On this episode of Spark: Solar Gadgets, Tactile Telepresence, and Social TV. Click below to listen to the whole show, or download the MP3 (runs 54:00).
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:35 — 50.1MB)
You can also listen to individual stories below.
Social Solar-power Gadget Chargers
Play audio:
Solar Charger Giveaway: Changers sent us a solar charger kit to give away to one lucky Spark listener — maybe you! Entering is easy: scroll down to leave a comment on this page, and tell us what device you would like to charge using solar power. All entries will be entered into a draw, and we’ll select the winner at noon ET on November 18, 2011. The winner will be contacted by email. This draw is open to Canadian residents only. Good luck!
Social TV
Play audio:
Being There Without Being There
Play audio:
- Video of Nora sending her heartbeat across the Atlantic Ocean
- Graham Smith’s Displaced Perspectives 2.0
- InterAccess
- The Strategic Arts Initiative
Teens, Social Media, Kindness and Cruelty
Play audio:
DIY Foodies
Play audio:
Additional Links
Spark Podcast
You can receive Spark automatically by subscribing to any of our totally free podcasts.
For your contest:
I'm a photographer, and I'd be completely lost without my digital cameras and my laptop. I'm one of those people who are blessed to love their work, and both my working hours and my playing hours involve making images on these devices. I'd love to win – I'd feel less guilty about the power I draw with these devices!
I'd be lost without my iPhone. Because if it dies, or is lost, then I've got no way to connect to Stitchr and listen to the CBC Spark PodCast, or any way to connect to Facebook so that I can share what cool things I just heard on CBC Spark, or any way to +1 an article I read on the CBC Spark blog on Google+, or text my wife and let her know that I heard an awesome interview on CBC Spark that she may want to listen to so she can improve her graduate Sociology work… I have some older panels that I use when I go camping, but the Changer panel would replace them for the better.
I would not be able to go on without my phone and camera.
I would really like to charge my ipod with solar. Music and sunshine sounds like heaven to me.
Would have to say…I would charge my cat's waterbed. So much more efficient that our current setup of getting the mini-greyhound to 'pre-warm' it using body heat.
Not unique, but I too would most likely use this to charge my iPhone.
Solar charger if I'm lucky…
I need it for "all of the above" reasons: podcasts (Spark and Spark Plus are my favourite, REALLY, TRUE! STAMPED IT!) and audiobooks as well as my music collection. I alternate between my Touch and my Nano, depending on whether or not I need a radio (to listen to CBC). I always have one on the charger, but I'd rather be green, and if I'm lucky, I will be.
This is my chance to say that Nora Young simply makes Spark. I'd listen, just to hear her laugh.
Thanks,
Ron Mackenzie
I would charge my cell phone and my laptop and my bluetooth. Great show btw!
I think Spark needs a scientist! Any discussion of 'alternative' energy needs at least a bit of a scientific view to answer a simple question: How many charges do I need to get from the solar panel to simply break even? 100? 200? 500? This is the energy needed to create the panels, assemble the charger, ship it, run the social network, disassemble it (in some sort of environmentally friendly way, right?) If you put ALL that energy into the production of the charger, then use it 3 times for FREE ELECTRICITY FROM THE SUN!!! you've ended up wasting an awful lot of energy in the process, but hey, ignorance is bliss…
That's a very good point. I'll raise it at our story meeting. It might make for a good segment.
That would be great. People want to do good. Companies want to help them, but also make money. Helping us understand the costs of clean tech would make it possible for people to make informed decisions…
I had a telus solar recharge for my cell phone, it only fill 10% to tie me to my next charge. Is this one a 100% full charge? I will completely lost without my cell phone.
I'd charge 2 things – iPhone 4S and iPad2 with the solar charger.
Awesome story on being green in a high tech world. I would use the device to charge my iPhone of course! Now there is no need for a desktop, laptop, or power outlet!
I'd charge my iPhone. Love the idea! This would be perfect while I'm in the train, going to university!!
I would charge an iPod Touch so it's always ready to listen to the Spark podcasts.
Hey Nora,
I would say I would be really lost without my iPad, This is a "swiss army knive" of devices, I use mine as my TV, Radio, Game System, Book Reader, and of course, keeping up with the latest edition of Spark! Love the Show, keep it up!
I lost my grand mother in the past year. I don't have good photos of her. We have photos, but they are blurry and most of them don't show her smiling. I miss her.
I remember that last summer, we were alone together with in the family cottage … laughing together, having fun together. I didn't take a photo or record her laughs. My phone was dead.
I miss her.
I'd use it to charge my short wave radio. In fact, it used to be run off of a solar system when we lived off the grid in DRCongo. Now we are back in Canada, it is tuned to CBC and wakes us up every morning during the week. While we could live without it, we'd rather not have to make that choice.
Sounds great for my iPhone. Great Show – Keep doing exactly what you are doing – Love IT !!!!
We have a new baby, and my digital camera is getting used more than ever before. I notice I'm pulling out the charger more than I ever have… and, plugging it into our coal-fired electrical outlet (we live in Nova Scotia, where most of our power comes from coal). It's ironic/sad that I'm taking pictures and making memories of our little one, and polluting the planet he'll be inheriting at the same time!
I would charge my blackberry and Ipod! I am lost whenever I leave home without my Blackberry as it has replaced my watch.
I would charge my cell phone. My cell has everything I need to keep my day going. Charging my cell phone is something I do every day!
This was a great episode
I'd use it to charge my blackberry for sure. I wish that this concept could be used in large scale data centers. Most Telco phone datacenters have Large AC/DC inverters and all they would need to do is mount the Solar pannels on the roofs of thse places to assist them in charging these large battery installations. they would reduce the demand on the AC grids.
With three teenagers, a work from home business, plus a home office for our excavating business, cell phones would be number one on the list. Next would be my laptop! Unfortunately, no e-readers or tablets in our household yet…I think that might be on my list for Santa… but I'll be happy with real book too! Love the show – very informative!
I love the idea of rewarding people for being energy-conscious and responsible, instead of punishing them for not.
I'd LOVE to charge my iPhone with solar power! I use my iPhone for so many things – checking the weather forecast, reading the news, text messaging, listening to music, converting currencies and units of measurement, taking and editing pictures, reading and responding to e-mail, as GPS for my car, monitoring my gym progress, reading and rating recipes, listening to CBC podcasts, and oh yeah! as a phone too.
In the summer I love going camping, canoeing and hiking with my family. With my iPhone taking high quality pictures and videos, I started leaving my big camera at home on these trips. Imagine my disappointment, though on day 2 or 3 when my battery runs out and I can't get that picture of the view from the cliffs in Killarney park, or the crystal clear water in Algonquin lakes.
This charger would not only allow me to always leave my camera at home on outdoor trips, but also to help me justify taking technology out into the wilderness!
Thanks for a great show.
Just listened to CBC Spark and heard for the first time of the changer panel…..sounds very interesting and I love the idea to be able to keep my iPad and cell phone charged like that….wonderful idea and how great to entice people to use this.
its like an addiction for me, i am constantly charging up my iphone, ipad, laptop, GPS, DVD player, you name it i got it. but of all the items i have, i rely on my iphone the most, I have my business, my home, cell numbers all forwarded to my iphone, i am constantly using it. I use it so much, my phone bill comes to me with up to 8 pages of calls on it, thats between 5-7,000 minutes, but you know the big thing about it is, in the right hand column, it says 0 for charges on all the calls, ok, i will say 99.9% . as I have it rigged up in such a way, that i do not get charged for out going calls, and pay the extra for all incoming calls.
So, you can see, I rely on my iphone a lot. i have been fortunate to be able to get home before it dies when the 10% battery power left shows red. DANGER zone.
I do enjoy CBC and the different programs you have, ok, i'm kissing up, i do listen to it 95% of the time. the other time i am sleeping.
I recently decided to forgo the use of a cellphone, recognising that I do not need to be reached 24/7 by phone; however, I could not think of leaving my house without my iPod Touch. With wi-fi hotspots becoming more and more common, I use my iPod to check the Internet, e-mails, Google+ and Facebook, and even to send text messages for free. Using solar power would be an excellent way to keep it charged, and the social media aspect is very intriguing.
As someone has pointed out, doing the math is important if you want to understand the impact you’re having on the environment and the real costs.
The solar charger mentioned is just 4 watts. At best, it can replace about 5.8 kWh per year of grid electricity (or about $1 at today’s prices in Ontario).
Once you evaluate the embedded energy (materials and manufacturing), this is really just a feel-good product with no net benefit.
However, in remote areas, or for emergency use, it could be quite useful. Although I would be wary of the built-in proprietary battery, which may have some maintenance issues if not used regularily and have a limited life-span (with replacement cost).
I bought a similar panel of 2 watts output about 20 years ago that I used at the cottage to drive a radio. Note that after about 10 years it only put out half the power.
My iPhone is something I would be lost without. I take it everywhere. I never thought a piece of technology could be so important but it is like an extension of my brain now. I use it for everything!
Social charger concept is interesting. I would use the solar charger for my Netbook…but i think now will be getting a iPad…oh well…great program.
I would use it to charge my iPad. I got it for fun and now it has become essential: I surf the net, get the news, listen to the radio, and read library books on it. Oh, and I take photos and video of my kids. I pretty much carry it with me wherever I go in the house.
I love this idea! So many devices to charge – my laptop, my ipods and the "I can't live without" device- my iphone. As a self employed person this is my lifeline to my clients and so much fun when I'm not working But what I'm most excited about is to have a device to take with me on wilderness trips or even just when I'm out camping. Or when I'm at my friends cabin for a week that has no electricity but has become in cell phone range now (we used to use a satellite phone many years ago as our emergency communication device). Fabulous!
I am a big fan of innovative sustainable products, as a wired engineering student and photographer I cannot live without my electronics — especially my computer and camera.
Does the Changer also absorb vitamin D;
we could all use a bit more in these cold mos,
including our tech pets.
I'd opt for a healthier phone.
Even if I live in one the sunniest parts of Canada,
I usually leave and arrive home in the dark
and charge at night, so it'll be a bit of a
routine 'change'.
I work on the lee side of the building
so I'd switch to charging in the car.
With that said, once people alter their charge location
and time of day, it'll save even more CO2;
people won't leave their phone charging
through the night, for more than it needs.
I enjoyed the extreme bookends of 162;
how much energy do those sous-vide cookers use?
I guess I can't enter the contest for the solar charger because I don't think it's large enough to keep my stove or furance going if the power goes out! Other than that, there's nothing I would miss. For those who can't live without their phones though, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd occasionally look up when you're out in public and running into me on the sidewalk – would love to meet you but not if you can't look me in the eye.
thanks for excellent report on personal solar and wind energy for electronic devices. I would like to run my computer on solar or wind energy. As a member of Go Green Delta and the municipal Environment Advisory Committee (Delta), this would be an excellent experiment.
My laptop has easily become my largest energy hog!
I would use the solar charger to charge my ipod touch that I use to listen to CBC radio and cel phone
This is amazing… Well I acquired my iPad II a few months ago and it has made my life easier, I thought it was going to be a mere toy but here I am bringing it to every single university class taking notes, making presentations, writing essays and whatever needs to be done for all my school needs. But I've also become more informed especially with the sweet CBC apps that are available for free! Im On this device constantly and charging it every single day. I felt the charger a few days ago and the intense heat coming from it and wondered about the added energy I was consuming. Then I heard your program this afternoon and was excited about this product, but immediately disappointed that it was not available in Canada
… Please consider a poor university student who is trying to be environmentally aware for this amazing new product. Thanks a bunch
I grow a heritage chicken for the retail market. I want to build a barn that is environmental smart, leaves less of a carbon footprint, but using the smart tools of today's technology; so a solar charger would power the computerized equipment, the alarm system, as well as the cell phones required to communicate. This show left me feeling very excited!!! Thank you.
We live a great distance from our family. Without SKYPE via laptop, tablet or phone our parents wouldn't have the benefit of seeing their grandchildren grow-up. We can't live without it.
I'm an IT Professional and support Critical Public Safety Systems…
All my communications are via email and my 'Blackberry,' which, sometimes (depending upon the usage) it simply just runs out of steam – and I need to recharge FAST! – I don't have many options except to carry more batteries or find a (sometimes) not so convenient hydro-outlet…
Wouldn't it be nice if I could maximize my time and support availability without relying on the 'grid' – taking advantage of the Sun's Energy and doing my small part in helping reduce CO2 emissions?
As a group we are committed to 'Green-initiatives' in many areas and what better way to personally demonstrate this, than a visible initiative in the form of a Solar Charger!
I applaud the initiative and definitely want in!
TB
I would use my Changer to charge my laptop (hopefully), or if not, my AA/AAA charger (hopefully), or if not, my cell phone/camera/PDA unit.
Recently I went on a road trip with my little 4 year old boy. The car was packed to the brim with toys, books, pillows, blankets, bags, boxes, snacks, cds, phones (american and canadian lines), a bike, and the numerous remote control gadgets that my son loves etc. On our last stop before home we packed up everything, double and triple checked to be certain we had everything, hopped back in our car and set up my laptop so my little guy could watch a movie as we drove. We got home just as the laptop battery was dying but discovered when we started unpacking that we had left the All important Power Cord at our friend's down in the states. WOW! I had no idea how Very Important that power cord was until, after 2 days of not being able to use my laptop, and therefore being cut off from Everything, I had to go purchase a replacement cord for $85. Sooooooooooo, when I heard your show today I thought how great it would be to be able to use solar energy to power up!
I would charge my cellular phone. It was my 'life-line' to the outside world while I was quite seriously ill and in hospital for a few months… All is much better now & I am thankful to be alive & have such amazing family and friends who stay in touch. I even got my mother to get my cousin to teach her how to text so Mom & I could correspond/communicate while I was ill. My Mom just turned 60 so that is quite a feat for someone who is not really into technology-stuff.
I would charge my smartphone or my ipod, it would be great to charge camera batteries too!
I have a little table with a drawer in it where I keep a whole lot of chargers. 2 x cell phones, 3 x MP3 players, Kobo, Netbook, Camera, AA, AAA chargers for TV remotes, headlamps, etc. Would love to be able to change any of these with a good solar charger.
Having said that, when somebody states the "aggregate consumption of portable devices" is significant, you really should put numbers to that. My PC with dual monitors, and all the required attached devices, uses more power in one day than all my portable devices combined use in a month. And my PC power is dwarfed by the electrical consumption of my water heater, or my heat pump. So, solar charging for me is more about convenience and conscience than about saving power from the grid.
To put things into perspective, here are more numbers on solar charging: The estimated maximum 5.8 kWh this charger can deliver in one year is equal to the amount of energy in the gasoline used to move the average car 6.2 kilometres. (One day’s solar energy, about 17 metres.)
Hi Nora
I'd love to win it to charge my digital camera, cell phone and iPod. Can't live without any of them
I would use this to charge my iPod. I usually download the Spark podcasts and listen to them when I run. It will also be very useful for my next vacation trip.
The main thing I would charge up would be my cell phone, but I would also use it to charge up my camera's battery.