General Electric, in conjunction with Louisville Gas and Electric, is doing a trial run of appliances that communicate with the power grid to manage energy consumption based on area energy usage.

These appliances have "Smart Meters" that allow the power grid to turn them on during off-peak hours. The idea is that power companies will offer "Tiered" electric plans that would make energy usage during off-peak hours cheaper than the peak hours.

I might have to become nocturnal in the future in order to battle the rising energy crisis.

SMART Technologies is about to announce the SMART Table, a Microsoft Surface-like device for the classroom. The company is aiming to put these in classrooms all over the nation for a measly $8000. According to the company:

"The SMART Table is a versatile learning center where groups of students can create, explore and discover together on the durable screen."

The device isn’t available yet, but I think the problem is not the device, it’s the technologically challenged teachers.

I-Garment’s new firefighter "smart" suit was invented to improve the safety of firefighters and aid communications during disaster relief.

This apparel has already been approved by the European Space Agency in field tests involving fire situations.

The "smart" suit can monitor rescue workers’ positions and their vital signs via sensors strategically located on the suit.

Dr. Whippy is an interesting ice-cream dispensing machine, delivering soft scoop ice cream according to the perceived unhappiness level of the customer. This is made possible by using voice stress analysis of the user’s answers to specific questions. The different degrees of unhappiness are then measured, compensated by the quantity of ice cream dispensed. Definitely not something you’d want to give to someone who is trying to lose weight, as the vicious circle of depression continues in a downward spiral. Awesome none the less.

Are you the creative kid in your office? You know, the one with the office (umm cubicle) that people actually like visiting for meetings? If so, you’ll probably be among the first to order the LivingColors lamp.

Available this September, LivingColors by Philips is a beautiful lighting solution for your office, bedroom, or living room. It’s transparent bowl-like shape holds 4 LEDs, two red, one blue, and one green. You can increase, reduce, brighten, or dim each LED, producing over 16 million different colors!

Mood-changing and seduction-ready (for the hopeful and strategic romantics), the lamp is controlled by radio-frequency remote, meaning you can change settings from anywhere in the room without hassle or perfect aim. And, just in case you forget frequently, the remote itself can ‘remember’ the last setting that you used.

Smart light. Right?

Price: about $150 at red5.co.uk