What is it about USB steampunk flash drives? Am I the only one with a keen interest in showing off these hand crafted USB drives? Could it be the material used which draws my attention? Could it be the fine detail of each device which peaks my interested? Could it be the impressive number of hours required to make each piece? I’m not sure, but I could flip through pages and pages of these USB steampunk drives.
For 2012, here are the top 12 styles. There is not particular order as each person will favor their own, but you will agree these are probably the 12 most unique designs you’ve seen the past twelve months.
Continue Reading
Slim is in…hasn’t that been the motto of runway models for the past 20 years. I guess you can say the same for tech gadgets, laptops and of course storage peripherals.
LaCie introduces the Porsche Designed ultra slim 120GB SSD hard drive.
The $149.99 Slim Drive P9223 by LaCie, powered by none other than USB 3.0, follows the same minimalist design set by Porsche Design. It has a thickness of a mere 11mm; this makes it a great compliment to a 17mm slim MacBook. It’s chassis is made of solid aluminum which doubles as a heat sink for fast dissipation of any heat build up from the NAND chips.
The LaCie Porsche SSD can top a transfer speed of 400/MBs. But it’s not a walk in the park to get that data transfer rate. You need to have a computer which supports the USB Attached SCSI [UAS] protocol. This is a protocol which overcomes the aging bulk-only transport method which has been around since USB 1.0.
Source:Â EverythingUSB.
Continue Reading
Apple has added Lightning to micro USB port support to its online store. The new Lightning to micro USB adapter is compatible with the newest iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch device. The product can be used to sync as well as charge each type of device.
The move shows Apple’s willingness to extend its new adapters capabilities. In the past, a 30-pin dock connector to micro USB adapter was only available for sale in Europe. The new adapter, while listed in the United States, is also shown with EU specifications.
Apple had refused a micro USB adapter on its 30-pin connector because it wanted to stick with proprietary options that would protect its devices from third party device adapters. The move in the EU, however, allowed for less waste since old adapters from legacy devices could be adapted
Apple also chose to forgo micro USB adapters because they didn’t allow the company to make iOS devices as thin and light as they wanted.
Micro USB adapters are not as fast as Apple’s Lightning connectors; however, they are also not a standard type of connection option like 30-pin connectors had become over five years of iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch sales.
Apple sells an adapter to convert from Lighting to 30-pin so that most legacy accessories can still function, but some devices have become unavoidably incompatible with the newest iOS devices because of the Lightning connector. In some cases, users have become angered when video capabilities would not operate with the company’s lightning to 30-pin connector adapter.
Other adapters already offered by Apple include options for SD card readers, VGA connectors, Lightning to HDMI, Firewire, and eSATA.
The new micro USB adapter comes at a cost of $19.
Continue Reading
I read a great article on The Unofficial Apple Weblog [TUAW] about making a Mountain Lion installer on USB.
To make an installer version of Mountain Lion on USB you’ll obviously need a copy of the OSX Mountain Lion installer.
Next, go to your applications folder and find the actual installer…should be called Mac OS X Mount Lion.
Rich click that bad boy and select the Show Package Contents form the pop-up.
Navigate to Contents > SharedSupport and then start looking for the InstallESD.dmg. This is the image file for the installer.
Now we need to launch the DiskUtility so open a new folder with Command N.
Continue Reading
It’s happened. The darkest fears of humanity realized. Earth has been conquered by an ancient alien race. The Reapers. And the name ain’t a coincidence…
Mass Effect 3 is one of the coolest interactive video games out there. With a unique ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ narrative structure and mind-bending graphics and battle scenarios, Mass Effect 3 is pushing gaming forward. This ain’t no Donkey Kong! (no offense Donkey Kong)
Source:Â Mimobot.
Continue Reading
USB pistol gun flash drive could become a great fundraiser for the NRA. USB capacity range from 4GB to 16GB and just a couple bucks shipping. If interested here is the USB pistol gun link.
Continue Reading
Apple released their new MacBook Air product and we are very excited to hear USB 3.0 is now standard.
If you have concerns about USB 3.0 being a new technology without much compatibility, you are totally wrong. The great thing about USB is their backward compatible specification. What this means, is the USB-IF [the forum which governs the technology] requires that any new USB specification work will all legacy USB protocols.
So even using that ultra slow USB drive from 2004 will work in the new MacBook Air products. Not like you would, but it’s just an example. Another example is using slower USB products like USB keyboards or USB calculators or USB breast warmers will work from the Apple USB 3.0 socket.
The USB 3.0 specification has a maximum transfer speed of gigabits per second. That’s about 500MBs per second. You must keep in mind this is the theoretical maximum and you can never expect this type of performance from a USB device, but it’s nice to know the efficiency ratios are dramatically improved with the new USB 3.0 specification.
Continue Reading
Satechi introduces a very nice looking four port USB 2.0 hub. Not much to announce as for technology inovation when it comes to USB hubs, but at least this gives the user a fresh, clean look to the peripheral and matches the Mac sh!t to a tee.
Source:Â Satechi online store.
Continue Reading
The Joy Factory has a smaller version of their popular Zip charging station, but looks just as cool.
The ZipMini Touch-n-Go™ charging station is the next step in the evolution of mobile device power. Now you can take a call or check your e-mail without having to manually disconnect cables. Your device reconnects itself when you move it back near the charging station. This sleek little powerhouse charges up to four devices at once, eliminates cord clutter, and looks great doing it.
Touch-n-go™ is a revolutionary combination of a magnetized base unit paired with magnetized 3-inch mini-cables knows as “zip tails.†The zip tails pop immediately into place on the charging station via the built-in magnets, and safely snap off when you move your device.
The only problem I have with this solution is finding additional 30 pin connectors since I have four iPhones to charge. In addition, TheJoyFactory doesn’t give specifics about charging times with multiple devices, so a good chance you’ll get a trickle charge to the iPad while have several other devices connected at the same time.
Purchase price for the ZipMini
Continue Reading
The four adjective computer USB mouse does exactly as what the name describes. I’m also a big fan to see computer products taking the step towards solar power rather then other means. Why not, the sun is always out [oh wait, I’m in SoCal]
Sure the hand will cover the solar panel, but there is plenty of time you’re hand is not covering the solar cells for recharging.
Recharging takes place to the single AAA battery inside the unit. If the power does drain too much, you can swap the battery for a non-chargeable one.
2.4Ghz wireless spec gets you the communication you need with out the interference you might expect. Personally, I’d rather see Bluetooth as this little guy takes up a USB port for the wireless dongle on the host side.
The Solar rechargeable wireless optical USB mouse is compatible with Windows back to XP, Linux and Mac operating systems, so ya, standard stuff.
Continue Reading
USB devices and ports are now the most ubiquitous item one can related to a computer product other then maybe the VGA connector or Ethernet port. With that said, it’s now the mainstream bus used to power and recharge most computer devices and gadgets. However, just because it will charge of USB doesn’t mean it’s all that easy and efficient. There is a lot more into charging via USB then you’d ever imagine.
With some devices you get a fast charge. With other devices you get a slow charge. So what’s the deal?
In most cases when you see a slow charging device it means the manufacturer made a digital signature that is compatible with the power charger which came with the device. Any other USB port used to charge the product simply isn’t as efficient…and that’s by design!
This post is just an appetizer for all the dirty little secrets related to USB charging devices, to get a little deeper into the details click over to
Continue Reading
I just read this article from PC Magazine about watchdog group SumOf US taking on Apple for poor worker conditions in China.  I’m all for making the world a better place for mankind. I also think some perspective is needed.
One of Apple’s biggest contract manufacturers [CMs] FoxConn has been under fire the last 12 months for employee suicides and a fire in a production facility.
It was reported the suicides are directly related to working conditions. However, it’s important to keep some perspective. FoxConn is an organization which employees well over 100,000 people. I think it very likely a group of individuals from the 100K pool will find a common thread [depression] and lead their way to demise. We’ve seen it before with other cult groups in the US.
I’m not giving Apple a free ticket, but I certainly don’t think Apple is to blame. With the above situation, Time Cook, now CEO made the following statement [for the record I completely believe]
“We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain,” reads his letter; “Any accident is deeply troubling, and any issue with working conditions is cause for concern. Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us.”
As for the Foxconn fire in one of their production facilities, this type of accident happens all the time. In the US, Europe, Australia and of course Asia.
I fully support the motion which SumOfUs has started, but at the same time, I’m not holding Apple completely responsible for working conditions at FoxConn. Sure they are one element, but not the entire picture.
For those of you who are not familiar with FoxConn, it’s a CM which supplies many major companies in the US, not just Apple.
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
The $149.99 Slim Drive P9223 by LaCie, powered by none other than USB 3.0, follows the same minimalist design set by Porsche Design. It has a thickness of a mere 11mm; this makes it a great compliment to a 17mm slim MacBook. It’s chassis is made of solid aluminum which doubles as a heat sink for fast dissipation of any heat build up from the NAND chips.
The LaCie Porsche SSD can top a transfer speed of 400/MBs. But it’s not a walk in the park to get that data transfer rate. You need to have a computer which supports the USB Attached SCSI [UAS] protocol. This is a protocol which overcomes the aging bulk-only transport method which has been around since USB 1.0.
Source:Â 
Other adapters already offered by Apple include options for SD card readers, VGA connectors, Lightning to HDMI, Firewire, and eSATA.
The new micro USB adapter comes at a cost of $19.
Rich click that bad boy and select the Show Package Contents form the pop-up.
Navigate to Contents > SharedSupport and then start looking for the InstallESD.dmg. This is the image file for the installer.
Now we need to launch the DiskUtility so open a new folder with Command N.
Source:Â 
If you have concerns about 
Source:Â 
Touch-n-go™ is a revolutionary combination of a magnetized base unit paired with magnetized 3-inch mini-cables knows as “zip tails.†The zip tails pop immediately into place on the charging station via the built-in magnets, and safely snap off when you move your device.
The only problem I have with this solution is finding additional 30 pin connectors since I have four iPhones to charge. In addition, TheJoyFactory doesn’t give specifics about charging times with multiple devices, so a good chance you’ll get a trickle charge to the iPad while have several other devices connected at the same time.
Purchase price for the ZipMini
Recharging takes place to the single AAA battery inside the unit. If the power does drain too much, you can swap the battery for a non-chargeable one.
2.4Ghz wireless spec gets you the communication you need with out the interference you might expect. Personally, I’d rather see Bluetooth as this little guy takes up a USB port for the wireless dongle on the host side.
The Solar rechargeable wireless optical 
This post is just an appetizer for all the dirty little secrets related to USB charging devices, to get a little deeper into the details click over to
I just read this article