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USB 180° Hub – Does Just What it Says

Poorly designed USB hubs can yield ports too close for connection of multiple devices. The USB 180° rotating hub from Brando set out to resolve this issue.
rotate usb hub
Of the 4 USB ports, one rotates 180° and the other three are well enough distanced apart to not pose a problem. In addition the upstream port (one connecting to PC) also rotates 180°. In the event you are still cramped for style the USB hub ships with Continue Reading

WUSB Can Hear the Footsteps of WUSB 1.1

WUSB or Wireless USB products just began to ship and WUSB 1.1 is ramping up. Although a mild ramp, as with current transfer rates of 40Mbits/second the 1.1 spec needs to hit at least 500Mbits/second otherwise it’ll never see the light of day.

wusb 1.1

The 1.1 spec will support band groups at 6 GHz and above, including the 3-4 GHz supported by wireless USB 1.0. It aims to lower power consumption by an undisclosed amount. It also will adopt the techniques of near-field communications for letting two devices identify themselves to each other with a simple contact.

As (source) Gizmodo said: “…realistic or not, we like the ambition.”

Currently the USB Implementers Forum has certified a handful of notebooks and hubs for the 1.0 spec. The WiMedia Alliance is expected to certify the first 1.0 products shortly.

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Icron Makes BIV’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies List

icronPress Release – BURNABY, B.C., September 13, 2007 – Icron Technologies Corporation (TSX Venture: IT), the developers of ExtremeUSB® places as one of the fastest growing companies in British Columbia by Business in Vancouver newspaper. Icron ranks in at 64 based upon their revenue growth between and including 2002 / 2006 which increased 213% during this period. This is Icron’s second recognition of rapid growth in the last three months Ranking BC’s Fastest-Growing Companies by five-year revenue growth, the BIV Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies List profiles BC’s most successful growth companies. Published in the September 4th issue of BIV, the list shows that companies in BC are excelling more than ever before in this sustained economic boom. Continue Reading

Octopus Shaped Webcam Oddly Named Lilli & Oscar

So Lilli is the four legged webcam and Oscar is the 4 port USB hub. Lilli keeps an eye on Oscar with a 1.3 Mega Pixel lens.
octopus webcam
Don’t let the bright color fool you, these USB gadgets are really green. Created by United Pepper of the UK, the internal components are RoHS environmental friendly and constructed in a fair-trade workshop in Vietnam (aren’t they all tagged that way?). In the spirit of true Green, Lillie and Oscar come packaged in 100% recycled cardboard. Due out in October for the Christmas USB gadget rush, the USB octopus webcam runs about $41 and 4 port USB hub $27. Source: UberGizmo Continue Reading

Icron Issued Canadian Patent for USB 2.0 Extension Technology

icronPress Release – BURNABY, B.C. September 13, 2007 – Icron Technologies Corporation (TSX Venture: IT), the developers of ExtremeUSB® today announced that it has been issued a patent from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for enhancements to its ExtremeUSB technology for high-speed USB 2.0 implementations. This patent, titled “Method and apparatus for extending the range of the universal serial bus protocol”, builds upon earlier patents covering USB 1.1 range extension. The invention described in the patent enables long-range or increased latency communication between high-speed (480 Mb/s) host controllers and full-speed (12 Mb/s) peripherals. It also provides support for the high-bandwidth peripherals that were introduced by the USB 2.0 specification. The issuance of this patent is the third of a series of applications filed through the Patent Corporation Treaty in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom patent was issued in December 2005 and the US patent was issued in January of 2007. Icron’s ExtremeUSB 2.0 technology allows manufacturers of PC’s, peripherals, and consumer electronics to extend the range that USB 2.0 devices can operate over UTP cable, fiber optics, power line or any wireless media at any distance without making any changes to the USB ecosystem. This ensures that users will have a “plug and play” experience right out of the box, requiring no additional drivers, host controller changes, or user configurations. It supports all USB supported operating systems including Windows, MAC OS, Linux, Unix and Solaris.
“As Icron continues to evolve our ExtremeUSB technology and implement it over more and more platforms, we will continue to expand out patent portfolio to protect our intellectual property in the USB technology space.”
commented Robert Eisses, President and CEO for Icron. USB 2.0 continues to be the most recognized and successful interface for device connectivity in the PC, CE and mobile device market. Icron continues its leadership in the USB 2.0 market with the receipt of this patent and expansion of its USB 2.0 extension product line including new long distance wired, USB over Power Line and wireless USB solutions. About Icron Technologies Corporation Icron Technologies Corporation’s patented ExtremeUSB® technology extends the range of USB in wired environments and enables wireless USB over any RF technology. ExtremeUSB is the only USB-IF compliant extension solution and is deployed globally in a wide range of applications including: industrial automation, medical device, aerospace, KVM and computer networking. ExtremeUSB technology is available in a variety of formats including technology licenses, OEM modules, developer kits, as well as branded and private-label products. Icron is a publicly traded corporation and trades under the symbol “IT” on the TSX Venture Exchange. For more information on the company and its products, please visit www.icron.com. ### Contact Information Icron Media Contact Brigitta Shore Phone: +1 604-729-9479 brigitta.shore@icron.com Continue Reading

New Version Guitar Hero Sports 4 Port USB Hub

Talk about awkward. The first time I played Guitar Hero I felt like a fool – well, for about 15 seconds, then I feel in love. If you haven’t tried it – play it – and oh how Guitar Hero has grown. One of the most popular video games on the market the Guitar Hero franchise is now stretching out to Rock Band. And if you haven’t heard of Rock Band, this will explain the Guitar Hero sporting a 4 port USB hub.
guitar hero
Rock Band is an unreleased music video game being developed by Harmonix Music, the creators of Guitar Hero. The idea is expanding the air guitar concept of Guitar Hero to a full rock band. Rock Band will offer players the ability to function in a virtual band by providing up to four players with the ability to utilize four different instruments (guitar, bass guitar, drum set and microphone). The 4 port USB hub gives the ability for these players to sync together in the off-line, or same room, player setting. Although Rock Band will include an on-line sync capability. The Guitar Hero controller sports the USB ready version for both PS3 and Xbox 360. The product isn’t available yet, but is due out in late October. Source: Kotaku Continue Reading

Kill The Silence With AudioHub from Logitech

What do you get with a three chamber speaker system, three USB ports and small design? That’s right, an AudioHub from Logitech.
audiohub
In the never ending quest of keeping a tidy workspace, Logitech now combines a speaker system with USB connectivity. Aimed at laptop users the AudioHub does make sense, although it would be nice to see a seven port hub rather than three for the AudioHub…after all, I’ve already got four on my laptop. Logitech’s AudioHub offers Premium 2.1 digital audio with three chamber design and integrated sub-woofer. With a single connection send juice to the speakers and three USB devices via a single USB cable. Click the mute button to shut off the sound while keeping your USB gadgets powered. Telescoping speakers to accommodate any sized laptop and workspace. At just $99 is this right for you? The Logitech AudioHub is available October of 2007. Continue Reading

Over 1,000 Unopened Rebate Slips Found in Trash

Vastech is a small Silicon Valley firm who’s been selling USB hubs with a $3.50 rebate. Well, those rebates where found in the trash. I’ve heard of getting denied from incorrect rebate paperwork – but to find rebates in the trash – WOW – talk about negligent behavior towards the consumer.
Although the rebate amount is small, for Vastech to disregard personal information placed on rebate forms such as; name, address, phone number, credit card receipts is not acceptable. To correct this unbelievable act, Vastech is offering the rebate directly to the consumer – simply contact support@vastechinc.com and demand your money back. Although I’d expect a long, drawn out process if throwing away the original rebates are any indication of how they do business. Fortunately, I didn’t buy a Vastech USB hub and never been burned by a rebate program – lets hope it stays that way. Source: Yahoo Tech News Continue Reading

Review: USB Cables from Tendon

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.
usb cable connector
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. Continue Reading

Poll Results: USB Webcam For You?

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. Continue Reading

Color Chromatic USB Hubs Brighten Your Day

Looking for a little color on your desk along with some utility, this color chromatic USB hub should make the top of your list. Not that you need a colorful USB hub to connect your USB gas mask, USB aroma drive, USB fart fan and Coca-Cola flash drive, these hubs just make it that much more fun. Never again could someone else take the crown of most cheezy USB guy at your office. USB hi-speed compliant, 4 ports, self powered, $7 bucks – great addition, great addition.
chromatic usb hub
Circle Color Chromatic USB Hub product page
color chromatic usb hub
Square Color Chromatic USB Hub product page. Continue Reading

Aaah…Wireless USB From D-Link

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.

wusb d-link

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.

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