Very Versatile LED Light USB Web Cam

Matt LeBoff July 26, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

This USB webcam is for the egotistical with glowing white LEDs to nail those perfect internet first impressions. Although anonymity is what most internet users strive for, if you need clear shots with bright environments the USB Big Eye does just that. Resolution is 1280 x 960 and focal points from 5cm to infinity, built-in image compression, dynamic image e-mail and 24-bit RGB color it’s a decent USB web cam.

Brando has this for under $30.Â International shipping is quick and cheap (I’ve order from them several times) Continue Reading

Poll Results: Is Your Primary Computer a Laptop?

Matt LeBoff July 26, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

I love my laptop. My wife loves her laptop. It’s powerful, widescreen and portable. What more could one ask for? (I asked for a 19″ widescreen for the office)

First things first: Congratulations to S. Wastgate of Florida for winning the Proporta Laptop Sleeve. Mr. Westgate visits GetUSB at least once a week, pockets a huge 8GB flash drive, works from his HP laptop and claims his GPS unit as his favorite gadget (I would too if lost in the Everglades). Thank you Proporta for sponsorship.

Okay – back on track: It seems about half our visitors are on the same page, “love the laptop.” Not that a PC has it’s merits and provides an environment for complete customization of hardware. With laptops getting much more powerful and wide screen viewing it’s an easy decision to go that route when making the next computer purchase. I recently saw an article where $100 laptops should be out before 2008 (educational tool). Crazy. Be sure to visit GetUSB web pages and vote. Please remember to CLICK AND ENTER TO WIN if you’d like a chance and this rounds gift. Continue Reading

A Fruitful USB Day

Matt LeBoff July 25, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

If the USB A$$ Blower didn’t satisfy your need for fresh air then maybe a more subtle approach is needed…a more politically correct way of freshening up your office space. How about fresh fruit straight from a flash drive?

The crazy UFDs coming out these days are a stretch to grab marketing share; however I for one believe putting a little fresh-n-fruity smell into the air is a great idea. As not to leave any one preference out of mind, select from orange, strawberry, grape and apple. But you probably figured that out from the picture. This is a pre-launch announcement from Microdia as the drives are not yet available. But they are expected to generate fruitful results. Continue Reading

Aaah…Wireless USB From D-Link

Matt LeBoff July 24, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases, USB Security & Compliance

It looks like 2007 will be the year of shipping wireless USB products. D-Link offers their wireless WUSB 4 port ultra-wide band USB hub for those seeking the ultimate laziness of USB connectivity. I for one agree, leaning over to connect a USB cable to your scanner, storage hard drive or printer is just too much work.

It looks like my paperless office will also be wireless by 2008, thanks to WUSB.

The D-Link DUB-9240 wireless hub wont be the fastest kid on the block as unofficial reports indicate transfer speeds of under 10MB/second and with no transfer speeds available on the D-Link website we aren’t too hopeful. With a maximum distance from base to hub at 30 feet I doubt this distance will have a big impact on performance.

Upgrade: IOGear USB Travel Kit

Matt LeBoff July 23, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

IOGear is set to release their upgraded USB Travel Kit which includes USB mouse and four port hub. The biggest improvement IOGear made was the VCSEL technology to their optical mouse. The Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser enables the mouse to work on any surface – including glass. Heck I can’t get my mouse to work on white paper so there is definitely value there. With a maximum of 1600dpi this means increased accuracy and decreased hand movement.

The 4 port USB hub is slim on design as this is a “traveling USB kit” so that added ports help out for limited laptop USB connectivity. I’d like to see a re-charger interface somewhere before calling this an ultimate USB travel kit. The GME226 IOGear USB Travel Kit will be available soon, but their older version GKC431 is currently available although without the VCSEL technology. Continue Reading

Ahoy Mate, Need Arrr USB Hub?

Matt LeBoff July 18, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Now here is a total waste of USB space, yet something which is totally cool…well…that is if you are 8. SolidAlliance has yet out done themselves again with the pop-up pirate USB hub.

Come on, I know it put a smile on your face. I doubt anyone reading this post will flinch for their wallet, but here’s the SolidAlliance website just in case. Interested in other USB novelty gadgets? Continue Reading

Original 1983 iPhone (PIC)

methodshop July 18, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets

The iPhone may be Apple’s first “official” phone, but apparently they toyed with the idea 25 years ago. Way back in 1983, designer Hartmut Esslinger, the same guy who made the Apple IIc computer, came up with this phone/tablet prototype.

Writing an electronic check with the 1983 iPhone. The 1983 version of the iPhone obviously never made it into production, but it’s still a cool concept. Although writing a physical electronic check seems a little silly now that we have online banking. The image is from fudder.de. BeSocial: digg story | methodshop Continue Reading

Review: USB Car Adapter Charger

Matt LeBoff July 18, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB Reviews

Robert from USB Fever sent me a USB car adapter charger and I wanted to chime in with a quick review.

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As expected it’s literally plug-n-play. Works without a problem. What originally got my attention about this simple device was the two port connectivity. Easy to charge his and her cell phones, iPods or PDAs. A nice glowing red LED shows the unit is working and charging. It would be nice to have a switching LED for when the battery is full. I did notice the USB car adapter charger has over-current protection. This means if your car outputs a spike in volts the charger will cut off power before your device gets fried. Continue Reading

USB Virtual Friend

Matt LeBoff July 16, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Everyone can use a virtual friend, and what better friend could one have than a USB buddy.

Okay, so you probably don’t need a virtual friend, but for those who work from the home office, extreme introverts or Harry Potter fantasy freaks (Disney too) you can get this USB virtual friend and pre-progam over 100 says to keep yourself entertained. With embedded infrared motion sensors your virtual buddy will always know when you’ve arrived or when you’re leaving. The set of USB buddies will run about $30 or specific gender for $17.

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I Love You USB LED Laptop Light

Matt LeBoff July 12, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

Funny how things happen. I just got off a forum page reading up on how much folks hate Blue LED lights and here comes Brando with a product update email to include this “I Love You” LED laptop light.

I use a Compaq LED laptop light from time to time and it only has two white LEDs and I’ll tell you that one more would be nice. Just a little more light would be perfect and I’d probably use the USB gadget that much more. So, although not a great fit for the Techie guy, maybe a good gift for the Techie girl. At just $9 it’s a good addition to your iTunes gift card to ‘that’ girl friend.

I Love You USB LED light product page Continue Reading

iPhone Termination Fee Making Lawmakers Upset

methodshop July 12, 2007 USB Hardware & Gadgets

Apple’s iPhone has enjoyed favorable reviews since its recent debut, but it got some criticism on Capitol Hill in Washington this week. The phones, which cost between $500 and $600â€”are usable only on AT&T Inc.’s wireless network and will remain that way until 2012. Even though the phones become expensive paperweights if customers quit AT&T’s wireless plan, the company will still charge a $175 early termination fee, said Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chairman of a House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet. Markey described the phone as a “Hotel California service. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leaveâ€”you’re stuck with your iPhone and you can’t take it anywhere.”

Timothy Wu, a law professor at Columbia University and commentator on technology issues, described the cell phone industry as “spectrum- based oligopoly” where customers have given up their property rights.

“Imagine buying a television that stopped working if you decided to switch to satellite,” Wu said. “Or a toaster that died if you switched from Potomac Power to ConEd.”

BeSocial: breitbart | digg story | methodshop Continue Reading

HDTV for Your Notebook

Matt LeBoff July 11, 2007 Flash Storage & Memory, USB Hardware & Gadgets, USB News & Press Releases

AMD and ATi teamed up some time ago and now they are starting to crank out some products not even closely related to processors. The latest is the TV Wonder 600 USB HDTV tuner. Not at all Mac friendly the ATi TV Wonder features AMD’s Catalyst Media Center software which works seamlessly (so I read) with Vista Media Center and XP Media Center from Microsoft.

In addition to the ATi TV Wonder 600 USB tuner itself, you also get a slim credit card-sized IR remote and an A/V input adapter to grab video from a camcorder or VCR. Naturally, while it is being marketed more toward the notebook side of things, the TV Wonder 600 USB is perfectly suited for operation with a desktop computer as well. Don’t reach for your car keys just yet, the TV Wonder 600 USB TV Tuner isn’t expected to ship for another couple months. No price points as of yet. Continue Reading