Talk about awkward. The first time I played Guitar Hero I felt like a fool - well, for about 15 seconds, then I feel in love. If you haven’t tried it - play it - and oh how Guitar Hero has grown. One of the most popular video games on the market the Guitar Hero franchise is now stretching out to Rock Band. And if you haven’t heard of Rock Band, this will explain the Guitar Hero sporting a 4 port USB hub.

Rock Band is an unreleased music video game being developed by Harmonix Music, the creators of Guitar Hero. The idea is expanding the air guitar concept of Guitar Hero to a full rock band. Rock Band will offer players the ability to function in a virtual band by providing up to four players with the ability to utilize four different instruments (guitar, bass guitar, drum set and microphone).

The 4 port USB hub gives the ability for these players to sync together in the off-line, or same room, player setting. Although Rock Band will include an on-line sync capability.

The Guitar Hero controller sports the USB ready version for both PS3 and Xbox 360. The product isn’t available yet, but is due out in late October.

Source: Kotaku

What do you get with a three chamber speaker system, three USB ports and small design? That’s right, an AudioHub from Logitech.

In the never ending quest of keeping a tidy workspace, Logitech now combines a speaker system with USB connectivity. Aimed at laptop users the AudioHub does make sense, although it would be nice to see a seven port hub rather than three for the AudioHub…after all, I’ve already got four on my laptop.

Logitech’s AudioHub offers Premium 2.1 digital audio with three chamber design and integrated sub-woofer. With a single connection send juice to the speakers and three USB devices via a single USB cable. Click the mute button to shut off the sound while keeping your USB gadgets powered. Telescoping speakers to accommodate any sized laptop and workspace.

At just $99 is this right for you? The Logitech AudioHub is available October of 2007.

I wouldn’t suggest throwing away those classic cassette tapes just yet. Put aside the fact you wont listen to them, might as well convert them to MP3 before the final dump. It will at least relieve some guilt.

The PlusDeckEX cassette archiver allows direct connection via USB to the PC. Rip those cassettes to MP3 or better yet send your Grandmother an audio tape and record to the PlusDeckEX. You can still get cassettes at Amazon.

The PlusDeckEX this time offers (compared to previous model - PlusDeck2C) RCA I/O, 7.1 Support, a USB port, an LCD control panel, an AM/FM radio tuner and remotes. That for sure will breathe a little life into your old cassette tapes.

But, before you jump over to PlusDeck, might want to check out Ion Audio’s Cassette Archiver version.

Technology can be a love / hate relationship. A couple days ago Brando released a product which I think is just brilliant…the company badge holder that doubles as a card reader.

For those working the corporate gig and require an ID badge, I would think this card reader fits the bill perfectly. What better way to tot around your GBs of porn personal pictures without the worry of knowing those pictures will leave your person. Or maybe run your iTunes from a flash card.

Compatible with an array of cards, SDHC (nice), MMC, miniSD, RS MMC and microSD (nice) along with extendable USB cable for connectivity to those pesky USB locations. At $14 it’s a drop in the bucket for you hi-powered, highly-paid executives.

ID Badge Card Reader product page.

(read that headline again) Grundig is doing dictation digital style. The DigtaSonic xMic is all professional and hard to call a typical dictation gadget. None-the-less, it’s out there with elegance and style. The design has a “soft touch” texture for … wait for it … long lasting pleasure comfort.

Using USB connectivity the DigtaSonic takes control of any PC application via Grundig’s Track Point mouse technology. For custom integration (medical applications) the Grundig mic comes with SDK tools for 100% software compatibility.

Digital quality is claimed to be top shelf with integrated sound card and dynamic speaker for optimal recording and play-back.

Clearly not a dictation tool for the common office executive but would make a great item for that afternoon rant.

Source: Grundig

So the grandparents have the Ion Audio USB Turntable for converting vinyl records to MP3 and now Ion introduces the TAPE2PC USB cassette archiver for the 40 Somethings.

With a dual dubbing cassette deck and advanced software to convert directly into your iTunes library, those old cassette tapes will never feel left out again. Ion Audio left no stone unturned with a “metal” or “CrO2″ tape selection feature - if you even remember what its for.

The TAPE2PC connects via USB therefore no drivers need - yet another plus for the technically challenged middle aged. Price is around $100USD. (more…)

IOGear is set to release their upgraded USB Travel Kit which includes USB mouse and four port hub. The biggest improvement IOGear made was the VCSEL technology to their optical mouse. The Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser enables the mouse to work on any surface - including glass. Heck I can’t get my mouse to work on white paper so there is definitely value there. With a maximum of 1600dpi this means increased accuracy and decreased hand movement.

The 4 port USB hub is slim on design as this is a “traveling USB kit” so that added ports help out for limited laptop USB connectivity. I’d like to see a re-charger interface somewhere before calling this an ultimate USB travel kit.

The GME226 IOGear USB Travel Kit will be available soon, but their older version GKC431 is currently available although without the VCSEL technology.