Nikki Inderlied, i4U News Entertainment Journalist, interviews Fabian Akker, Gamer Designer Ronimo Games, about his hit FREE downloadable game "The Blob".

Nikki Inderlied, i4U News Entertainment Journalist, interviews Adam Brandi, International Content Researcher, regarding the One Laptop Per Child Association at the 2007 Game Development Conference.

One Laptop per Child association.

The mission of this non-profit association is to develop a low-cost laptop—the "$100 Laptop"—a technology that could revolutionize how we educate the world's children. Our goal is to provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment, and express themselves.

Why do children in developing nations need laptops? Laptops are both a window and a tool: a window into the world and a tool with which to think. They are a wonderful way for all children to learn learning through independent interaction and exploration.

News Source: i4U News



The Tritton Technologies AXPC headphones for the PC are USB powered and promise to deliver true 5.1 audio via one single USB connection. A removable mic works for online gaming and VOIP as well.

Each ear cup uses four speakers for center, front, rear and subwoofer along with an integrated in-line audio control with volume adjustments for the individual channels. A master volume and a mic mute switch are also included. Read More

powered by ODEO
Katelyn Olmstead, WomenGamers.com, and Jack Olmsted, 4-H Network News, chat with the founders of the ACK-Ladies and AntiClanKlan.

We are now scheduling interviews with gamers (limit 3) that own Super Paper Mario or Pokemon Diamond & Pokemon Pearl. If you are interested in participating in this upcoming podcast, post a comment on our profile.

NOTE: You must have a Skype account.

play longer. same the earth with eneloop

Laptop, walkman, toys, cell phone, calculator—these are just some of the things that need batteries to function in our daily lives. The U.S. EPA estimates that more than 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased annually in the United States. Batteries are a unique product comprised of heavy metals and other elements that make things "portable". Some of these toxic heavy metals include nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, nickel metal hydride and lead acid. It is these elements that can threaten our environment if not properly discarded.

Batteries may produce the following potential problems or hazards:

Pollute the lakes and streams as the metals vaporize into the air when burned.
Contribute to heavy metals that potentially may leach from solid waste landfills.
Expose the environment and water to lead and acid.
Contain strong corrosive acids.
May cause burns or danger to eyes and skin.

In 1996, the Battery Act was signed into law to address two fundamental issues according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency: to phase out the use of mercury in batteries and to provide collection methods and recycling/proper disposal of batteries. Batteries that end up in landfills and incinerators eventually leak into the environment and end up in the food chain, causing serious health risks to humans and animals.

Not all batteries are the same and they require specific instructions to ensure each type of battery is properly discarded or recycled. The batteries consumers are more likely to use are household, nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), button cell, automotive and non-automotive lead-based batteries. Read More

Tomorrow, Nintendo of America is holding a launch party for Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl at the Nintendo World Store in New York City.

The webcast of the Big Apple event will be at 1-5pm (EST) on Pokemon.com.



If you attend the launch, take your digital camera and post some of your photos/videos in our comments. It is time to charge your batteries.

Take more photos, record more videos with eneloop batteries

Press Release:

Recharge, Re-use, Recycle With Next Evolution in Batteries

More than 149 million tons of batteries are disposed of every year in the United States. To help reduce some of this waste, Sanyo Energy (USA) Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, offers the next evolution in batteries, the non-disposable battery eneloop.

eneloop proposes a new lifestyle, one where a rechargeable battery is used like an alkaline battery and is ready for use immediately after purchase. From the packaging to the battery design, eneloop is reusable with the capacity to be used again and again - up to 1000 times*. SANYO Energy created the eco-friendly eneloop battery as part of its "Think GAIA" vision and commitment to safeguard the environment by reducing waste while helping to conserve precious natural resources for future generations.

eneloop features:

Reusable, recyclable and economical
1 eneloop = 1,000 alkaline batteries
Ready to use right out of the package
Long storage life makes eneloop the perfect "Store in the Drawer” battery" keeps 85% of initial charge after one year
Superior performance - offers more usage per cycle and lower self-discharge than traditional NiMh rechargeable batteries
AA batteries are adaptable to C size and D size batteries (with use of the eneloop C and D Adapters)

eneloop retailers include Wal-Mart, Amazon.com , Fry's (and www.Frys.com), Circuit City (and www.cirucuitcity.com), Ritz/Wolf Camera (and www.ritzcamera.com and www.wolfcamera.com), HHGregg, FredMeyer stores and Discovery Channel retail stores (available May 2007).

About SANYO Energy (USA) Corporation eneloop batteries

Developed by SANYO Energy (USA) Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, eneloop represents the next evolution in batteries. eneloop proposes a new lifestyle - one where a rechargeable battery is used like an alkaline battery and is ready for use immediately after purchase. Economical and environmentally friendly from the packaging to the battery design, eneloop is reusable with the capacity to be used again and again - up to 1000 times*.

SANYO Energy created the eco-friendly eneloop battery as part of its "Think GAIA" vision and commitment to safeguard the environment by reducing waste while helping to conserve precious natural resources for future generations. A pioneer in bringing rechargeables to the market, SANYO Energy continues to improve the capabilities and efficiency of rechargeable batteries. For additional information, please visit eneloopusa.com.

*Estimate based on test results for battery life according to standard JIS C8708 (4.4.) Actual results may vary according to use.

NOTE: The eneloop USB charger will be available in the US at the end of the third quarter. Pricing has not been determined.

Tokyo, April 18, 2007—-SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO), the world leader in rechargeable batteries, announced a new "eneloop" series product, the "eneloop" USB charger set (including two AA size "eneloop" batteries). The USB charger is able to charge two "eneloop" batteries using a USB connector.

"eneloop" is a concept based on recycling, or looping, energy. The first product in a series that embodies this concept is SANYO's "eneloop" battery, a battery which proposes a lifestyle where batteries can be used repeatedly. These batteries can be immediately used out-of-the-package following purchase, be recharged and used for approximately 1,000 times*2, and be recycled after being completely used.

In addition, as the first product realizing SANYO's "Think GAIA" vision, the "eneloop" battery has been very popular in the market and the total shipment amount has reached approximately 24 million units (as of March, 2007) since its release in November 2005.

The "eneloop" battery proposes a new product concept as "a lifestyle promoting the change from single-use batteries to rechargeable". The "eneloop" battery has been popular since its release in November 2005. Thanks to "eneloop" batteries, the market share of SANYO brand retail battery products has seen a dramatic increase. For example, the share of SANYO brand charger sets recorded approximately 60%_–3 of the overall Japanese charger set market in 2006.
SANYO supports a wide range of user needs by offering a variety of "eneloop" related products. In addition to AA and AAA size "eneloop" batteries, SANYO has a line up of C size/D size battery adaptors (spacers) which enable users to use a AA size battery as a C size/D size battery, battery chargers compatible with two/four AA or AAA size batteries, rapid chargers and a solar charger.
This is SANYO's first battery charger that utilizes a USB connecter. This USB connector frees users from caring about where to charge or shapes of plug outlets because it doesn't need to connect directly to an AC outlet. It is easy to carry and it doesn't require much space because of its compactness. Along with the recent growth of digital devices equipping the USB port such as personal computers, the demand of the USB charger is expected to expand in the future.


SANYO will continue to promote the concept of "single use to rechargeable" by offering a variety of battery-related products for many more users through our accumulated battery and charging technologies.

1.Compact and easy to carry. The USB cable can be compactly stored inside of the charger after use._The USB charger is light, weighing about 48g (charger only). The cable can be stored inside of the charger after use. These features make it convenient for people to carry the charger in the occasion of a business trip, etc.
2. Able to be charged from a USB port on personal computers and other compatible electronic devices._The batteries are charged through the charger attached to a USB port on found most commonly on personal computers and on other electronic devices, when the device is able to generate and output power (such as when the computer is "On"). There is no need to prepare specific or special power adapters for use overseas. The charger is also convenient when power outlets are fully used in the office or at home.
3. Rapid charge for one or two AA and AAA size "eneloop" batteries._(For one battery, the charging speed is doubled.)_The charging time is approximately 280 minutes for two AA size and 120 minutes for two AAA size batteries. The charging speed is doubled when users charge only one battery at a time.

Specifications

0. Input type: USB cable, *Unable to be charged directly from AC power
0. Input: DC: 5V 500mA
0. Output: DC:1.2V, 850mA for one battery (double speed), 450mA for two batteries
0. Charging Time: AA size eneloop: Two cells : approx. 280 minutes; One cell: approx. 140 minutes, AAA size eneloop: Two cells : approx. 120minutes; One cell: approx. 60 minutes
0. Dimensions (charger): 93(L)x 47(W)x 17.5(H) mm
0. Weight (charger only/without batteries): Approx. 48 g
*1: Compatible with "eneloop" batteries.
*2: Battery life based on testing methods established by JIS C8708 2004(4.4)(varies according to conditions of use)
*3: Based on quantity share of Japanese charger set from GfK Japan date (annual average)

Alex Campbell, ZAP! Communications, gives us a tour of the ZAP! showroom in Santa Rosa, CA. Part 2 of 3.

Press Release

Hedge Funds Back $79 Million Order for ZAP Electric Cars

ZAP announces its largest order for electric vehicles in history

SANTA ROSA, California (April 18, 2007) - Electric car pioneer ZAP has received an order for $79 Million from a Chicago-based start-up, The Electric Vehicle Company.

The Electric Vehicle Company (EVC) was founded with the goal of promoting economical non-polluting electric transportation. EVC is being funded by two hedge funds, Diversified Equity Funding, L.P. and Diversified Strategies Fund, LLC, which both have an investment interest in ZAP. EVC will focus on sales of electric vehicles to municipalities, distributors, university campuses, auto and recreational dealers, foreign countries and the military.

Additionally, the company has the goal of developing the first retail chain committed to the sale of all electric vehicles. The two funds have committed the funding necessary to develop the marketing organization. The hedge funds will also provide financing for the purchase of ZAP vehicles by fleets and municipalities. Read More

News Source: i4U News

Sony releases firmware 3.40 for the Sony PSP.

The PSP update is coming at the same time as the Sony PS3 1.70 update is released. One reason for this is the new ability to store PSP game data on the PS3 HDD.

Other improvements of the 3.40 firmware are in regards to game performance for games downloaded from the Playstation store. Read More

eneloop=environmental power
EarthDay is Sunday