GE unveils hybrid halogen-CFL light bulb; set to turn on in 2011

General Electric unveiled a new hybrid product today. No, not a car, but rather something a bit smaller: a light bulb.

The swirly-shaped bulb blends the brightness of halogen power with the energy efficiency of compact fluorescent (CFL) technology. Inside the GE light bulb is a halogen capsule, which turns on instantly and brightly within half a second. It then shuts down once the CFL takes over.

Containing only 1 mg of mercury, these bulbs should last up approximately 8,000 hours. (Something a little less than a year if left on perpetually.)

The hybrid halogen/CFL bulbs will roll out throughout the United States and Canada in 2011 in 15-watt and 20-watt options. (That matches 60-watt and 75-watt incandescent bulbs.) Pricing hasn't been announced yet.