This is a guest post from the guys at igadgetlife.com, covering gadget reviews .

They say that music calms the savage beast. It could also be said that talk-radio creates a stir. But either way you like it, one thing you can use to experience either one is a radio or portable media player. Portable media players allow us to bring our own music, and radios bring us a lot of entertainment and information generally for free, plucked straight from the airwaves.

But one thing that is not always free in the process is the power required to run the units. Whether you power it from the grid or buy batteries, there is a certain price to pay, and potential ecological waste in the process.

However, if you use a wind up or solar powered device, then you avoid the waste and the reliance on the power suppliers. With a few minutes of cranking you have ample power to enjoy a lot of quality time with the broadcasters, and solar players work great just left in the sunlight. This type of radio works quite well at home, traveling (no power adapters!), and on the camping trail.

In fact, we like the concept of the alternatively powered radios and media players so much that we thought we would show you a few of our favorites. While in no way is this intended to be an exhaustive list, you just might be surprised at what is available on the market today. For those interested, these devices can be found at Nigel’s EcoStore as well as other retailers across the web.

1. Devo Wind Up Digital Radio

The Devo wind up radio integrates Digital Audio Broadcasting with the convenience of an alternatively powered highly efficient FM radio. The Devo uses the Freeplay wind up power technology, and 60 seconds of winding can give up to 1 hour FM at normal volume. A fully charged battery will crank out 6 hours DAB or a whopping 36 hours FM.

The radio is only 122 x 114 x 204mm big, so packing it with you is not a problem. There is also 5 DAB presets, taking you back to your favorite station quickly when needed.

2. Wind Up Eco Media Player

If there was one wind up media device that I was going to carry with me, then this one would probably be it. The Wind Up Eco Media Player has been dubbed the Green iPod by the press, and it is easy to see why. The device will let you not only enjoy your favorite audio and video files, it will also let you listen to the radio and share your photos.

The unit also features an SD card reader and USB cable for optional charging and data storage on the device (it can mount as an external disk). You can record audio notes with the device thanks to a built in microphone, and if that was not enough, you can also charge your mobile phone, cables included.

One minute of winding will give you about 40 minutes of audio playback, and you can fully charge the battery for 20 hours of uninterrupted service. The Eco Media Player can also be shared in a small crowd thanks to a built in loudspeaker – something missing from a lot of portable media players on the market.

3. Toucan Solar Powered MP4 Player

As an alternative to the wind up media player above, The Toucan Solar Powered MP4 Player has an integrated solar panel that lets it charge from artificial or natural light as needed. The Toucan can play a large variety of audio and video media formats as well as text files and photos. And if for some reason the 4GB internal memory is not enough for you, there is also a mini-SD card clot for expansion.

You can hook up the player to a computer through the USB cable for charging and media transfer, but you won’t need to just for power. After all, one hour of sunlight will give you 36 minutes of audio or roughly 18 minutes of video. And if you fully charge the Toucan, you can have 6 hours of music or 4 hours of video – enough to watch a couple movies.

4. EyeMax Wind Up LED Solar Radio

The EyeMax Wind Up LED Solar Radio is powered by both winding and solar, making it very convenient in a lot of situations. The highly efficient winding mechanism will give you 30+ minutes of listening for a quick 30 second crank session. The unit also features a built-in LED flashlight, just in case you find yourself in the dark.

Cranking is not your only power option with this radio, since it also incorporates solar charging. Left in direct sunlight, it will charge its cells, ready for play when the evening comes.

5. Solar Powered Portable Speakers

So, you already have a great device, but you can’t share the tunes with everyone due to the need for powering big speakers? Well, this may be exactly what you need. The Solar Powered Potable Speakers measure 195 x 112 x 50mm, and weigh in at 290g. Leave this baby in the sun for 6 hours and you can party to your music for 8 hours. And if you don’t have the sunlight, then they will even charge for other types of light, albeit a bit slower.

The speakers have a standard 3.5mm audio socket, making it compatible with practically anything on the market that has a headphone jack (iPhones and iPods included). The Solar Powered Speakers are great for your next outdoor excursion. Of course, they would also be quite handy at home or in an office, preferably placed in a natural light source area – you would always have powered speakers ready to go.

6. Wind Up Football Radio with Cell Phone Charger

While the Wind Up Football Radio looks to be perfect for any football (or soccer) fan you know, it is actually a very capable device. Not only can you crank it up to listen to your favorite music and sports, but you can also charge up your phone with it. The radio comes with a cable for the phone, and it is packaged in biodegradable and recycled material.

7. Rhino AM/FM Wind Up Radio With FLashlight

If you are looking for a solid, basic AM/FM wind up radio then consider the Rhino. The Rhino has a smooth dynamo that gives an hours playing on 1 minutes worth of winding. A rugged design featuring a rubber spray finish makes the appropriately named Rhino a great traveling companion both urban and otherwise.

The Rhino also features a built-in LED light for those night time excursions. The radio measures in at 115x78x25mm. A built in speaker pumps out the sound, and a carrying handle makes it convenient to carry.

8. Baylis Mini Eco Radio

The Baylis Mini Eco Radio is a small and rugged AM/FM wind up and solar powered radio. The radio is coated in a tough rubber finish with a hidden antennae, making it durable enough to carry with you without concern. The small radio features a built-in speaker for sharing the music, and a phone charger keeps your line of communication operating in between listening sessions

The Mini Eco has an integrated LED flashlight for night time use (or cave spelunking, as you see fit). There is also a red LED map reading light, perfect for navigation or looking at your star maps.

Just because it is small does not mean it compromises on its charging capability. The brushless generator gives 20 minutes of listening for 1 minute of cranking, and the incorporated solar panel will fully charge the internal batteries after approximately 10 hours. The unit is easy to stow and carry, since the entire rugged and shockproof design is only 130x60mm.

9. SolarLink Wind Up and Solar Radio

Not only does the Solarlink FR550 Wind Up and Solar Radio feature a friendly and innovative design, it is also a great addition to almost any outdoor adventure. The Solarlink incorporates an AM/FM and shortwave SW/LW tuner, making it easy to find something of interest on the airwaves. Plus it has NOAA weather alert capability just in case things happen.

The Solarlink goes beyond just radio features, with a built-in flashlight, an emergency beacon, and an emergency siren. The radio can also charge up your smart phone and portable media player for those times the radio is off. The unit measures 196x216x63.5mm, and even has a digital clock to keep you on schedule.

10. Robert’s SolarDAB Digital Radio

If you already have a great AM/FM radio but not a DAB (Digital Audio Band) radio, then perhaps the Robert’s solarDAB radio is a great green unit for you. The DAB only solarDAB features a stylish and compact design that would look great on any desk, shelf or, rather ingenuously placed to grab a charge, the windowsill. Being only 190x110x80mm, it is also handy for trips out.

The solarDAB supports DAB Band III and L coverage, and there is a line in socket to listen to your speaker-less portable media player. Unlike most power hungry DAB radios on the market, the solarDAB can provide up to 27 hours on a full charge. And you can be sure when you find the best place to charge it, since there is a charging meter to help guide you. The solar powered solarDAB radio is handy in many places, from home and office to the park and outdoors.

It is easy to see how radios and portable media players have begun to shed their power requirements for alternative methods that save landfills as well as our money. With any of these devices the next time the power goes out, the party will just be getting started.

I woke up to the sounds of vuvuzelas blowing this morning. Cape Town has reached fever pitch. Today is the start of the FIFA World Cup 2010. Flags are flying. There’s something in the air. It even feels like summer today, even though it’s winter here. The sun is shining, and it’s pretty warm. It’s a perfect day.

I’m no football/soccer fan. But there are some in my family who are quite keen, and have their own vuvuzelas that they’ll be taking along to watch the opening match in Cape Town tonight (France vs. Uruguay). I’ve got them each a pair of earplugs to take along after all the warnings of hearing damage from vuvu-blasts that have been all over the radio and newspapers lately.

My plan is to have a quiet evening in with my 6 year old daughter, with one eye on the  South Africa vs. Mexico match playing in Jozi on the box. There’ll be no vuvuzelas in my living room!

But what has this all got to do with the green lifestyle? Why am I blogging about cheap plastic noise makers that are probably made in China, using virgin oil, and shipped here? Because, there are better, greener, and definitely more beautiful options available, and you should absolutely know about them.

K.E.L.P Vuvus (see above images)

K.E.L.P. stands for the Kelp Environmental Learning Project.   It was founded by a chap called Adam Carnegie who’s made it his mission to get a more eco-friendly vuvuzela on the market, exploring creativity, job creation, social responsibility and environmental education in the process.   Each K.E.L.P. vuvu is a true work of art.   Check them out here.

Obsidian Glass’s Vuvu Africa

Made of 100% recycled glass, here are more vuvuzelas that can be considered works of art.  They also sound far more beautiful than the elephant fart plastic variety.   And if you’re thinking that glass can’t be a good idea for a vuvu, just incase you break it, you needn’t worry about that, because they come in a gorgeous handmade beaded carrying case.  See them here.

And that concludes my eco-friendly vuvu report, but if you know of any more out there, please leave a comment.

Wannabe celeb Dan Power has released the world’s first ever ‘anti-eco’ single ‘Energy Wasting Day’

Dan Power attempts to knock Lady Gaga and Oasis out of the Top 10 and become the UK’s number one in time for April 1 2009.

In his debut music video, Dan Power (a self-confessed carbon junkie and Jeremy Clarkson fan) is seen cavorting with a group of girls pole dancing around patio heaters, riding a gas guzzling motorbike and advocating all kinds of ways to needlessly waste energy.

Check out www.energywastingday.com to download the track, buy collectible T-shirts, and become friends via his Facebook, MySpace and Twitter pages.

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The Sunjar was invented by designer Tobias Wong, and designed to use energy saving low voltage LED’s powered by a super-efficient solar panel inside the frosted jar. Recharge the Sunjar during the day to enjoy a warming relaxing orange glow during the evening and night.

The Sunjar is watertight and has no trailing cables which makes it suitable using inside or outside. This would also be amazing to use when camping, especially in a tipi.

£17.95 from Ethical Superstore

For the kids

Mr Robot Head is an electronic toy with no batteries. Every parent’s dream, and better for the environment.

Wind him up and rise to the challenge. Try to move the wand along his antenna from one end to the other without touching the sides. Touch the sides and Mr Robot Head with will flash his eyes and buzz his disapproval.

This is how we can give children the toys that they desire without adding to the landfill problem. Mr Robot Head will entertain and engage any young child as well as develop hand eye co-ordination and fine motor control.

£14.67 from Ethical Superstore.

For Inspector Gadget

The Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player is one of my favourite gadgets ever and Stephen Fry loves his too.  It’s a wind-up (and rechargeable) music and video player for watching movies or music videos, listening to mp3 music files or tuning in to the radio, any time, anywhere. It has 2Gb storage (about 500 songs), and you can add to this with plug-in SD cards.

The eco wind-up system means that you”ll never run out of power or waste environmentally harmful batteries – one minute of winding gives up to 40 minutes of play time.

£99.99 from Nigel’s EcoStore. There’s a new one out too, called the Revolution, from Ethical Superstore for £129.99.

For yummy mummies
Figs & Rouge Art Nouveau inspired organic skincare packages it’s natural products beautifully. This Figs and Rouge Luxury Garden Collection includes a 50-hour candle, 300ml Marigold and Mandarin Body Lotion, 250ml Juniper Berry Shower Wash and a vintage style seed pack.

The set is free from parabens, synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals. All fragrances are also 100% organic with natural blends of vintage garden aromas. It comes tissue-wrapped in a beautiful gift bag and the hand-poured jasmine and sweet geranium candle is contained in a handmade ceramic glazed pot. When the candle is finished, sprinkle the Figs and Rouge seeds into the pot to create a garden. Suitable for vegans.

£28.00 from ECOutlet.

For your New Year’s Eve party

A solar powered disco ball for indoor and outdoor use will have you feeling like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever over this festive season.

Get the party going and get dancing!

The solar disco ball needs direct sunlight or a spotlight.  It is approximately  15cm in diameter.

£25.00 from Biome Lifestyle

You don’t have to tell me twice that going to a festival is good for me. I had the best time last year at The Green Man in the Brecon Beacons, Robert Plant was awesome and despite the mud (my children thought it looked like chocolate icing) and the rain, we had a brilliant time. Going to a festival will put a buzz into your summer, and the best news is that now, thanks to Gigantic.com it may improve somebody else’s summer too. 10% of the Gigantic.com booking fee goes to Oxfam, to help overcome poverty and suffering around the world. And if you’re not sure which festival to pick, I recommend checking out Gogol Bordello at Get Loaded in the Park at Clapham Common. Check out Gigantic.com for all the listings.

Gigantic.com – tickets for gigs, concerts and festivals

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway to win a green festival kit courtesy of Ecotopia.

[via ecorazzi]

We’ve got a copy of the Talk To The Hand: Live In Michigan album to give away to a lucky reader. To enter the giveaway, simply enter your details on the form below. The draw will take place on the 15th December 2007 and the winner will be notified by email. If you can’t wait and would like to buy the album now, click here if you’re in the US, or here for the UK.

Enter the competition

Advertisement: Reduce your CO2 footprint by as much as 2 tonnes/year & save up to £150 on your energy bills.

The amazing REM’s new song Until the Day is Done accompanies the trailer of CNN’s new documentary Planet in Peril. Watch the full documentary on CNN International on Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th October at 13.00 & 19.00 GMT.

“There’s literally one species that holds the cards. It’s our species, human beings, that controls the future for just about every life form on our planet.” That pretty much sums it up.

Advertisement: Reduce your CO2 footprint by as much as 2 tonnes/year & save up to £150 on your energy bills.

Musicians Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash announced today a new campaign to stop US Congress from bailing out the nuclear power industry. They launched the campaign with the release of a YouTube video and national petition effort all available at www.nukefree.org. The artists will deliver the petitions to Congress at a press conference and Lobby Day in Washington D.C. on October 23rd.

UK artists, where are you in our fight against more nuclear power stations in this country? Do something.

Advertisement: Reduce your CO2 footprint by as much as 2 tonnes/year & save up to £150 on your energy bills.

If you enjoyed that, we’ve got a copy of the ex-sensitive album to give away to a lucky reader. To enter the lucky draw, simply enter your details on the form below. The draw will take place on the 15th October 2007 and the winner will be announced on the EcoStreet blog, and notified by email. If you can’t wait and would like to buy the album now, click here.

Giveaway now closed. For our current competitions and giveaways, see our competitions page.

Advertisement: Reduce your CO2 footprint by as much as 2 tonnes/year & save up to £150 on your energy bills.