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.

If you stay up on technology news then you’ve probably heard about the on-going talks with regards to Net Neutrality.  In short, Net Neutrality means that companies cannot control the flow or speed of information going through the internet.  [definition/info]

Before it is too late, YOU – the reader – must do something to prevent the internet from being controlled by cable companies and big search engines like Google.

SF Gate did a great job on summarizing what is going on.

What We Said:  “Google and Verizon insist that what they’re working on is not a backroom deal for their own benefit but instead a legislative proposal about how Internet content should be managed. All of this may be true – but it still doesn’t look right.” – Editorial, Aug. 9, 2010

What Happened:  Google has turned its back on its promise to insist on Internet neutrality  – the idea that all Internet traffic should be treated the same. Its just-announced proposal with Verizon would prohibit carriers from discriminating against competitors but allow them to charge websites more for better service. It excludes wireless mobile networks, which means that websites on mobile phones wouldn’t even have safeguards against non-discrimination. Because the two companies are so huge – and because the FCC has been unable to issue its own policy on net neutrality – their proposal will shape the debate.

What’s Next:  What’s next: Unless Washington  is ready to accept an Internet that only works for the wealthiest and most-established websites, Congress needs to step in with net neutrality legislation. And the Google-Verizon pact isn’t even close. They need to go back to the drawing board and get support from consumer groups and Internet users instead of just broadband carriers and web giants. The FCC also needs to step in immediately, by reclassifying broadband under a section of the telecommunications code that’s subject to more scrutiny – and therefore less ability to discriminate.

What YOU can do: The FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski needs to know where you stand on net neutrality. Send him an email by using our message below.  It will only take you 3.7 seconds!  His e-mail is Julius.Genachowski@fcc.gov

Just cut-n-paste the following:

About three weeks ago I started the process to design a USB power strip where the device would be a dumb down version of a USB hub…it only gives power.  The reason why I wanted to design something like this was for the infinite number of USB items I have.  Just in my house alone, we have 3 iPhones, one Flip Video camera and two blue-tooth headsets…all powered and recharged by USB.

So enter, stage left, my thought of a USB power strip.  Well, Elcom was thinking the same thing, but only months earlier!  They have officially released the USB for port power strip and the 7 port USB power strip.  Clearly I think the idea is simply brilliant.

Elcom includes LED lights for each port to show if a device is active or not.  They include a switch to flip On or Off that particular port and last, Elcom gives you some clear labels [in English] to label what cable is going to which device.

The 4 port USB power strip is $40.  The 7 port USB power strip is $110.  Both are available at Geek Stuff 4 You.  Page.

Marantz, a premium set-top audio manufacturer, introduces a new Network solution for home audio.  The M-CR603 is a combination of all good things. Featuring a built-in amplifier, a receiver, a CD player, an AM/FM radio and the ability to stream music from Rhapsody, Pandora or Napster.

In addition, the Marantz unit includes a USB port for iPod / MP3 docking, but what we really like about the unit is the ability to stuff a 64GB flash drive in there loading with MP3 files and you’ve now got one hot audio box!

No pricing yet, so I’m assuming the executives and sales guys are hammering out those details.  Check Marantz for more info on pricing / availability.

There is a new kid on the block when it comes to USB connectors, it is “The Flipper.”  The concept is so incredibly simply you will laugh when you see it.  The Flipper is a USB connector that will make correct contact with the host USB port regardless of how you insert it.

Granted it is not that hard to figure out which side is up and down…and I will admit [openly] that if you have trouble with that – then you are an idiot.

So if you are having trouble here is a tip:  Seam is the down side, seamless is the up side.

So The Flipper will help the idiots who can’t figure heads from tails.

I do say, there was a design flaw in the first place with having an up and down position, it should have been universal and hopefully The Flipper will catch on and thus change USB forever…or at least until USB 3.0 takes over.

They say the best product to invent is taking an existing product and make it better.  Today is a case in point.  The paper clip has been around forever [1870] and just recently have we seen a true improvement.  The USB paper clip is very creative and a fresh twist on an old product.  In fact, TechCrunch quoted, “why didn’t I think of that” type design.

So here it is, the USB memory clip.

Not much more can be said other than an excellent USB promotional item for corporate give-a-ways.

Biking is great exercise, but don’t let a healthy body be the only reward for this activity, power up your gadgets.  Here is a  USB tutorial which incorporates a two port USB hub and switching regulator to generate a 5v charge to any USB device.

There are so many small electronics that can be powered or charged from a USB connection it only makes since that people might want to do this while riding a bike.

The hack isn’t too complicated, but it is a weekend project and will require some soldering skills.  The two fundamental components are a Rectifier which changes AC current into DC current and a Voltage Regulator which is a switching regulator to control the amount of volts going to the charged devices.

To get all the details visit the DIY project here.