Author Archive

Matt Laboff

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.

USB A$$ Blower

Matt Laboff June 11, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets

We all blow hot air from time-to-time. Whether it be talking smack to our boss about how busy we are, or literally blowing hot air after a Mexican lunch outing, it’s good to know we have “back up” from the folks at Thanko.

The USB cooling system is designed to cool off that hot seat of yours. I couldn’t think of a more pleasant way to share those personal moments all the while staying cool while under fire. I’m definitely going to file this under useless USB gadgets. If you have the need, jump over to Thanko and pick up a USB seat cooler…or fart blower, depending on how you look at it. I wonder what she’s smiling about?

Boom Box Plays USB Flash Drives

Matt Laboff June 11, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Kinyo is peddling some portable speakers that supports direct connect from a USB flash drive. The Kinyo portable audio player is designed to make your life just a little easier with the USB connection along with support of your popular music players like iPod, Zune, CD players and minidisc players.

The USB boom box runs from AC adapter or from 4 triple AAA batteries with six equalizer settings to optimize sound in any location. I wouldn’t expect too much with just a total output of 2Watts, but might be a good must-have beach item. Continue Reading

GetUSB Dealz – Logitech USB Slick QuickCam

Matt Laboff June 11, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Here is a great Father’s Day gift.Â A Logitech USB Silver QuickCam Ultra Vision webcam.Â With regular price of $100 and now with a $50 MIR it’s hard to pass up for just $50 bottom-line!Â (Offer available until 6/24/07)Â Never used Google Checkout?Â Then get the Logitech USB cam for less then $40!

As of this post the Logitech QuickCam is Buy.com’s #2 product and has moved up 37,400% in popularity…so people are grabbing these as fast as they can. Here’s the official sales pitch:Â Enjoy true-to-life video calls with twice the image clarity of conventional webcams, thanks to the precision engineered, 5 element glass lens. QuickCam Ultra Vision uses Logitech RightLight 2 Technology to give you the highest quality image regardless of your lighting, and RightSound for clear, echo-free audio. It’s video calling that truly is true-to-life. Grab your GetUSB Dealz now! Continue Reading

USB Powerline Solution from Icron

Matt Laboff June 8, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases, USB Security & Compliance

Icron brought us the ExtremeUSB technology making it possible to connect via USB from over a mile away, now Icron is bringing us USB over power lines. Not bad, not bad at all.

Integrating Icronâ€™s patented ExtremeUSB technology and Panasonicâ€™s leading edge HD-PLC power line communications devices, the system extends USB 2.0 over standard power lines enabling remote connection of standard USB devices such as keyboards, printers, flash drives, hard drives and web cameras over the AC outlets in your home or office.

â€œWe are excited to once again be able to showcase the flexibility of our ExtremeUSB technology. With the help of Panasonicâ€™s leading edge HD-PLC devices, we have been able to quickly implement our platform to extend USB 2.0 over standard power lines.â€ stated Robert Eisses, President and CEO of Icron Technologies. â€With power line technology poised to be a major catalyst for converged home network solutions, we are pleased to be working with Panasonic to add USB 2.0 to that pictureâ€.

In case you are scratching your head about the HD-PLC technology, this explanation might help: Power Line Communication (PLC) is a technology that uses power lines to both supply electric power and transmit data. Electricity travels in large, slowly changing waves, while data signals move in small, quickly changing waves. Since these waves travel at different speeds, there is no mutual interference when they travel together. This makes it possible to send data signals through power lines, and access the Internet from power outlets. Original Panasonic HD technology uses this principle to provide the large data transmission capacity and high speed of the HD-PLC Ethernet Adaptor. Continue Reading

Poll Results: Using Encryption On Flash Drives?

Matt Laboff June 8, 2007 USB News & Press Releases

Well, to no surprise our recent poll results reflect the same results we found with our USB backing-up a flash drive question. Few do it and few use it.

It appears over 50% of our visitors do not use encryption software on their flash drive. I’d like to think non-sensitive data is the reason, but one can never be too sure. With flash drives having more capacity and their usability getting easier and more engaging (U3, Migo) the likelihood of finding personal information on a UFD is very likely. Maybe people are timid about using encryption software, thinking it’s too complicated. Maybe the software usability factor isn’t just right. Maybe the performance of the drive drops too low. Maybe people just don’t care. In any event, there are many encryption solution out there and many flash drives come with some sort of security factor built in. So of course the call is yours, but better safe then sorry than getting identity theft or getting the axe for losing company secrets. Continue Reading

Some USB Shiny-Shiny For the Flash Drive Fanatic

Matt Laboff June 5, 2007 USB News & Press Releases

This is one way to hedge your USB product line from price corrosion. Design a slick alloy casing with diamond studded throughout and now that low-margin USB drive is generating a huge profit…and don’t kid yourself – there are plenty suckers who’d trip over themselves for this.Â (Although the chain is a deal breaker for me)

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diamon alloy flash

Here is an $800 gold flash drive and the Swiss Army $6,000 UFD, Enjoy!

Get Hitched USB Style to iPod Nano

Matt Laboff June 5, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

IncipioHitch is a quick connect USB adapter for any 2nd generation iPod Nano. With desktops already having cable overload from cell phones, PDAs, iPods, keyboards etc the IncipioHitch USB adapter is a clean addition.

Although USB ports are almost as hard to come by these days as it is to successfully clean up your desktop with cable organizers. At just $15 bucks it’s a great gift idea. Supports all 2GB, 4GB and 8GB iPod Nano’s. Continue Reading

Turtle Beach is Pinnacle of USB Headphone PC Gaming

Matt Laboff June 4, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Turtle Beach has long been a pioneer in personal digital audio. The new Ear Force AK-R8 is no exception. Released just days ago, the perfectly tuned, surround sound USB headphones are self-proclaimed to be the pinnacle of PC gaming headphones.

While headphones and sound cards have traditionally been considered separate items, the Ear Force AK-R8 multi-speaker headphones and USB interface are designed to work as an integrated system to enhance the unique surround sound capabilities of the headphones.

What is unique about the AK-R8 is the ability to tweak the surround sound to your exact liking then saving those settings for future use. The Turtle Beach headphones provide five independent 10-band equalizers for the two front, two surround and center speakers, allowing individual customization so given all the 3D games on the market it’s important not to underestimate the value of getting the exact sound you want during game play. Some of the bullet point/features include:

True 5.1 surround sound from 8 speakers
Ability to monitor outside sounds while wearing headphones
USB audio interface with multi-channel amplifiers
DSP sound environments with presets
High-fidelity large-diaphragm drivers
Dual sub-woofers for deep vibrating bass
Professional grade, durable construction
Super comfortable ear cup and headband design
10 band, 6-channel EQ
Ambience effects
Positional and removable boom microphone
Built-in stereo microphones

The USB audio interface, which drives the multi-channel headphones, also features separate 5.1 or 7.1 analog and digital outputs. In addition to the headphones and the USB interface, the AK-R8 includes a USB cable, an optical S/PDIF adapter for connecting to home theater equipment, an installation CD and a quick-start manual. The AK-R8 are compatible with Windows 2000, XP or Vista. You can purchase the Turtle Beach AK-R8 Surround Sound Headphones for $150 at retail stores or directly from Turtle Beach. Continue Reading

A Working Easy Button, USB Style

Matt Laboff June 1, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

If life could work like the Easy Button I’d be much better off. I could write this post in one smack-down on the Easy Button. Well, now I can actually do that! Buzline offers a USB Easy Button gadget to simplify your daily tasks. OK, so maybe it wont actually write a blog post, but it can launch your favorite web browser, software program or iTunes software via USB. Available in a variety of colors the USB Easy Button can further be customized with company logo silk-screened – all you need is a purchase agreement of 50 units or more. I don’t think my desk has room for that many.

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If you cannot view YouTube video try clicking here. Source: Buzline via Everything USB Continue Reading

Broaden Your Horizons With USB to RGB Dongle

Matt Laboff May 31, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, USB News & Press Releases

IO Data is looking to broaden your viewing horizon with their USB to RGB dongle. Ideal for laptops without video or D-Sub output this “could” help improve your viewing experience by replacing the laptop screen with a bigger monitor. Then again, if you are missing video out, you’re probably missing USB too.

Before you consider building a panel of monitors from your laptop be sure to check your video card capabilities as most laptops can’t support more then original screen plus one monitor anyway. Another option is trying a new USB monitor which does the video processing for you. Continue Reading

USB Mini Computer Is Security Specific

Matt Laboff May 31, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, Tutorials & How-To Guides, USB News & Press Releases

There are times when my Avast Home Edition Security Software seems to lock up for 3 to 5 minutes downloading the latest update or version. Although it’s not a lot of time, the repeated event grinds on my nerves. For that reason I was very pleased to read about the Yoggie Pico Security System. The first of it’s kind, the Yoggie Pico device is a self contained mini computer on a USB stick which runs and manages 13 different security applications.

At first thought – doesn’t seem like much – why not load up 13 security applications on your computer and save a USB port? Well, the beauty lies within the combination of a self contained unit, a processor to run it self and the combination of hardware and software to protect your computer. Continue Reading

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Teams with USB

Matt Laboff May 30, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, USB News & Press Releases

Undoubtedly there are certain sports which carry hard-core fans. Fans who will go to any length for that one unique piece of memorabilia. Right up there with hockey and football fans are Indy Car Race fans. Although I can’t find the press release now, today I received visual candy confirming our beloved Indianapolis Motor Speedway has officially endorsed the USB flash drive technology. Indianapolis Motor Speedway USB drive:

For just $20 you too can get this exclusive (I want to say limited edition, but not sure) Indianapolis Motor Speedway 512MB flash drive for your storage pleasure. It’s never been easier to one-up your Indy loving geek friend with this piece of sporting memorabilia. Alan McKelvey, Retail Manager for IMS on-line stores sent me this back room photo to let the world know they mean business.