Solar power. Solar heating. Solar lighting. Sure, you'd like to fuel your life for free with help from the everlasting sun. Trouble is, it's not really free.

The equipment that can turn sunshine into a warm, well-lit life costs the earth. You can easily spend $20,000 or more for rooftop solar panels, for example.

But there's hope. Alternative financing of solar has begun in the US, in a small way. For example, a few thousand homeowners is California, Arizona, and Oregon are reducing their upfront costs by leasing solar equipment--and paying an estimated 15% less for electricity, equipment included. And the federal government has an assortment of programs that underwrite homeowners' solar projects.

Read all about these and other possibilities for reducing the cost of solar equipment at E, the environmental magazine.

Lady Gaga’s manager Troy Carter said, "The Lady Gaga Karaoke app is a great way for her fans to experience the music in a non-traditional way. We constantly look for new ways that allow her community of fans to interact with each other with the music as the centerpiece, and gridMob nailed it."

Electronics maker Philips may have the answer to the billion dollar question. According to the New York Times, has a new way of analyzing skin. The Crystalize system uses a special video camera to take an extreme close up of clients skin. The camera is set up to scan certain parts of the face to compile an accurate assessment of the viewer's skin. Once that happens, a list of products that would best suit your skin is displayed starting with the cheapest product going to the most pricey purchase.

When the system displays your ideal products, you shouldn't have to worry about Philips trying to pawn off strategically placed products. Philips does create products in the health care industry, but does not make any skin care products. They also aren't receiving any incentive to recommend one company's product over another's, so the system should be corruption free for now. Let's hope it stays that way. It's far too easy to go down that slippery slope with an ad or a featured product.

Designed by Lucia Lorio, the sexy outfit is comprised of a lace bodice, bikini-cut panties, and a huge pacemaker-like contraption included on the bodice. The purpose of the lingerie is to make the wearer feel safe. (Um, huh?) The GPS has a login and password for the wearer's partner so they can track the object of their desires every move on the internet.

I guess I get it. It can be sexy to have that always being watched feeling...not! Personally this is a little too close to cyberstalking for my taste. Even though the woman has the choice to turn the GPS on and off as she please, I still can hear the delighted sighs of jealous partners everywhere.

Amazingly the sexy tracking device has been selling in Sao Paulo, Brazil for $1200. The more advanced GPS model costs $1650. No word if this little get-up will make it to the states, but I hope not.

Via Gizmodo, GizmoWatch

The Touch Beauty Eyelash Curler is pretty simple to use. You just plug it into an available USB port and use like you would a regular curler. I'm hoping that there's more to it, maybe it has a little heating action to help get the curling action going. If not, I really don't see the point of it being USB-powered.

Via Akihabara News

Designers Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz, creators of a "fashionable technology company" called CuteCircuit, reached out to Wired.com to give some background story to the dress.

“We used the smallest full-color LEDs, flat like paper, and measuring only 2 by 2 mm,” say designers Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz in an e-mail. “The circuits are extra-thin, flexible and hand-embroidered on a layer of silk in a way that gives it stretch so the LED fabric can move like normal fabric with lightness and fluidity.”

Renault has joined forces with cosmetics maker Biotherm to create the Zoe Z.E. electric car concept. The car is sporting a climate control system that is similar to a spa. In lieu of using air conditioning which can be hard on the skin, the Zoe keeps the air inside the car cool and hydrated, preventing the skin from drying out.

The car also deals with outside toxicity levels by shutting the car's air vents when the built-in toxicity sensor detects one too many free radicals. But it just wouldn't be a spa without soothing scents, so the car has been set up to diffuse essential oils created by Biotherm to keep the driver calm no matter what time of the day, using three different scents to take care of morning, noon, and night.

The device is currently a Japan only product, but if you're interested in importing one, it's selling for $190. As a result of the collaboration between Greenhouse and fashion brand GAUDI (ah, so many jokes, so little time) the camera is available in pink and white. A matching bag comes with the camera to complete the ensemble.

I'm personally not a fan of pink tech on principle, but I wouldn't mind owning the white version. What are your thoughts on these cameras and pink tech?

Via CrunchGear

So who isn't budget conscious in these times? Well, excluding those lucky-buckies who raised their hands, the Nokia 3711 from T-Mobile suits the more uneasy wallets to the T. By just retaining the basic functionalities - QVGA screen, 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, FM radio and microSD memory slot in a neat clamshell. Though T-Mobile’s AWS 3G comes included, features such as GPS, picture-messaging and email may cost you more than what's on the deal offered. Which happens to be a really affordable $69.99 on a basic Even More plan. Or for the more optimistic is the alternative Even More Plus plan at $159.99.

Via Newlaunches.

Good-looking, minimalist speakers made exclusively from glass and aluminium, and carrying versatile placement options - summarizes the latest Serio speakers released by Waterfall Audio.

Waterfall quotes a 150Watt peak power, with 30-80Watts recommended amplifier for the 2.25 Lbs (each) Serio speakers which can apparently deliver exceptional sound quality thanks to their patented "Acoustic Damping Tube" system.The speakers are compatible with both Hi-Fi and AV applications and use a patented heat dissipation technique which can effectively withstand and handle high power levels - thereby giving the option to place the speakers even within the frugal space granted on your bookshelf. But ofcourse, other placement options are available too - hang them on a wall, or just place them on a convenient stand and they are good to go.

All said, figure if you can really afford the £179 (around $300) price tag that each unit carries. Then, take your pick from plain black, white and silver or the fashionistas in orange and green (all with matching grills).

Via Shiny Shiny.

Your Shape
, Ubisoft's addition to the fitness genre hopes to surpass Wii Fit's impressive sales numbers with more precise exercise movements, a little innovation, and a little help from funny woman Jenny McCarthy filling the spot of your in-game workout buddy. The Nintendo exclusive game features over 400 exercises including strength training, toning, and cardio. Unlike other fitness games, Your Shape is totally Wiimote free. So how does the game make sure your doing the exercise? Simple. Your Shape will be debuting the first ever camera for the Nintendo Wii.

The included camera will scans your body and detects your movements. After the initial scan, it projects your image onto the TV screen so you can watch your movements. As you exercise, the camera will be monitoring your motion to ensure you're not phoning it in and have the correct form. If you're slacking, or just not getting the movement down, Jenny will help you correct your form in real time.

If you agree with the line of thinking that a picture can replace a thousand words, you would surely agree with the extension - that a model can replace a zillion pictures. So assuming that it would be boring to look at a chart, however well-done, to visualize the evolution of a device, give your eyes a treat by looking at this creation by UK-based designer Kyle Bean to demonstrate the evolution of the mobile phone.

The design captures the evolution of the mobile phone in Russian Babushka doll style - starting from the earliest Motorola DynaTAC 8000X to the current Apple iPhone. A lesson or two for schools to make history more interesting.

Via Design Milk.

According to recent trials, the pill levels out the muscle contractions that are the main cause of painful cramps. With Phase I testing deemed a success, Phase II of the testing will include "128 women aged between 18 and 25 in the UK and the US." The results of the testing should be ready for review sometime in 2010.

If testing is successful, the drug could be available in as little as four years. Until then, women the world over will have to grin and bear it and keep their fingers crossed.

Via Gizmag

I am not sure whether I am being influenced by my daughter’s obsession with bunnies here, but I really like the Rabbit Ear chair designed by the Sanaa Architects group and I sure wish they would make them kid-sized as well.

The Rabbit Ear Chair comes in six different colors and can be purchased from this site. The price varies from 30,000 yen (roughly $335,-) to 33,000 yen depending on the color.

This year the chairs were also displayed at the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London.

Via Hypebeast

I have always had a fascination with urban furniture projects, especially as today’s fast and ever evolving technology allows for endless creativity. I am loving this manhole-redesign environmentally friendly manhole-redesign, that is powered by rainwater. Step on it and it will display information about the nearest subway station or bus stop.

Via Yanko Design