It is common to hear Raspberry Pi owners want more USB ports. GetUSB.info just read about them introducing an official 4 port USB hub. Sweet. To note, most Raspberry Pi single-board computers, except for the Raspberry Pi Zero and A+ models, include a built-in USB hub that splits one USB connection into several USB Type-A ports. Just recently they launched the official Raspberry Pi USB 3 Hub, a high-quality USB 3.0 hub that offers four additional USB ports.

This hub includes a single upstream USB 3.0 Type-A connector with an 3 inches (8 cm) built-in cable. The “upstream” port is the socket used to communicate with the host device, which in this case is the Raspberry Pi. It also has four downstream USB 3.0 Type-A ports and can reach data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. There’s a USB-C socket for an optional external 3A power supply but that isn’t included with the $12 purchase. Quick note, the downstream port is are the sockets used to communicate with the devices, like a USB flash drive, hard drive, mouse, keyboard, printer, etc.

One driving force on why Raspberry Pi wanted to sponsor their own USB hub is the fact most ‘other’ hubs are just too expensive. One fundamental goal of Raspberry Pi is to provide an unparalleled offering for computer code development and the lowest possible price. Usually, you either pay a high price for a reliable, well-designed product, or you buy a cheaper option that’s unreliable, doesn’t work with various devices, or simply looks bad.

With this hub, there is no “race to the bottom,” where cheap, poor-quality products pushed out better options, and online marketplaces like Amazon became filled with low-quality hubs. To offer a better solution the Raspberry team got together with with Infineon to source a quality hub chip called the CYUSB3304.

Based on user beta testers and user comments here are the pros and cons of the Raspberry Pi USB 3 Hub:

The USB Mass Storage Device Protocol defines how USB devices which are attached to a host computer should interact (such as flash drives, external hard drives, and memory cards) and this protocol is critical for allowing stuff to talk with each other in the computer world. Here’s a breakdown of its core components:

In order for a USB flash drives to work interchangeably with other devices a universal standard must be created, defined and implemented for both device manufactures (the flash drives) and the host manufacturers (what flash drives are plugged into). The “Mass Storage Device” is the more technical term for what a USB flash drive is ( or USB hard drive or other memory storage device ) classified as. The classification spells out how communication works between the host computer and USB device.

The following information is a general outline and meant for non-technical readers to better understand the USB Mass Storage Device is. A link at the bottom will direct readers to a more technical resource, say someone reading up from a computer science class.

Let us start with the “Device Class and Protocol”

As mentioned the Mass Storage Class (also known as MSC) is a set of specifications which define a standardized way the USB device will present itself and communicate with the host (what it is plugged into); for example a computer, smartphone a car stereo or even the USB socket you find on a passenger plane. All of these “hosts” must conform to a specific way to communicate with the device.

Although we mention the USB socket of a plane, that particular situation doesn’t require “data transfer” and it’s only meant for power; although a specification is still required even when only dealing with power and/or charging. With that said, the most common protocol used for MSC devices is the “Bulk Only Transport” or BOT. The BOT is a method defining how data is either read or written from one device to the other. The BOT is designed to be fast and optimize data transfer while at the same time providing a reliable and stable code base for transferring data.

As a side note, the BOT was improved with UASP. The newer UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) was introduced for the USB 3.0+ speed of devices. The UASP improves the older BOT by allowing faster data transfer rates and better performance to the devices which support the newer UASP.

So whether the host and attached device, say a USB flash drive, use BOT or UASP the commands used come from the SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) protocol. This protocol was developed in the late 1970s and ultimately introduced to the public for use in 1986. So the SCSI protocol has been around for a very long time.

One pillar of the SCSI protocol is the “block device” appearance of a device connected to a computer. This block device approach helps organize data and allows the two to communicate in blocks. Remember the most basic, 1024? the block device approach allows data transfer to work more efficiently and organized than other approaches.

The Mass Storage Device specification will classify data transfer speeds. This type of classification will setup the host computer and device on the best method to communicate. This is important because you want to define a Mass Storage Device’s ability to transmit data, during either the read or write operation, to an optimal speed for best performance. So for example, you don’t want a USB 3.0 hard drive communicating with the host computer at USB 2.0 speeds. The classification for data transfer will sync up the proper protocol.

Review: USB-C cable tester by BLE caberQU

USB-C has firmly established itself as the universal connector standard, integrating data transfer, power delivery, and video output into a single interface. With so many cables on the market, knowing which ones truly deliver on their promises can be challenging. That’s where the BLE caberQU comes in, a great USB-C cable tester that provide all the details one would need.

We can break down the need to test USB-C cables into five categories; and it’s worth noting if you are going to spend good money on a device, monitor or other peripheral, isn’t it worth a bit effort to make sure the cable connecting it all works at the highest level?

Of course the block buster category is USB-C Data Transfer Speed. Different USB-C cables support different data transfer rates. For example, some cables are USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), while others may support USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 (up to 10 or 20 Gbps). Testing ensures you’re getting the expected performance, especially when transferring large files or using external storage devices.

The BLE caberQU excels in its core functions. It provides a reliable way to test USB-C cables for data speed, charging power, and overall health. The LED indicators offer a clear and immediate visual representation of pin connectivity, which simplifies the testing process. The LCD screen takes things further, delivering detailed metrics on data speed of the cable being tested.

The second most important category is Compatibility. Not all USB-C cables are created equally. Some might not be compatible with high-speed protocols like Thunderbolt 3 or 4, which can impact both data transfer rates and compatibility with devices like monitors or docks. The BLE caberQU provides a systematic way to determine the true connectivity protocol of the cable. Although some cables may give false positive results, it is recommended to test the cable multiple times for Compatibility to insure the BLE caberQU reports the correct value.

SMI ( Silicon Motion Inc. ) has introduced a new chip which allows for multiple 4K displays to be connected to a single host computer. The SM770 chip is, what SMI calls, a high performance USB Display interface or “SoC”.

Get three concurrent 4K UHD displays running without latency issues from a single host computer source. The new SMI chip features a user-friendly InstantView software application to configure the multi collection of displays. The free software tool effortlessly configures host content for any display without the need for a display driver which is really nice to avoid future driver update issues we are all so keen on trying to avoid.

The SM770’s features include:

• Support Triple 4K (3840 x 2160) @60Hz, support up to 144Hz display
• The 2nd generation CAT technology delivers codec with reduced latency
• USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps)
• Support displays over USB, Ethernet or Wireless
• OS compatibility: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS

USB docking stations are now a must-have for many professionals who need to use more than one screen. The new SM770 is made to make using multiple screens much better by reducing delay and improving system efficiency. This new technology helps create high-quality USB docking stations and display adapters which meet the high demands of today’s work environment.

Current the chips are available for samples, but we have yet to see the chip integrated into an end-user product. SMI… if you know of a product ready to buy, do send us an email.

The PTH200 from Dracal Tech has lots of benefits for tracking the environment and more. Here are 10 great things about using it:

1- Very Accurate The sensors are precise, calibrated, and compensate for temperature. This is important for monitoring exact environmental conditions.

2- Easy to Use The small size makes it simple to add to different systems, even in limited space. This is useful for many different uses.

3- Simple Software Dracal includes an easy-to-use interface and tools for managing the device without needing lots of technical knowledge.

A “USB copy service” means copying data from one USB drive to many other USB drives at the same time. A USB duplication service company is a good resource when the content owner doesn’t have the gear to make many USB copies. Some duplication systems can be more than several thousand dollars, so it would be more economical to higher a service rather than invest in the equipment. Another reason would be a company not having the human resources to run the USB duplication department.

Picking the right USB duplication service is important because the job must be done right, and must be accurate. In addition, the USB copy service should know what to look for with USB flash media; not all USB sticks are made the same and there is a wide range of NAND memory quality which defines how reliable the USB stick will be in holding data and working properly with the end-user. USBCOPIER.com is a service which has been around since 2004 and seen the USB technology develop from USB 1.0 all the way to (currently) USB 3.2.

Great USB Copy Service

USBCOPIER.com is easy to work with, and always available during business hours. 8am to 4pm Pacific Time Zone. They use the best USB duplication technology equipment (Nexcopy) to create and verify the data on USB. This is key if you need to copy very important data.

Fast USB Copying

Being fast is key to hitting time goals. USBCOPIER.com copies USB drives fast, while still being good quality. If you need things done fast, they can help without any worry.

Customizable USB Duplication Solutions

USBCOPIER.com allows for extensive customization in their USB duplication service. They provide a range of

Although the Covid pandemic is officially over, from that time, people are paying more attention to the cleanliness of things they come in contact with. Because this website is dedicated to USB technology, it’s probably worth a mention about the Microban Technology used with USB flash drives from Verbatim.

Microban technology is a type of antimicrobial technology that is incorporated into products during the manufacturing process to provide continuous antimicrobial protection against a range of microbes such as bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Microban works by disrupting the vital life processes and biological functions of microbes that come into contact with the treated surface. This disruption helps to prevent the growth and proliferation of these microbes.

Verbatim is now incorporating some of their USB flash drive products with this Microban technology. Consider the following:

If someone handles a flash drive with unwashed or unclean hands, they can transfer bacteria or other microbes onto the surface of the drive. Common bacteria from hands could include Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Flash drives are often carried in pockets, bags, or purses where they can pick up dirt, dust, and other contaminants that may contain microbes. Pockets and bags are not always the cleanest environments, especially if food, tissues, or other items are stored alongside the flash drive.

The Verbatim flash drives are available from Amazon in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities. The “Pinstrip” drive uses the Microban technology.

Microban technology was developed by a team led by Dr. John H. McConnell in the mid-1960s. Dr. McConnell, along with his colleagues at Microban Products Company (formerly known as Microban International), pioneered the use of antimicrobial additives for various applications, including consumer products, textiles, and industrial materials.

The maximum file size for a single file on a FAT32 file system is not exactly 4 GB, but rather slightly less than that. FAT32 uses a 32-bit file allocation table, which means it can theoretically support file sizes up to 4,294,967,295 bytes (which is 4 GB minus 1 byte).

However, in practical terms, the maximum file size is usually constrained by the operating system or the software used to create or manipulate the file. Some operating systems or software may impose additional limitations, such as a maximum file size of 2 GB or 4 GB.

Furthermore, while FAT32 technically supports file sizes up to 4 GB minus 1 byte, it may not be the most efficient or reliable choice for handling very large files due to its limitations. For handling larger files, other file systems like NTFS (New Technology File System) or exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) are typically more suitable.

Microsoft did not explicitly stop supporting FAT32 for formatting 64GB drives, but rather the limitations of the FAT32 file system itself led to practical considerations. FAT32 has inherent limitations in terms of maximum volume size and file size.

FAT32 has a maximum volume size limit of 32 GB when formatting drives in Windows. While there are ways to format larger drives with FAT32 (e.g., using third-party utilities or command-line tools), it’s not officially supported by Windows due to compatibility and stability concerns.

Given the limitations, Microsoft and other operating system developers have shifted towards file systems like NTFS (New Technology File System) and exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) for handling larger drives and files. NTFS, in particular, provides better performance, security features, and support for larger volumes and files compared to FAT32.

Therefore, while FAT32 remains useful for smaller drives and compatibility with older systems and devices, its limitations make it less suitable for modern storage solutions, especially when dealing with larger capacities like 64GB or more.

Related: Why did Microsoft drop the feature to format 64GB flash drives as FAT32?

IKEA has issued a recall for thousands of its ASKSTORM 40W USB Chargers in the United States and Canada due to potential burn and electric shock hazards. The recall, prompted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, addresses concerns that the chargers’ cables may break or become damaged over time, posing risks to users.

Internationally, there have been 17 reported incidents related to these chargers, including five instances of burns and four reports of electrical shock. However, no such incidents have been reported in the United States.

These gray chargers, bearing model number ICPSW5-40-1, were sold both online and in IKEA stores between April 2020 and December 2023.

Contact the IKEA recall center to find out how to swap out the product or receive a refund for the purchase.

In its journey to becoming a household name, IKEA has a rich history that dates back to 1943 when founder Ingvar Kamprad started selling pens, wallets, and other goods. The company’s name is an acronym formed from Ingvar Kamprad’s initials along with those of the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd) and the nearby village (Agunnaryd) in Sweden. From these humble beginnings, IKEA gradually evolved, introducing its first furniture piece in 1947 and opening its first store in 1958. Over the decades, IKEA’s innovative approach to design, affordability, and sustainability has propelled it to global success, making it a beloved brand for millions of customers worldwide.

Using the “Imagine with Meta AI tool, we have not found the correct prompts to generate a realistic looking USB flash drive. This is the best we’ve come up with. If someone is having success creating an AI version of a USB flash drive, please let us know! (gmo [at] getusb [dot] info)

IronKey is the bell-weather for encrypted flash drives. The company, owned by Kingston Digital, a Southern California based private company, uses hardware encryption chips with their USB flash drives which provide the highest level of security known to mass storage devices.

GetUSB.info came across an amazing story by Wired Magazine about how one of the authors at Wired sent an IronKey to a hacking company called Unciphered in Seattle Washington to see if they could access the drive. The did.

This is not an easy task to accomplish. IronKey uses encryption to safeguard important data with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified, FIPS 197 certified and XTS-AES 256-bit encryption. The solution allows for 10 tries before the USB controller wipes the device clean of any data. So there is a big risk-reward for using the device and losing the password to the device.

However, Unciphered developed a method to allow more attempts than just 10. It is not entirely clear how many attempts Unciphered is able to apply, but it’s more than 10.

Why is this significant, other than the fact IronKey may now have a security issue on their hands? It is well known in early 2021, a report of just over 7,000 Bitcoin were stranded in an IronKey flash drive due to a forgotten password. The owner, Programmer Stefan Thomas, did not utilize the Enterprise Management Service for password recovery. The 7000 bitcoin is currently (as of Oct 2023) worth over $235 million dollars.

To give Wired Magazine their due credit, read the full story by Andy Greenberg.