Buffalo introduces their VH-MU01 USB phone for Skype and MSN chat so you can drop those headsets if you have a complex.  The Buffalo USB phone looks like a slim design with easy button navigation.  Any asstute reader will quickly realize there is no LCD or display for the phone.  Well, if you’re looking to get into USB phones for home or work, don’t let the lack of display worry you.

These phones are designed to work with software like Skype where the software on your computer provides the visual display you need.  So as you click the touch pad of the USB phone the action shows up on your Skype software.

This type of USB phone makes using on-line VoIP more like the traditional phone.  However, if you just can’t part with the land-line setup than you should consider the MagicJack phone.  The MagicJack is a USB dongle which connects to your computer and on the other end of the dongle is a traditional phone connection.  Simply connect your good’ol phone to the dongle and you’re talking over VoIP. (more…)

The Imation Disc Stakka is a management tool for keeping those messy CDs organized and accessible.  Granted your music is probably on your iPod and if it isn’t then you should contact a CD Ripper Service…but even with all your music on that MP3 player you can still find a use for the Disc Stakka.

I’ve got at least 3 dozen installation CDs, software CDs, and utility CDs that I like to have in storage.  Problem is the over flow of putting those CDs into a leather case - now I’ve got two cases.  Rather then spending more mone on another bulky leather CD/DVD case, I’m looking at this Disc Stakka.

The Stakka is an automated carousel that stores and protects your CDs and DVDs.  It does the painfully obvious as well, retrieves them.  The Stakka holds (more…)

The Hawking parabolic WiFi dish is a fancy version of our home-brew version to boost your wireless signal.  The one thing Hawking has which you will never achieve, this the cool dish look.  The Hi-Gain Wireless 300N is a dish adapter to your WiFi network which connects via USB and could boost your signal as much as 600%.

The 300N supports b, g and n networks so regardless of your setup, you can put the Wireless-300N to use.  As with any wireless solution security is a big concern and the Hawking unit supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 enccryption - so again, whever your setup the 300N will work.

“Since the dual-antenna is highly directional, they’re also trying to sell it on the idea that you can avoid signal interference by pointing it away from other electronics.  I’m not sure that’s something I’ve ever experienced using WiFi, but I could imagine it might be useful to specifically target a base station in an area with lots of wireless congestion.   – SlashGear“

The Hawking Wireless is on sale for $99. (more…)

If you’ve got Guitar Hero and recently acquired Rock Band from say…Christmas then you’ve probably wanted to bridge the two together for a complete bi-gaming experience.  Since Activision and Harmonix will never come to minds on hardware connectivity and interface you’ll have to resort to the Ant Commandos converter to make the two play nice.

The converter has a USB connector on one end and PS2 connector on the other. Simply plug the converter into PS3, connect the PS2 controller, and set the switch to either Guitar Hero, Rock Band or Gamepad and you are  ready  to go.

TAC’s Universal PS2-to-PS3 Converter is compatible with PS3 Rock Band and PS2 / PS3 GHIII, and it works with basically every PS2 axe you can think of, wired and wireless.

The PS2 to PS3 converter product page.

Source: Engadget.

We reported a while back on the Nexcopy USB Flash Drive Duplicator and today VConsole announces a similar system but larger capacity and encryption technology.

The VConsole appears to be lightening fast as well, with a copy speed of 91 seconds for 512MB of information.  Taking a quick visit to their site I see the 91 seconds copy speed is the same for their 21 drive system, 42 drive system and 60 drive system.  Hmm…strange how those speeds do show, even the slightest, sign of degradation in transfer speed.

Putting that aside, the 128 encryption function is a nice benefit, although not included with the base unit for $8,000, it does make you wonder what the price tag is for that feature.  From what I’ve seen, most USB flash drive duplicators are used to copy content to give-away USB drives and if that’s the case, I’m not sure why you’d want to encrypt a viral marketing gadget.  However, with USB getting more popular as a distribution medium, I’m sure there are plenty of uses for the encryption function.

The USB flash drive duplicator can work as a stand alone system or the user can launch a GUI interface to see more details.  Vconsole mentions they have a multi-casting technology in the works for stringing multiple units together for expanded production.  This would be of a big benefit for the guys over seas making the drives.

I like the VConsole product, but I honestly see a better fit for the general market with the Nexcopy USB Duplicator and with the attractive price tag of $1,299 verse the VConsole $8,000 unit, you’ll need to take a hard, close look at which system best fits your needs.

So how about this 7 inch widescreen LCD digital picture frame with clock, calendar and alarm? It’s only $59 (after $20MIR). The picture frame is widescreen which makes it easier to display landscape pictures and with a remote it’s easy to flip between pictures, click over to the calendar or clock setting.

It’s safe to say any Mother loves pictures of her kids, grand kids or anyone else in the family tree. That’s why you can’t go wrong with a digital picture frame.

With Mother’s Day still a couple weeks away, you can order this perfect gift today and have plenty of time to load it up with family photos. I did a similar thing for last years Christmas and it was a hit. Brought tears to Grandma’s eyes.

Considering the $60 isn’t too much for a Mother’s day gift, feel free to check out more details on the 7 inch widescreen picture frame.

As for the company line we have:

“The full-featured AXN-9702 7-inch digital picture frame functions as a calendar, clock, and alarm, and also supports MP3 music playback. It comes with a card-style remote control, built-in memory that can store up to 15 pictures (depending on size), USB input jack, and an AC/DC power adapter. The super-slim remote controls viewing and music options to enhance your experience without leaving the sofa.

Use the USB jack to download media directly from a USB flash drive. SD, xD, MMC and Sony Memory Stick flash media compatibility make it easy to show off pictures without a PC. MP3 playback, built-in speakers, and the calendar and alarm functions round out a cool, convenient multimedia experience.

Comes with manufacturer’s limited warranty (90 days Labor; 1 year Parts).”

Joe from USB Geek sent me an email about his new USB washing machine alarm clock, I thought we hit the mother-load.  We didn’t.  But lets stop and think for a minute, could we - one day -  have a USB washing machine?  It’s possible if the USB 3.0 spec really boosts the power over the bus to 12v.  Until then, the USB washing machine can only be an alarm clock.

The USB washing machine plays four crappy alarm clock sounds along with an hourly chime and LED signal.  Perfect for late night slumber.

In case you have a military friend you can set the hours for 12 or 24 and power the gadget via USB or two double A batteries.

At just $20 you can please any gadget lover who’s a germaphobic and likes to sleep in.

Visit the USBGeek web page and get a sample of the alarm clock sounds.  Music to the ears [not].

USB washing machine alarm clock product page.