If you have a screen saver set up on your computer, it automatically shuts off after a specificied number of minutes–yours might be set at ten minutes, three minutes or even one minute. But chances are, there’s still a lot of time that your screen is on using energy and you’re not even looking at it. That’s where PecoBOO comes in.

The software works with your webcam and uses face detection technology to determine whether or not you’re actually looking at your screen. So when you look away from your screen for more than a few seconds, it’ll turn off, saving energy by reducing backlight use. When you look back to your computer, it’ll turn on, no fidgeting with the mouse required. The program is one great way to green your computer. Besides the obvious eco-friendly plus of saving energy, you’ll boost your battery life, too.

PecoBOO was developed by Brit Pete Hopton, a self-proclaimed eco geek. His program only works on Windows Vista and XP platforms, so Mac users are out of luck for now, but similar programs may be developed in the future. Other similar technology already exists. The iPhone for example, knows when you put the phone to your ear and at that time, disables the touchscreen.

Powered by Bookmarkify™