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.
The Data Tray from Brando is their most recent gadget to dress up a HHD dock station and give more functionality than just a dock. The data tray includes additional slots to house a 4 port USB hub and 15 type card reader. The HHD sled will accomidate any 2.5″ hard drive along with all the power connections needed for integration.
What I like most about this dock station is the sleek look Brando has put together for the enclosure. Makes the portable USB hub or card reader almost something you want to tote around.
The advantage with this system is easily swapping out one of two 2.5 hard drives to hot swap in a USB hub or card reader for quick connection for data transfer. Given all the flexibility this system has to offer you could pick up two – one for work, one for home – at just $69 each.
Lets cut out the middle man (PC or laptop) and directly wire a Western Digital Passport to your USB DVD Player. This hack will give you the ultimate in A) storage size of movies and B) portability without lugging around a laptop.
If you can’t see the video click here.
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Mac from Zedomax picked up a nice story on turning a wine cork into a USB stick. Why ask you say? So wine companies can data load the cork with company history, processing methods and other marketing spin (mood setting music) to give the ultimate crushed grapes experience. You couldn’t do this with CDs or DVDs that’s for sure.
Have we seen this before? I don’t think so, a four claw Goth Style Plasma Ball. It’s a must for any kids play-room or psycho girlfriend looking to spice up her digs. It’s not a USB powered gadget, but who cares, it’s cool looking. At just $18 each I wonder if I could illuminate my entire office with a collection of these. What do you think?
From the makers of the popular Flip Video Ultra comes the Mino, which puts the power of video in your pocket. The super-portable, super-simple Mino makes it easy to capture and share high-quality video anywhere and everywhere. And thanks to its flip-out USB arm and intuitive, built-in software, Mino lets you view, edit and upload your videos to popular video-sharing sites instantly. In addition to its sleek compact design–complete with touch-sensitive, backlit buttons–Mino boasts a rechargeable battery that powers up automatically while plugged into your computer or electrical outlet.
Flip Mino Highlights
All That Flip Video Goodness, Only Smaller – 40% smaller than its already pocket-sized brother the Flip Ultra, the Flip Mino barely makes a dent in even the tightest of jeans. But small in size doesn’t mean short on function;Flip Mino Highlights
Mino’s got all the Flip features–simple user-interface, one touch-recording, built-in USB, intuitive editing software, easy sharing functionality–that folks have come to know and love.
Sleek, Portable Design
The Flip Mino is the perfect combination of form and function. Its minimalist, retro front is the perfect complement to its high-tech modern back, with a large no-glare screen, touch-sensitive panel, and glowing backlit control buttons. All focused around Flip’s signature red record button that lets you go from pocket to recording in seconds.
With a camcorder this small and sleek, there’s no limit to where you can take it and what you’ll end up shooting. From a short film to enter in your favorite festival to footage of a hot new band, the Mino makes it easy because it’s always with you and always ready to go.
Mind-Boggling Quality
Despite its diminutive size, the Flip Mino produces video that rivals that of camcorders costing much, much more. With 2 GB of flash memory, the Mino can record up to 60 minutes of VGA (Video Graphics Array)-quality video that looks sharp when played back on your laptop or television (TV cable included). The high-quality microphone captures crisp, detailed audio, whether you’re paddling down the Amazon, or rockin’ out at your favorite club.
Revolutionary Built-in Software
Flip Video’s revolutionary software is built into the camcorder, so there’s no need for clunky 3rd party software or cables. Just plug the Mino into any PC or Mac via the flip-out USB arm and you’ll be viewing, organizing, editing and sharing your videos effortlessly.
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I am all for spicing up the computer world with cool designs, colors and shapes, but sometimes even the most valiant effort fails. Case in point: The Nishi-Ki keyboard is the ugliest keyboard you will ever see, despite it’s attempt to be a beautiful piece of artwork.
At just a glance, or even long stare, you can’t guess what’s printed on the keyboard. Just ugliness.
Apparently there are unique and customized butterfly and flowers painted on to each key. Wow – that takes time, and to justify those wasted hours Nishi-Ki is charging about $155 per keyboard.
Source:Â Slippery Brick.
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IOGear releases their version of the USB battery, with the GearJuice Rescue charger. What IOGear has done differently from other battery shaped USB solution, is make a miniUSB connector for cell phones, PDAs and other handhelds rather than the traditional full sized USB connector.
The unit is just larger than a double A battery and will provide your device with an extra 15 minutes of performance. Just enough time to call the bails-bondsman after getting the late night lock down because of too much party’in.
IOGear GearJuice Rescue Charger product page.
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It would be nice to have a dock station to house all your hard drive and memory gadgets…say, one interface to connect them all. Oh wait, that’s what the Brando Multi-Functional Dock Station does…USB + eSATA + 2 port hub + 4 slot card reader. All this dockability in a slick looking design:
The multi functional dock station may be connected to host computer by either a USB cable or eSATA cable, both of which provide the highest possible data transfer rate.
The card reader includes support for the SDHC and mini SDHC formats along with the long list of standard flash card formats.
Probably the most noteable feature of the multi functional dock station is the
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There is nothing like getting involved and making a difference, no matter how small. In this case, we ask you get involved with the GetUSB.info Forum.
The USB Forum is definitely an under-developed portion of the website, so with a little elbow grease and good discussion we can turn this into a valuable resource.
If you haven’t already, Log In and register. It only takes a minute. From there you can post, link and other simple HTML functions to make your statement ‘clear as day.’
To many a service pack from Microsoft is the first sign their newest platform is becoming stable. For Vista the SP1 pack came out in April and it was a good sign. At least for some. The deal with SP1 is Microsoft sending a signal to corporate world it’s time to drop XP and make the upgrade. However, even with the Service Pack 1 revision from Microsoft some are still seeing problems with their USB devices. Most notably, users are reporting mice, keyboards and flash drives still not performing as they should.
“We are aware of concerns that a recent Microsoft update may be causing problems with USB devices,” stated a Microsoft spokesperson. “We are investigating the matter and at this time do not have any additional information to share.”
It’s not clear how widespread this USB problem may be. For those installing Vista SP1, Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Windows Update, which checks and verifies if updated drivers are present before the upgrade.
So now the question becomes – have you upgraded to Vista AND have you seen problems with your USB devices? Let us know and comment here… .
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Although you might not be able to afford a Runco home theater and projector system, you can still put together a decent projection system with the Sharp 1280X720 DLP projector.
Buy.com has a good deal on the unit where the MSRP went from 1,799 to 999 and a limited time special down a couple more $100 bucks to a bottom line of $799.
The DT-510 is a feature packed high definition DLP projector that is ideal for the dedicated home heater or any viewing room in the home. The DT-510 utilizes DLP technology from Texas Instruments that includes BrillantColor technology and TrueVision Image processing that produces vibrant images and extraordinary video performance.
Wireless USB has gotten some hits for not picking up developers over the past 18 months. Some of the only items we’ve seen are wireless USB hubs with poor performance. Well, maybe a slow data transfer is what’s needed, like that from the AMEX wireless USB multi-media remote.
The AMEX remote is stylish in look, and will control your multi-media system including music, photo, video and DVD titles. The RM-mp1 uses a touch pad mouse, a slick laser pointer, basic nav buttons and includes a wireless USB receiver. I’d say it looks like a cell phone, and with dimensions of just 104x38x12mm in size, it’s the size of one.Source: Akihabara News.
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Mind-Boggling Quality
Despite its diminutive size, the Flip Mino produces video that rivals that of camcorders costing much, much more. With 2 GB of flash memory, the Mino can record up to 60 minutes of VGA (Video Graphics Array)-quality video that looks sharp when played back on your laptop or television (TV cable included). The high-quality microphone captures crisp, detailed audio, whether you’re paddling down the Amazon, or rockin’ out at your favorite club.
Revolutionary Built-in Software
Flip Video’s revolutionary software is built into the camcorder, so there’s no need for clunky 3rd party software or cables. Just plug the Mino into any PC or Mac via the flip-out USB arm and you’ll be viewing, organizing, editing and sharing your videos effortlessly.
To many a service pack from Microsoft is the first sign their newest platform is becoming stable. For Vista the SP1 pack came out in April and it was a good sign. At least for some. The deal with SP1 is Microsoft sending a signal to corporate world it’s time to drop XP and make the upgrade. However, even with the Service Pack 1 revision from Microsoft some are still seeing problems with their USB devices. Most notably, users are reporting mice, keyboards and flash drives still not performing as they should.
