Tech
Verizon FiOS conducting trials with new Motorola DVR set-top boxes that are higher capacity, more energy-efficient
Verizon is rolling out new Motorola DVR set-top boxes to select customers that promise to be "greener" than the competition. Motorola claims that the Motorola QIP7232 is 20-percent more energy efficient than current boxes, and are built with "environmentally preferred materials" that don't contain lead or mercury.
Eco-friendly doesn't mean these are feature-poor set-top units. In addition to a faster processor and more memory, the QIP7232 also doubles the capacity of current FiOS boxes to 320GB. Unfortunately, there isn't any other whiz-bang functionality built into the devices, and your HDTV is probably a much bigger energy hog than your set-top box, but at least some people out there can say they're getting a new model while the rest of us make do with five-year-old technology.