Tag: gadgets uk

Gadgets

Smart Home Gadgets News Brief for February 2024

Have you ever given any thought to the number of people using voice commands and smartphone apps daily? As demonstrated at the most recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, the market for smart home devices is also bursting with innovation. However, every improvement in convenience raises questions about how safe our digital paradise is. From the latest industry events to important partnerships in the field, this smart home gadgets news brief for February 2024 provides a comprehensive snapshot of what is happening in the global smart home gadgets industry today.

Key Takeaways

  • Smart Home Advances at CES 2024: Ecobee, Twinkly, and Philips Hue showcased innovative smart home technologies at CES 2024, with notable products like the Ecobee Switch Plus and the Twinkly smart light curtain.
  • LG Electronics’ Industry Recognition: LG Electronics’ significant accolade of over 200 awards at CES 2024 underscores its leadership and innovative contributions to the smart home and technology sectors.
  • Privacy Concerns in Smart Homes: Amidst technological advances, privacy issues remain a major concern for consumers. Initiatives like AYDO’s collaboration with peaq for HomeKit-secured routers reflect the industry’s efforts to address privacy and security.
  • Challenges of Industry Transition: The smart home industry is navigating through a transition
…
Gadgets

Clean energy: How ‘dippy bird’ sparked an idea

The top-hatted “drinking bird,” once a fixture in science classrooms for demonstrating the basics of thermodynamics, is making a surprising comeback — as the inspiration for a new clean-energy generator that could one day power your watch and phone.

Scientists in Hong Kong and China have used the famous toy, also known as the “Dippy Bird,” to develop an engine capable of using the power of water evaporation to generate electricity, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Device.

The new method works by converting the energy produced by the bird’s characteristic back-and-forth movement into electrical power.

The physics behind it is relatively simple: The toy is made up of two glass bulbs, representing the head and body of the bird, which are connected by a long glass tube. Methylene chloride, a highly volatile liquid, is contained within the structure.

After the bird’s beak is dipped into a cup of water, it springs back into its natural upstanding position, and the water begins to evaporate and cool the head. This causes the volatile liquid from the lower bulb to rise up the tube, due to a difference in pressure, and as a result, the bird’s center of gravity

…