The HDMI standard has been targeted for assassination. The killers? LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Valens Semiconductor. They have introduced a brand new audiovisual standard, called HDBaseT.

Don’t worry, this will not likely introduce a new kind of cable to your home. Instead of a new connector, it is based on the Cat 5e/6 network cables, commonly referred to as ethernet cables. The cable can pass HD and 3-D video signals, as well as data through an integrated 100MBit Ethernet connection. That feed should allow for new internet-connected TV services, like Google TV.

Chargers for plug-in electric vehicles are nothing new, but the folks at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have some smart plans for their new Smart Charger Controller. They hope that it might one day serve as a standard charger for all manner of electric vehicles.

Apparently each controller would be wirelessly linked to the local electric company, which would feed the controller power prices and other pertinent information so that it can charge during non-peak hours. That right there will save owners roughly $150 a year. It might even be able to sense “stress conditions” and shut down before the grid overloads.