If you want to access your computer remotely but you don’t waste the power to leave it on all the time then you’re in luck. There’s a new piece of hardware that’s been made into a prototype that will allow for computers to be in this new state of “sleep talking”.

Essentially sleep talking is where a computer is in sleep mode but will provide the connectivity to networks and the internet of it being awake. This will allow for computers to save power while still being able to be responsive to VOIP calls, IM’s, and other network traffic.

Researchers have realized that the reason that many people will leave their computers on rather than putting them to sleep is because they want to stay connected to the network or the internet to allow for different functions such as downloading, remote accessing the computer, or just to stay online on messengers.

The device is a USB device that looks similar to a USB wireless network adapter. However the device and software will allow the computer to be in sleep mode while still having the network access that people want. The program will even go so far as to wake up the computer if it needs more resources to perform a task. Amazingly enough, the device is a very small version of a computer that even has flash to store data.

Researchers hope that the device will inspire more people to put their computers to sleep to save money and power. The device uses 11 to 24 times less power than a computer normally would if it was on. That can add up to be a huge different on consumers electric bills as well as reduce the amount of wasted power that there is which translates into less harm to the environment.

Source: Science Daily