Administator for GetUSB.info
GetUSB.info started in 2004 with the concept of providing USB information for everything USB related. At the time, USB was gaining momentum and every day new products, articles and news became published. Today, the site is focused on bringing technical information, tricks and hacks to USB related products. The site does publish off topic information as well, to keep the variety up. Please visit the footer area of any page if you or your company is interested in article or product placement via purchased advertising.
The Joy Factory has a smaller version of their popular Zip charging station, but looks just as cool.
The ZipMini Touch-n-Go™ charging station is the next step in the evolution of mobile device power. Now you can take a call or check your e-mail without having to manually disconnect cables. Your device reconnects itself when you move it back near the charging station. This sleek little powerhouse charges up to four devices at once, eliminates cord clutter, and looks great doing it.
Touch-n-go™ is a revolutionary combination of a magnetized base unit paired with magnetized 3-inch mini-cables knows as “zip tails.†The zip tails pop immediately into place on the charging station via the built-in magnets, and safely snap off when you move your device.
The only problem I have with this solution is finding additional 30 pin connectors since I have four iPhones to charge. In addition, TheJoyFactory doesn’t give specifics about charging times with multiple devices, so a good chance you’ll get a trickle charge to the iPad while have several other devices connected at the same time.
Purchase price for the ZipMini
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The four adjective computer USB mouse does exactly as what the name describes. I’m also a big fan to see computer products taking the step towards solar power rather then other means. Why not, the sun is always out [oh wait, I’m in SoCal]
Sure the hand will cover the solar panel, but there is plenty of time you’re hand is not covering the solar cells for recharging.
Recharging takes place to the single AAA battery inside the unit. If the power does drain too much, you can swap the battery for a non-chargeable one.
2.4Ghz wireless spec gets you the communication you need with out the interference you might expect. Personally, I’d rather see Bluetooth as this little guy takes up a USB port for the wireless dongle on the host side.
The Solar rechargeable wireless optical USB mouse is compatible with Windows back to XP, Linux and Mac operating systems, so ya, standard stuff.
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Here is a simple way to make a stylish USB bracelet. The project is very simple and requires no technical skills, but will take some time. The largest amount of time you will spend is making the bracelet, so be sure to have your home-making skills fired up and ready to go.
The first step is cutting up the cardboard to make the back-bone of the bracelet.
Using tape to secure the lead start of the yarn, start wrapping
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The original wax seals were simply melted beeswax poured over the flap of a letter. The wax would range in color from nearly transparent to brown, depending on the quality of the wax. In the 11th century, artisans began adding colors to the waxes, such as red and black. These first seals were not tamper-proof, however, as the letter could be opened and then resealed with similar wax. For this reason, stamps or seals were created so people could impress their personal design or crest into the warm wax, making forgery difficult.
Today you can apply the same tradition to technology. The Top Secret USB drive with wax seal is that device. The USB flashdrive is made of high quality porcelain, finished off with a beautifull wax stamp containing the logo.
Besides the original white porcelain version there is also a black variant. Either one is available with red, orange, pink, blue or green wax seal. We also make Top Secret USB flashdrive for special occasions, like for a wedding: white with a silver wax seal. The top secret USB flashdrive in light blue or pink are designed as a gift for a newborn. All usb sticks are sealed standard with the original Top Secret ‘TS’ logo. There is the possibility of choosing your own design, letters or images. The Top Secret USB flashdrive are available with either 2, 4 or 8 gigabytes of memory.
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USB devices and ports are now the most ubiquitous item one can related to a computer product other then maybe the VGA connector or Ethernet port. With that said, it’s now the mainstream bus used to power and recharge most computer devices and gadgets. However, just because it will charge of USB doesn’t mean it’s all that easy and efficient. There is a lot more into charging via USB then you’d ever imagine.
With some devices you get a fast charge. With other devices you get a slow charge. So what’s the deal?
In most cases when you see a slow charging device it means the manufacturer made a digital signature that is compatible with the power charger which came with the device. Any other USB port used to charge the product simply isn’t as efficient…and that’s by design!
This post is just an appetizer for all the dirty little secrets related to USB charging devices, to get a little deeper into the details click over to
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Angry Birds is a great game for the first couple weeks. New levels, new designs, new challenges. However, the game gets a little stail for the 30+. Today, we came across something which might re-kindle the fire for the 30-somethings who got burned out after a couple weeks.
How about taking the slingshot in the game and making it real life? This is exactly what this DIY hacker did.
Over at MBed, the DIY tutorial for a USB slingshot gives step by step instructions, source code, design schematics and more for you to successfully remake a USB slingshot.
Source:Â MBed.
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Scientists are trying to break the boundaries of Moore’s law by taking a phosphorus atom and create a working transistor as the gate to control electrical flow.
Moore’s law describes a long-term trend in the history of computer manufacturing whereby the number of transistors that can be placed in the same amount of space doubles approximately every two years.
Michelle Simmons, director of ARC Center for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology at the University of New South Wales, Australia, took an atom and etched it into a silicon bed with “gates” to control electrical flow and metallic contacts to apply voltage to start/stop current. It’s the first such device to be precisely positioned using
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The tech world is changing for the better. We are seeing longer lasting batteries, devices which require less juice and smarter power management. Good example is the PowerUSB Bar.
This power bar will automatically shut down the devices it’s powering based on time of day or clock settings. For example, why power that laser printer when everyone is away from work? Better to power off the printer between 6pm and 7am, right? The PowerUSB Bar can do just that.
The PowerUSB Basic empowers you to put your old devices on a diet by programming when to shut off power to them. It looks like a standard 4 port power strip but 3 of the for outlets are programmable. The last outlet is always on so it’s reserved for the PC. And there’s also a 6 ft USB cord coming out of the power strip. Attach printers, chargers, speakers or external drives and let the PowerUSB Bar govern their power consumption.
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Instructables has a nice USB LED lantern DIY project. I think the most important part about this project is getting a cool enough looking lantern. Make sure it’s 50s-60s style with some wear on ti.
For the full instructions go to the Instructables page.
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I just read this article from PC Magazine about watchdog group SumOf US taking on Apple for poor worker conditions in China.  I’m all for making the world a better place for mankind. I also think some perspective is needed.
One of Apple’s biggest contract manufacturers [CMs] FoxConn has been under fire the last 12 months for employee suicides and a fire in a production facility.
It was reported the suicides are directly related to working conditions. However, it’s important to keep some perspective. FoxConn is an organization which employees well over 100,000 people. I think it very likely a group of individuals from the 100K pool will find a common thread [depression] and lead their way to demise. We’ve seen it before with other cult groups in the US.
I’m not giving Apple a free ticket, but I certainly don’t think Apple is to blame. With the above situation, Time Cook, now CEO made the following statement [for the record I completely believe]
“We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain,” reads his letter; “Any accident is deeply troubling, and any issue with working conditions is cause for concern. Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us.”
As for the Foxconn fire in one of their production facilities, this type of accident happens all the time. In the US, Europe, Australia and of course Asia.
I fully support the motion which SumOfUs has started, but at the same time, I’m not holding Apple completely responsible for working conditions at FoxConn. Sure they are one element, but not the entire picture.
For those of you who are not familiar with FoxConn, it’s a CM which supplies many major companies in the US, not just Apple.
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Doing anything to make your product stand out is the only way to get your company ahead. Over the past 3 years, going green has been a very popular theme with many companies. Qmadix is another company you can add to the list. Qmadix introduces a biodegradable USB cable.
The biodegradable USB cable works like any typical USB cable. It is USB-IF certified to guarantee performance speed. It comes in Type A and Type B connector styles. Qmadix also includes HDMI and 30 pin Apple connectors.
The big difference is the coating put on the cable. The USB biodegradable cable uses a plant-based by-product to protect the internal copper. The cable will remain stable during use in the home or office, but once put into a landfill, the degrading begins.
We suspect is has to do with moisture levels, but not 100% sure. The plant-based coating will biodegrade the cable in about
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Touch-n-go™ is a revolutionary combination of a magnetized base unit paired with magnetized 3-inch mini-cables knows as “zip tails.†The zip tails pop immediately into place on the charging station via the built-in magnets, and safely snap off when you move your device.
The only problem I have with this solution is finding additional 30 pin connectors since I have four iPhones to charge. In addition, TheJoyFactory doesn’t give specifics about charging times with multiple devices, so a good chance you’ll get a trickle charge to the iPad while have several other devices connected at the same time.
Purchase price for the ZipMini
Continue Reading
Recharging takes place to the single AAA battery inside the unit. If the power does drain too much, you can swap the battery for a non-chargeable one.
2.4Ghz wireless spec gets you the communication you need with out the interference you might expect. Personally, I’d rather see Bluetooth as this little guy takes up a USB port for the wireless dongle on the host side.
The Solar rechargeable wireless optical 
Items you will need:
Using tape to secure the lead start of the yarn, start wrapping
Today you can apply the same tradition to technology. The Top Secret USB drive with wax seal is that device. The 
This post is just an appetizer for all the dirty little secrets related to USB charging devices, to get a little deeper into the details click over to
How about taking the slingshot in the game and making it real life? This is exactly what this DIY hacker did.
Over at 
Scientists are trying to break the boundaries of Moore’s law by taking a phosphorus atom and create a working transistor as the gate to control electrical flow.
Moore’s law describes a long-term trend in the history of computer manufacturing whereby the number of transistors that can be placed in the same amount of space doubles approximately every two years.
Michelle Simmons, director of ARC Center for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology at the University of New South Wales, Australia, took an atom and etched it into a silicon bed with “gates” to control electrical flow and metallic contacts to apply voltage to start/stop current. It’s the first such device to be precisely positioned using
This power bar will automatically shut down the devices it’s powering based on time of day or clock settings. For example, why power that laser printer when everyone is away from work? Better to power off the printer between 6pm and 7am, right? The PowerUSB Bar can do just that.
The PowerUSB Basic empowers you to put your old devices on a diet by programming when to shut off power to them. It looks like a standard 4 port power strip but 3 of the for outlets are programmable. The last outlet is always on so it’s reserved for the PC. And there’s also a 6 ft USB cord coming out of the power strip. Attach printers, chargers, speakers or external drives and let the PowerUSB Bar govern their power consumption.
I just read this article 
The biodegradable USB cable works like any typical USB cable. It is USB-IF certified to guarantee performance speed. It comes in Type A and Type B connector styles. Qmadix also includes HDMI and 30 pin Apple connectors.
The big difference is the coating put on the cable. The USB biodegradable cable uses a plant-based by-product to protect the internal copper. The cable will remain stable during use in the home or office, but once put into a landfill, the degrading begins.
We suspect is has to do with moisture levels, but not 100% sure. The plant-based coating will biodegrade the cable in about
