Kicking around in technology since 2002. I like to write about technology products and ideas, but at the consumer level understanding. Some tech, but not too techie.
Until June 4, 2007 you can get the mini Lexar 2GB JumpDrive FireFly for only $15. Actually, you can get it for $5 if you have never used Google Checkout and sign up for this purchase. Not bad for 2GBs and Lexar is an award winning flash drive manufacturer so you’re not going wrong with a slow device.
Here is the official sales pitch:
The powerful, high-speed Lexar FireFly has a simple plug-and-play design that allows you to quickly and easily transfer and store digital documents, photos, MP3 files, and video clips. So wherever you go, your information goes with you.
Brando, maker of all cheezy USB things, is attempting to rekindle the plasma ball. Although you wont find the USB plasma ball at your local Spencer’s Store Brando is offering it for $16 and ships directly to anywhere in the world.
Here at GetUSB.info we couldn’t think of a better way to idolize the USB stick then putting some electric shock around it. Potential security feature? Maybe I’ll stop giving Brando a hard time for the boat-load of USB crap they keep pumping out.
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I’ve given tips on how to disable USB ports via security software or changing Windows USB register files, but the simplest way to secure a USB port is to block it.
The folks at Earth-Trek developed a swanky USB lock which uses the UFD shaped key to also house the USB locks.
As you can see in the picture, the key uses a mechanical lever type setup to insert the USB lock, then detach the key from the seated lock and the USB port is blocked.
Judging by the picture it might not be hard to tear out the USB lock, but you’ll probably make enough noise in the attempt to draw attention.
Although I’m not a gamer, my buddy pointed this one and wanted fellow gamers to know. This new USB joystick from Elecom is finally what many are looking for – a well built, sturdy PC controller with enough buttons to play any game. The new Elecom USB JC-AS01BK would be ideal to re-live the glory days of Mortal Combat, Track-n-Field and even Asteroids. Although no dual joystick configuration for classics like Karate Champ.
The USB joystick is compatible with PS3 and check out these stats; truly arcade caliber components with micro switched steel-shafted ball joystick and eight heavy gauge push buttons with four auxiliaries for use as start/select buttons or what ever.
The Elecom USB joystick runs just under $60USD.
PQI has a thoughtful approach to USB Readyboost. Rather then sucking up a cherished external USB port PQI is taking an internal approach. Here you see a PQI 2GB memory enhancement for Readyboost via the USB header connector on a motherboard.
Although it might not enhance the performance of your Vista system, it is a nice internal solution. Maybe PQI knew Readyboost was a bunch of marketing hype and came out the champion to support the PC monopoly all-the-while keeping the commoner happy with the same number of USB ports.
But, putting some thought into PQI’s approach there is an advantage. One interesting possibility would be if you could boot from it, as it could make for a great companion for a media center machine if you run some kind of Linux version on it, as you don’t have to waste drive space on the OS.
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Today I found a flash drive I purchase back in January of 2004. I compared that drive performance to a brand new Kingston DataTraveler. I know the theoretical maximum transfer speed of USB 1.1 is 12Mbps per second and USB 2.0 is that of 480Mbps per second – but it’s always fun to get a real world test.
My real world test came up with the following results.
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Ian Murchison is an Industrial Design engineer at Carleton University in Ottawa Canada and came up with some outstanding product ideas.
Ian’s most recent design is the Video Player Slideon with USB connectivity (above). From a recent email interview Ian developed this product design from his original Slideon concept (below).
A follow up design was needed as a lot of people liked the original design, but some were also looking for a more “video player” type design.
As with the original, it’s a slider concept meaning;
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Jungo’s Software Connectivity Business Unit, a market leading provider of USB software protocol stacks, driver development tools and testing tools, today announced the release of version 1.01 of its USBTester product line: a software USB testing tool that enables USB developers to quickly validate their USB devices for USB compatibility, Chapter 9 conformance and mass storage functionality and performance.
A thoughtful feature Jungo included with this release version is the ability to configure read and write tests to any block size. I’m especially pleased with this configuration option as I spoke with Matan Naor of Jungo to implement this ability. Thanks! It allows developers to test their code when optimizing for different packet sizes in their embedded firmware.
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There are times when digging around for a charge cable becomes extremely frustrating. The tangled mess of cables, the inconvenient location of the power strip on the floor – what a pain in the a$$.
The Chargepod from Callpod is a welcomed charger which solves all this. The Chargepod is a slick design for charging 6 devices at once. The Chargepod comes with extra short cables to decrease the clutter of wired cables.
There is some engineering that went into this as well. Callpod made sure to put in Current Control (IC) logic so each devices gets the exact amount of energy needed for a charge. This is smart because it wont fry your USB gadgets and it reduces heat of the Chargepod itself.
So – an ideal product for the messy office or traveling professional the Chargepod is well worth the extra few bucks from your typical charger. $49 for the unit and accessory cables for just a little more.
Can I apply oxymoron to a product? If I could this would be it. The USB panic button. The idea is a single tap on the panic button clears your computer screen of those erm suspect websites and opens a generic document so your boss or wife doesn’t catch your mouse where it shouldn’t be.
Another tap of the USB panic button and “game-on.” My problem with this useless USB gadget is the large, obtrusive, colorful button grabs plenty of attention and your boss will want to push it as badly as you. BAMB, now you’ve got your boss in your face and p-rn on the screen. Too bad those Corona Time-Out’s don’t really work.
The USB novelty gadget is kinda cool, but it’s definitely not the USB self-destructing button.
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Rugged flash drives have been a trend these last couple months. Manufacturers see how popular flash drives continue to be and conclude a more durable version is needed for every day use. So along with the never-ending quest of more data storage, manufacturers are developing ways to make UFDs last longer and handle more abuse.
We put the question out there, “What’s the worst your flash drive went through?” and this is what we found:
It’s predictable that our most popular abuse was dropping them. Although it doesn’t sound like a much, it can be. Flash drives – well the memory in them – are sensitive and cannot take large amounts of shock. Many times dropping a drive from your table top is good enough to damage the drive.
I did find it interesting the next most frequent UFD abuse came from submersing them in water. I’ll assume in this case, the most common mistake is forgetting about the drive and accidentally washing it.
Whatever your daily routine, it’s worth taking an extra few minutes to search out the right flash drive for your habits. Rugged flash drives will become more popular as 1) materials drop in price to build a better box and 2) users continue to put more and more valuable information on their flash drives.
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Stuck in the past, listening to your play-list of 80s music and still trying to beat your high score on Donkey Kong?
This stylish Mario Brothers or Golden Star mouse might get you that mojo you need to actually do it!
Both offer a retro 8-bit appeal and feature the original mechanical mouse ball mechanism that you probably forgot existed. Push one of these beauties across your desk and imagine that you are playing Super Mario Brothers… rather than filling out those boring TPS reports.
For only $24 give your self the gift of the past – or maybe a good Father’s Day gift.
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