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.
GetUSB reported a while back about the partnership between Microsoft and U3 and it turns out they’ve created the StartKey, a similar approach as the U3 drives.
The biggest difference is Microsoft using StartKey as the key component to logging in and booting up. In addition, you can store personal computer settings and privileges, applications and data files on the StartKey itself.
Microsoft is looking past the ultra popular USB stick, and will incorporate the StartKey technology to nearly all types of flash media.
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So many have asked the question: How do you make DVD rentals easier than running down to the video store. Well, we’ve seen NetFlix with their rapid shipping and quick turn times and Blockbuster on their heels. These big-boys are now turning to on-line download and “content on demand.” It all sounds nice, but even with great bandwidth and streaming video you still have a fundamental problem. You must watch those vidoe’s on your TV.
PortoMedia of Ireland has a different take on DVD rentals. How about rent movies on flash memory?
May seem a little crazy, but think about it. Once you have that content on flash, the ability to watch video on any portable device, be it a laptop, PDA or other device makes enjoyement of that DVD when and where you want it …well…ideal.
So what is the process?
“PortoMedia is setting up kiosks that will let consumers download movies to a flash memory key or portable hard drive. The kiosks will be packed with hard drives that can hold 350 to 5,000 titles. Users then plug in a memory device from the company, enter a PIN code, and buy or rent a movie. When consumers get home, they simply slide the memory device into a dock their viewing device and enjoy.”
If you are not on board with the idea of PortoMedia, don’t worry – you are not alone. Others, like Ziff-Davis, have doubts, but consider this:
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Here is an eclectic set of USB gadgets which I think would be ideal for Frank’s Cubicle. I found the USB desktop multi-tasking organizational gadget over at ThinkGeek [via OhGizmo] and what kind of organization are we talking about? Based off the lightening fast USB speed of 1.1 you get:
1 – USB cup warmer
1 – USB mini desk lamp
1 – USB mini vacuum
1 – Open USB port (still 1.1)
1 – Pen cup holder as center base with no USB connectivity.
The USB multi-tasking device does make a good gadget gift and with the recent price drop from $30 to
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Imagine stepping away from your computer was all that’s needed to lock your computer? It’s a great idea, too bad ProxMat thought of it first. Their USB Mat is a pressure sensitive floor mat which locks your computer when you step off/away.
The ProxMat activates the Windows Key + L shortcut to lock down your computer.
“The ProxMat sensor now locks the unattended computer automatically! The ProxMat incorporates sophisticated pressure sensing technology to detect the presence of the user. When the user leaves the mat, the ProxMat sends the keystrokes to lock the system.”
The USB mat connects via USB and requires no drivers upon installation. ComputerProx, the company which makes the ProxMat has a list of available sizes:
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It’s obvious there is one primary use for this USB mouse:Â adult content and hiding your “habits.”
The Politically Correct term would be the USB Privacy Mouse, here is why. Along with the traditional mouse configuration of left, right buttons and center scroll tool, there is a side button used for specific hot-swap configuration. What do we mean by hot-swap configuration? Well, since a picture can tell a thousand words, consider this:
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Okay, so that’s a cheezy headline, but here’s the deal – Vers Audio has this all natural cherry-veneered wooden speaker cabinet to add that classic look/feel to your office. Personally, I think there’s nothing better than the sound coming from a wooden speaker box. I still have some solid cherry-wood Bang&Olfsen speakers from 20 years ago – that sound absolutely awesome.
Although the Vers 2X isn’t Bang&Olfsen, the 3 inch full-range speakers backed with 20-watts per channel should livin up your space. At just 11.5″ x 5.6″ x 5.6″ the Vers 2X wont take up much room either.
The Vers 2X supports the entire Apple i-stuff line (including iPhone) and comes with a brushed aluminum remote for the armchair music enthusiast.
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So now ION has some competition and from who else, the monster retailer, Sony. The PS-LX300USB is a vinyl playback turntable with USB output to easily convert those cherished records into MP3.
With a belt drive motor for reduced motor noise and rotational stability – the PS-LX300 USB turntable includes a static balance tone arm with a bonded diamond stylus for precise tracking and low record wear (ok that was straight of the Sony site).
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BlueLounge introduced their SpaceStation docking station and USB hub. It’s the clever idea you’ve always had but never done anything about. BlueLounge put all your storage ideas to a true, marketable package, the SpaceSation.
Really a fancy design of a cover with a USB hub tucked inside, the SpaceStation does clean up your desktop quit nicely.
“Hovering just 5mm above the desk, cords are free to enter or exit the hub at any point – on the side to connect a scanner, the front for an iPod, the back for a laptop or camera. An internal 4-port USB hub will keep all peripherals connected. One USB plug exits the station right where needed to connect a laptop. Just tip the front of the SpaceStation up to access the hub and cords.”
The SpaceStation surface is a rubber pad so your iPhone and other gadgets have a soft, non-skid surface to rest. The SpaceStation also provides air circulation to
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Fantom Drives are well known for high performance and high capacity storage abilities. Just recently Fantom introduced their G-Force series to include both eSATA and USB connectivity. The eSATA port is designed for maximum throughput (wait till USB 3.0 though) and USB 2.0 for universal compatibility. Keep in mind, my previous post about the SATA to USB adapter for chump change.
“The G-Force Megadisk eSATA+USB RAID features flexible and user configurable RAID operation modes or RAID 0 (disk striping) for maximum speed RAID 1 (Disk Mirroring) for maximum fault tolerance JBOD (Direct Mapping) for maximum flexibility or Spanning for simple large volume support at bus speeds of 300MB/Sec.”
The G-Force Fantom series includes NTI Shadow software for real-time continuous backup in addition to scheduled backup capabilities. What I like about the NTI software is the included ability to backup any attached storage devices like U3 flash drives. The NTI software includes support for Windows and Mac.
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Okay, granted this isn’t the latest and greatest in USB technology posts, but it does hold value. The SATA to USB adapter is a great adapter tool to have for any half/computer savvy user. With the increased popularity of eSATA hard drives, it’s very likely you, or someone you know (and support) will upgrade their hard-drive via a new SATA drive. To that end, many older computers don’t have SATA support – so what do you do?
Dig into your computer bag and pull out that SATA to USB adapter you read about on GetUSB … is what you do. This handy adapter will convert any SATA to the #1 most popular connectivity method, USB. So without buying a SATA controller card, installing the software and all that BS – just use the adapter. The adapter is about as basic as you’d like – plug in the SATA cable, plug in the USB adapter – DONE!
Once more, if you have one in your bag, it’s easy enough to finish the job without an extra trip to the computer shop, or couple days via on-line ordering.
This year the Chinese New Year starts on February 7, 2008 and is the year of the Rat. Kingston has a Limited Edition, Chinese New Year Rat UFD available for the taking.
A little background: The Lunar New Year dates back from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between January and the middle of February. On the Chinese calendar, 2008 is Lunar Year 4705-4706.
On a typical Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on
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Before you Wii addicts get too excited, it’s not a Wii remote at all, but a well disguised USB stick.
This design uses the Wii A button to pop out the USB connector. The spring loaded mechanism looks a little stiff (see video). What’s great about this product, is it looks just like the Wii remote – but far from it and for the Wii fan – it stores between 1 & 8GBs of whatever you want.
So what do you call a Wii remote look-a-like USB stick? The Wedisk of course. For those interested in a gift giving idea, the company will also custom label the remote with your logo.
Source: Techeblog.
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