| Ploggs Track Power Usage, Let You Know Wirelessly |
| Written by Peg Fong | ||
| Sunday, 21 September 2008 | ||
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The Plogg is a plug-in device that monitors and logs data, hence the name. The information the Plogg records can be read via your phone, laptop or Blackberry, anything with integrated Bluetooth. This way the Plogg can record and display your electricity usage with an absolute minimum of parts (and thus at minimum cost.) The idea behind the Plogg, which is made by Energy Optimizers Ltd. is that the data gathered on your mobile device for viewing and storage may encourage consumers to recognize when energy is unnecessary or wasteful. The device also has a remote switching mechanism that allows all connected appliances to the Plogg be turned off/on instantly or automatically using timers controlled by the host computer or mobile device. The Plogg costs £55 and the company is studying whether to make the plugs for the U.S. marketplace. Via: Smart Meters
Comments
(4)
The Jury is Still Out!
written by Steve N. Lee , September 22, 2008
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written by Nick Wright , September 22, 2008
There's a device that has a simple LCD readout for $18 on Amazon.com.[/url I'll sacrifice the bluetooth options to save $90.
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written by shtinky , September 24, 2008
I was interested in the gimmick part of it... to turn of my devices with my laptop or mobile is very attractive for me :-) But the price just isn't right. I would love to have something like this, with nice data readout on the computer and the ability to act upon it, but for 55 pounds (excluding additional costs probably, shipping and whatnot) it is just too pricy. Maybe it is a business solution?
110$ for an outlet based solution, why n
written by kip , September 28, 2008
This is a really cool idea but I think a panel based solution that has a standard network plug and bluetooth will be an easier sell. I can then plug in a wireless networking adapter into it or connect it directly to my pc or log in via bluetooth. This way I can see from a top down perspective rather than from a bottoms up.
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Science, technology gadgets and...baby seals. We're in a bit of an eco-mess, but we've got the brains to lick any problem. And that's why EcoGeek.org publishes up to ten stories daily about innovations that are saving the planet.
And if that sounds interesting to you, then congratulations, you're an EcoGeek.
Wouldn't it be great if there were a simple device that could track your electricity usage, control when your appliances turned on and off, and connected to your computer or mobile device wirelessly? Well, it turns out it does exist...just only in Europe (so far.)
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Eco-minded people probably do all they can already so I'm not sure who this product is aimed at. At £55 ($110) it's pricey if you aren't committed to the environment so people who are just curious about possible savings may not be prepared to pay that much.
It also could be deemed as gimmicky - people could have 'fun' testing things for a while, then get bored and give up.
If you are concerned enough to habitually turn devices off, you don't need this. If you don't care enough to do that, I don't think you'll care enough to blow £55 on this.
And even if you do, blow the cash, I'm not sure that you'd care enough, or see a significant enough financial saving to warrant using it and taking its direction.
I think it's simply priced too high. If it was cheaper, they'd sell more and a higher percentage of people would take note of their findings.
I honestly can't see if it's a good thing or not.
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller 'What if...?'