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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Doing anything to make your product stand out is the only way to get your company ahead. Over the past 3 years, going green has been a very popular theme with many companies. Qmadix is another company you can add to the list. Qmadix introduces a biodegradable USB cable.
The biodegradable USB cable works like any typical USB cable. It is USB-IF certified to guarantee performance speed. It comes in Type A and Type B connector styles. Qmadix also includes HDMI and 30 pin Apple connectors.
The big difference is the coating put on the cable. The USB biodegradable cable uses a plant-based by-product to protect the internal copper. The cable will remain stable during use in the home or office, but once put into a landfill, the degrading begins.
We suspect is has to do with moisture levels, but not 100% sure. The plant-based coating will biodegrade the cable in about
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Roku has a USB looking set-top-box which runs streaming video off the Mobile High Definition Link [MHL] interface standard.
It’s a sweet package all bundled up for portability. As you can see the HDMI connector of the USB device, you click it once to a MHL supported TV and using the TV’s own remote you can steam video without the need of a bulky set-top-box.
Televisions that support MHL will be able to integrate Roku’s streaming TV platform simply by plugging in the stick. With the stick docked, it will be just like having the Roku set-top box: it adds the Roku interface (and the 400+ channels it offers), Wi-Fi connectivity, and local storage to the TV it is used on.
MHL standard is quickly becoming adopted by the major players like
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These iPhones run out of juice so quickly. I’m not saying it’s a battery issue, I’m saying the devices are so adictive I use them all day long and drain the battery. From getting directions, to checking status updates, to email, facetime and photo shots, it’s in constent use.
I’ve definitely spent extra money getting Apple 30 pin cables for charging at both home and work. Caseinity has solved the consumer problem of over spending with the cord-on-board product. The product is simple as you can see from this image.
The product is a case with the USB to 30-pin connector attached to the underside of the case. Now we don’t see a width dimension of the picture, but it must be at least 7mm thick to handle the USB connector.
What I like most about this product is the
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Source:Â Mimobot.
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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 
The biodegradable USB cable works like any typical USB cable. It is USB-IF certified to guarantee performance speed. It comes in Type A and Type B connector styles. Qmadix also includes HDMI and 30 pin Apple connectors.
The big difference is the coating put on the cable. The USB biodegradable cable uses a plant-based by-product to protect the internal copper. The cable will remain stable during use in the home or office, but once put into a landfill, the degrading begins.
We suspect is has to do with moisture levels, but not 100% sure. The plant-based coating will biodegrade the cable in about
Televisions that support MHL will be able to integrate Roku’s streaming TV platform simply by plugging in the stick. With the stick docked, it will be just like having the Roku set-top box: it adds the Roku interface (and the 400+ channels it offers), Wi-Fi connectivity, and local storage to the TV it is used on.
MHL standard is quickly becoming adopted by the major players like
The product is a case with the USB to 30-pin connector attached to the underside of the case. Now we don’t see a width dimension of the picture, but it must be at least 7mm thick to handle the USB connector.
What I like most about this product is the