Google Ventures is going to the next level by doubling its investment in start-ups to as much as $200 million per year, expanding its office space within the Googleplex, and getting a few Googlers-in-residence.
The results of some fairly high profile smart energy management projects (apparently successful) are due this week, but apparently Google didn't have the patience to wait. The giant Internet services company has officially "retired" the PowerMeter service due to lack of consumer adoption.
For Google, the $280 million fund is its largest clean energy investment yet. SolarCity leases residential solar power systems to homeowners.
Google has been dropping big bucks on clean tech as it aims to procure alternative energy as well as invest in the sector. The latest investment is the Shepherds Flat wind farm in Oregon.
Ford will use Microsoft's Hohm energy management application for its electric vehicles. The win is a big one for Microsoft and sets up an interesting battleground with Google, which is also vying to help homeowners manage their power consumption.
I know some of my colleagues have an issue with Greenpeace's scare tactics on the environment, but you've got to admit that they are also really effective at getting big companies to pay attention to certain issues -- such as the potential of technology to counteract climate change or reshape energy use.One of the ways it does this is with its Cool IT Leaderboard, below.
Interesting analysis over at Earth2Tech blog about whether or not the onus should be on utility companies to provide near real-time pricing info to consumers via smart meters. Seems Google supports a proposal by the California Public Utilities Commission suggesting that the state should require real-time pricing information for anyone with smart meters by the end of 2010.
Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily.
Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily.
Google is developing home electricity dashboards for the future smart grid. The effort, which dubbed the Google PowerMeter, is being tested by Google employees.
Google finally launches its Find My Device network. Here are the Android models that support it
One of the best Android watches I've tested is not made by Google or Samsung
3 million smart toothbrushes were not used in a DDoS attack after all, but it could happen
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B review: A capable, flexible and affordable DIY computing platform
Which Microsoft Surface PC is right for you?
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'