leds

Duracell today introduced a new line of flashlights with superbright LED bulbs. Dubbed "Daylite," the series is comprised of three models: two 80 lumens models (one AA and a more squat AAA model) that will retail for $25 each, and a twice-as-bright $35 model powered by lithium CR123 batteries. (Yes, each model includes Duracell batteries.) The rear end of all three models sports a battery cap reminiscent of Duracell batteries' trademark coppertop design.

Duracell provided CNET with an early sample of the AA model, which I've been using off and on for the past few weeks.… Read more

Samsung Electronics, an arm of the giant Korean company (second only to General Electric in annual revenue among conglomerates), held a press event in San Francisco last week to show off its products for the coming holiday season.

I'd been looking for an excuse to go up to the city, so off I went-- taking Caltrain rather than driving. Conveniently, the Samsung event was just a few blocks from the train station in San Francisco.

… Read more

Spectators at the Olympics will get a chance to touch the flame-bearing torch--a replica of it, that is. Instead of fire, the torches have a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), an accelerometer, and lines of LEDS embedded within.

By waving the torch, an internal sensor will determine the left and right points, while the MEMS measures the degree of movement and transmits the information to a microchip that activates the LEDs to display "in the air" preprogrammed words or images relevant to the Olympics.

This idea is not novel, and you've probably seen similar products in gift shops. But … Read more

MacRumors.com is reporting on a rumor that Apple will announce its new Cinema Displays at MacWorld San Francisco 2009, set to take place January 5 through 9.

It's been nearly four years since CNET reviewed Apple's 20-inch, 23-inch, and 30-inch Cinema Displays, all of which used normal lamp-based backlighting to illuminate the displays. The most exciting prospect for the new versions is that they are expected to use LED-based backlighting.

LED technology in displays is kind of the new hotness right now, with good reason. Lamp-based LCD solutions are never able to achieve true, deep blacks because … Read more

Like most HDTV manufacturers, LG has chosen the fall to introduce the higher-end models in its HDTV lineup. Three models of more-expensive LG LCD TVs were announced Thursday, including two ultrathin screens and a model with an LED backlight. … Read more

Is the nascent LED market already going through a consolidation phase?

Lamina Lighting, a seven-year-old LED lighting company, on Tuesday said that it is selling its assets to Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG), which makes customized LED lighting fixtures.

Lighting Science Group is paying $4.5 million in cash for Lamina's assets, but the total could go up another $10.5 million based on Lamina's sales in 2009. LSG will take out a $20 million line of credit to finance the deal.

Lamina itself has raised at least $16 million, including a round in 2005 and one last … Read more

Out of Japan, here's something for plant-loving city dwellers. My Plant, a plant-rearing LED stand, is aimed at those who want to grow plants indoors but are finding it difficult due to the lack of sunlight. My Plant comes with two lamps, each made up of 10 red and 2 blue LEDs.

By placing the lamps about 4-16 inches from plants, the blue and red LED lights are effectively absorbed to promote photosynthesis. While the LEDs are said to be similar to ultraviolet rays from fluorescent lights and not harmful to humans, they will burn plants if placed closer … Read more

Those who like to shower in the dark--or prefer their showers tinged with a psychedelic, acid trip kind of feel--may find the LED shower light quite illuminating.

The gadget installs to standard shower pipes. Turn the shower on and a blue light tells you the water is cold. A red light means it has warmed to 89? F.

The attachment--which measures approximately 4 inches in diameter--is powered by an internal turbine and doesn't require batteries. It includes a flow regulator that limits maximum water flow to 2.5 gallons per minute at 80 psi.

The light goes for $39.99 at Think Geek, … Read more

We're convinced that this gadget was invented by Dr. Evil fans simply for the shark references: It's a Bluetooth headset from Brando (of course) that comes with a built-in laser pointer.

It actually could come handy for PowerPoint presentations, though we'd recommend taking it off your ear before using the pointer to avoid looking like a trained seal. As for the headset, it has a range of 10 meters and talktime of 6 hours, according to Gadget Venue. And it comes with an integrated LED flashlight as well, because Brando can't resist cramming in as many … Read more