milk *an advertising agency

Cluster-F – CrunchPad is Dead

Two weeks prior to launch and the CrunchPad is dead. If you don’t know what CrunchPad is you may have wanted to. Hell, Joe went into a fetal position when he heard the news. We think he’s still under his desk. You see, Joe’s a gadget guy and he wanted to get his hands on this low cost tablet PC designed for web surfing. It looked like a really big iPhone. But as often happens greed and jealousy got in the way. So no CrunchPad…for now. They were too close. We have a feeling we’ll see something similar in the not too distant future. Check it out.

Electric Ladyland – Renault Zoe Z.E. Electric

Looks like French automaker Renault is going to be at the forefront of EV (see our post on Better Place below), and from what we’re seeing, the company will be a major player. Its EV concepts are as fun as they are environmentally sound – and the Zoe Z.E. is no exception. The Zoe was designed with help from cosmetics manufacturer Biotherm. The car is targeted for men and women, but we’re pretty sure the ladies will appreciate the car’s looks and spa-like features such as an AC system that helps to keep your skin hydrated and an on-board toxicity sensor that closes the car’s air vents before free radicals destroy your healthy complexion. The Zoe also has an electric diffuser built into the climate control system that can emit essential oils from Biotherm. The car can be charged quickly and the solar cells that cover the roof provide an extra charge on sunny days. Ingenious. Check it out.

Plug and Play – BRAMMO Electric Motorcycle

There are many reasons to love what’s going on with the green movement, but to us one of the coolest is the wonderful design that’s coming out of it. Being responsible and sustainable doesn’t mean you have to be boring. Take the Enertia from BRAMMO. It’s a 100% electric motorcycle and it’s everything that’s right with green design. Not only is it 100% electric, the Enertia also has no clutch or gears so it’s incredibly easy to ride. Just don’t call the Enertia an electric scooter or bike. It’s very much a motorcycle minus the intimidation factor. It starts at about $8k and because it’s green there are tax credits as well. It's the Joe Sequenzia pick of the month. Check it out.

Power Player - Better Place

Not since the short life of the Saturn EV-1 has the promise of Electric Vehicles been so promising. Auto makers around the world are working on EV models and it will be a company like Better Place that will provide the infrastructure with "a network of charge spots, switch stations and systems which optimize the driving experience and minimize environmental impact and cost." Great concept. Great site. Be sure to look for Renault's Fluence EZ Concept. It's really exciting. Check it out.

The Road to Energy Independence?

How's this for the road to OZ? Solar Roadways was just awarded $100,000 by the Department of Energy to develop solar panels that can be embedded into roads. If widely adopted, the 12-by-12 foot panels help finally solve many of our energy problems. Skeptical? With the panels, a mile-long stretch of four lane highway could remove 500 homes from the power grid. Production is a long way off, but this is very exciting. Imagine a similar technology for converting the motion of sidewalk pedestrians into energy. It's a company like Solar Roadways that will make these things reality. Check it out.

Hot Opportunity - 3D Glasses

My daughter and I are going to the movies this weekend. We'll probably see G-Force and will have the option to see it in Digital 3D or not. She will want to see it in 3D. I will not. It's not because I don't like 3D, because I do. The quality as compared to when I was her age is amazing. It's just that while the image quality has advanced, the glasses have not. Sure, today's plastic glasses are much better than the red/blue cardboard junkers I wore when I saw Jaws 3 in Super 3D (oh yes I did.) But still, the modern one-size-for-all versions are ill-fitting and uncomfortable, and wearing them for an hour and a half takes the joy out of the experience. So, with more and more movies being made in Digital 3D, an untapped market exists for 3D Glasses. Let's say you see four to five 3D pics a year. Would you not spend ten to fifteen bucks for a comfortable, stylish pair of 3D specs? I would. And what if your kids could customize theirs? I'm sure someone has thought of this, and if they have, I hope they make them soon, because my daughter wants to see G-Force in 3D, and I know I'm going to lose that battle.

Meetings Give Me Gas – Carbon Free Meeting Coalition

Have your next client face to face without the carbon footprint. Created as a conduit for companies interested in the reduction of carbon emissions, the Carbon Free Meeting Coalition’s mission is to increase the use, measurement, recognition and value of advanced communications technologies as a critical tool in the effort to reduce carbon and drive energy sustainability programs. Check it out.

Turn Your Blueprints Green – P&H Construction

If you think transportation eats up a lot of energy, consider these stats from the U.S. Green Building Council: buildings account for 70% of electricity consumption, 39% of energy use, and 39% of all carbon emissions. That’s why P&H Construction has become an expert in structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. They can show you how to reduce operating expenses and cut your energy, water and waste. Check it out.

Files Go in the Trash, Not Computers – 1000computers.org

We banged on this back in May of last year, but it’s never a bad time to remind you that millions of computers end up in landfills each year where their highly toxic materials leak into the groundwater and produce carcinogens. So why not donate your unused computers to 1000computers.org. They’ll give them to children in developing countries who use them to build better lives. It’s that simple – and easily achievable. You help collect just 1,000 computers, and they help hopeful countries to begin creating a critical mass of computer skill and an economic link to the rest of the world. Check it out.

Reinventing the Wheel – The Honeycomb Tire

"There's all sorts of armor on (a military Humvee), but if you're running in the theater and get your tire shot out, what have you got? You've got a bunch of armor in the middle of a field." This is the insight behind the Honeycomb Tire, a non-pneumatic tire (no air required) that can survive an IED attack. Simply brilliant. Check it out.