Intel released a draft specification for USB 3.0 or SuperSpeed USB. The Extensible Host Controller Interface or xHCI provides a standard method for USB 3.0 host controllers to communicate with the USB 34.0 software stacks.

Both AMD and Nvidia voiced complaints earlier in the year that Intel hasn’t released update information to make the new spec an open industry standard and an easy path for transition. Today’s release is Intel’s answer to that request.

Dell, Microsoft and NEC also support the release because the xHCI will expedite the industry transition to next-generation USB 3.0 technology.

One important factor in adopting SuperSpeed USB products is interoperability between multiple devices from different manufacturers. The xHCI draft specification revision 0.9 aims to make interoperability easier to implement, while also making it easier for developers to create software support for the market.

The next revision update is expected at the end of 2008 with revision number xHCI 0.95. So no SuperSpeed USB yet, but the big boys are working their way to it.

Source: CRN.

Nexcopy announced their new 20 target SD Duplicator earlier today. Definitely a device for the ubergeek who’s into data loading Secure Digital media. At first glance you ask yourself “Who’d want 20 copies of their SD card from their camera?” But it’s clear Nexcopy isn’t chasing down the guys looking to make a 100 copies of their weekend Vegas photos [or are they?]. The SD duplicator is geared towards companies who send out software applications on SD cards for field devices, or need to manage a large number of miniSD cards for an army of Palm Pilots.

The SD200PC also works with microSD cards so the phone companies will have a field day loading up their phones with promo material for lucky customers. Which makes sense, because these Smartphones and PDAs are getting so powerful and the media has so much capacity, many people keep most of their data on microSD cards these days.

The unit connects via USB and has 20 numbered SD ports so it’s easy to identify which SD card is which. The unit comes with software that supports FAT and FAT32 formats and includes NTFS support with their bit-for-bit copy function which also supports Linux distribution packages for those embedded applications these ubergeeks seem to dream up. All SD formats are supports and for the not-so-techy users, the Nexcopy software has a job wizard to guide you through the SD duplication process.

The SD duplicator has a list price of $1,299 and available for immediate delivery. (more…)

The internet is something we all take for granted.  We surf, play and view at our leisure, but for some, this freedom we have is a far cry from their everyday life.  Who am I talking about?  China.  It’s been know since the birth of the internet that China has ultimate control on what you see and hear from the internet.

Typically this wouldn’t bother most, but considering the 2008 Olympics are launching today, there are many foreign visitors who can’t use the internet the way they typically do.  This is where the “Freedom Stick” comes into play.  The USB dongle Freedom Stick, is a pre-loaded USB drive with all the software, utilities and hacks to get around the Great Wall Firewall of China.

USB dongle is pre-loaded with software which will secure the communications of any computer it is slotted into. Made available by Germany’s Chaos Computer Club, the stick uses the TOR (The Onion Router) network to cloak your connections, routing traffic around the world through anonymous computers, thus avoiding detection.

The USB dongle is available for $30 and is clearly a must-have travel item for this years 2008 Olympics. (more…)

The i-Knock is another knock-off Instant Message notifier.  With any of the popular instant message services like Yahoo, MSN, AOL or Skype this i-Knock is there for support and alerts.  This time, however, the notification is in the form of a knock to the head.  The i-Knock doesn’t stop there, you can also load specific MP3 files to play for certain instant messaging parties.  I’d sync up “Ding-Dong-The-Witch-Is-Dead” from Wizard of Oz for the mother-in-law.

The i-Knock connects to your computer via a USB cable and is also powered through the USB cable.  There are over 20 emoticons, email client if you choose and log-on notification function for those within your network. (more…)

Which USB watch would you pick?

Our first contestant is this high-end looking watch with 4GB of removable USB flash memory.  Outfitted with:

This watch has a plastic case covered by stainless steel mask with brushed silver finish and convex mineral glass with shiny raised index. The USB flash drive fits inside the watch case flush with the contours of the watch case - ready to hold your data safe and secure.

What I particularly like about this watch is the claimed “Japanese quartz movement”  Not sure what that means, but if it’s anything like my Honda, this USB watch is dependable and spot-on time.

Next we have the USB Timeless watch.  A geekness rendition of what a watch should really look like.  (more…)

EFiX is the long awaited gadget fix to quickly and easily install Mac OS X Leapord on a standard Bill Gates machine.  The device allows you to install the OS from the source DVD directly to your system without having to tweak the BIOS settings, or anything else for that matter on your beloved PC.

The USB EFiX dongle uses an internal USB header connector so make sure you have one of those and there’s some additional hardware considerations you’ll need to be aware of.  For example, any Gigabyte motherboard should do but only a handful of USB sound cards are supported.  Check the EFiX site for more details.

The EFiX USB dongle retails for about $125 with links on their site on where to buy the EFiX dongle.

Here’s a Google video showing the install…a little too boring for a post, but I’ll dish up the link. (more…)

MLB is going hi-tech with their SportsLive USB wristband.  The product is a USB drive in the shape of a wristband where the MLB association data loads memorable baseball broadcasts for eternal enjoyment.  These exclusive audio and video records will be distributed through MLB.com and eventually local vendors at the stadiums.

There will be a couple of SportsLive wristbands up for purchase during the All-Star week on MLB.com, where one of them features the broadcast of the Farm Home Run Derby while the other will store a broadcast of the All-Star Game and pre-game ceremony. Included in both is a two-hour MLB Productions documentary entitled “Yankees Stadium: Baseball’s Cathedral,” some desktop wallpapers and ringtones for your phone.

Today’s fans want to consume content when and where they want, across screens large and small,” says Elizabeth Scott, vice president of programming and business affairs for Major League Baseball. “We’re thrilled to make such a versatile product, which includes a complete game broadcast, available as a truly efficient consumer experience. It is fitting that in this final year of Yankee Stadium, fans will be able to own a piece of history after attending these momentous All-Star events.

The SportsLive USB wristband includes a microSD card reader so the device gives you 2GBs of data storage on the wristband and unlimited storage through removable microSD. (more…)