UbiGreen, a cell phone application that's been developed jointly by the University of Washington and Intel, will keep track of how you travel and let you know how green you're being.
It uses built-in accelerometers like the iPhone has to figure out if you're walking, running or biking, and cell phone towers to determine when you're in a vehicle. If you're obviously traveling in a vehicle, a quick questionnaire pops up and asks you if it's a car, train, or something else.
To offer a little incentive, on the screen of your phone you'll see a tree. The greener you travel, the leafier your tree will be. Eventually, the team hopes that the tree will gain or lose leaves entirely based on information from an accelerometer — so no lying that you're in a car if you're flying.
UbiGreen was inspired by UbiFit, another app by the same team. UbiFit keeps track of your exercise and, similarly, grows a bigger garden of flowers the healthier you're being. Sadly, it doesn't appear like either of these two apps will be released for another year or two.
UW News, via EurekAlert!
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By Stuart Dryburgh at 2:16 PM ON 11/20/08
Ick- who wants to be nagged about that stuff all day long?
By landay at 1:46 AM ON 11/21/08
It need not nag you. It is an ambient display. You only see something when you do something good. It is like a picture on your screen and is meant to always be pleasant. There is no negative feedback.
By Green Products at 3:22 PM ON 11/21/08
Stuart, many people would be glad to have something reminding them to be greener through their daily commute. It takes 27 days to make a habit, and for many of us it is hard to remember to keep doing something for 27 days. This app is a good way, although not very accurate, to help one have being green on their thoughts.