Archive for January, 2010
80 Port USB Power Overload
At first glance we became very excited about this 80 port USB board, we thought it was a huge USB hub. Then we read the details and realized it’s just an 80 port USB power source. And we say “just” with all the enthusiasm that word can carry. Wicked awesome from our point of view.

We’ve done the math and have still come up short on the exact NEED for the 80 port USB power board, but never-the-less, it makes you smile. Kinda like the iPad [even without USB support].
Our calculations seem to bring us back to quality control, that is the only legitimate reason why this board would be of “true” value.
Thanko is offering the USB power board for $165.

I have two questions, please answer on Facebook: 1) do you need this? 2) what is a legit use for this other than QC testing for some USB gadget?
Continue ReadingApple’s USB Adapter for iPad
Yup, today was the day that Apple announced their iPad product. The very first thing we noticed was a lack of USB ports for storage and connection; however, Job’s didn’t forget it.New CF Duplicator From Nexcopy
Press Release:Â Nexcopy Announces New CF Duplicator Products.


Alert: Colorado Toddler Shocked by USB Cable
A child from Colorado is in critical condition after putting a USB cable into her mouth while the cable was still connected to a powered laptop. The child, Trinity, received sever 3rd degree burns to her tongue, mouth and lips. She is in critical condition because the tongue is swollen enough that it’s hard for her to breath or eat. See video after the jump. The parent reports she was playing behind a chair where the mother was using the laptop, when the child didn’t respond to the mother, the mother checked the child and realized she was limp and not responding. It’s a very sad case…or is it? I mean, yes it’s very sad the child was hurt, but I don’t believe it was from a USB cable. Those cables don’t put out enough power to burn or shock anyone. In addition, if the mother was right there at the chair, wouldn’t the child have made some sort of noise? Something isn’t right about this story. Consider this:USB Voltage: – Supplied voltage by a host or a powered hub ports is between 4.75 V and 5.25 V. – Maximum voltage drop for bus-powered hubs is 0.35 V from it’s host or hub to the hubs output port. – All hubs and functions must be able to send configuration data at 4.4 V, but only low-power functions need to be working at this voltage. – Normal operational voltage for functions is minimum 4.75 V. Power usage: -Bus-powered hubs: Draw Max 100 mA at power up and 500 mA normally. -Self-powered hubs: Draw Max 100 mA, must supply 500 mA to each port. -Low power, bus-powered functions: Draw Max 100 mA. -High power, bus-powered functions: Self-powered hubs: Draw Max 100 mA, must supply 500 mA to each port. -Self-powered functions: Draw Max 100 mA.I believe something more happened and the parent is trying to cover something up. A better explanation is the laptop was plugged into the wall and the child pulled the power cord out of the laptop and put it into her mouth, meanwhile the mother was far away doing something else [say cooking dinner]. What do you think? Comment on our FaceBook page. Source: DailyCamera.com. Continue Reading
New Lexar Echo SE and Echo ZE USB Drives
CES 2010:Â 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].Kingston With Secure Flash Drive Issues
It’s been all over the blogs the last couple of days regarding Kingston and their security issues. They have been tight lipped about exactly what makes the device vulnerable and with specific information it’s hard to gauge just how hard it would be for someone to crack it.Our First Report On USB 3.0 Hub
We’ve seen the first step in USB 3.0 which is the USB host controller. This gives motherboards the opportunity for USB 3.0 devices to connect. Now we are starting to see other system support peripherals such as the USB 3.0 hub.

VIA announced their USB 3.0 four port hub this week just days before CES 2010. We fully expect others to make a similar announcement during the CES show, but VIA, thus far, has beat everyone to the punch.
The USB 3.0 hub supports 4 downstream ports and one upstream port. The board is powered via AC and VIA claims to have improved the power management in the USB 3.0 hubs to allow attached devices to enter into a lower power state when not being used. The chip itself is based on advanced 80nm CMOS technology which makes it a more power efficient USB hub controller.
VIA did indicate the USB 3.0 hub is not only backward compatible, but also supports the full 5Gb/s transfer rate USB 3.0 calls for. No word on price, but I’m forecasting a 50% increase in price over traditional USB hubs.
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