Google Inc., in its quarters at Mountain View, California, announced its partnership with El Solutions - an energy innovations company - to install 1.6 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels to create solar energy. According to Google, the electricity generated from the solar energy can power about 1,000 average California homes.

Solar cells provides long-lasting source of electricity that is very environment-friendly. Unlike fuels, the photovoltaic cells don't emit pollution and is very low in terms of maintenance. Also, photovoltaic cells can be an advantage in the long run since energy from the sun is virtually free and unlimited. And California is surely one of the best places to install solar energy technologies with its sunny climate.

Photovoltaic, also known as solar cells, is just one of the means to acquire solar energy. They are commonly seen in low-power devices such as calculators. Aside from benefits like producing clean and renewable renewable energy, it also allow its users to save electricity and money. Google also added, "We believe this project demonstrates that a large investment in renewable energy can be profitable."

Microsoft's foray in the business of introducing a new line of portable media players has produced Zune and has been creating a buzz since it was announced. Several rumors circulated about Zune's price, including Gizmodo's prediction  that Microsoft will be lowering its price by $19.01 from Apple's iPod price of $249. But it seems that this rumor is not true as EBGames and GameStop are now accepting preorders for Zune for the price of $249.99.

The 30BG media player, available in black, white or brown colors, is complete with a built-in FM tuner, an online music store and a picture and video viewer through its large 3-inch color LCD screen. Zune users will also be able to share their files wirelessly with the Zune to Zune send feature via 802.11 wireless networking. They will also be able to purchase songs from Zune Marketplace.

Microsoft's Zune will hit the American shores on November 14 this year.

Living up to its goal to "use the energy, unbridled creativity and resourcefulness of Makers to turn students of all ages onto technology, science and engineering", MAKER Magazine delivers yet another ingenious contraption in their Make Podcast. Their project this time: how to make a hovercraft by using materials that you can find in a typical grocery store!

This unique 05:53-minute video featuring Bre Pettis in one of their Weekend Projects basically shows you how to make your own hovercraft out of materials like old CD, styrofoam plates, plastic straws, water bottles and balloons. This homemade piece of machinery may not be able to carry a hefty load but looking at this interesting contraption, its pretty close to the idea behind the original hovercraft of today. Bre suggested a cool use for this homemade hovercraft by engaging in a race with another person's homemade hovercraft. Hmmm, looks fun. Don't you think?

As announced in the CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) Japan, a cell chip developed by Toshiba, IBM, and Sony Computer Inc., similar to the cell processor of the upcoming next-gen console PS3, is now coming to mobile devices and cellphones. The cell processor is projected to be released next year.

Not much info has been announced about the new device aside from the fact that it will be manufactured using more advanced 65-nanometer production technology. A single chip of the new cell processor contains a main processor and eight sub-processors to unleash 200G Flops (floating point operations per second) of power.

Mitsuo Saito, one of the key creators of the chip from Toshiba's semi-conductor company, said, "As the first application we are focused on the consumer electronics area such as media servers or something like that, but Cell itself is not restricted to that area." Saito also added that Toshiba collaborated with IBM and Sony Computer Inc. to enhance the cell world. They are planing to have the same basis of software for each cell type. We are still waiting for the three companies to shed light on specific details of the cell chip but we promise to update you right away once new details surfaces so stay tuned!

People who love to sing their hearts out will be happy to know that they can now stop leafing through thick song catalogs and enter the song's number in a remote just to be able to sing their favorite songs. Through the recent collaboration of engineers and designers from IBM Technology Collaboration Solutions and Xing Inc., two new wireless karaoke portable controllers - "Kyoku-NAVI II" and "Kyoku-NAVIs" - is set be launched in Japan in November.

So what makes these wireless karaoke portable controllers special? Well, each controllers contains tens of thousands of songs listed by singer, song and category. Just enter songs by song title, artist or genre in the touch screen panel using a stylus. Users can also register their favorite songs in the controller. A wireless LAN will also be incorporated into the new controllers that allow high speed transmission of songs and data in volume. Several search functions have also been added to make searching more fun like the "album-single search", which allows users to search by viewing CD jacket images. Both controllers are shock resistant and water proof which makes them ideal for big parties and celebrations.

Each controller has unique features. Kyoku-NAVIs has a remote controller allows users to wirelessly select a song by name, by artist, or by song genre from the controller's screen. Users can also access contents such as promotional videos and information on sports through the screen as additions. On the  other hand, Kyoku-NAVI II has all the features that Kyoku-NAVIs has but it has an interesting addition of allowing users to order food and drink from its touch screen.

A guy named Mark Hoekstra was able to get hold of a copy of Holland's Bright magazine that features a project on making a submersible webcam from a cheap webcam. After being able to make one, he is generous enough to share the fool-proof steps. Here are the only things you need: 1 cheap webcam, at least 5 meter (15ft) of USB extension cable, a clear CD cover, any wax container (cleaned and dried), strong glue, a couple of sheets of sandpaper (we recommend medium to fine grit sizes), a soldering iron and a couple of solder.

Based on the steps, making your own submersible webcam isn't too difficult at all. This is a great project that will enable you to snap underwater pictures using a homemade underwater webcam. It would be a great accessory for any fish and aquarium lovers. And what's best, it's totally cheap as you only use a webcam, some USB cables and other materials that you could find in your home. We all know that underwater cameras are pricey, so why not make one made from cheap materials. Besides, it looks fun to make one.

You can access the complete procedure by clicking the Read link. Check out these cool underwater pictures:

 
 

Yesterday, we reported that Wal-Mart inadvertently listed the price of Zune in their website for $ 284. Those who are actually planning to buy Zune might get a little bit confused on the pricing. But according to Gizmodo, the 30GB Zune will be available for for $ 229.99, slightly cheaper than Apple's iPod price of $ 249.

If this turns out to be true, then Zune may just become appealing to consumers. But more than the lower price, Zune does have some features that iPod currently doesn't have. One of which is the wireless connectivity. Still, we're not sure if the lower price can boost Zune's sales on the market. But whatever the outcome, one thing holds true, competition does drive down prices.

Here's a weird looking gun-cum-guitar, the Escopetarras. Escopetarras was made by a Colombian musician and peace activist named C?r L?, who was a member of a group called the Battalion of Immediate Artistic Reaction, which consists of various other musicians and activists who seek an alternative to the ever-present violence in Colombia.

With the shape of the guitar, Lopez admits the guitar aspect of the invention will not "work too well". The gun? Errr...we haven't tested that part yet. Anyway, someone said that only a few dozens of these guitars have been produced and L? intends to give the guitars to high-profile musicians across the world, such as Shakira, Juanes and Carlos Santana, and political and religious leaders, such as the Dalai Lama.

Philips has already wowed us with their 7-incher digital photoframe, now they are doing it again, this time with the 9-inch digital photoframe. Although the pixel count wasn't specified, it's being pitches as "a high-performance LCD screen with increased levels of sharpness, brightness and contrast". It also boast of two flash card readers that can be used at the same time, accommodating SD, MMC, a memory Stick to store your pictures or you can use its internal memory storage, CompactFlash and XC memory cards.

It is available in Modern and Classic design. No word yet on pricing and availability, but as always, we'll keep you posted.

Here is a nifty invention that resembles a rickshaw. But what does it do? Well, instead of carrying people around, it's used solely for your personal belongings.  Inspired by his father's wish to walk across the US, Joel Hoag designed the Hipster Trailer to haul as much stuff as possible while walking.

The Hipster comes in two versions. The Hipster I uses a single wheel to keep the trailer light, manueverable and compact, while Hipster II uses two wheels making it stronger and capable of carrying heavier loads.

It looks unusual but the concept is interesting. Elseware Designs currently lists Hipster as being available on a made-to-order basis but pricing has not been disclosed.