bulbs

LED bulb casts a multicolored shadow

We all know that white light is created when different color wavelengths combine. So what happens when you use that phenomenon to create a lightbulb?

That's exactly what Dutch designer Dennis Parren did when he developed his CMYK bulb. Well, sort of. Expanded from his original CMYK Lamp 2011 graduation project for Design Academy Eindhoven, the bulb consists of a white LED light source pointing downward. Then placed equidistantly around the bulb, the cyan, magenta and yellow LEDs face up.

This has the rather fun and fascinating effect of casting a triple shadow from whatever comes in front of the LEDs -- one in each of the three colors. … Read more

Five things to consider before buying LED bulbs

As your incandescents burn out, it's a good time to consider switching to LED bulbs. By now, you probably know that LEDs have an impressive lifespan (20-something years!) and are very cost-effective. You probably also know that they're a pricey investment that can run five times more expensive than incandescents.

Despite the cost, now's the right time to switch to LEDs. These bulbs have made significant advances over the last few years, finally delivering the warm light incandescents have comforted us with for decades.

More than ever, there is also an overwhelming number of LED varieties, and … Read more

NanoLight looks like an origami bulb of LEDs

It's a new era for lightbulbs. Incandescents are well on their way to being obsolete. Compact fluorescents are reigning champs, but LEDs are rising through the ranks, looking to challenge CFLs with advancing technology and falling prices. As fast as the tech changes, we're still pretty hooked on the old-school incandescent shape. We still want our bulbs.

The NanoLight Kickstarter project wants to give us LEDs without sacrificing the traditional bulb shape and ability to shine light in all directions. The result is a bulb that looks like it was designed by a Cubist painter. The makers claim it is the most energy-efficient light bulb in the world.… Read more

Control this LED bulb with a smartphone

Any modern Casanova looking for a suave way to dim the lights should check out the networked dimmable LED light bulb by Insteon. The 8W LED bulb supposedly glows at the same intensity as a 60W to 100W incandescent shiner, and costs a somewhat reasonable $29.99. … Read more

Wooden light bulb shines like Sauron's eye

The concept of an illuminated piece of wood might seem hard to visualize, but Japanese designer Ryosuke Fukusada created a surreal wooden light bulb that would make anyone do a double take.

Fukusada, who previously worked with Sharp, designed the "still under development" lamp with a "mix of modern design and traditional craft technique," as noted on his Web site. … Read more

LED bulbs you could warm up to (video)

LED lightbulbs have a lot of things going for them: energy efficiency and longevity being the biggest selling points.

Then there are the things that make people think twice. Chiefly, the sticker price. Want to switch to LED bulbs but can't stand the infamously harsh light quality? SmartPlanet's Sumi Das rounds up some bulbs that might make you see things differently.

This video originally appeared on SmartPlanet with the headline "LED light bulbs, just how efficient are they?"

This Day in Tech: Apple TV coming soon, analysts say; Whither Zynga IPO?

Too busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET News for Monday, August 29.

Apple is working on a TV set based on iOS. An Apple TV could appear in late 2012 or early 2013, if analysts are right about this.

Zynga may delay its IPO until November. With the stock market's rocky ride of late, the company has not pushed its IPO. There are some red flags that have been raised in the SEC filing.

There's a way to make money on Facebook. CNET's Elinor Mills … Read more

60-watt LED bulb to break $15 mark, Lighting Science says

Lighting Science Group and Dixon Technologies India today touted an LED light bulb equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent that they say will hit store shelves with a price below $15.

The omnidirectional LED bulb, in the traditional A19 shape of household incandescent light bulbs, will become available in India by the end of the year and worldwide, including in the U.S., early in 2012, the companies said. It's the first in an expected series of products, including streetlights and industrial fixtures, that Lighting Science and Dixon plan to jointly manufacture and distribute.

Prices for LED bulbs meant to … Read more

Side by side: LED, CFL, and incandescent bulbs

Philips recently released its Ambient LED 17/75-watt-equivalent retailing for $39.97. As it indicates, the bulb gives off roughly the equivalent light of a 75-watt incandescent bulb, but uses only 17 watts of power to do it.

Many sites have been doing head-to-head tests of various LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs coming on the market. However, I'm often asked where someone can find just a "regular person review" on how LEDs stack up against CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) and the soon-to-be-phased-out incandescents without getting too buried in stats on lumens, kelvins, wattage, and the rest of the … Read more

Philips 75-watt LED for sale for $39.97

Royal Philips Electronics' new 75-watt-equivalent LED bulb is now available for sale online.

The 17-watt LED bulb is equal to a 75-watt incandescent but uses 80 percent less electricity and lasts 24 times longer than the average incandescent, according to Philips.

The bulb has a lifespan of 25,000 hours, roughly the equivalent of 17 years of daily four-hour use, and a color temperature of 2,700, which is a warm yellow light similar to that of an incandescent bulb, according to company specs.

Philips first unveiled the bulb, which is compatible to fit into any 75-watt incandescent socket, in … Read more