This is a rarity, something actually innovative from a major consumer electronics company. (Not merely “bigger” or “faster” than the previous widget, then.) It’s from Sony, and it’s a lampshade of sorts that captures its own lightbulb’s energy. We use “lampshade” in only the most general of terms. It’s loaded with dye-sensitized solar cells, which mimic photosynthesis.

Sorta reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Homer yells, “In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!” (in the sense that energy is being recycled).

Will this little guy ever make it into your local Wal-Mart? Nope, probably not, seeing as though it was just introduced in Japan a few hours ago. Besides, green technology will never take off.

via Boing Boing Gadgets