Kevin Blake, a Trek (the mountain bike company) engineer saw the opportunity for awesome fun of the best kind and built a recumbent bike with a big shovel attachment up front. So eager was he to try out his new gadget that he allegedly asked his wife not to shovel the driveway before he got home from work; something I don’t think I would ever do, unless I had a pedal powered snow plow. [Bicycle Design via Hacked Gadgets]

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In the spirit of the back-to-school season, this week we highlight a few products to help keep you organized and productive as you resume your routine.

Everyone needs a good notebook whether at school or work. They are our to-do lists, diaries and scribble pads. Although we like the traditional Mead and Five Star varieties, the following are our selection of eco-friendly, well-designed or just plain pretty notebooks.

Awagami - +1 Notebooks
Awagami is a Japanese stationary company steeped in the 300 year tradition of Washi papermaking. The Awagami+1 series was released earlier this year, and features these notebooks, designed by Craig Anczelowitz (pictured above). They come in hand-printed Yuzen paper or the more subtle Syurro, which is made from eco-friendly rice straw paper. You can find them at select stores in four continents.

Remarkable - I used to be...Notebooks
All of Remarkable's products are made from all different kinds of recycled UK waste, hence the phrase "I used to be." Featuring a whole range of notebooks including A4 and A5 sizes which use recycled paper, covers are made from car tires and retail waste such as food, fashion and gift packaging. You can also check out their pens and pencils made from materials such as CD cases, plastic cups and polystyrene packaging. A fun, funky and eco-friendly brand, purchase their notebooks for £4 at Remarkable.

Mateo Ilasco - Ikat + Stitch Tree Journals
Beautiful journals created by designer, writer and illustrator Meg Mateo Ilasco, each cover is hand screen-printed around a 60-page sewn quality textblock from Italy. It measures 4.75" x 7" and uses recycled paper. The journals come as a pair, one Ikat journal (above left) and then your choice of either the blue or yellow Stitch Tree journal (above right). They are available to buy online at eco-boutique Beklina for $36.

The Cottage Industry - Portait / Landscape Sketchbook
A thoughtfully designed sketchbook, pages gradually shift from from portrait to landscape format as you progress through the pages. Start from either side and work your way through the 210 differently sized pages accommodating any situation. It was designed, created and hand-bound in the Netherlands as a signed limited edition of 500. The Cottage Industry is a collaboration between designers Damian O'Sullivan and Lisa Smith who are based in Rotterdam. Purchase the Portrait / Landscape Sketchbook for €55 from The Cottage Industry.

Vickery - The Himalayan Journal
The Himalayan Journals measure 9.25" x 13" and are made with 96 pages of Lokta paper from Nepal. The hand made paper is sourced from the bark of the Daphne bush which grows naturally in the Himalayas at altitudes of 6000 to 10,000 feet. Lokta produces a soft and strong acid-free paper with a natural color and beautiful texture. They are available to buy online from Vickery at $36.

Moleskine - Volant Notebooks
We can't fault the classic Moleskin notebooks for becoming so popular. They are still every bit as desirable as when Hemingway used them. However, we also like the variations and themed products that Moleskin are now producing. Simple, chic and practical, the new Volant series come in ruled or plain acid-free thread bound paper and are sold in pairs of contrasting shades of the same colour—blue, green, pink or black. There's a size for every conceivable need—extra small, pocket and large. Available from Mojo starting at £4.

Myndology
Another eco-friendly variety, Myndology notebooks use 100% recycled products, are printed with soy ink, produced using hydroelectric energy and come in an array of different sizes and colors. Designed by Duffy & Partners, they are similar to a three-ring binder in some respects. Disc Binding allows you to pull out sheets of paper, re-organize and put them back in. Reusable, refills are also available so you potentially never have to purchase another notebook again. Available for $3 to $10 at select retailers and online at Myndnology.

Omnifocus
One of the more slept-on features of iPhones in our opinion is the ability to ditch paper products in favor of applications that do more than simply provide a place to jot down thoughts. Omnifocus is one such helpful tool, managing tasks with technology that makes it effortless to prioritize, organize and sync with Mac. You can download a free trial or purchase a license for $80 from The Omni Group.

Evernote
Like Omnifocus, Evernote seamlessly syncs across multiple platforms but the emphasis here is on capturing and organizing information using any number of methods, including pictures, email, screenshots, audio recordings and more. A basic account is free but you'll have to pay $5 monthly or $45 for the year to get the premium service that enables more data uploading.

Other Cool Hunting favorites include the Muji Chronotebook, Behance, Studio Matador and Start Here Notebooks.

With contributions by Ami Kealoha, Doug Black and Tim Yu

Here comes different kind of alarm that wake you up stomping, chirping, and more. When the alarm goes off, the green little guy lights up its feet, opens its jaw and sends out a bunch of noises. It also beats its arms on the table. If you still got caught in slumberland, the Mood Lamp will then light up to its full brightness. Each device will cost you $40, so both pair will set you back for $80. [HasbroToyShop VIA SlashGear]

ShareThis

As a part of the broad initiative across Microsoft to support 64 bit versions across many of its product lines, the next release of OCS will support 64-bit operating systems only. This decision will help meet customer demand and is a natural progression of the product that aligns with the same approach taken by the Exchange team (with Exchange 2007) and the SharePoint team (with SharePoint 2007) to support 64 bit operating systems only.

For the next release of OCS, Microsoft will support deployments on 64 bit operating systems - Windows Server 2003 x64 (R2) and Windows Server 2008 x64.

Based on customer feedback, Microsoft's goal with the next release of OCS is to simplify deployments by reducing the number of servers needed for deployment. Customers are also telling us they are pushing the limits of existing hardware with their "mission critical" communications solutions.

Tags: 32-bit, 64-bit, microsoft, Microsoft OCS 2007 R2, OCS 2007, unified communications, VoIP

Related Entries
• Objectworld Offers Unified Communications for 7 Cents a Day - Jul 22, 2008
• Unified Communications Growth Soars - Jun 23, 2008
• Cisco and Microsoft in Clash of the UC Titans - Apr 24, 2008
• Microsoft & Aspect Software Partner on Unified Communications - Mar 18, 2008
• Voice Mobility UCN Vmerge takes on Microsoft OCS - Feb 13, 2008
• Drag-and-drop Conference Calls = OCS 2007 Success? - Oct 16, 2007
• SAP Duet to leverage Microsoft OCS 2007 - Oct 16, 2007
• Rich Liveblogging Microsoft UC Launch - Oct 16, 2007
• Dell Gets into VoIP Game with OCS 2007 - Oct 16, 2007
• Microsoft OCS 2007 Review - Oct 16, 2007

As a part of the broad initiative across Microsoft to support 64 bit versions across many of its product lines, the next release of OCS will support 64-bit operating systems only. This decision will help meet customer demand and is a natural progression of the product that aligns with the same approach taken by the Exchange team (with Exchange 2007) and the SharePoint team (with SharePoint 2007) to support 64 bit operating systems only.

For the next release of OCS, Microsoft will support deployments on 64 bit operating systems - Windows Server 2003 x64 (R2) and Windows Server 2008 x64.

Based on customer feedback, Microsoft's goal with the next release of OCS is to simplify deployments by reducing the number of servers needed for deployment. Customers are also telling us they are pushing the limits of existing hardware with their "mission critical" communications solutions.

Tags: 32-bit, 64-bit, microsoft, Microsoft OCS 2007 R2, OCS 2007, unified communications, VoIP

Related Entries
• Objectworld Offers Unified Communications for 7 Cents a Day - Jul 22, 2008
• Unified Communications Growth Soars - Jun 23, 2008
• Cisco and Microsoft in Clash of the UC Titans - Apr 24, 2008
• Microsoft & Aspect Software Partner on Unified Communications - Mar 18, 2008
• Voice Mobility UCN Vmerge takes on Microsoft OCS - Feb 13, 2008
• Drag-and-drop Conference Calls = OCS 2007 Success? - Oct 16, 2007
• SAP Duet to leverage Microsoft OCS 2007 - Oct 16, 2007
• Rich Liveblogging Microsoft UC Launch - Oct 16, 2007
• Dell Gets into VoIP Game with OCS 2007 - Oct 16, 2007
• Microsoft OCS 2007 Review - Oct 16, 2007

Cute USB Golf Mouse

This USB Mouse is perfect gadgets for golfer, especially for golfers who spend most of their time in front of computer. With this gadget, they can have some fun playing mini golf even they are not on the golf field.

The full post can be found on Cutie Gadget.

13-in-1 Multi Tool Pen

Starting today, there’s no need to carry around more than one tool. An apparently ordinary pen can get you out of a tight spot when you need a saw. Or a screwdriver. Or an ear pick. Thank God they didn’t have this back when they filmed MacGyver or it would’ve made a very boring show…

The full post can be found on S2999.

Remote controlled iPod robot

A robot that will either hold your iPod inside it or just transfer all your stuff from iTunes. Use the remote or joystick to make it bring your tunes to you, dance and flash its lights - an all-in-one party robot!

The full post can be found on Decide What To Buy.

One Battery Mobile Charger Pen

The One Battery Mobile Charger Pen is a working ballpoint pen that can charge up your cellphone in an emergency. Inside the pen is a AA battery which should give your phone enough juice for 100 minutes. Comes with 5 different adapter cords.

The full post can be found on Craziest Gadgets.

Funtrak Paintball Panzer: A Mini Tank with a Colourful Purpose

The concept of paintball warfare was developed as a way for you to bond with people by shooting painful, orange pellets at them. Well this gadget has stepped up the attack and has the potential to make your next office party payback time for the accounts team. The Paintball Panzer from Funtrak is a mini-tank from which you can send out a barrage of rainbow colours while at the same time being protected from Matt in marketing. You can drive it around like a real tank but unlike a real tank, this will fit nicely in your garage.

The full post can be found on Gaj-It.

Revolutionary Portable Power Device

All you need to do is add water. The unique HydroPak water-activated cartridge system provides infinite shelf life and can generate enough power to recharge an average notebook computer.

The full post can be found on Random Good Stuff.

Intel Demonstrates New Wireless Power Technology

Intel has demonstrated its new wireless power technology at this years IDF. The technology demonstrated comprised of two metal arrays that connect to a power amplifier, the arrays resonate and establish a link of energy between each other.

The power is then transmitted from one metal array to the other. The technology isn’t exactly new but Intel have achieved the highest efficiency with the technology to date with 75% efficiency when transferring 60 watts of power over a distance of two feet.

The full post can be found on Geeky Gadgets.

EcoButton

“EcoButton is a cool USB gadget that saves you money and fights global warming! I can practically hear your tuts of disbelief back at Zath HQ. But seriously this little eco-friendly gizmo will do exactly that and even has the balls to gloat about it too!”

The full post can be found on Zath.

Thanks to all the sites for their submissions now over to you guys for voting (don’t forget to leave a comment with your reason for a chance to win a $50 Amazon voucher) :

Want to hear about future contests first? Subscribe to our daily digest via email or RSS.

If you write for a gadget themed blog and wish to be included in next weeks contest check out the CGOTW instructions page.

[ Win $50 in this weeks Coolest Gadget copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Just looking at the design for El ZULO, Spanish for "the hideout," makes me sleepy. Instead of putting my head down right here at my desk and catching a few zzz's before my stiff neck and back cry "Oooh, that hurts!," I imagine myself mustering just enough energy to get up, move a few feet away from my desk, and assume a similar, but ergonomic, position in this peaceful, padded, perfectly positioned chair pod for my power nap.

By Luke Anderson

As a child, many of us spent countless hours as young construction workers. No, we weren’t hundreds of feet in the air balancing on steel girders, but merely snapping together plastic bricks. We created everything from castles to space ships. Now someone has given us the option of making our own lighting fixture in a similar fashion.

While using actual LEGOs would be very awesome, such a design would be doomed. Those tiny bricks just don’t stand up to heat well enough to surround a light bulb. These Block Light bricks are made from a more durable plastic that still allows for the same sort of customization. The $45 kit comes with 219 small, 16 medium and 4 large blocks for your building pleasure. The only downside is that it’s currently only wired for use in the UK.

[ Red5 ] VIA [ Technabob ]

Press Release after the jump

The Asus Bamboo Series notebook – as with the new generation of Asus notebooks released to market from the second half of 2008 – is remarkably energy-efficient, thanks to the implementation of Asus' exclusive Super Hybrid Engine technology, which is the product of a comprehensive redesigning of the hardware, software and BIOS on the part of Asus' engineers. With the accrued power savings, Super Hybrid Engine reduces yearly CO2 emission by 12.3kg per notebook. Given that ASUS ships approximately 6 million notebooks per year, this works out to a massive 73.8 million kilograms of CO2 emission reduced per year, which equates to saving 36 million trees annually.

Taipei, Taiwan, August 28, 2008 – ASUS, recognized as a highly environmental friendly company in the Computers and Peripherals Industry by oekom in 2007*, today launched the ASUS Bamboo Series notebook, a groundbreaking bamboo-clad product that is truly green throughout every phase of its life – from its conception, production and use to its eventual recycling and disposal. In developing the ASUS Bamboo Series notebook, ASUS staff at all levels leveraged the full spectrum of environmental expertise that the company has accumulated since 2002 when it initiated its Green ASUS drive – before the RoHS and WEEE directives were enforced – and utilized the comprehensive green product design and management tools specifically created to encourage the disciplined adherence to green principles at a systemic level.

For solution providers, the key to going green entails looking beyond mere legal compliance and proactively inculcating green values among staff. ASUS is the beacon of success for this approach. In relation to the ASUS Bamboo Series notebook for instance, staff spanning the research and development, strategy development, manufacturing, procurement, quality control, sales and marketing and even administrative departments rallied behind a common raft of green principles set by a steering committee headed by the Chairman of ASUSTek Computer Inc., Jonney Shih. This was only made possible by the company-wide green design, manufacturing and procurement systems that ASUS has in place, as well as its considerable investment into green-oriented e-learning platforms and staff education programs.