The Netbook Mate by Fantom solves many problems with the popular netbooks, it gives you expansion! Simply use a USB cable and connect from the Netbook to a Fantom USB port and you’ve suddenly got: A DVD burner, USB ports, 160GB hard drive and ergonomic dock station!
Now on sale from Buy.com
Expand the storage capacity of your Netbook with Netbook Mate. Its combination of easy slide in/out 2.5″ removable drive, DVDRW,two built in USB port hub and cooling fan enhances your Netbook in every way and gives you the ultimate portability.
Easily carry your photos, music, video and files where ever you go. Because your Netbook lacks an optical drive, doesn’t mean you have to live without one. The Netbook Mate will let you burn discs or watch movies at any time. Simply connect your Netbook Mate to a USB port on your Netbook and you are done; Installation is that easy! The Netbook Mate fits most brand Netbooks from 8 to 11 inches, it is extremely compact and light weight.
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Hovercam X500 is great name for the function it performs, hovering over documents to project via camera. The Hovercam is meant to replace the age old overhead projector we are most familiar with from grade school.
The X500 USB imaging device has a 5 megapixel sensor mounted on a swing arm that can either scan and recognize or monitor and project anything on the surface underneath. As a scanner, the HoverCam performs as a 600dpi equivalent scanner. Scans are snapped as photos would be, in an instant. No more waiting for the slow trudging of the scan sensor to run up and down the page.
The free software that is included with the X500 is called HoverCam Flex. The Flex is not surprisingly built on the Adobe Air platform, and is a desktop based application that connects directly to their web services. Images can be uploaded, saved, published, shared and OCR’d with a quick drag and drop. The HoverCam Flex service also provides quick integration with other cloud services like Google OCR, Picassa, DropBox and e-Fax. The benefits of the software alone might be worth the $199 asking price of the HoverCam X500.
The mini RC helicopters have been in all the computer shops as of lately, and Brando just upped the ante with their USB rechargeable version, the Grand NANO.
I’ve seen these things in action, don’t use them around small children, the helicopter blades move so fast, it could cut off a finger if flown right into a child [by mistake of course!].
The Grand NANO is made of light weight metal alloy and has shockproof landing gear. This makes it a bit less likely you’ll smash the thing while landing.
The Grand NANO has an electronic gyroscope system which provides excellent stability, control and maneuverability.
Equally impressive, is the modified poker chip case for quick and easy storage of the USB rechargeable helicopter.
One of GetUSB.info’s most popular post’s is the Review: MagicJack Phone article that talks about the product and services as experienced by one of my contributing editors. Today, we find out that MagicJack paid $50Gs to Boing Boing in a defamation lawsuit pertaining to an article they wrote.
So what was all the fuss? Boing Boing uncovered some interesting information about the MagicJack which we didn’t realize during our review. The MagicJack uses customer profiles, locations and call habits to push targeted ads to the MagicJack software interface.
Boing Boing reports that during the purchase of the product, activation of the product or support for the product, at no time is the user aware of these terms and conditions.
Now, I don’t think the ad sponsored business plan is a bad one, but giving the users a heads-up or opt-out choice is definitely needed. Even with the small amount of ad space used for such an incredibly cheap and convenient product is not a big deal [in my eyes].
So here is our official notice: be aware of this fact before buying a MagicJack phone. To read the full review of this wonderful product, please visit the original article: Review: MagicJack Phone.
Source:Â Boing Boing.
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The Japanese firm Hanwa’s announced today their solution to putting DTS digital sound on your computer via their USB Vacuum Tube dongle.
I seriously doubt the vacuum tube brings any value to enhancing the digital sound, but rather put a nestaligic look to a high tech product.
The USB vacuum tube will retail in Japan for $45 USD and include the USB dongle with DTS technology along with the headphones which support DTS sound. After all, the dongle doesn’t do you any good without some speakers for enjoyment.
MacBook laptops don’t come with VGA out or DVI out connectors for extending one’s video screens to more then the MacBook itself. Today Wisair announced a solution for just that with their Wireless USB DisplayDock Set.
Wisair’s DisplayDock solution allows Mac users to connect to a monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers, via a single wireless link with a single adapter that connects to a USB port on the MacBook. Since we haven’t seen a big offering to help out MacBook users we expect this to be a big hit with the MacFanBoys.
Wisair will be OEMing the solutions via three vendors [Atlona, Source R&D, Cables Unlimited and Olidata in the UK.
Some major points to consider:
Point to point plug and play USB wireless
Universal solution for MacBooks
Distance up to 30 feet
Doesn’t load over WiFi so your internet USB gadget surfing remains fast
Wireless video supports up to 1440 x 1050 screen resolution
Mac Leopard (10.5) and Snow Leopard (10.6) OS support.
No price yet was announced from the Press Release or OEM sites. Product will be available the first of March.
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The Stanza app is a program for the iPhone which is an eBook reader. It is slick software, easy to use, and allows you to load books via USB cable. Well, it did.
The latest update from iTunes for the Stanza app indicates the USB connectivity feature will be removed from the application. So if you want it, don’t update it.
The Washington Post called the maker, Lexcycle, and asked about the details and their spokes person said, “[Lexcycle is] forbidden from discussing the specifics of the conversations with Apple on this matter.”
It’s fair to say that Apple is keeping complete control of the device so that additional storage [non iTunes content] cannot be loaded along with reducing any virus possibilities hitch-hiking in via removable storage.
To learn more visit the Washington Post article.
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Yup, today was the day that Apple announced their iPad product. The very first thing we noticed was a lack of USB ports for storage and connection; however, Job’s didn’t forget it.
The iPad camera connection kit comes with a male adapter card to connect either USB or SD cards. Given the slim dimensions of the iPad we can understand the lack of design integration for USB, but SD or even microSD, now that makes sense. Our only conclusion is a lack of real-estate on the PCBA used to make the iPad.
Interesting side note: Apple has the exclusive patent on the 30 pin female connector it uses and plans to NEVER license it out. I know the USB kit has a male connector, it just reminded me of reading that info a couple weeks back.
Source:Â StumbleTweet.
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We’ve seen the first step in USB 3.0 which is the USB host controller. This gives motherboards the opportunity for USB 3.0 devices to connect. Now we are starting to see other system support peripherals such as the USB 3.0 hub.
VIA announced their USB 3.0 four port hub this week just days before CES 2010. We fully expect others to make a similar announcement during the CES show, but VIA, thus far, has beat everyone to the punch.
The USB 3.0 hub supports 4 downstream ports and one upstream port. The board is powered via AC and VIA claims to have improved the power management in the USB 3.0 hubs to allow attached devices to enter into a lower power state when not being used. The chip itself is based on advanced 80nm CMOS technology which makes it a more power efficient USB hub controller.
VIA did indicate the USB 3.0 hub is not only backward compatible, but also supports the full 5Gb/s transfer rate USB 3.0 calls for. No word on price, but I’m forecasting a 50% increase in price over traditional USB hubs.
MSN did a fun article on 8 lavish gadgets for the holidays, and of course, a USB flash drive made the list.
Gresso introduced a 64GB USB flash drive which is F1 racing inspired with sleek design, look and material. Gresso used the base material to be carbon fiber [the black] and titanium alloy as the accents [silver] then glazed the entire device with a special ceramic coating.
The Gresso branded USB stick will set you back 6,448 Peso’s or about $500 USDs. Still small enough to be lost in any coat pocket, but a perfect stocking stuffer for the well-to-do.
So the question becomes:Â would your friends be more impressed with the Gresso flash drive or a $500 bill?
TouchScreen Preschool Games has just released another iPhone app; Mister Rogers.
GetUSB.info doesn’t make it a habit of reporting on iPhone applications, but when you know the author and game publisher it’s worth taking a moment and saying “good job.”
Murtha Design had their first block buster iPhone app, ShapeBuilder and from that success Murtha Design has teamed with PBS.org to develop the Mister Rogers iPhone app.
Mister Rogers Make a Journal encourages children to identify and talk about their feelings about their everyday experiences like school, playtime, and friends. The App features an animated version of favorite Neighborhood of Make-Believe character Daniel Striped Tiger, who invites children to make a journal to help them reflect on the things they do and to express how they feel.
What is amazing about this application is the goal of establishing Emotional Development truly works. I have a 4 and 6 year old child and they both create journals about their day and from simply listening to their interaction with the program, I can learn about my child’s day without pressuring them for daily activity reports and grilling them on “how was school today?”
The USB surgeon is not alone, he also comes as a doctor and nurse. Unfortunately we don’t have pictures of the entire medical family but we do have the following.
First, SlipperyBrick and TechFresh reported on the drive earlier today, but we thought a “in the wild” photo would also be fun. Here is a snapshot of them multiplying before your eyes.
As SlipperyBrick pointed out, it’s a fun little drive that you can decapitate as well as play out classic MASH scenes or more current Grey’s Anatomy drama.
The USB surgeon flash drive can be found at USBGeek.com for just a shade over $20.
If we find the doctor or nurse, we’ll let you know…chances are, they are in the supply closet…no wait, that’s Scrubs.
Source:Â SlipperyBrick & TechFresh
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One of GetUSB.info’s most popular post’s is the Review: MagicJack Phone article that talks about the product and services as experienced by one of my contributing editors. Today, we find out that MagicJack paid $50Gs to Boing Boing in a defamation lawsuit pertaining to an article they wrote.
So what was all the fuss? Boing Boing uncovered some interesting information about the MagicJack which we didn’t realize during our review. The MagicJack uses customer profiles, locations and call habits to push targeted ads to the MagicJack software interface.
The Stanza app is a program for the iPhone which is an eBook reader. It is slick software, easy to use, and allows you to load books via USB cable. Well, it did.
The latest update from iTunes for the Stanza app indicates the USB connectivity feature will be removed from the application. So if you want it, don’t update it.
The Washington Post called the maker, Lexcycle, and asked about the details and their spokes person said, “[Lexcycle is] forbidden from discussing the specifics of the conversations with Apple on this matter.”
It’s fair to say that Apple is keeping complete control of the device so that additional storage [non iTunes content] cannot be loaded along with reducing any virus possibilities hitch-hiking in via removable storage.
To learn more visit the Washington Post article.
Continue Reading
