New ATandT Zero Charger Is Smart, Efficient and Money Saving

eWeek

The AT&T Zero Charger knows when to say when: sensing if it’s not connected to a phone, it can cut off the power supply from an electrical outlet. It will also work with phones from different manufacturers, ideally including Apple, Nokia and Samsung, eliminating the need for each new phone to ship with a charger.

This May, “top green carrier” AT&T will begin selling the Zero Charger, an energy- and resource-saving charger for a variety of mobile phones.

The charger not only charges devices with better power efficiency, but it can sense when it’s plugged into a wall but not also a phone, and consequently cut the power supply from the socket, saving wasted electricity.

AT&T estimates—based on approximately 80 percent of users leave chargers in the wall, the average battery charger wasting 170mW when idle and that most users charge their devices three to four times a week for eight hours—that this electricity-cutting move could save enough to power 24,000 homes for a year.

“AT&T worked hand-in-hand with Superior Communications to create the first practical user-friendly, zero-draw charger for mobile phones,” said Carlton Hill, AT&T vice president of devices and product development, in a statement. “With the size of AT&T’s customer base, providing solutions like these helps our customers make a big difference.”

(Nokia has previously estimated that if the 1 billion people using its phones would just unplug the darn chargers from the wall, enough energy to power 100,000 homes could be saved.)

The Zero cell phone battery charger will come in smaller packaging than traditional chargers, as well as packaging that’s 100 percent recycled paper. It has a 5-star efficiency rating and, given its “block and cable” design, as AT&T describes it, the charger can adapt to a number of different handsets, eliminating the need for new phones to ship with chargers and enabling consumers to continue using a single charger over the years.

In June 2009, Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Texas Instruments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), drafted by the European Commission, agreeing to standardize their devices’ chargers. Eliminating the need for each device to ship with a new charger not only saves resources, but keeps money in the pockets of consumers as well as device makers, which have smaller packages to pack and ship.

Gartner Analyst Carolina Milanesi called the MoU a “win-win for everyone.”

On March 5, AT&T additionally announced it would be requiring slimmer and more minimal packaging from its mobile handset partners. By reducing packing for device chargers, phone cases, batteries and data cables, AT&T hopes to keep 200 tons of plastic and paper waste out of landfills.

Solomon Chen, EO of Superior Communications said of the Zero Charger, in a statement, “Innovations like this help everyone take those small steps which will, in the end, lead to a better environment for all.”

Pricing for the Zero Charger will be approximately the same as current replacement chargers, which currently vary by model. 

Zero Motorcycles Launches 2010 Product Line

Red Orbit

2010 Line includes four industry-leading electric motorcycles

After a breakthrough year in which it became the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, Zero Motorcycles announced today the highly anticipated launch of its 2010 product line, including the Zero S, DS, X, and MX. With added power, increased acceleration, and enhanced power pack technology, Zero Motorcycles is continuing the innovation it's known for and taking electric motorcycle technology to the next level. The street legal models are equipped with performance enhancements that allow for higher top speeds and greater acceleration. The entire lineup also features improvements in power pack technology and color graphics for the first time. The 2010 product launch makes Zero Motorcycles the first and only electric motorcycle company to launch four distinct models worldwide.

"Zero Motorcycles continues to blaze the path for electric motorcycle battery technology. Our engineering team has revamped, redesigned and tested four models that have considerable improvements for 2010. The result is more power on the street, a new look and an unparalleled riding experience," said Gene Banman, CEO, Zero Motorcycles. "Demand in 2009 pushed us to aggressively expand our presence across the United States and around the world. The enhancements to this year's models will resonate with both serious riders and casual motorcycle enthusiasts on a global level."

Among the most significant advances on the 2010 Zero S and DS is the revolutionary Z-Force(TM) Air Induction System. A platform for performance, this system allows Zero to produce more horsepower from lighter and more compact motors by increasing the airflow through the heart of the motor. Zero is also introducing a new throttle technology that modulates the increased power to provide riders with exacting control over the acceleration. All 2010 motorcycles are powered using Z-Force(TM) power battery pack technology with new and more precise cell monitoring. The cumulative result of all this technology is a longer power pack life, more power, greater acceleration off the line and superior handling.

In addition to the increased performance capabilities, consumers now can choose between color graphic packages or Zero's classic white on all four models, allowing riders to express themselves through personalized styling. New seat configurations are also an option for the 2010 Zero S and DS. Specially designed by Corbin, the new seats provide a more comfortable and performance-oriented ride. Those interested in reducing the stand over height of the motorcycle can now select a Corbin low seat option. The entire product line continues to be built from the ground up using Zero's signature exposed aircraft grade alloy frame.

Zero S

Instant torque and power from a standstill, plus smooth acceleration as you race out of turns -- all without ever needing to stop at a gas station. Developed to aggressively take on urban environments and encourage the occasional detour, the Zero S electric motorcycle integrates revolutionary technology with innovative motorcycle design. Built from the ground up using Zero Motorcycles' proprietary Z-Force power pack and aircraft grade alloy frame, the Zero S features an industry leading power-to-weight ratio that increases its range and maneuverability. At 270 lbs, the Zero S has a range of up to 50 miles and a GPS verified top speed of 67 MPH. The Zero S is designed for optimal performance off the line, in sharp turns and while navigating obstacles. Instant acceleration and lightweight design enable the Zero S to take on any city street, hill or obstacle, combining exhilaration with efficiency.

The Zero S is priced at $8,995 (after a 10% U.S. federal tax credit). Some states and provinces offer additional incentives. Consumer financing is available in the United States for those who qualify. The motorcycle can be purchased online now and will begin shipping in the United States at the end of March. The Zero S comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

Zero DS

The Zero DS combines innovation with passion to deliver the world's most versatile electric motorcycle. Created to be agile in the dirt and quick on the street, the Zero DS represents a new kind of freedom. Tough when you demand it and distinguished when required, the Zero DS has an edgy, yet sophisticated appearance highlighted by an eye catching twin spar frame that is both rigid and lightweight. Powered by the most advanced drive train in the industry, the Zero DS is a fully electric motorcycle that can handle any surface you can throw at it. Navigating obstacles and maintaining control is assured using a specially developed suspension system and a rugged wheel set. During technical maneuvers an optimized direct drive gear system delivers astonishing responsiveness with the twist of your wrist.

The Zero DS is priced at $8,995 (after a 10% U.S. federal tax credit). Some states and provinces offer additional incentives. Consumer financing is available in the United States for those who qualify. The motorcycle can be purchased online now and will begin shipping in the United States at the end of April. The Zero DS comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

Zero MX

The Zero MX takes Zero's revolutionary electric motorcycle technology to the track. Designed for bigger jumps and smooth landings, the Zero MX uses a newly-developed suspension system to absorb aggressive terrain. Incredibly tough and lightweight, the Zero MX combines the state-of-the-art Z-Force(TM) battery technology with an ultra-light frame design, making it agile and fast where it counts most. The custom suspension system makes the Zero MX highly responsive while maintaining an industry leading power-to-weight ratio, allowing for controlled landings and total control. An individual power pack provides up to two hours of track riding time. Easily swappable, riders can purchase an additional power pack to extend their riding. Incredibly powerful, while almost completely silent, the Zero MX opens up a whole new world of riding possibilities.

The Zero MX starts at $8,295. Some countries or states may offer incentives. Consumer financing is available in the United States for those who qualify. The motorcycle can be purchased online now and will begin shipping in the United States at the end of March. The Zero MX comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

Zero X

With instant acceleration and a total weight of 151 pounds, the Zero X is a high performance electric motorcycle that takes technical trail riding to the next level. Using Zero's patented Z-Force(TM) technology and boasting 50 ft-lbs of torque, this stealthy motorcycle will send you racing up hills, flying over jumps, and cutting through streams. The Zero X is built from the ground up for quick handling and maneuverability. Custom valved suspension, direct drive gearing and weight optimized components allow riders to master demanding terrain. Lightweight, silent and quick, the Zero X opens up trail riding possibilities that would otherwise be out of the question. To extend ride times customers have the option to purchase an extra  battery power pack that can be swapped with a quick pit stop.

The Zero X starts at $7,495. Some countries or states may offer incentives. Consumer financing is available in the United States for those who qualify. The motorcycle can be purchased online now and will begin shipping in the United States at the end of March. The Zero X comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

The Zero S and DS models are eligible for a 10% federal tax credit and tax rebate. Some states offer additional incentives. Consumer financing is available for those who qualify.

iPad? You Mean You Haven't Heard of the WePad?

Tech Crunch

While every man and his dog is waiting for their preordered iPad to arrive, some Germans went their own way and yesterday presented a Slate that appears to have, well, better features.

The Neofonie WePad has similar form and function as the wet dreams of our Crunchgear editors, but facts are that the German Android device has a bigger multitouch screen and a faster CPU than the iPad. Also it runs Flash, has USB ports, an inbuilt card reader and expandable memory. Additionally it allows complete multitasking and has a webcam. Beat that baby.

The WePad is set to arrive sooner to German stores than its Apple counterpart and will be significantly cheaper than the iPad, says Neofonie CEO Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen. Preorders and deliveries are planned for next month and that’s no April Fool’s joke, he insisted in a small chat on the WePad’s Facebook site. At first I thought it was a fake, because some specs feel too great and the choice of OS sounds just weird: a Linux derivate with Android on top. That’s Linux with Linux inside, which makes it possible to install apps from the Android Market as well as special Adobe Air software from Neofonie.

The company from Berlin, although unknown, is no newcomer. The 12 years old Neofonie GmbH is a software company that also runs a search enginge called WeFind and sells an epublishing platform by the name of WeMagazine. It makes newspapers and magazines readable on computers and smartphones, and that’s also where they see the real business for their WePad tablet PC.

The WePad provides elderly users in the core target group of newspaper and magazine publishing houses, who generally have little to no experience with PCs with intuitive and fast access to the digital world of their children and grandchildren (Internet, e-mail, social media, etc.).

For publishing houses, every reader gained with the WePad represents a direct and long-term customer relationship, the foundation for paid content, extensive customer knowledge and new forms of customer communication. While platforms like Apple iTunes and Amazon Kindle force publishing houses into the role of a simply a content supplier, the WePad allows publishing houses to retain access to and knowledge of their audience.

So the WePad doesn’t want to do away only with Apple’s iPad but also with the Amazon Kindle, reveals the latest factsheet. That’s a tall order. Publishing houses should acquire the device and brand it with their own labels to “move traditional print readers into the digital world in a targeted manner. Print brands can then become online brands, thus minimising the contact with established Internet players like Google Amazon and Apple.”

First commenters do already suspect an alliance between the WePad and Germany’s biggest publisher, Springer, which is also based in Berlin. The many screenshots with Springer’s Hamburger Abendblatt on the WePad would be a hint.

Springer is the strongest proponent of paid content in Europe. Since November, the company blocks users with iPhones and Android devices from reading most of their newspapers’ websites with the phones’ browsers. Instead they shall buy the apps for newspapers like Europe’s biggest daily, BILD, or Springer’s B.Z. Maybe we just saw the birth of a German newspaper tablet. A working prototype was on show at the world’s largest computer expo, CeBIT, two weeks ago.

Compare and Contrast: Select Image for WePad Vs iPad Chart

Apple Fans Eagerly Touch and Swipe First iPads

SEATTLE (AP) - Now that the iPad is in the hands of early adopters, the hard work for Apple Inc. begins.

Eager customers intent on being among the first owners of this new class of gadgetry stood in long lines across the country Saturday. They seemed willing to buy first - and discover uses for the iPad later.

In some ways, it was reminiscent of the lines and hoopla surrounding the 2007 launch of the first iPhone. The difference: People knew then that the iPhone would replace their existing cell phone, an appliance that has become a must-have for everyone from uber-geeks to stay-at-home moms.

With the iPad, which fits somewhere between phone and computer, Apple must convince people who already have smart phones, laptop battery, e-book readers, set-top boxes and home broadband connections that they need another device that serves many of the same purposes.

Many of the earliest iPad buyers say they will have a better idea of what they'll use it for only after they've had it for a while.

That didn't stop them from imagining, though.

Beth Goza has had iPhones and other smart phones, along with a MacBook Air laptop, yet she believes the iPad has a place in her digital lineup. She likened it to a professional tennis player owning different sneakers for grass, clay and concrete courts.

"At the end of the day, you can get by with one or the other," she said outside an Apple store in Seattle's University Village mall.

But she clearly doesn't want to just "get by." She's already dreaming up specific uses for her iPad, such as knitting applications to help her keep track of her place in a complicated pattern.

Danita Shneidman, a woman in her 60s, wanted one to look at photos and videos of her first grandchild, born this week in Boston.

And then there's Ray Majewski, who went to an Apple store in Freehold, N.J., with his 10-year-old daughter, Julia. The iPad is partly as a reward for her straight A's in school, and partly a present for himself.

"I like the electronic books, and my daughter is really getting into them as well," Majewski said. "I was thinking of getting a Kindle (e-book reader) but then said to myself, 'Why not get an iPad because I can get so much more from that than just reading books? And I don't have to mess around with a cell phone battery.'"

The iPad is essentially a much larger version of Apple's popular iPhone, without the calling capabilities. Just a half-inch thick, the device has a touch screen that measures 9.7 inches on the diagonal - nearly three times the iPhone's. Also like the iPhone, it has no physical keyboard.

For now, Apple is selling iPads that only connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi. Those models start at $499. Versions that also have a cellular data connection will be available by the end of the month. They will cost $130 more, with the most expensive at $829.

In Apple stores in Seattle and on New York's Fifth Avenue, the atmosphere was festive, with employees cheering and clapping as customers entered and left. One kid arrived at a San Francisco store in a homemade iPad costume.

Some analysts had predicted the gadget would sell out on Saturday. Although there didn't seem to be problems with supply at Apple stores, two Best Buy stores in the Washington, D.C., area didn't have iPads in stock for sale when they opened.

People could also "pre-order" iPads online to arrive Saturday. Prasad Thammineni did just that, but had to chase the UPS guy down the block from his office in Cambridge, Mass., to get his iPad.

After playing with it for a few hours, his impressions were mostly positive. Typing on the on-screen keyboard wasn't as comfortable as using a laptop with a regular keyboard, and Thammineni said he found himself using several fingers but not touch-typing normally. Still, he said, it was much easier to use than a Kindle keyboard.

But the weight of the device might keep him from typing on the go. Thammineni said that after about two minutes of holding up the device with one hand and typing with the other, it got too heavy, even at a mere 1.5 pounds.

Once the initial iPad excitement settles, Apple may have to work harder to persuade a broader swath of people to buy one. Many companies have tried to sell tablet computers before, but none has caught on with mainstream consumers. And while early adopters who pre-ordered an iPad in recent weeks have gushed about all the ways they hope to use it, skeptics point to all the ways the iPad comes up short.

They argue the on-screen keyboard is hard to use and complain that it lacks a camera and ports for media storage cards and USB devices such as printers. They also bemoan the fact that the iPad can't play Flash video, which means many Web sites with embedded video clips will look broken to Web surfers using Apple's Safari browser. And the iPad can't run more than one program at a time, which even fans hope will change one day soon.

College student Brett Meulmester stood in line at an Apple store in Arlington, Va., to try one out without buying one yet because of cost.

Lower prices could push wider adoption, but when Apple slashed prices for the iPhone just months after its release, early buyers were irate. Tom Quinn, of Sea Girt, N.J., wasn't worried about paying a premium for being one of the first to have an iPad.

"When that happened with the iPhone, they gave out $100 credit," he said. "If the same thing happens with the iPad, I'm sure they'll do something similar."

For others, cost was clearly not an issue - nor convenience, it seemed. Siggi Manz, a software developer who lives near Frankfurt, Germany, was spending just 20 hours in New York to snag one. Manz, who already carries Apple's MacBook Pro and iPhone, said the iPad would be ideal for note-taking.

"Opening a laptop is sometimes impersonal because the monitor is between us, and the iPhone is too little to really honestly type," Manz said.

James Stuart trekked to Seattle from Canada, where the iPad won't be on sale for another month - too long, in his mind.

"It's like a gorgeous woman - you just want to touch it," he said.

In San Francisco, tattoo artist Max Ackermann is convinced the iPad will "define a giant change in how we perceive computers in general."

Exactly how, Ackermann isn't sure. He and others admit their belief in the iPad grows out of an unwavering devotion to Apple and its products.

Standing outside an Apple store in Arlington, Va., Saturday, was John Kay, a 27-year-old employee of AT&T Inc. He would pay for just about anything Apple made and said, "If they came out with a $1,000 microwave, I'd buy the microwave." Do they have a microwave battery replacement program?

The Ultimate Battery Guide

Earth 911

Americans purchase nearly 3 billion dry-cell batteries every year to power radios, toys, cellular phones, watches, laptop computers and portable power tools, according to the U.S. EPA.

Despite a down economy, battery recycling is at an all-time high. According to Call2Recycle, battery recycling collection saw a 6.9 percent increase, and Call2Recycle collected 6.1 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in 2009.

But most of us just don’t know the technical lingo for the batteries we have and where to start recycling. So, we did the homework for you – a cheat sheet for the most common batteries and how to properly dispose of them.
 

Single-use batteries 

Techie term: Alkaline manganese

Your standard single-use AA and AAA batteries are in the electrics you use daily – your remote control, toys, even smoke detectors. On average, each person in the U.S discards eight dry-cell batteries per year, according to the EPA.

The good: Single-use batteries are produced on a greater scale than rechargeables, making them initially cheaper to purchase. They are also prevalent and widely available, making recycling easily accessible.

The bad: Single-use are often considered more “wasteful,” because we consume such a large quantity of them. And this may sound redundant, but you can only use them once, increasing the need to have extra batteries around at all times in case your (insert electronic gadget here) dies.

The bin: Your local solid waste department may tell you to put alkaline batteries in with your regular trash. This is partly due to the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act passed in 1996, which phased out the use of mercury in alkaline batteries, making them less of an issue when disposed in landfills. But this doesn’t mean alkalines are not recyclable.

If you’re unable to find a local recycling option, you can consider mail-in recycling programs. They are also accepted for recycling at all Batteries Plus locations.
 

Rechargeable batteries

Techie terms: Nickel-cadminum (NiCd) or the cadmium-free alternative nickel metal hydride (NiMH), which you’ll now find more often with name brands of rechargeable batteries.

The EPA estimates that more than 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased annually in the U.S. Rechargeable batteries work best in high-tech devices that you will use on a regular basis, such as a digital camera. According to Carl Smith, president and CEO of Call2Recycle, “Rechargeable batteries aren’t necessary for low-cost products that don’t use much power. For example, television remote controls can sometimes last for years on a single-use battery, so it doesn’t make sense to purchase more expensive rechargeable batteries for such a low maintenance device.”

The good: This one may be a given. Because rechargeable batteries can be used over and over again, they are said to save consumers money over the life of each battery. Also, due to the Battery Act of 1996, providing easy ways for the public to recycle these batteries is mandated by law.

The bad: Rechargeables are more expensive upfront and sometimes get a bad rap for not offering enough “bang” for your buck. They also contain a great deal of heavy metals, meaning that if you don’t recycle them, contamination is much more likely.

The bin: While nine states have passed laws banning rechargeable batteries from landfills, New York City and the state of California have passed the only laws requiring manufacturer take-back programs. This means that in four of the 10 largest cities in the U.S., you can purchase rechargeable batteries and know exactly where you can take them for recycling.

But if you live in an area that’s not covered by this mandate, Call2Recycle is a great place to start. Through Call2Recycle’s program, retailers such as Alltel, AT&T, Best Buy, Black & Decker, DeWalt, The Home Depot, Interstate All Battery Centers, Lowe’s, Milwaukee Electrical Tool, Office Depot, Orchard Supply, Porter Cable Service Centers, RadioShack, Remington Product Company, Sears, Staples, Target, US Cellular and Verizon Wireless all offer some sort of battery recycling program.

Extra tidbit: In the debate between single-use versus rechargeable batteries, which one came out on top? You may be surprised…read more
 

Cell phones, laptops and other portable electronics

Techie term: Lithium-ion or lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion)

One of the newest forms of rechargeable technology is the lithium-ion battery, which is commonly found in cell phones and other popular consumer electronics.

These batteries are also being tested for usage in electric vehicles. In fact, Panasonic recently announced that it will be providing lithium-ion batteries for the new Tesla S Model.

The good: Your laptop battery is recyclable, and the metal content of these batteries can be recovered in the recycling process. There is no issue of a memory effect, meaning they can be recharged before they are completely discharged without affecting the energy capacity. Li-ion are smaller, lighter and provide more energy than nickel cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The bad: It’s imperative that Li-ion batteries are not put into a landfill because they have the potential to overheat and explode when exposed to hot temperatures. Also, lithium-ion batteries are more expensive than similar capacity NiMH or NiCd batteries. This is because they are much more complex to manufacture and are produced in smaller numbers.

The bin: You will more than likely dispose of a Li-ion battery along with an electronic device, such as upgrading a cell phone or selling a laptop. In most cases, the company that handles your electronic device will accept the cell phone battery as well. Call2Recycle’s program also covers these batteries, so finding recycling locations shouldn’t be a challenge.
 

Car batteries

Techie term: Lead-acid

Lead-acid batteries power most of our transportation vehicles, including automobiles, boats, golf carts and motorcycle batteries. According to the EPA, nearly 90 percent of lead-acid batteries are recycled.

The good: According to the EPA, nearly 90 percent of lead-acid batteries are recycled, making it one of the highest recycled item in the world. Almost any retailer that sells lead-acid batteries collects used batteries for recycling, as required by most state laws.

The bad: Car batteries are one of the most harmful products in a landfill because they are a mixture of lead and sulfuric acid.

The bin: Whether you’re a DIYer or use a mechanic when changing your battery, most retailers that sell car batteries will also take them back for recycling. AAA also sponsors the annual Great Battery Roundup, which is coming up in April.

Lead-acid batteries are recycled by separating the battery into its three main components: Plastic, lead and sulfuric acid. Reclaimers crush batteries into nickel-sized pieces and separate the plastic components. They send the plastic to a reprocessor for manufacture into new plastic products. A typical lead-acid battery contains 60 to 80 percent recycled lead and plastic.
 

Hybrid vehicle batteries

Techie term: Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)

The hybrid car has changed the way we think about emissions, fuel and commuting as a whole. In the recent years, it has been a must-have for greenies wanting to reduce their footprints and penny-pinchers looking to reduce fuel costs.

The good: The hybrid battery packs are designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle, somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. In fact, Toyota says since the Prius first went on sale in 2000, they have not replaced a single battery for wear and tear. Most warranties cover the batteries for between eight and ten years, depending on the manufacturer.

The bad: While these batteries can be recharged hundreds of times, they may not be the best option for commuting long distances. “Nickle metal hydride is really only going to take a vehicle 35-40 miles, and that’s just not efficient in the long run,” says Peter Fannon, vice president of Government and Corporate Affairs for Panasonic

The bin: According to HybridCars.com, Toyota and Honda say they recycle dead batteries and disposal will pose no toxic hazards. Toyota actually puts a phone number on each battery, and they pay a $200 “bounty” for each battery to ensure that it will be properly recycled.

Extra tidbit: Currently, manufacturers are using NiMH batteries for hybrids and electronics. But the industry is expected to shift toward lithium soon, creating a need for battery recycling technology for both types of batteries.

“The shift to lithium-ion – along with many companies investing in this technology – is clearly the next near-term goal to make that the norm for electric vehicles,” says Fannon.
 

Watches, hearing aid batteries and other tiny electrics

Techie term: Silver oxide or “button-cell” 

Most watch batteries are of the small, round “button-cell” type, also used as hearing aid batteries. These batteries are known for their size, long storage life and the ability to work well in low temperatures.

The good: Button cells are increasingly targeted for recycling because of the value of recoverable materials, their small size, and their easy handling relative to other battery types. Silver oxide batteries are typically shredded during the recycling process to recover the valuable heavy metals.

The bad: Don’t let the size fool you. These batteries are potent, containing mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium or other heavy metals as their main component.

The bin: Due to the fact that they aren’t rechargeable, Call2Recycle’s program does not cover these types of batteries. In many cases, a professional will replace these batteries, so ask the business if it will handle the battery recycling for you. If not, often times these batteries are accepted as part of household hazardous waste programs sponsored by your state or county.

Fans Hear 'iPad' and Think, 'iWant'

SEATTLE (AP) - People who lined up to buy the first iPhone knew what they were paying hundreds of dollars for: a new cell phone that promised to be better. Apple Inc.'s newest gadget, the iPad tablet computer, falls into a category that's foreign to most people.

And yet plenty of them have already happily dropped $500 or more for a device they've never seen, in the hopes it will be some previously unidentified missing link in their digital lifestyles.

"If Apple sold groceries, I would buy groceries from them," says Matthew Rice, who works for pharmaceutical company Merck & Co.

Apple won't say how many iPads it has sold in advance of their debut Saturday, and it's hard to predict how many enthusiasts will camp overnight and swamp Apple stores when the doors open Saturday at 9 a.m., as they did for last summer's launch of the most recent version of the iPhone. That happened even though people could "pre-order" the device, just as they can for the iPad.

Rice won't be ripping open any boxes Saturday, but only because he chose an $829 iPad with a "3G" data connection, which won't ship until late April.

He has owned four iPhones and just about every model of iPod ever produced. He uses an iMac computer at home and a MacBook Air laptop on the road. He jokes about giving Apple his credit card number and having the company just ship new products as they're released. But despite his near-complete catalog of Apple goods, Rice can find holes for the iPad to fill.

It will be perfect for carting around PDF versions of scientific articles he needs to read for his job, he says. And Rice, an avid photographer, hopes it will be a way to hand people an "album" and let them flip through photos of his travels.

Will Zich, an 11-year-old, started saving money last year for a new iPod Touch, but changed his mind when the iPad was unveiled in January. He can rattle off all his reasons for wanting one, such as the e-book store, plus a bigger screen and faster processor than his iPod Touch. He says the iPad will be useful on road trips, and for playing games and surfing the Web early in the morning when the rest of the family is still sleeping.

To be practical, Zich says he might also bring it to school and use it to record homework assignments.

Other people don't expect to ever leave home with it.

Brian Herlihy, a 31-year-old financial analyst in New York, expects the iPad will offer him a way to read magazines, newspapers and maybe books without the clutter of paper, and as a Web surfing device that's faster to start up than his laptop. On the street or when riding the subway, though, the iPhone is a more appropriate size.

Media companies are betting that the iPad's larger size and battery life - its touch screen is 9.7 inches diagonally, compared to 3.5 inches on the iPhone - is one reason people might pay for news and information that is often free in other formats online. Indeed, Herlihy says he'd be willing to pay a moderate amount of money for a newspaper or magazine if it were delivered through some sort of outstanding application. Otherwise, he's content to read for free using the Web browser.

On Wednesday the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers said it is so excited about the iPad's potential that it is adding $100 million to its fund for investing in developers who make applications for Apple devices. The firm began its "iFund" two years ago with $100 million and has invested in 14 companies.

Kleiner Perkins partner John Doerr, an early investor in Google Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., said the iPad is "going to rule the world. It feels like you are touching the future."

But even Doerr has trouble explaining why people already equipped with powerful laptops, lightweight discount notebooks and fancy mobile phones will feel compelled to buy an iPad. "I don't think we can anticipate the great new applications and uses that will be created," he said.

Not only Apple die-hards have been swept up in iPad hype. It has also turned the heads of folks who have been lukewarm on Apple gadgets.

Nick Braccia, a creative director at a digital advertising agency in San Francisco, uses a BlackBerry phone and music player that connects to the Rhapsody subscription service rather than Apple's iTunes.

"If anything, I was always kind of 'anti,'" Braccia says. "I get a little annoyed with people standing outside for an operating system update. I have no patience for rabid fan-boy-ness."

Braccia, 34, says he thought the iPad would be too expensive for him to even consider. When he learned that the starting price was $499, he was sold. It didn't hurt that the iPad will come with electronic book-reading software, and can be used to replace the Nook e-book reader from Barnes & Noble Inc. his girlfriend monopolizes.

Braccia thinks he'll use his iPad for surfing the Web over morning coffee, for reading books and maybe watching movies. And he justifies it as a smart purchase for work, because his clients make video games.

"Professionally, I feel I should have at least one of those products in my pocket. Or my bag. Because an iPad isn't going to fit in my pocket," he says.

Not everyone is planning to make that kind of room in their lives for an iPad, of course.

Matt Jones, a 50-year-old video producer in Columbus, Ga., has a Windows Mobile smart phone. He doesn't pay for home broadband Internet access or cable TV, and he certainly isn't going to find a spot in his budget for an iPad. Plus, he already has plenty of gear to carry when he's working. He isn't keen on having another laptop battery to replace, either.

And when he's not, he says, "I wouldn't want to have to have a purse just to have the iPad."

Luton Mall to test Battery Recycling Initiative

The Retail Bulletin

The Mall Luton is set to become one of the first shopping centres in the UK to trial an end-of-life battery recycling scheme for shoppers.

Teaming up with battery manufacturer Varta and recycling provider BatteryBack, it will provide a collection point in the centre for visitors to dispose of their old batteries from the 1st February. The trial has been designed to coincide with the UK’s 1st February launch of the Batteries Directive, a new EU-wide ruling that imposes strict targets on the manufacturing, collection and recycling of batteries.

The Batteries Directive aims to cut down on the 600 million waste batteries that end up in landfill each year, and to help consumers play their part in Luton, an end-of-life battery collection point will be placed in The Mall shopping centre. To encourage take up of the scheme, which will be rolled out in Malls across the UK if successful, Varta will be providing free batteries to the first 1,000 people who visit the centre to recycle their old ones.

Every year, the average UK household disposes of more than 21 batteries as part of their general waste. This translates to over 22 tonnes of battery waste sent to landfill annually. With experts predicting that the UK will run out of landfill space in the next few years, increasing battery recycling rates is a crucial way of trying to reverse this trend.

Lavinia Holland, Marketing Manager at The Mall Luton says “The UK is lagging behind its European neighbours with regards to battery recycling. The key to improving recycling rates here is making sure households have easily accessible drop-off points, so that’s why we will be placing highly visible collection points throughout the centre. Our shoppers in Luton have always been very supportive of our recycling campaigns in the past, and I’m sure we will have the same success this time around.”

The batteries recycling trial forms part of The Mall’s EnviroMall initiative, a commitment to reducing the impact of its shopping centres on the environment. It comes on the back of the Come Home for Christmas campaign, which helped raise over £10,000 for the charity Missing People by recycling old mobile phones. The scheme is also being supported by BatteryBack, one of the largest suppliers of battery collection and recycling materials for the coming directive.