the toxins in computers.

GreenMachineShop is a Michigan-based outlet that sells green desktop computers, laptops and peripherals that contain over 97% less toxins, carcinogens and brominated flame retardants, compared to other computers.  Their PCS are also RoHS compliant (Restrictions on the use of Hazardous Substances in electronic equipment).

If you’re looking to “greenify” your life, look no further than Gaiam, a green lifestyle company that offers everything from apparel to solar technologies to electric transportation.  Check out their swanky electric bicycles here:  http://www.gaiam.com/retail/3/SL_SustTransport_ElectricVehicles

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There’s some more great news from the “One Laptop Per Child” camp.  Between November 12 and November 26, U.S. residents will be able to purchase two of Nicholas Negroponte’s XO laptops for a total of $399.  One laptop with be sent to a child in a developing nation and one will be delivered to your home.  You can only order them during the two week window, but your personal XO will arrive just in time for Christmas.

I know there are many people out there looking to do their part in bridging the digital divide at home and abroad.  What better way than snagging a piece of computer history and making a donation at the same time.  Read more about the “Give 1 Get 1” initiative here:  http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/usa/olpc_xo_laptop_sale.html

Cool News:

Researchers in Japan are using robotics once again to make strides in the field of medicine.  A robot with a silicone tongue and motorized jaw is being developed to mimic oral movements needed for speech.  The robot will use a computer program to aid in speech therapy and also serve as a tool to teach foreign language.

San Francisco Japantown’s Best Western Hotel Tomo has reopened its doors recently with a bunch of features catering to Japanese culture freaks like myself.  The guest rooms are for geeked-out with flat screen TVs, iPod docks and Wi-Fi, of course.  The best part of the new look, though, is the manga and anime theme.  Beautiful murals are all over the hotel’s ceilings and walls.  The icing on the cake - two gaming suites that have PS3 and Wii consoles.  I know where I’ll be next weekend.  See pictures here:  http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/multimedia/2007/09/gallery_hoteltomo

According to Saul Hansell of The New York Times, Google will further its conquest of world domination by building its own trans-Pacific cable to save data transmission costs by 2009.  It will be part of a project called “Unity” that includes other telco companies and will rival Verizon’s project that is working with Asian companies to build a cable from the U.S. to China.

Yahoo! is about to unleash its own version of a friend-based social networking service called Mash.  Users will be able to customize pretty much anything they want on their page and even add things like Flickr stream and RSS feeds.  One of the cooler features that stand out is the ability to leave your profile open so friends can modify as they so please!

Huh?:

It’s almost time for Eastwick Communications’ Black & Orange Bash again and I’ve found the perfect gift for our Witches of Eastwick.  There’s a new flying witch arcade game where the user actually rides a broom!  It sure beats the pants of DDR but I need to figure out how much it will cost to ship it from the Land of the Rising Sun.  Practice your Japanese and check it out here:  http://www.gizmodo.jp/2007/09/tgs2007_11.html

Coolest-Gadgets.com recently ran a post about a cat language translation mechanism called the Meowlingual Cat Translation device.  Although ridiculous, there are some people I know that might shell out the $75 for one of these, including myself.  Who wouldn’t like to know which of the three cat activities - eating, pooping and sleeping - my Anabelle is fussing about?

Gamercize has finally found the way to get gamers off the couch and exercising.  The company has developed little step machines and power cycles that hook up to your PS2.  The users have to “workout” at a certain intensity level or the controller disconnects from the console.  Where you at Wii?

Sad News:

The king of mimes, Marcel Marceau, passed away last Saturday at the age of 84.

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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls . . . I would like to welcome you to the world of Mo. Here we will discuss consumer electronics’ impact on the world and what companies are doing to make that impact a good (and quite often bad) one.

This is my first post and I’d like to start off easy by highlighting some of the stories that grabbed my attention over the past week or so:

Last week Wired ran an interview called “Spying in the Death Star: The AT&T Whistle-Blower Tells His Story” that featured Mark Klein, the retired San Francisco AT&T technician that brought the telcom heavyweight’s involvement in the NSA wiretapping to light. It’s a very interesting interview where he talks about why he came forward and how AT&T was aiding the US government.

Japanese vending machine company Apex Corp introduced a new system that will vend free drinks if customers watch a 30-second commercial. This is an interesting development for marketers trying to find different ways to reach consumers in a world filled with advertising noise. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Japan, but it’s pretty noisy! Link 

On a similar note, Mad4Mobile Phones has a patent for phones that will display Google ads.  Another huge jump in targeted advertising.  Link 

On May 9, John Fontana over at NetworkWorld wrote a story about Microsoft and Best Buy facing racketeering charges in a seven year-old case.  The charges allege that consumers had MSN accounts activated and were being charged unknowingly when they bought a new computer.  Fascinatingly, Microsoft began to offer customers refunds for this in 2003 and say the charges are just “procedural”.  Read more here. 

Finally, in one of the most important announcements of the 21^st century, Spinal Tap is reuniting for the Live Earth concerts on July 7.  You can read more and watch the group’s new 15-minute film here.

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