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The inner technophile in all of us gets giddy over shiny new gadgets. Companies around the country and the world are making sure we feel the same way about devices that are good for the planet. Here are the top 10 picks for gadgets that marry function, form, and eco-friendliness: 1. Eco FlatTV The eagerly awaited flat-screen television from Philips reduces power consumption drastically. It can be set to use little more than a regular incandescent bulb while maintaining high picture quality. The television is also made in compliance with strict international materials standards so it contains minimal harmful metals and chemicals. Price: $1,400 2. Solar-Powered Electric Razor Looking a little scraggly? The sun does all the work with the Sol Shaver Solar Razor. Compact and travel-ready, this sleek-looking British export doesn't need batteries and comes with a brush to keep it clean. Price: £29 or about $60 3. Ambient Orb A subtle way to track information, the desktop Ambient Orb glows in different colors depending on how it's been programmed. You can use it to check your stocks or set it to show you what's going on with your electric bill. Might sound New Age-y, but it's a simple way to make the invisible visible. Price: $150 4. Solar Beach Tote Most juice bags come in backpack form, so it seems natural to power up while you're enjoying a sunny day at the beach. This solar beach tote from Reware integrates a flexible solar charging system to keep your phone, camera, and other electronics fully charged. Price: $250 5. USBCell Rechargeable batteries keep nasty chemicals out of landfills, but recharging often means fiddling with heavy-duty rechargers and leaving the setup out overnight. These handy rechargeable batteries click directly into USB ports so you can charge them off your computer. No clunky boxes required. Price: $19.95 for two 6. Kill A Watt How much juice is your radio pulling from the wall when you aren't there listening to it? Find out exactly how much by plugging it into a Kill A Watt device. The Kill A Watt EZ will even show what that phantom power usage is costing you every month. Price: $25-$50 7. Forever Flashlight Lights go out? Giant bug under the couch? An emergency flashlight is useless if the batteries are dead. The Forever Flashlight eliminates the need for batteries and chargers-it's good for life. It works using Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. In other words, just shaking it generates an internal electric current and turns on the light. Price: $24.45 8. Eco-Speakers These speakers for portable audio systems are made from 100 percent recycled materials, don't require batteries, come in nine different styles, and can fold flat to be stored easily. They might look crunchy in their recycled packages, but word is that the sound quality is solid. Price: $14.95 9. Spin-X Dryer You might have seen a spinner for bathing suits in the gym locker room, but this dryer brings the same idea into the home to save electricity. Use it in conjunction with a regular dryer or before hang drying. Two minutes in the Spin-X is the same as about half an hour in a regular dryer. Expect this helper to pay for itself in less than two years. Price: $499.95 10. Wind-Powered Charger Who says you need a giant turbine to harness wind power? The HYmini universal charger fits in the palm of your hand, tapping the wind and sun to get electronic gadgets up and running again. The ergonomic design comes in three colors, including green, and can be mounted on a bicycle. Price: $50
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