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<title>Haaze.com / albertabbb / All</title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com</link>
<description>Test Web 2.0 Content Management System</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2011 07:10:53 +0000</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
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<title><![CDATA[Building GE's Ecomagination 'ecosystem' (Q & A)]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=building-ges-ecomagination-ecosystem-q--a</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=building-ges-ecomagination-ecosystem-q--a</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2011 07:10:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>albertabbb</dc:creator>
<category>Eco</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=building-ges-ecomagination-ecosystem-q--a</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ BOSTON--In one respect, green-tech companies are realizing what IT manufacturers did many years ago: just selling a box will only go so far. To get a high volume of products sold, technology suppliers need to combine hardware with software and with consulting services to solve a problem.This idea of developing a &quot;solution&quot; around energy-related gear is high on the mind of Mark Vachon, vice president of Ecomagination at General Electric. To do that, there needs to be an &quot;ecosystem,&quot; or network, of partners who can pull the various pieces together. Mark Vachon(Credit:GE) Launched six years ago, the Ecomagination initiative is essentially a business proposition stating that there will be greater and greater competition for natural resources, which will drive demand for renewable energy and goods that improve energy and water efficiency. In five full years, GE has made $70 billion from Ecomagination-tagged products, which can be everything from wind turbines to hybrid locomotives to electric car charging ports.In the next five years, the company expects Ecomagination sales to grow two times faster than the rest of the company and for GE's efforts to be more international, Vachon said.While Vachon was in Boston earlier this week, we spoke about how he wants to open up Ecomagination to more people outside GE and outside the U.S. He also said GE sees a place for its water purification technology to address problems around shale natural gas drilling. You've been at the job for about half a year. What have you found and what are your prioritiesVachon: From where I sit with Ecomagination now going in its sixth year, Ecomagination for me looks bold six years ago. It's a little more crowded space these days, substance or not. The R&amp;D capacity that the company possesses is a real luxury. I talk about the ability to make lots of bets--that's a huge strategic advantage. And on your point on scale, a lot of these industries require massive resources and we have that ability, both technology- and resource-wise.Click on the photo to see GE&amp;39's battery research work. (Credit:Martin LaMonica/CNET) I think the U.S. energy policy debate over the last several years sort of tugged on Ecomagination [in] the U.S. maybe more than we would have preferred. [GE was a founding member of USCAP, a consortium of businesses lobbying for a price on carbon emissions but Congress failed to pass a law limiting greenhouse gases.] We really did believe in carbon pricing. While appropriate and useful, I find myself wanting to balance out the rest of the world in terms of Ecomagination. If you asked me where I spent my time the last six months, 75 percent of the time I was outside the United States. You see a lot of green-technology start-ups partnering with big companies either to get financing or to help them bring their products to market. Is more of that neededVachon: It goes to this idea of ecosystems. In the case of electric vehicles, we own a big chunk of [the necessary products]. But we need to partner to be the tipping point for some of these technologies. So organizing ourselves around that solution mindset is a priority.The solution mindset beingVachon: Don't sell me a charger' sell me the ability to convert San Diego to a leading electric-vehicle city. We have a collaboration to do just that.  What happens to San Diego Gas &amp; Electric when you plug [all the vehicles] in How should the charging infrastructure develop What's the driver behavior dynamics we need to be thinking about The members of that collaboration are the City of San Diego itself, San Diego Gas &amp; Electric, and the University of California at San Diego. They have some real knowledge around how renewables connect to the grid, which is another layer of complication. I'm encouraged we will see the ecosystem dynamics develop sooner [from collaborations] and as a result develop better and smarter solutions and get to the endgame faster. These are ecosystems that can be replicated and learned in many different places in the world. What gives you the confidence that these partner networks are forming Vachon: If you go back, traditional business success was about the best box. In these new industries, if you're an electric vehicle driver, the car is one thing. But you quickly get to: where do I charge it How much does it cost Our observation is without those [networks of partners] we miss an important part of the solution. In addition we're being pulled into these conversations.  Plugging into new lighting technologies (photos)  You've said that the consistency of government policy is as important as energy policies themselves. Do you see any major movement from Washington  Vachon: Not to be overly cynical on U.S. dynamics, but we'd all agree that the forecast for pricing carbon in the U.S. is dark and dim. The point is it's further confirmation that business needs to lead. For example, purchasing our own fleet [of electric vehicles] is an important signal. It's not so much the [policy] signal because remember we have a broad portfolio. Whatever the answer is, I think I've got the answer, from wind to solar to turbines, biogas, LED, home energy solutions. Just give me that signal and give it to me over a period of time [so] that investment profiles can be worked out.  A few years ago, I had an interview with Lorraine Bolsinger, a former vice president of Ecomagination, about some of the difficulties getting Ecomagination to take hold in GE. And she said there were conflicts. What's your sense for how effective GE is using Ecomagination to further these green-tech productsThere still are areas where we have to ensure that eco is integrated in the business fabric. Today it's all about getting design signals very early on in the new product or solutions process. Business teams see the value in that. When you see the revenue from the Ecomagination products growing faster than the rest of the fleet, there's real motivation.GE tried crowdsourcing to get ideas for grid technologies which led to GE and venture capital companies funding outside companies. Can we expect to see more of that The opening up part is the next dimension of Ecomagination. Although we're ecstatic about our own five global research centers and 3,000 scientists, this concept that not all good ideas sit inside the company forces us into this Eco-challenge as one dynamic of partnerships. The San Diego partnership is another example of trying to solve these ecosystem dynamics. When it comes to the Eco-challenge, there's no shortage of ideas. The robustness of the thinking out there is incredible. GE's connected, energy-savvy home (photos)  GE has businesses in batteries, wind, solar, and water purification. What are some new areas you'd like to get intoUnconventional gas--I want to face into it, particularly here in the domestic market. It's a supply source of clean energy we have to figure out for lots of reasons and you can pick yours--energy security or greenhouse gases. But I also think we have to face into the challenges in the exploration of shale gas particularly. This is another place where a company like GE can lead. We have a great water business that can help deal with both the chemicals and the post-drilling water challenges. I'm excited about energy efficiency in the home--appliances, LEDs, home charging for EVs. That's an interesting place to play. As well as other technologies like nanotechnologies for membranes to do CO2 capture, wind and solar technologies, zero-discharge water capabilities, batteries. There's no shortage at all.  <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Japan radiation fears grow]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=japan-radiation-fears-grow</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=japan-radiation-fears-grow</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:12:05 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>albertabbb</dc:creator>
<category>Business &amp; Finance</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=japan-radiation-fears-grow</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Anxiety over Japan's damaged nuclear plant increased today as the United States' top nuclear regulator told Congress the situation was worse than reported by the Japanese government and that &quot;extremely high&quot; radiation levels could hamper containment efforts.Evacuees at a center near Fukushima.(Credit:Associated Press video' screenshot by Edward Moyer/CNET)The American Embassy in Tokyo, meanwhile, recommended evacuation to U.S. citizens within 50 miles of the plant--an area much larger than the approximately 12-mile radius established by the Japanese. Still, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission maintained that there was little cause for worry about radioactive drift on the part of residents of Hawaii or the West Coast of the U.S.According to various reports, Gregory Jaczko (pronounced YAZZ-koe), head of the NRC, told the House Energy and Commerce Committee today that a pool storing spent nuclear fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station was now empty, or nearly so, leaving the fuel rods within to potentially catch fire and spew their radiation directly into the air. Jaczko also said a second pool might be nearing the same condition. related Crisis in Japan  If his information is accurate and the spent fuel is not submerged and thus properly cooled, The New York Times reported, the situation could--at its worst--mean that so much radiation would be released that containment efforts would have to be abandoned altogether. That in turn could lead to complete meltdown and the spread of far more radioactivity. A helicopter was reportedly dumping water on the Fukushima facility on Thursday morning, local time, in an effort to address the crisis. The Washington Post, meanwhile, reported that U.S. Ambassador John Roos said he thought Tokyo was still safe from radiation but that after initially following the guidance of the Japanese government, he issued a statement citing NRC recommendations.&quot;Consistent with the NRC guidelines that apply to such a situation in the United States, we are recommending, as a precaution, that American citizens who live within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical,&quot; Roos said in the statement. related What are health concerns in Japan's nuclear crisis (FAQ)  The Post said the difference in the size of the restricted areas put forth by the U.S. and Japanese governments seemed to arise from differing standards on radiation exposure, rather than different views on how much radiation has escaped.The Times, however, reported that American officials have said Japan's leadership has appeared to be overwhelmed and uncommunicative about the disaster and that it might not be getting clear information from the nuclear plant's operator.In guidelines issued today, the NRC also provided assurances about the drift of the plume from the Fukushima plant.&quot;In response to nuclear emergencies, the NRC works with other U.S. agencies to monitor radioactive releases and predict their path,&quot; the commission said. &quot;All the available information continues to indicate Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories, and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity.&quot;The Times said Jaczko was asked during a White House briefing on Monday if a meltdown of one of the reactor cores at Fukushima would increase the chance of harmful radiation reaching Hawaii or the West Coast.&quot;I don't want to speculate on various scenarios,&quot; Jaczko reportedly said. &quot;But based on the design and the distances involved, it is very unlikely that there would be any harmful impacts.&quot;The Times also reported that, remembering Chernobyl, European nations were issuing statements. Germany's Federal Office for Radiation Protection reportedly called any threat from the plume negligible and said iodine pills were unnecessary.Late Wednesday, The Post reported that the U.S. had offered to evacuate family members of State Department and Pentagon officials out of northern Japan, including Tokyo, but that the Tokyo embassy would remain open. The State Department is also offering U.S. citizens who wish to leave Japan travel to safe locations in Asia. The NRC said the public can sign up for its latest news releases here, or for e-mail notifications about releases here.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Portable device lets travelers make mobile calls over the Net]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=portable-device-lets-travelers-make-mobile-calls-over-the-net</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=portable-device-lets-travelers-make-mobile-calls-over-the-net</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:11:09 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>albertabbb</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=portable-device-lets-travelers-make-mobile-calls-over-the-net</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The new personal femtocell from Ubiquisys.(Credit:Ubiquisys)A new portable device will soon be able to help people make cell phone calls in other countries without relying on local 3G networks.That bit of technical magic comes courtesy of a new device called an attocell, or a personal femotcell. Created by U.K.-based femtocell company Ubiquisys, the device is a small base station that can provide broadband Internet access to aniPhone, BlackBerry, Android phone, and virtually any other 3G mobile phone. But since it's smaller than a traditional femtocell, the attocell is designed to be portable.The attocell from Ubiquisys connects to a laptop through a USB port, providing both the juice and the Internet access, according to Ubiquisys. From there, the device figures out which country it's in so it can determine the allowable 3G power consumption, which then dictates the range of the attocell to the phone. Depending on the country, the 3G range of the device could be as small as a fraction of an inch or as large as an entire room.If the range is small, the user can place the phone on top of the device and make calls via a headset or speaker. Otherwise, the caller is free to roam around the room.Through the attocell, the phone can bypass local cellular networks and hop onto the Internet to make and receive calls, thus allowing for calls both locally and abroad where reliable 3G connections aren't available.To learn more about the attocell, I spoke with Keith Day, the vice president of marketing for Ubiquisys. Day explained the benefits of the device, especially for travelers.&quot;If you're a U.S. citizen and you're doing a phone call from a hotel in Rome, for example, the call will be indistinguishable from a call in the U.S,&quot; he said.Beyond bypassing local 3G networks, the device could also potentially mean no more roaming charges. Though the technology makes that a possibility, Day said that the decision on roaming charges and other costs will be up to the carriers that offer the product. But he did acknowledge that when he himself travels, he'll use a VoIP service such as Skype to make calls rather than rely on mobile calls with expensive roaming charges.Ubiquisys considers the attocell a working product and is talking to different mobile carriers interested in selling it. The price of the attocell will be up to the carriers, but Day confirmed that it costs no more to manufacture than low-cost residential femtocells. Prices for traditional residential femtocells dropped below $100 last year, according to Ubiquisys.Other tech companies have been jumping onto the femtocell bandwagon, often as a way to reduce the strain on their overtired cell networks. Last year, AT&amp;amp'T rolled out its 3G MicroCell &quot;signal booster&quot; as one solution for subscribers disgruntled over poor cellular coverage. Sprint and Verizon Wireless also offer their own femtocell devices.Ubiquisys plans to demo the new attocell at next month's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona .<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Google snags Twitter movie recommender Fflick for $10M]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-snags-twitter-movie-recommender-fflick-for-10m</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-snags-twitter-movie-recommender-fflick-for-10m</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>albertabbb</dc:creator>
<category>Latest News</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=google-snags-twitter-movie-recommender-fflick-for-10m</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Search behemoth Google is back on the prowl again, today snapping up microbloggingTwitter recommendation service Fflick for around $10 million, the companies confirmed this morning, one being an unnamed source at Google.An official Google spokeswoman refused to comment, saying, &amp;''We don&amp;'t comment on speculation, as you know.&amp;''Fflick uses Twitter to show you what movies the people you follow are recommending as well as what movies they&amp;'ve commented on positively or negatively. It also lets you browse a pre-set list of top-ranked movies, helping you decide what movies you may want to rent or go see at a movie theater.You can also buy movie tickets on Fflick, add certain films to yourNetflix queue, and retweet anyone elsea4a4stweets that you think are relevant to a particular film.So far, neither company is commenting on whether Google will keep the service up and running or if it is primarily attracted to the &amp;''sentiment analysis&amp;'' engine that spits out its recommendations.Google may also be interested in acquiring the team&amp;'s talent. Fflick, launched in August 2010, is the work of four former Digg employees.TechCrunch reports that the deal is expected to close later this week.Next Story: Barnes &amp;038' Noble to discontinue Nook 3G Previous Story: Verizon temporarily offering $30 unlimited iPhone data planPrintEmailTwitterFacebookGoogle BuzzLinkedIn      DiggStumbleUponRedditDeliciousGoogleMore&amp;8230'          Tags: deal, Mergers and Acquisitions, Social Media, social networkingCompanies: digg, fflick, Google, techcrunch, Twitter          Tags: deal, Mergers and Acquisitions, Social Media, social networkingCompanies: digg, fflick, Google, techcrunch, TwitterRiley McDermid is a contributing reporter to VentureBeat. She was previously the online editor at institutional investing and trading forum Markets Media, which she joined in 2008 from Dow Jones/MarketWatch in New York. Her work has appeared in the The New York Times, the Associated Press, Portfolio Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Barrona4a4s. She has won awards from the American Society of Business Publishers and Editors, the Magazine Association of the Southeast, the Mississippi Press Association and the Atlanta Press Club, and was a finalist for the Pacemaker Prize for excellence in news reporting. Have news to share Launching a startup Email: tips@venturebeat.comVentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters.  Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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