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.
BlogDay was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from around the globe. Today is that day; here are my highly recommended suggested sites:
Digital Drops – Brazils leading technology blog (in my opinion) Nick does an excellent job of keeping everyone up-to-date with topics of interest at the moment. You wont feel left out if you visit DigitalDrops – you will be left out if you don’t!
Techsfera – Is a little bit of everything with most articles about mobile phones and related technologies – if you are a gadget guy like me, it’s worth a bookmark. Easy navigation and frequent updates. Check em out!
Trendy Gadget – Al runs this nugget of a technology site. Great updates on off-beat electronics and some of the main stream too. Based in Indonesia I don’t know how he gets a days worth of work done – it’s beautiful over there.
Naqernet – Andrea is a 19 year old Italian who loves to blog. He hits the ground running each and every day with well written articles. His site, Naqernet has all sorts of fun and interesting information.
To find out more about BlogDay; jump. After that jump again.
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Is this for kids or adults – it’s a tough call. The latest hi-tech toys from Hammacher is a 500 foot flying rocket with USB digital camera. If you can’t make it into this seasons Super Bowl – it is a good alternative – albeit with some serious security issues.
The Estes rocket is designed to keep the digital camera always aimed towards the ground during flight. You can get up to 3 shots per flight or record 12 seconds of live video (640×480 res). The on board USB port and included cable make download of pictures or video quick and easy.
Computer cables are the most over looked piece of technology on any computer system. Too often a cheap cable or a poorly made socket is the cause of many late nights or critical problems at urgent moments. You should never short change yourself and save a few dollars between a cheap cable and higher end cable. Today GetUSB looks at Tendon USB cables.
Tendon makes a full line of USB cables, DVI cables, HDMI cables and host of other cable products.
Today we are looking at the 15 foot USB-A to USB-A cable which is ideal for scanners, printers, external hard drives and USB hubs. Tendon also sent a variety of other USB cables, all of which are made using the same technique, materials and craftsmanship.
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Is your UFD stuffed with portable applications? Do you find yourself constantly exploring the USB drive to launch your program? If so, forget about it. Use PStart.
I while back I wrote an article about 55 Portable Applications to Make a Super Stick – well that list is nothing without the PStart tray tool. (PStart is apart of that list too).
Pstart is a simple tray tool to start user defined applications from their flash drive. Designed to run portable applications you can start anything without actually opening up and exploring your flash drive – do it right from your desktop tray.
Of course Pstart is as portable as your applications and will work on any PC system.
PStart has four useful tabs to help in your daily routine. Items, Search, Notes and Info. Here’s a break down:
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Designed by Undoboy, a member of the Spear Collection, Mimobot introduces the King and Queen series.
Patterned with all the royal shapes of diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades the USB King and USB Queen collection is another unique design from Mimoco.
Included in the limited edition USB drive is a short animation, wallpapers and icons. What is odd about this release is Mimobot labeling the series as “R” and “Not For Kids” The response from Mimoco:
The content on the King and Queen units contains footage of artists using expletives, being extremely frank, etc…
As a foot note; Mimobot is running a 25% OFF back to school sale so if any of their characters where the right design, but the wrong price (like their Starwars Stormtropper or Chewbacca) – might be worth another revisit.
Source: MimocoContinue Reading
Even with the inexpensive USB fans available sometimes it’s just more fun to build one yourself. Here is a quick video tutorial whereby you need two CDs, a motor, some cable a lighter and a little time and you’ll be cool (although not looking) at the click of a USB connection.
Source: Click here if you can’t view the video: YouTubeContinue Reading
I received the iPod FM Transmitter from Hannah over at Proporta and today had a chance to play around with it.
The iPod FM Transmitter is a compact, light and simple product to use. Using the iPod connector you click the FM transmitter into your iPod Nano (also supports iPod mini, Photo, 4 & 5GB pods and video iPod – but today tested with Nano) which is nice to have the direct connect because no extra cables or wires are needed to make your iPod work with a 3rd party radio.
Upon connection you get a confirmation the FM transmitter is sending a signal on FM frequency 88.8Mhz channel. This is the default setting, however, you have 9 memory channels to set the FM transmitter to.
The Proporta FM transmitter has three buttons. A memory button to select one of nine preset channels, a scroll up button and scroll down button to navigate through the radio frequencies. It’s simple. It’s easy.
Using the iPod FM transmitter I had mixed experience. Overall a good product – this is what I found:
Using the iPod FM transmitter without a power connection I had decent reception.
Using the iPod FM transmitter indoors gave much better reception to the radio than using the transmitter in the car. I can attribute the poor performance in the car due to many other electrical disturbances. The same results where found on different frequency settings. I did find the best reception was having the iPod close to the radio itself to boost signal strength over distance.
Using the iPod FM transmitter with a power connection did yield slightly better performance.
When the Proporta iPod FM transmitter is connected it’s best to set it and leave it. I found the connection between the two devices didn’t like being moved around and upon picking up and moving there would be static across the radio. This isn’t a big deal to me as I figure most users would set it and forget it. If you plan on walking around with your iPod forget the FM transmitter and use your headphones.
Bottom Line: For the $24 price tag it’s a good product for getting your tunes to a radio; however, we’d like to see some more signal strength to make the music clear in all situations.
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Here is a small, portable USB video and audio capture device with some decent specifications. At 720 x 480 resolution you get DVD resolution from the EasyCAP although I would think you only obtain that using S-Video rather than Composite.
ShenZhen also ships the Ulead video editing software which is user friend and ideal for someone who’s looking to take a first stab and create home videos.
NTSC format gets you 30 fps while PAL gets you 25fps, and get this; you only need 256MB of RAM to pull this off – although I would highly recommend at least 1GB of RAM when doing ANY type of video editing.
If interested go ahead and make a request to Kassy (kassy.forward< @>gmail.com) for more info. Or visit his site.
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It’s no secret Corsair has a ten number push button padlock for their USB flash drive, the Corsair Flash Padlock. It’s also no secret our good friends over at Gizmos for Geeks are security fanatics – Doug prides himself on having the lowdown on the lockdown.
Looking at the picture it’s very obvious what this drive is all about. In addition to any software security loaded on the drive the Flash Padlock includes a physical pin number to be associated with the drive. What I like about this drive is without the correct pin entered, Windows doesn’t even see the drive upon USB connection.
The idea behind this drive is dual authentication. 1) Something you know (PIN) and 2) Something you have (the USB drive). (The ID Vault is another product which works much the same way)
Tip: Might not want to use the same PIN number as your ATM card/machine.
Source: Gizmos for GeeksContinue Reading
Following the no-button design of the iPhone, Grundig is launching their MPixx 7000 FineArts series PMP player. Brushed aluminum holds in the button less screen and with a 2.4 inch TFT display there is plenty to look at.
Two models are available; 2GB and 4GB. Both Grundig FineArts models support all the audio and video formats along with FM radio support. If these guys could figure out how to get my satellite radio stations in there we’d be set! The MPixx 7000 also comes with a microSD slot for expanded memory, integrated loudspeaker (how loud is another question) double earphone connection and USB connection for download and power charging.
Due out in October at $200 and $240 respectively.
Source: Grundig via Audio JunkiesContinue Reading
Over the years I think we’ve all gathered some extra power supplies and wall adapters. Here is a quick guide to a home brew USB charger or USB power supply. This USB tutorial is from the Hacked Gadgets website and Alan runs a good site – check’em out.
This unit is great for charging your iPod, PSP or any USB device and only costs pennies to make.
The main unit needs to run from a regulated 5vdc wall adapter with at least 500ma or higher. These are very common and I’d think most households have at least one extra laying around.
You’ll also need:
USB web cameras seem creepy but it’s one of those things you just don’t know about until you try it. Once you get past the idea of seeing yourself on screen, as you chat away the afternoon, you begin to realize how nice web cameras are.
Sometimes words can’t describe the idea or thought – this is especial true in business. Sometimes it’s just nice to see the person you are talking to.
Well, whatever it is the majority of us aren’t ready. Over 40% of our visitors doen’t have a webcam and over 30% thought it would be creepy – putting it all together the minority are USB webcam fans.
Frank, a Colorado visitor, ended up winning the set of USB cables for this poll. Congrats! He visits GetUSB a couple times a month (I’ll have to work on that) and has a variety of flash drives – largest being 8GB. Frank is anxiously awaiting the cut-the-cord with his USB devices and drop some coin on a wireless hub. They’re out for the taking.
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Upon connection you get a confirmation the FM transmitter is sending a signal on FM frequency 88.8Mhz channel. This is the default setting, however, you have 9 memory channels to set the FM transmitter to.
The Proporta FM transmitter has three buttons. A memory button to select one of nine preset channels, a scroll up button and scroll down button to navigate through the radio frequencies. It’s simple. It’s easy.
Using the iPod FM transmitter I had mixed experience. Overall a good product – this is what I found:
Using the iPod FM transmitter without a power connection I had decent reception.
Using the iPod FM transmitter indoors gave much better reception to the radio than using the transmitter in the car. I can attribute the poor performance in the car due to many other electrical disturbances. The same results where found on different frequency settings. I did find the best reception was having the iPod close to the radio itself to boost signal strength over distance.
Using the iPod FM transmitter with a power connection did yield slightly better performance.
When the Proporta iPod FM transmitter is connected it’s best to set it and leave it. I found the connection between the two devices didn’t like being moved around and upon picking up and moving there would be static across the radio. This isn’t a big deal to me as I figure most users would set it and forget it. If you plan on walking around with your iPod forget the FM transmitter and use your headphones.
