If you’re spending more quality time with your iPhone or iPod than you are with your kids, you may want to download this little app. Whirleo is an eco-themed app game that can help you connect with your kids while teaching them the importance of saving the planet and fighting pollution. This fun-with-a-message app is pretty affordable — the first seven levels of the new game are free and players can unlock 23 additional levels for just $0.99.

Details: Whirleo follows the journey of a group of colorful, spinning tops that whirl across the planet Rotopolis. As they move around the planet, each Whirleo cleans up pollutants released by the begrimed Guzzler (we know the type). Using their mobile (more…)

A new set of Android-based smartphone apps can help you get off the fossil fuel merry-go-round. California-based Iconosys, Inc. has created its “Alternative Fuels” apps to provide users a GPS guide to the nearest alternative energy refueling stations along any travel route.

The Alternative Fuels apps include:

• the ‘Alternative Energy Fueling Directory’ which provides essential information for identifying and locating fueling/charging stations
• ‘Where to get Biodiesel’, for those users driving vehicles that burn diesel fuels that want to go green
• ‘Where to get NGV’, for those users driving vehicles running on CNG, LNG, or LPG
• ‘My Plug-In Directory’, for users driving vehicles that only re-fuel from electric charging stations

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ecobee Inc., makers of the award-winning Smart thermostat and Energy Management System unveiled their latest product, the Smart Si thermostat, at this week’s 2012 AHR Expo in Chicago. Designed for the residential market, the Smart Si offers remote connectivity anytime from anywhere via your computer, iPhone, Smart Phone or tablet and includes a high resolution color display, an intuitive user interface, sleek buttons and live weather –  features designed to help you reduce your home’s heating and cooling expense and save energy.

The Wi-Fi enabled Smart Si allows you to make adjustments to your thermostat program on the go from your tablet, computer, iPhone or Smart Phone. The thermostat has a built-in live weather function and uses advanced algorithms so you can be sure your thermostat is always saving the most energy possible. Other features: a high resolution color display, sleek buttons, and an intuitive user interface makes it easy to quickly set a personalized program, make setting adjustments and create new vacation events. Automatic alerts and reminders notify you when your HVAC equipment is due for service, if there is an equipment malfunction or when it’s time to change your filter.

You can pre-order the Si @ ecobee.com

Related: more green tips from The Alternative Consumer

(photos above and below) The House of Marley is showing off its new products for 2012 at this week’s CES in Las Vegas. We particularly like the Bag of Rhythm Portable Sound System & dock for iPod and iPhone.

The Bag of Rhythm system is made with earth-friendly materials including FSC-certified renewable birch wood and durable cotton canvas.

The boombox charges iPods and iPhones when docked and an aux input connects hundreds of other devices via an included cable. The system sports twin 1″ tweeters, twin 4.5″ high-definition woofers and a powerful amplifier that is said to deliver amazing output, crisp detail and deep, powerful bass.

The House of Marley also has updated their website, www.thehouseofmarley.com, to make it more user friendly.

The Bag of Rhythm will retail for $349.99 when it goes on sale in February 2012.

Note: The House of Marley donates five percent (5%) of its annual profits to 1Love.org – an organization dedicated to spreading Bob Marley’s message of unity and peace by lifting up a new generation of “young gongs” to strike the hammer for charities, causes and ideas that can change the world.

Related: more posts on green gadgets from The Alternative Consumer

The explosive proliferation of smartphones and other small electronic devices has created a growing demand for portable power solutions. One company hoping to feed that hunger for sustainable power is PowerSkin, which is debuting an array of new portable power solutions at this month’s CES. PowerSkin’s battery-boosting skins for mobile gadget users include: SolarCharge, KeyCharge, Gaming Skins for iOS and Nintendo 3DS, as well as new smartphone skins.

Featured will be PowerSkin’s new SolarCharge (pictured above), a 1000 mAh universal charger for use with all types of smartphones and all generations of iPod touch. SolarCharge is said to provide up to 350 minutes of extra talk-time. The SolarCharge charges off of natural light and can also be re-charged indoors via USB.

KeyCharge (at right), is a funky looking charger that attaches to your key chain and packs 750 mAh – extending talk time up to 90 minutes on most smartphones. Users connect their phone directly onto the KeyCharge’s Micro USB to start charging.

Both SolarCharge and KeyCharge will feature blue rubberized skins with LED lights indicating the amount of battery levels left. PowerSkin’s SolarCharge, $69.99, and KeyCharge, $24.99, will both be available beginning February @ Power-Skin.com.

Related: more solar charger and green gadget on The Alternative Consumer

New Year’s Resolution #9: Eat Well No Matter Where You Roam

This one’s for the road…are you listening Mr. Bourdain?  inBloom is a new app, created by 2 indie musicians who grew tired of eating poorly while on their way to their next gig… Andy Ross of OK Go and Eytan Oren of Eytan and The Embassy designed this user friendly app to be easily customized to suit one’s personal dietary and eco preferences — it features the nearest organic, locavore, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, raw, Paleo-friendly and environmentally-friendly businesses in New York City’s five boroughs as well as biz members of Musician’s Energy Conservation Alliance (MECA) … more cities will continue to be added throughout 2012. (more…)

Here’s something different – a technology that allows the user to control a computer by mind alone via a small armband sensor.  A wearable technology called BodyWave from Freer Logic can enable the wearer to determine if he/she is being inattentive or distracted while driving; or know exactly when to swing a golf club for optimum performance and results.

BodyWave reads brain activity through the human body, not by intrusive headsets and wires like technologies of the past, but via an innovative brainwave monitor that attaches to the arm or leg. BodyWave’s patent-pending design monitors the brain’s physiologic signal through the body. Dry sensors acquire the brain signal and transfer it wirelessly to a PC. When BodyWave is used with Freer Logic’s 3D computer simulations, it can activate and deactivate those computer simulations by mind alone. It can also teach stress control, increase attention, and facilitate peak performance. (more…)

SolarFocus Technology Company’s SolarKindle has been named a CES 2012 Innovation Award Honoree and will be introduced at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show In Las Vegas. The company calls the SolarKindle, the world’s first solar powered e-reader cover. The cover’s integrated solar panel collects and converts solar energy “on the go”, with one hour of charging in direct sunlight providing up to 3 days of reading time.

The product will be the first in SolarFocus’ new solar gadget line. SolarKindle’s design features a flexible, lightweight high performance solar panel built into the cover and a dual-charging (USB/solar) reserve battery that greatly extends reading time. In addition, the built-in 800 lux LED reading lamp can be powered continuously for up to 50 hours without using the Kindle’s main battery.

Related: more green gadget featured on The Alternative Consumer

Designers Wan Xuan Lim and Tang Xueling Jane’s award winning Eco-Leaf Curtain/Light is envisioned as a next generation window treatment that reduces energy use during the day and serves as an energy efficient light source after dark.

During the day the product conserves energy by providing shade and allowing for the passage of ambient daylight and cooling fresh air. The curtain captures daytime solar energy with its flexible, integrated solar panels. A small on-board battery can then utilize the stored solar power to transform the curtain into an energy efficient lighting fixture after sundown. The curtain can roll-up like a conventional window shade if desired.

Related: more green gadgets on The Alternative Consumer