Author Archive

Matt LeBoff

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.

Wet-n-Wild Wireless iPod Speakers

Matt LeBoff February 27, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

We’ve seen wireless iPod speakers before, but Hammacher made a slippery twist with their wireless iPod speaker system to include water proofing. Never before has it been this easy to become American Idol while in the shower. Or maybe just get the party started while pool-side. The water-resistant iPod speakers have a range of 150 feet and house 3 inch 6-watt speakers. The dock sends juice to the iPod while docked and is compatible with all models. Other basics include AM/FM, clock and easy-to-read display. Runs just under $200. Here are alternate iPod speakers. Continue Reading

Wireless USB Controller from LucidPORT

Matt LeBoff February 26, 2007 Tutorials & How-To Guides, USB News & Press Releases, USB Security & Compliance

Now that Wireless USB products are starting to ship we’ll see a lot more of USB-IF certified chips and controllers. Take the LucidPORT L800 WUSB Device Controller.

This is an 8 or 16 bit memory mapped DMA slave chip to provide wireless connectivity to 31 devices. The L800 supports all the drivers offered by USB spec such as Mass Storage Device, Printer, Scanner and Video Classes and will auto switch between wired USB and Wireless USB connections. So what does this mean? Here’s an example, the LucidPORT L800 would be integrated into a PC, either onto the motherboard or an adaptor card, from there the L800 can pick up Continue Reading

U3 Software: e-Capsule Zero Footprint Encrypted Web Browser

Matt LeBoff February 26, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, Industrial Duplication & Media Management, Tutorials & How-To Guides, USB News & Press Releases

EISST or Enterprise Information Security Systems & Technologies introduced their 100 percent encrypted web browser, the e-Capsule, the first of it’s kind. We’ve seen countless warnings of Internet Explorer being hacked and e-Capsule could be your answer. E-Capsule is a zero footprint internet browser because the application launches from a U3 USB or UFD drive. The elegance of e-Capsule lies within the code as security and confidentiality of online sessions and transaction are embedded in the application design.

Here’s a great example of a normal browser: Continue Reading

U3 Software – MusiCan is Educational Music for Kids

Matt LeBoff February 23, 2007 Industrial Duplication & Media Management, USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

It’s nice to see the continued growth of U3 software for flash drives. Take my latest find, an educational music package for kids, MusiCan. The music is clearly aimed at children and my little one loves MusiCan and the animated screens which go with it.

There are various levels of learning in each collection from identifying animals to learning your way around a keyboard. Here are a couple screen shots: Continue Reading

What is WUSB?

Matt LeBoff February 23, 2007 USB News & Press Releases, USB Security & Compliance

WUSB is Wireless USB a high-bandwidth wireless extension to USB which is short-range so also known as WUSB. WUSB combines the speed of USB 2.0 of 480Mbit per second with the convenience and ease of wireless technology. WUSB is the most common terminology used for Wireless USB but the Implementers Forum or USB-IF would rather you say Certified Wireless USB, but who’s got time for that.

WUSB is based off the WiMedia Alliance’s Ultra-WideBand (UWB) radio platform which means WUSB will work at the 480Mbit/s speed up to 9 feet away and then slow down to Continue Reading

Zune Hack: Zune As Mass Storage Device Video Tutorial

Matt LeBoff February 22, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, Tutorials & How-To Guides, USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Here is a Zune hack video tutorial on getting the Zune to appear on your desktop or file browser thus allowing you to use the Zune as a mass storage device. Sorry folks, the video got pulled from YouTube. Please visit this Zune as mass storage device tutorial. Continue Reading

LOL – USB Gas Mask

Matt LeBoff February 22, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Thanko, maker of all things cheezzy, released the USB gas mask, or to make it less alarming, USB dust mask. Either way it’s hard to swallow any logical reason for this device. Sure you could make the argument for a dirty work environment, but if things are so bad you need a USB mask, just get a new job.

Got to love the “medical” reference in the pic.Â Continue Reading

First USB Firewall Secure It Easy by CoSoSys – Bring It On!

Matt LeBoff February 22, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, Tutorials & How-To Guides, USB News & Press Releases

Hard to believe that nearly 70% of unauthorized access to sensitive data are from employees, not external hackers, viruses or worms. In many situations, IT managers are now understanding the ease in which company info can be stripped out via USB. To that end, CoSoSys introduces Secure It Easy, the first USB Firewall to ad IT managers in this battle against unauthorized theft.

If you only protect your PC with a firewall and antivirus software you are only protecting if against threads posed from the outside (internet) and not protecting it against threats posed from the inside. Secure it Easy will help you to protect your PC from all threats posed by portable devices that are connected to your PC via the USB port. Secure it Easy gives you full control over your PCs endpoints.

With Secure It Easy managers have complete control over USB endpoints Continue Reading

Contempo Reflect iPod Case from Griffin

Matt LeBoff February 22, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Griffin, maker of all things iPod, introduces a very eye catching polycarbonate reflective case. Powered down, the only identifiable mark of an internal iPod is the nav wheel, power up and the screen comes to life through the luster Griffin finish.

Griffin devised a polycarbonate shinny shell with a rubberized back-side for esthetic compliment and user sure grip. The Griffin Reflect fits the 2nd gen iPod Nano, video and SanDisk Sansa. Continue Reading

OrbiTouch is the Keyless Keyboard

Matt LeBoff February 21, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Is it just me or is someone getting frisky with their keyboard?

The OrbiTouch is a revolutionary keyless keyboard for improved ergonomic experiences while computing. Using two dials a user will twist the domes into location for typing letters, numbers and symbols. For example, turn the left dial to a blue zone and the right to the UVWXY zone and you’ve just typed “Y” Continue Reading

USB IronDrive Sure to Survive a Blast

Matt LeBoff February 20, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

So the USB IronDrive has been circulating for a couple days. Designed for military application and sourced via Lockheed Martin the drive is truly indestructible. But where do you think the USB port is? Does the handle unscrew and leave you access to the port or does the tip come undone. Not clear, but I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.

Here are some lofty claims from the manufacturer, R&D Electronics: Continue Reading

U3 Software: Read PDF Docs Without Load Times with Foxit

Matt LeBoff February 20, 2007 Industrial Duplication & Media Management, Tutorials & How-To Guides, USB News & Press Releases

If you are not aware of Foxit then it’s a software program for managing Adobe PDF documents. The most notable feature is the ability for Foxit to launch and read PDF docs without the long wait time experienced with Adobe software. Foxit is now available for your U3 flash drive. Continue Reading