Tag: springwise

App lets readers digitize their bookshelf for free

Add / Remove There are many advantages to ebooks — they are accessible instantaneously, very portable and they don’t require any trees to be cut down. But there is something magical about physical books and there are very few consumers who would trade in their entire bookshelf for the digital alternative. Luckily there are platforms such as Shelfie , which enable readers to have their cake and eat it too. Shelfie is an app, created by Bitlit, that lets users obtain free or discounted ebooks of physical volumes they already own. To begin, users download the free app to their smartphone and create a profile. Then they snap a picture of their bookshelf and upload the image. The platform then searches its database and finds out which books are available. Shelfie then provides free copies of eligible books that the user has already purchased, courtesy of various partnerships with publishers. The platform already has over 100,000 ebooks available, which can be downloaded and read on any device. In addition, users can browse each others’ bookshelves to obtain recommendations and inspiration for their next purchase. Could a similar service be offered for music and film lovers? Website: www.shelfie.com Contact: www.twitter.com/getshelfie

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App lets readers digitize their bookshelf for free

Saltwater lamp could replace dangerous kerosene lights

Add / Remove The majority of inhabitants on the Philippines’ 7000 islands do not have access to electricity. Instead, they rely primarily on kerosene powered lamps to provide light sources at night, which are not only hazards and pollutants, but also very expensive and inconvenient to refill. Hoping to provide a solution, SALt is an efficient, safe light source powered by salt and water, which can last for up to six months when used for eight hours a day. The SALt lamp — which stands for Sustainable Alternative Lighting — is an LED light that makes use of the science behind the Galvanic cell (the basis for batteries) and changes electrolytes to a non-toxic, saline solution. Users simply add one glass of water and one tablespoon of salt — saltwater from the ocean can also be used to power the device. SALt is the latest of a number of devices which could help lessen the reliance on kerosene power in disconnected regions. We have also seen solar school backpacks that charge up on the walk home, an energy harnessing musical instrument , and a flatpack biofuel stove . What other sustainable resources could be tapped into for similar purposes? Website: www.salt.ph Contact: infosaltph@salt.ph

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Saltwater lamp could replace dangerous kerosene lights