Standby Energy Wastage

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 10% to 15% of the energy load of a state is consumed by standby power. This wastage takes place through many electronic devices in your home that are always on, even when you think they're off. These "miscellaneous" devices include computers, digital video recorders, power tools and chargers for cellphones--which drain even when not charging. Some of these adapters can draw as much as 5 to 20 times more energy in standby mode that is actually stored in the battery. Most stay plugged 24 hours 7 days for their entire lifetime.

For example, computers are a huge standby drain. Traditional computers average 35.5 watts in standby, while laptops average 16.5 watts. Screen savers actually make things worse, using 28% more power than normal. Other large standby drainers include ink jet printers, which can use from three to 20 watts, and mini-stereos, which can consume from one to 25 watts.

In June 2001 President Bush required the government to purchase appliances, and chargers, that used the least standby power. At the time, the White House estimated the U.S. could save from $1 billion to 2 billion in energy bills if standby settings used one watt or less. The EPA estimates that there are 1 billion chargers in the U.S. and predicts that number will grow. In January, Energy Star began a major campaign to make chargers at least 35% more efficient. By doing this, the EPA believes it can save more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equal to that generated by 150,000 cars.

New Dual-Mode Blackberry Model

In an apparent bid to take on Apple's heavily hyped iPhone, the BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. released its first dual-mode, Wi-Fi/cellular device, the 8820. The new 8820 supports Unlicensed Mobile Access technology, which allows users to move between cellular and Wi-Fi networks without losing a connection. The company said the new model features support for EDGE networks as well as built-in GPS, removable memory cards and stereo Bluetooth.

RIM has been targeting the consumer market after enjoying success in the corporate market for years. Its push e-mail software allows customers to access their e-mail in real time. The 8820 will be RIM's first dual-mode smartphone and its thinnest with a full keyboard.

Although the company did not offer pricing information on the phone, it said the new 8820 will be through AT&T Mobility sometime later this summer.

The dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi roaming appears to be gaining steam as T-Mobile USA Inc. recently announced the nationwide availability of its HotSpot@Home service, which is supported by two handsets and allows users to conduct voice calls while moving between cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Cincinnati Bell also offers such services.