If you’ve been to this site before, you know we are a fan of USB Steampunk.  We just received word there is a new kid on the block who’s doing some cool USB steampunk.

This design is coined “Steampunk Scorpion USB.”

WWWorks is the profile name over at Etsy and he’s done some nice work on his first release.  What I like about the style of this design is the lack of gears you so commonly see with USB steampunk.  Rather, WWWorks put some detail into the design on the brass.

So here is a bit of detail about WWWorks.  Based in Budapest Hungary WWWorks is a computer IT guy by day and a craftsman by night.  Trying to break away from the

We’ve reported about Nexcopy several times before, ranging from their USB duplicators to SD and Compact Flash duplicators, and today we are here to tell you about the Nexcopy standalone USB duplicator.

With flash drives getting bigger in capacity and cheaper in price, it’s natural to think data loads are getting bigger too.  Several years ago, it was common to put a PowerPoint or PDF of a trade show swag USB, but today, with the popularity of YouTube and the ease to make video, the promotional content is getting much bigger.  The Nexcopy standalone USB duplicator copies at a maximum speed of 30MB per second, that’s about 1800MB per minute.  Granted you wont get that data transfer from a typical trade show flash drive, but with more advanced USB sticks it’s definitely possible.

The Nexcopy standalone USB duplicator family comes in two sizes.  There is a 16 port system and a 32 port system.  Each system loses one port for the master device and I figure this is why the Nexcopy part numbers are USB115SA and USB131SA…as that’s 1 master to X number of blanks.

We couldn’t find a price on the Nexcopy website as the products are only sold through authorized dealers.  Release date of the new USB duplicator systems is the first week of September 2010.

To find out more about the standalone USB duplicators, visit the Nexcopy site.

Source:  EverythingUSB.com.

Here at GetUSB.info we love the USB steampunk drive.  We’ve reported on at least a dozen of them over the past couple years and I’m sure we’ve missed three times that many.  Today we are tipping you off to a great tutorial on how to USB steampunk your own flash drive.

Instructables has a very detailed, 9 page tutorial on how to steampunk your own gear.  It gives you a list of material, a detailed process, good and creative guidelines along with plenty of pictures and resources.

It’s my goal to actually do this over the July 4th weekend [2010] and post my result.  Lets hope for the best!

To give you an idea of the scope of project considering the following list of materials and tools.  If it fits into your abilities, then give it a shot!

Press Release: Mimobot With New Star Wars Series

Designer USB flash drive pioneer Mimoco is excited to unveil its newest line of STAR WARS MIMOBOT designer flash drives. Devoted to the film that started it all – STAR WARS: Episode IV A New Hope – the latest series of classic characters immortalized as USB flash drives includes astromech droid extraordinaire R2-D2 and the shooting-impaired Stormtrooper – both back by popular demand from the original STAR WARS MIMOBOT series. Two newcomers also join the 2010 series, including that scavenger of the desert, the Jawa, and the fan selection from the first-ever STAR WARS MIMOBOT Audience Choice poll – Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The completely redesigned Stormtrooper Unmasked MIMOBOT features a removable helmet revealing either Luke Skywalker or Han Solo beneath. Just as their “borrowed” uniforms provided perfect cover for the young heroes during the daring Death Star rescue, these Stormtrooper USB flash drives provide up to 16GB of “armored” protection for your digital life. Stormtrooper Unmasked MIMOBOT will be offered as a blind assortment character, with a 50% chance of uncovering either Luke or Han when the MIMOBOT helmet cap is removed.

Check out this very intertaining video:

Star Wars MIMOBOT Series 5 Video! from MIMOBOT & mimoZine on Vimeo.

Mimobot product page.

It seems that kids these days are simply born with the jeans to run computers.  I know of 7 year old kids doing Power Point presentations already!  They have incorporated YouTube videos, slides with more animation then what I’ve ever done and all before the 4th grade.  Impressive.

On that note, it’s worth making their computer environment a bit fun.  With USB keyboards, USB mouse, flash drives, digital cameras, iPhones etc, it’s required to have a USB hub, even at the kids computer.  So why not get them a fun looking Lego USB hub?

USB Fever now carries these 4 port USB hubs for just $12 USDs.  It’s a USB gadget they need, in a fun familiar form factor they recognize.

It would be very cool if the USB Lego hub would stack, but with a flat bottom, it doesn’t.  Shame.

In case you are color blind and can’t see the different colors available in the picture, you can purchase red, black, yellow or blue 4 port Lego hubs.

CES 2010:  Lexar announces two new drives designed as compact drives with big storage capacity.

The Lexar Echo SE is the smallest Lexar drive yet at just 20.1mm x 15.1mm.  It looks much like a USB dongle, but with the flash memory stored inside the USB connector.  Lexar understands with the larger capacities, these little USB drives are invaluable for data backup.  The Echo SE is available from 8-32GB size and includes Lexar’s automatic backups software.

The Lexar Echo SE will be available in February, but you can pre-order them now at Amazon [link here].

If the Echo SE is a bit to small, or you have trouble with holes in your pant pockets, you might opt for the larger Echo ZE drive.  Here you have the sleek looking switch blade design where the USB connector retracts into the body.  In addition to the backup software you also get AES 128-bit encryption software in the event you lose your Echo ZE drive.

As with the SE series, the Echo ZE will not be available until February, but you can pre order them at Amazon [link here].

Thoughts or comments?  Make them on our FaceBook page.

MSN did a fun article on 8 lavish gadgets for the holidays, and of course, a USB flash drive made the list.

Gresso introduced a 64GB USB flash drive which is F1 racing inspired with sleek design, look and material.  Gresso used the base material to be carbon fiber [the black] and titanium alloy as the accents [silver] then glazed the entire device with a special ceramic coating.

The Gresso branded USB stick will set you back 6,448 Peso’s or about $500 USDs.  Still small enough to be lost in any coat pocket, but a perfect stocking stuffer for the well-to-do.

So the question becomes:  would your friends be more impressed with the Gresso flash drive or a $500 bill?

I’d pick the cash.