(PRWeb UK/PRWEB ) March 21, 2010 — Clean laundry is an essential requirement of any top class care home. Especially in Sunbury Nursing Home one of the oldest and most prestigious care homes situated on the banks of the river Thames in Middlesex. Clean laundry not only creates a good impression but it is essential for hygiene and helps combat transference of infection.

But modern care homes have strict budgets to adhere to and are always looking at ways to keep running costs down. Advance Laundry Equipment says its latest high tech, environmentally friendly laundry system can cut costs through energy and resource savings while producing cleaner results.

When Chris White, Managing Director at Sunbury Nursing Home, wanted to find out what savings he could make if he installed a modern laundry system to give the best service for his 87 residents, he turned to Advance Laundry Equipment for advice.

“Advance showed me their new G400 range of Grandimpianti washers and dryers coupled with the Opura ozone system,” White says. “I could see that it offered us the opportunity to completely re-vamp the laundry, bringing it into the 21st century.

The Opura laundry management system combines ozone, Grandimpianti’s unique washer extractor technology and the ‘Brilliant’ high quality commercial laundry detergent range from R P Adam. Together they ensure both laundry cleanliness and energy efficient operation.

Independent tests by Campden BRI, a UK research and development organisation for the food and drinks industry, show that as well as delivering savings in energy, water and chemical usage, Opura maintains the highest levels of infection control, combating MRSA, E. coli and C. difficile on every wash cycle.

“The facts and figures provided by Advance were supported with live on-site data based on extensive field trials they have carried out with major UK care suppliers – people and operators I know and can identify with,” says White.

Advance completely reviewed the operation at Sunbury and pointed out where savings could be made. For example, the existing dryers at Sunbury were using 35kW of gas each load, whereas the new Grandimpianti TDG180 dryers use 7.97kW to dry an 18kg load in only 29 minutes.

“Because all G400 dryers have direct reverse action there are no moving belts, which significantly cuts down on energy use,” says Jeremy Hartigan, Advance Group Business Development Director. “What’s more the Grandimianti’s Dynamic Weighing System (DWS) actually weighs every load, so the exact amount of detergent and water is used each time. Laundry is washed and rinsed better this way, while substantial savings are made on energy, chemicals and water.”

For Sunbury it’s an excellent solution. The Whites can maintain their high standards, improve their laundry operation, increase their environmental credentials and cut costs dramatically.

“The Advance system has really turned the laundry green!” says Hartigan.

Advance Laundry Equipment is part of the Advance Group. For more information on the Grandimpianti range and the Opura system contact Advance Laundry Equipment on 0800 597 7427 or visit www.advancegroupuk.co.uk.

Reston, VA (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 23, 2010 — Wirefly (www.wirefly.com), the Internet’s leading authorized retailer of cell phones and plans, today announced that for a limited time only, customers can receive $100 Bing cash back on every cell phone purchased. Beginning today, shoppers who visit Wirefly.com from links at Microsoft’s decision engine, Bing.com, can receive $100 cash back from Bing for every cell phone, netbook, or laptop card they purchase– up to $500 for a 5-line family plan. Prepaid phones are not available for Bing cashback.

Cell phone seekers taking advantage of this Bing cashback sale will still be able to enjoy all of the benefits that come with shopping at Wirefly.com – an expansive selection of the latest cell phones, PDAs and smartphones from every major U.S carrier, tremendous discounts and greater savings – up to hundreds of dollars less than retail stores, straightforward pricing with no rebates, and free Fedex shipping. With this sale, Wirefly is simply making online shopping even more affordable – by offering its customers an opportunity to get $100 cashback from Bing with every phone they purchase.

“Many shoppers would love to own the latest smartphone, Android device or netbook,” said Scott Ableman, chief marketing officer of Simplexity, parent company of Wirefly. “Now, with $100 in Bing cashback, there’s no wireless device that isn’t affordable.”

The Bing cashback program costs nothing to join. Consumers who navigate to Wirefly from Bing search and complete a purchase will receive the cashback directly from Bing, even if the transaction amount is less than $100.00.

An example is the popular Motorola DROID. Current or new Verizon Wireless customers can get one at Wirefly.com for $49.99 with a 2-year agreement; Now, during the Bing cashback sale, they can make $50 per phone after Bing cashback. Other popular devices available for under $100 with select plans at Wirefly.com include the HTC Hero, Palm Pre and Palm Pre Plus, and BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphones.

Netbook shoppers can recoup the entire $99.99 cost of a new Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with an AT&T data plan just by searching on Bing and participating in the cashback program.

“Many of the most popular cell phones from BlackBerry, Samsung, LG, and HTC are already free with a service plan at Wirefly,” added Ableman. “With the Bing Cashback Sale, our customers will likely receive more cashback from Bing than they paid for their new phones. New AT&T customers should be especially interested in this deal as every AT&T phone offered on Wirefly.com is free with a new account for a limited time.”

How to earn $100 cashback from Bing:

The offer is only available for a limited time. For more information on the Bing cashback program, visit www.bing.com/cashback.
To compare hundreds of cell phones and rate plans across all wireless carriers to determine the best device to fit your needs, visit www.wirefly.com.

About Wirefly
Wirefly.com is America’s trusted source for cell phones and wireless service plans. Owned and operated by Simplexity, Wirefly.com is the Internet’s #1 authorized dealer for every major cellular carrier in the U.S. Wirefly.com also offers discounts and services not available in retail wireless stores, including real-time online order status and tracking, and the guaranteed lowest price – online or anywhere else — on cell phone devices from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry and many other cell phone handset manufacturers. Wirefly.com has been named Best of the Web by Forbes magazine and “Best in Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Performance Systems. For more information on Wirefly.com, its wireless products and its services, visit http://www.wirefly.com.

Online Revolt called ‘2011 Obama’s Coup Fails’ envisioned as a game taking place in reality after the November 2010 Elections. The Tea Party Social Movement mounts a grassroots opposition to Obama and the Democrats with education and entertainment combined.

New York – (PRWEB) February 23, 2010 — 2011 Obama’s Coup Fails is the fusion of the Tea Party Revolt against President Obama, Pelosi and Reid with online political strategy gaming. The American Tea Party Alliance envisions dire consequences after a massive Republican win in November leading to an attempted coup. According to Mr. Lodee “The Online game educates members on the facts of the health care debate, the fake science of Global Warming as well as the steps being taken by the administration to overwhelm the system with debt and inflation. The site asks readers and members to decide for themselves if it is all a game or reality. The answer may not be to their liking. The goal of the 2011 Obama’s Coup Fails site is to educate people as quickly as possible as to what is taking place in America. Within the context of the game members are shown the methods by which the United States is being fundamentally transformed into a Socialist or Marxist nation. ”

With enemies such as C.O.R.N.Y. (Congress of Rejected and Neglected Youth) and I.S.U.E. (International Service Union Empire) members fight the forces of Obama and the left while learning about the Constitution of the United States and Freedom. Real life advice and help is given to citizens to create their own Tea Party organizations all over America in preparation for the election day in November. The United States of Earth website boasts 20,000 members and is growing quickly to include politicians, media people and average Americans who are afraid of what may be on the horizon for America. The site can be summed up by two quotes by two Founding Fathers of the United States of America. It was Benjamin Franklin who said “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety “. Thomas Jefferson stated “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

If you’d like more information about the United States of Earth, 2011 Obama’s Coup Fails or the American Tea Party Alliance please contact Mike Lodee at (718) 802-3276

U.S. of Earth Inc.
45 Main Street, Suite 307

Delft, The Netherlands and San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) February 23, 2010 — Inbox2, the new revolutionary email platform that allows you to plug-in all of your existing email (Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, AOL) or any custom IMAP/POP3 accounts, and social networks (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yammer, Hyves) in one application, today announced the public beta launch of its free desktop client for Windows. Inbox2 collects all messages, document attachments, links and contacts from all of your existing email and social network accounts in one, convenient place, and allows you to read, reply, search and manage them without having to login to multiple accounts. Inbox2 is designed to reduce the complexity involved with the current email programs and add-ons required to fulfill the needs of today’s savvy Web2.0 professional consumers or ‘prosumers’ who typically use between five to ten different email and social network applications.

“The cost and complexity of existing email and application solutions is too high for the majority of prosumers,” states Inbox2 CEO and co-founder, Khuram Hussain. “Inbox2 provides a free, simplified desktop alternative that allows you to keep all your content from these different applications services in one place without having to login to multiple accounts. You would need to combine the capabilities of Outlook and a plug-in like Xobni in order to have even a few of the Inbox2 features.”

Inbox2 is equipped with powerful search capabilities that allow the user to search within attachments, status updates (including tweets), even when you are working offline. It also shows all your email messages and other delayed messages such as Facebook private messages and Twitter direct messages as conversation streams. The real-time streams are conveniently placed in the real-time bar at the bottom of the application where they can be viewed at anytime. You can also ‘pin’ any number of Twitter searches to this same bar to keep an eye on any topic directly from inside your email application.

Inbox2 allows the user to organize their inbox around people or content discovery including social and real-time channels, and in combination with a simple, intuitive user experience.

Key features include:

Developers and other applications will be able to access the Inbox2 platform APIs to create add-ons that further enrich and expand the messaging, sharing, searching and organizing experience around email in the near future. The Inbox2 platform is ideal for developers as it has autonomous capabilities for message and content exchange that are not source dependent.

Inbox2 users can expect a number of developments in the mobile space in the coming months, in addition to even more powerful and rich features. Users will also be able to upgrade to a premium, subscription-based solution in the future that offers full synchronization of all their inbox content within the Inbox2 platforms including desktop, web and mobile.

About Inbox2:
Inbox2 is a premium connected lifestyle application that brings communication – and the people you communicate with – into a single, synchronized application that is accessible everywhere. The innovative email platform allows you to plug-in your existing email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Exchange) or any custom IMAP/POP3 accounts and social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn, Hyves, Yammer, Twitter) in one application. Inbox2 collects all your messages, documents, links and contacts from these accounts in one convenient place and allows you to read, reply, search and be productive without having to login to multiple accounts. The Inbox2 platform is designed to reduce the complexity around the current email programs and add-ons needed to fulfill the demands of today’s savvy Web2.0 ‘prosumers’ (professional consumers). The standalone desktop version can be downloaded and used for free. The premium solution is subscription-based and offers synchronization of all your Inbox content within the Inbox2 ecosystem including web and mobile which will be added soon. Compared to Outlook-Exchange-Blackberry, the Inbox2 premium solution offers more benefits and an easy to use email experience – but at a fraction of the costs.

Founded in August 2008, Inbox2 is a privately held company based in Delft, The Netherlands. Learn more at http://www.inbox2.com.

Munich, Germany (PRWEB) February 23, 2010 — Horoskop-Analysen.de today announced the official release of its unique License Plate Decoder app to the iTunes App Store. The iPhone app is available for $1.99. To download the application and for more information, go to License Plate Decoder on App Store.

The car numerology application is designed as a sophisticated and entertaining iPhone tool. It addresses app users who are interested in gaining a profound understanding of the secret meaning of license plates from a numerological perspective. Apart from that, the car numerology calculator is also compelling to all those who just want to have fun and compare the secret messages with friends, colleagues or neighbors.

The application features a cool look and feel, simple data entry and summary and in-depth insights about positive influences and potential downsides derived by the unique combination of letters and numbers on a license plate.

“License Plate Decoder makes the iPhone a great tool for everybody who has always wanted to know what their license plate number really means. Understanding the meaning helps you to determine how well the license plate and its numerological symbolism correspond with the personalities, needs, and desires of the affected car occupants,” said Michael Weishaeupl, Founder of Horoskop-Analysen.de.

Fujitsu Rebates & Specials

Current Fujitsu Offers and Specials

The Mobile Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Provides Consumers and Business Professionals New Productivity Features and Increased Versatility for PC and Mac

SUNNYVALE, Calif., February 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., the market leader in document imaging scanners and services, today introduced the newest addition to its portable ScanSnap product lineup. The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 is the company’s next generation mobile multi-page scanner that provides the same easy-to-use one-button scanning and reliable operation as its predecessors. With enhanced productivity features and added versatility, it is also the first ScanSnap scanner designed for full cross-platform functionality for PC and Mac.

Optimized for operation with a PC or Mac and small enough to digitize paperwork easily and efficiently from the road, the ScanSnap S1300 is engineered to provide consumers and business professionals the most productive scanning experience at home or on the go.

“Following the successful launch of the ScanSnap S300 and S300M, the predecessors of the ScanSnap S1300, it was important that we bring even more scanning functionality and platform flexibility to mobile consumers and business professionals with this latest solution,” said Michael Sidejas, product marketing manager, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. “Whether it is scanning contracts, receipts, bills, invoices, or business cards on the road or using a PC at one place and a Mac at another, the new ScanSnap S1300 provides users the tools to be even more productive and paperless anywhere, regardless of the computer they use.”

New Productivity Features

Fujitsu was the first to introduce multi-sheet, duplex performance in a USB powered mobile scanner with the ScanSnap S300 series and now the next generation ScanSnap S1300 provides even more intelligence, productivity features and flexibility. Key features that are new to the ScanSnap S1300 include:

• Automatic Quality: When Auto is selected under Image Quality, ScanSnap increases the resolution on small documents (A6 or smaller), helping ensure the fine-print on small documents remains legible and searchable.
• Mark Text Function: Users can utilize a standard highlighter pen on a black & white document to automatically create searchable keywords of the highlighted text, such as an invoice number or last name.
• ABBYY FineReader for ScanSnap: ABBYY FineReader for ScanSnap allows users to be productive by quickly transforming their paperwork into editable Word and Excel files at the push of a button.
• Grayscale Support: In addition to automatically detecting color and monochrome, users can now scan images or text in grayscale. This is especially important for small images or text within business cards and small receipts that typically includes fine print.
• Long Document Support: Users are able to scan a document up to 34 inches long, allowing ScanSnap S1300 to support a wider range of documents, such as long grocery receipts or lengthy rental agreements.

Increased Versatility on the Go

ScanSnap S1300 comes with software for PC and software for Mac so users who use both can optimize their ScanSnap for either platform with equal ease, making the scanner even more portable and versatile. In-box software includes:

• ScanSnap Organizer 4.1 (PC): Offers PC users a convenient way to store, manage and view PDF and JPEG files as well as perform post-scan editing, keyword entry and searchable PDF conversion.
• CardMinder 4.1 (PC): Provides PC users a fast way to capture both sides of a business card, extract the information automatically and export it to Outlook, Excel, Act! and other contact management software.
• Scan to Functions (PC): Offers PC users an easy way to scan to a folder, attach scans to an email, send scans to a printer, or scan to Microsoft SharePoint for ad-hoc efficiency.
• ScanSnap Manager (Mac and PC): Provides Mac and PC users one button searchable PDF creation, access to intelligent features and custom scan settings (profiles) for simple operation with sophisticated results.
• Scan to Functions (Mac): Offers Mac users a flexible way to manage their PDF, searchable PDF and JPEG files. Users can save content to a folder, a network folder, iPhoto, and even directly to their iDisk account.
• Cardiris 3.6 (Mac): Provides Mac users a convenient way to scan their business cards and export the contact information directly to Address Book or Entourage.

Additional ScanSnap S1300 features that continue to deliver on the ScanSnap legacy of intelligence, quality and ease-of-use include:

• Scanning speeds of up to 8 double-sided color pages per minute (ppm)
• Automatic document feeder (ADF) holding up to 10 pages (letter size)
• One button searchable PDF: Converts scanned data into searchable PDF files that let users quickly and easily find the documents they have scanned
• Scan to Email, Scan to Folder & Scan to Print functions
• Automatic paper size detection: From 2×2 inches to Legal
• Automatic de-skew & orientation
• Automatic blank page detection & deletion
• Small footprint (compact and 3.1 lbs)
• Can be powered by USB (USB cables and AC power adaptor included)
• ENERGY STAR® and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliant

“Customers who travel regularly for business or share devices between work and home computers need a mobile scanning experience that offers them easy operation, quality image processing and platform flexibility,” continued Sidejas. “With new productivity features, dual PC/Mac functionality and multi-page performance, the new ScanSnap S1300 underscores Fujitsu’s commitment to building cutting edge products based on what our users need.”

Pricing & Availability

The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 is available now for $295 (U.S. list) through Fujitsu authorized resellers, mail order catalogs and the Fujitsu website located at http://www.buyfcpa.com.

The Fujitsu Service Advantage

The Fujitsu ScanSnap scanner comes standard with a 1-year depot limited warranty. Additionally, the Advance Exchange™ service offering, the Fujitsu overnight replacement program, provides the customer a replacement scanner prior to shipment of any malfunctioned scanner back to Fujitsu. The Advance Exchange offering is available for $99 covering 12 months.

For more information about Fujitsu services, contact a Fujitsu distribution partner or service sales at 800-301-9475 or visit http://www.ImagingService.com.

Macworld 2010 Showcase

Fujitsu will showcase the ScanSnap S1300 at Macworld 2010 in San Francisco at Moscone Center on February 11-13. Booth number is 853.

Additional Supporting Resources

For more information about the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300, visit:

ScanSnap S1300 Product Page:
http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/computing/peripherals/scanners/scansnap/s1300.html

ScanSnap Community:
http://scansnapcommunity.com/features/1733-introducing-the-new-mobile-scansnap-s1300/

Follow @ScanSnapIT on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ScanSnapIT

Get a Free Printer and Free Shipping With Select Purchases

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ — Continuing to drive innovation, Sony® today launched the new BDP-S470 stand-alone Blu-ray 3D™-ready player.  The model can be upgraded to play Blu-ray 3D content with a firmware update available this summer.

The company also announced that the previously introduced BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc™ model and the BDV-E770W and BDV-E570 Blu-ray Disc home theater systems will be Blu-ray 3D capable with firmware updates available this summer.

The new models, along with the previously announced BDP-S370, are now shipping and will be available at national retailers, Sony Style®, and www.sonystyle.com next month.

“Consumer excitement for 3D is unbelievably high and Sony is poised to deliver the best possible in-home experience,” said Chris Fawcett, vice president of Sony’s Home Division.  ”Involved in every facet of the 3D chain from professional equipment to content production and hardware, Sony is the one company that can lean on its broad expertise to deliver 3D to the home that truly captures consumer imagination.”

In addition to Blu-ray 3D playback, when connected to a broadband Internet network, all of the new models instantly stream movies, videos, music, and more from Netflix®, Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube™, Slacker® Internet Radio, Pandora® (Coming Spring 2010), NPR, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, and over 25 total providers through the Sony BRAVIA® Internet Video platform.

The new models also feature Sony’s Entertainment Database Browser using Gracenote™ technologies that allows users to browse details like actor and production information from a Blu-ray Disc and access related content found on BRAVIA Internet Video content.

Unique to the new models, users with an iPhone® or iPod® touch device can control the players using a free app called “BD Remote” that can be downloaded from the Apple App store.  The app allows an iPhone or iPod touch device to function as a remote control that includes the ability to access a Blu-ray Disc’s details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online.

The models also offer improved start up and disc loading performance.  When the quick start feature is turned on, the start-up time is quicker and disc loading is faster than previous models.  The stand-alone Blu-ray Disc players can start-up from power off in about three seconds.

Specifications:

BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc Player

Available in February for about $250

• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE™
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• Built-in Wi-Fi® Wireless (802.11) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA® (with firmware update)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby® TrueHD and dts®-HD Master Audio™ decoding
• Built-in 1GB Memory

BDP-S470
Blu-ray Disc Player

Available in February for about $200

• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• Wireless LAN Ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA (with firmware update)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

BDP-S370 Blu-ray Disc Player

Available in February for about $180

• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• Wireless LAN Ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA (with firmware update)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

BDV-E770W Blu-ray Disc™ Home Theater System

Available in March for about $650

• 1000W Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• Integrated S-AIR™ Wireless Rear Speaker
• Wireless LAN Ready with included USB Wireless LAN adapter (802.11)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA (with firmware update)
• iPod audio playback via USB
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Built-in 1GB Memory

BDV-E570 Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System

Available in March for about $550

• 1000W Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc™, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• S-AIR ready for wireless rear and wireless multi-room speakers (sold separately)
• Wireless LAN Ready with included USB Wireless LAN adapter (802.11)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA (with firmware update)
• iPod audio playback via USB
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Built-in 1GB Memory

Click here to read more details on the Sony BDP-S470

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Costco.com now sells the world’s first CarbonFree® Certified carbon neutral paper shredder, made by GoECOlife™. The paper shredder has earned Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Certified Label, the world‘s leading carbon neutral product label and the first in the U.S.

To earn the CarbonFree® Product Certification, the GoECOlife™ SOHO 8-Sheet ULTRA-QUIET™ Paper Shredder underwent a rigorous product life-cycle assessment performed by WSP Group to determine the carbon footprint. In addition to using energy-saving technology, GoECOlife™ reduced the remaining carbon footprint through support of Carbonfund.org’s third-party validated renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.

“We put our shredder through Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Product Certification because of its rigor and third party life-cycle assessment,” said Sam Lee, spokesperson for GoECOlife™. “The Certification provides a credible way for consumers to differentiate products that minimize their impact on climate change and the environment.”

“The CarbonFree® Certified Label provides a transparent and meaningful way for companies to provide carbon neutral products,” said Carbonfund.org President Eric Carlson. “We are proud to partner with diverse and leading brands like GoECOlife™ to make these products available to their customers and enable them to reduce their climate impact in their everyday purchases.”

The personal GoECOlife™ shredder utilizes an energy-saving technology that prevents vampire energy waste when the shredder is not in use and plugged in. The shredder is manufactured with materials that meet Restriction of Hazardous Substances standards (RoHS-compliant) and is packaged with recycled, partially recycled and/or biodegradable materials.

The shredder is available at Costco.com (online only), which is running a promotion on the GoECOlife™ SOHO 8-Sheet ULTRA-QUIET™ Paper Shredder, Item # 485883. The promotion runs through February and includes a $20 instant rebate, a 12-pack of CarbonFree® Certified GoECOlife™ Lubricant Sheets, an “Envy Green” Reusable Canvas Tote and a “Green Facts” Mouse Pad.

To learn more about GoECOlife™ products, visit www.goecolife.com. You can also learn more about Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Certified Label and Product Certification by visiting www.carbonfund.org/products.

About Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org is the leading nonprofit carbon reduction and climate solutions organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact by supporting third-party validated renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. Carbonfund.org has over 450,000 individual supporters and works with over 1,300 business and nonprofit partners including Discovery, Motorola, Amtrak, Volkswagen, Dell, GoECOlife™, and JetBlue. Please visit www.carbonfund.org.

About GoECOlife™

GoECOlife™ is dedicated to introducing environmentally preferable, smart, everyday devices and products that ultimately contribute to sustaining our future. GoECOlife™ manufactures certified biodegradable/compostable products and utilizes recycled and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)-compliant, lead-FREE materials both in products and packaging whenever possible, as well as proprietary energy-conserving technologies. Please visit www.goecolife.com.

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• Kia Ray features aerodynamic design, innovative technology and plug-in hybrid capabilities
• Kia Ray utilizes roof top “cool-glazing” solar glass and a has a range of up to 746 miles

CHICAGO, February 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of Kia Motors’ global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined “EcoDynamics,” to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid.

As the world looks for more efficient vehicle designs that combine sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and fuel economy, the Kia Ray concept is a bold new collaboration between design and engineering and inventively showcases a futuristic four-seat compact sedan based on the Kia Forte platform and demonstrates a prospective plug-in hybrid vehicle configuration from Kia. Designed with lightweight and recycled materials, as well as hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel that power extra lighting or climate control systems, the Kia Ray is the fifth vehicle from the Irvine Calif.-based Kia Design Center America (KDCA) to be revealed in the last year. The latest design from KDCA follows award-winning Kia vehicles Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV.

“It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies,” said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. “Being green doesn’t have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers.”

The stylish, aerodynamic Ray combines design and engineering for maximum efficiency, incorporating clean, flush surfaces minimizing any unneeded edges, a flowing profile and pronounced rear shoulder ending in a slightly high deck lid for reduced drag, touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, “cool-glazing” solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery – all possible indicators of future technology from Kia. As a plug-in hybrid, Ray is designed to reach driving distances of more than 50 miles using its electric motor on a single charge, and has a fuel economy rating of more than 202 miles per gallon, and has a total range of 746 miles.

As part of Kia Motors’ EcoDynamics sub-brand, the Ray concept demonstrates a unique vision for eye-catching vehicles with the goal of reducing environmental footprints. Kia models will carry the EcoDynamics badge as they are progressively introduced, and are designed to deliver significant environmental benefits, these vehicles also will retain a sporty design, fun-to-drive performance and a strong appeal for the young-at-heart.

Striking Aircraft-Inspired Exterior Design

EcoDynamics is the overarching design philosophy applied to make the Kia Ray concept efficiently functional and striking in appearance. A lowered mono-volume shape and a strong, curvaceous silhouette gives the Kia Ray concept better aerodynamic properties than taller profile hybrid vehicles. Strong and lightweight materials are used to support the EcoDynamics philosophy starting with a tabbed LED Kia badge covered with a single piece of glass that extends over the hood and another piece of glass that extends from the cowl of the windshield to the rear header to offer occupants a spacious, airy feeling. An illuminated battery charge indicator display is hood-mounted, furthering the Kia Ray concept’s futuristic design. A tapering greenhouse cabin and a longer “tail” improve aerodynamics while reduction of drag is attained through a one-piece, smooth-as-glass, integrated underbody panel, narrow tire width and flush wheel design. Front driving lamps slide back to create openings for better air intake when the gasoline engine is being used and a sliding U-shaped deck-lid extends from the rear of the vehicle at higher speeds for improved coefficient of drag. In lieu of side-view mirrors and door handles, motion-detector cameras are mounted flush with the body for safe lane changing procedures and opening of doors. The result is an airframe on wheels. The front door opening features a forward cutout design for the feet allowing ease of entry. The rear door lines are very purposeful with rear-hinged coach doors, yet stylish because their height and shape improves ingress and egress.

The Ray employs new “cool car” technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials applied to the concept to dramatically reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the interior cool will reduce air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions. When the vehicle is parked in the sun, the solar cells provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce interior temperatures.

Light and Airy Interior

Using the natural element of air as the design focus to convey feelings of pure, lightweight, breathable and refreshing, Ray’s interior is comprised of eco-friendly recycled materials in cool white tones to offer the passengers a sense of purity while also reflecting the heat of the sun, keeping the temperature down and reducing the use of air conditioner energy. Front and rear seats, mounted on side sills, create a floating effect with hollowed out elastomeric materials to support body weight, also made of lightweight composite materials.

Fresh and sustainable materials like wool flooring unite to create a simple yet sophisticated and comfortable cabin, with a lightweight touch screen instrument layout featuring touch screen push-button start and gear shift toggle. The center stack features the all-new Kia UVO powered by Microsoft® advanced infotainment system, which provides users with friendly voice- and touch-activated controls for simple management of music files and hands-free mobile phone operation.

Adding to the list of green technology features, Ray also employs the all-new GreenEdge™ system by Infinity® Audio, complete with loudspeakers that reduce power consumption and dissipation through lower self heating temperatures with increased acoustic performance, a better synergy between amplifier, speaker and vehicle. The amplifier used also reduces the idle power consumption by 50 percent of current Infinity speakers and employs a lower dissipation design for significant savings in overall weight.

With a focus to reduce overall weight through materials and design, the hexagon/honeycomb shape can be found throughout the cabin, used as a repeated design element while tying the interior theme together. Used also in the door inserts and seats, this lightweight and breathable mesh serves to reduce overall curb weight as well as being a unique design element. Other materials found in the cabin are soft to the touch with a matte finish, including white leather, offering a more luxurious feel while making the interior more inviting and tranquil. The 100-percent earthy mocha wool felt floors add a touch of warmth and also are environmentally friendly by coming from a renewable resource. Adding further to Ray’s green characteristics, the floor mats are incorporated into the design of the floor, greatly reducing the amount of material used.

Hybrid Architecture

The Ray Concept is designed to be powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.4-liter engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), used in combination with a 78kw electric motor. Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the wheels from the gasoline engine, the electric motor, or both together. The Ray concept is front-wheel drive with a four-wheel independent suspension.

Furthering EcoDynamics innovation, the Ray concept’s advanced system is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift up/down indicator to encourage economical driving. Custom-designed low-rolling resistance with a hexagon pattern, narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) tires also improve Ray’s efficiency.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 670 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”

Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

As I was getting ready for bed (it’s 1:00 a.m. as I write this), I did a little search of my news sources and found the Q Book from New Zealand. I’m sure America has a lot of similar products but this is the first time I viewed picture books on a hand held device like an iPhone. It seems Penguin in New Zealand is releasing many of its picture book titles as Q books. I may have a couple details out of place since my eyes are about shut, but you can see a few examples below of the Penguin QBooks.

Some more facts about Q Books:

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