Tektronix just announced test tools for the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed specification. This means those uber geeks – and we don’t mean that in a derogatory way – will have the tools to prove their devices meet the new USB 3.0 specification.
It is estimated that initial SuperSpeed USB interface ICs and consumer products should appear in early 2010, with widespread adoption continuing throughout 2010. The first SuperSpeed USB products will likely include data-storage devices such as flash drives, external hard drives, digital music players, and digital cameras.
“SuperSpeed USB is a giant leap forward in data transfer rates for many devices and consequently requires much more sophisticated testing,” said Ian Valentine, general manager, Technology Solutions Group, Tektronix. “SuperSpeed USB will operate at 5 Gb/s, more than 10 times greater than the existing high-speed USB standard. This speed will require comprehensive signal testing for transmitters, interconnects, and receivers. Customers will be able to fully test the physical layers of their SuperSpeed USB devices using the latest test solution from Tektronix.”
The floppy diskette was an icon of portable storage. For years, this was the de facto standard for moving information from one location to another. Heck, an entire industry was made for duplicating floppy diskettes. Today things are a bit different. We still have the specialized duplicator equipment, but the media has changed. Now, the de facto standard are USB flash drives.
Well, this commercialized floppy has the look and feel of the old days, but all the flare and space of modern USB sticks. Check out this USB floppy drive.
Century is coming out with a mini LCD screen for your laptop which is powered via USB. The hand-held size screen is ideal for users with a laptop and don’t have the horse power to run a second screen or don’t have the space.
The LCD-4300U seems to be the perfect companion for running Instant Message or maybe Toolboxes for your Photoshop program. Resolution is up to 800×480 with a total width of 4.3″
And if for some odd reason you fall in love with these little monitors you can daisy-chain up to 7 of them from your PC.
The concept is great, but the problem I have with this is the cost. Starting street price this November will be around 195USD. I can get a 19″ flat screen for less then that…but sometimes you have to pay the price for the small size.
Source:Â CyberEddie.
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We don’t know what the deal is today, but several blogs have mentioned news about expensive flash drives. I have to say, this is perfect timing of a product launch with the global economy in the tank. I guess those guys with cash are looking for a bargin. Doubt they’ll find anything here.
First off from Engadget, they report an 8GB flash drive over $800 USD. Sure it’s got 8GBs of storage and made of beautiful looking Titanium house inside a sweet looking case, but do we need $100 per GB?
Next up we have Gizmodo with a report about a $500 Mahjong USB drive with 16GBs of storage. At least the storage capacity has come up, but things drop again with the material being that of wood. The Mahjong drive has the option for customized engraving of whatever you fancy.
Next up we have Gizmodo with a report about a $500 Mahjong USB drive with 16GBs of storage. At least the storage capacity has come up, but things drop again with the material being that of wood. The Mahjong drive has the option for customized engraving of whatever you fancy.
Bottom line – unless your bottom line is full of green cash, I don’t think these drives are for you [certainly not me].
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Ahh, Budweiser. I could use a nice cold one right now, but I don’t think this USB beer drive is the answer. First off, it’s not cold – which is how I like it.
Clearly a promotional USB drive for a trade show give-away, this Budweiser stick is the first I’ve ever seen with liquid inside the plastic case. Then again, taking just 5 seconds to think about this and review the picture, there is no way liquid is inside. Rather that’s some nice looking brown plastic and fake white bubbles for an ever-so-real look. How could this thing still have carbonation?
If you’re a fool and think this USB drive is drinkable – then you really do need a drink.
Source [who could use a beer] TechEBlog.
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This isn’t the first time we’ve reported on the World’s largest USB flash drive as that bar continues to rise.
Yesterday [Sep 23, 2008] Transcend announced their newest V20 drive is available at 64GBs. That’s as big as my laptop from 10 years ago. Now it’s the size of my thumb. I put the date in here to so we can reflect back in another 5 years and laugh.
The V20 Transcend includes their value add JetFlash elite data management suite which includes:Â Software that turns the V20 into a key to automatically log on to website accounts, or even temporarily lock the computer to prevent unauthorized access. Users can also browse their favorite bookmarked websites and check their email from any compatible computer with the included internet favorites and mobile email functions.
Even though Readyboost never really caught on, the drive has been thoroughly tested for it’s official support.
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There are some things in this world I just don’t get. Like the idea that space has no end, or how strong a little ant can be…or why someone would make a USB cabbage flash drive.
The only explanation I can drum up, is a food emporium having an expo and some [out of touch person] thought it would be fun to make flash storage in the shape of cabbage leaves. Strange.
Yep, you heard it right. Imation, from my understanding, is the first to offer a USB hard drive that is completely wireless. Well, expect for the power cord.
The Imation Apollo Pro WX is the wireless hard drive with speeds close to that of wired speeds. Since the product isn’t yet available, we’ll need to wait for real-world results, but I’m keeping an optimistic outlook. Mostly because I REALLY want one.
The Apollo Pro WX will use Seagate hard drives and will come in a variety of sizes with a maximum capacity of 1.5TBs. The wireless hard drive solution has a total range of about 30 feet. Meaning your hard drive can sit, by itself, up to 30 feet away from computers and read/write data as though you had a direct connect hard drive. Talk about conveninece, this is it!
Since USB wireless isn’t available on all computers, the Imation wireless hard drive will still come with an available USB port and cable for those who haven’t made the switch.
Along with no price tag, Imation is also vague about release date, just sometime in the fall.
Source:Â Electronista.
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Brando is offering the definition of a USB thumb drive. I don’t know about you, but I would feel very weird carrying this thing around. Just imagine walking into a clients office and needing to get data of your USB stick. I guess it would depend on your client – maybe a good talking point. What do you think?
People get attached to their USB flash sticks. They really do. If you don’t use one or have a USB stick then you probably wouldn’t understand the statement. Because of this personal attachment one has with their flash drive, we continually see high-dollar, high-end USB sticks which most deem ridiculous. We call it passion.
Case-in-point:Â The ZaNA Sterling Silver USB stick is beautiful as ever and now available in a convenient 8GBs.
To show you some of the craftsman ship which goes into the ZaNa stick Sebatian Zach states:
The modern and elegant design is obtained through the following materials: carbonic fibre, which is used in Formula I racing cars, exclusive wood such as wenge and teak, and Swarovski zirconia with displays the exceptional diamond sheen.
ZaNa Sterling Silver USB sticks are not only a fine modern gadget noticed by anyone with an eye for style, but also a practical tool in daily life, work and entertainment.
The Sterling Silver USB stick comes with a variety of options such as sterling silver lanyard or leather strap with a silver clasp. Sizes available from 2GB through 8GBs.
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Intel released a draft specification for USB 3.0 or SuperSpeed USB. The Extensible Host Controller Interface or xHCI provides a standard method for USB 3.0 host controllers to communicate with the USB 34.0 software stacks.
Both AMD and Nvidia voiced complaints earlier in the year that Intel hasn’t released update information to make the new spec an open industry standard and an easy path for transition. Today’s release is Intel’s answer to that request.
Dell, Microsoft and NEC also support the release because the xHCI will expedite the industry transition to next-generation USB 3.0 technology.
One important factor in adopting SuperSpeed USB products is interoperability between multiple devices from different manufacturers. The xHCI draft specification revision 0.9 aims to make interoperability easier to implement, while also making it easier for developers to create software support for the market.
The next revision update is expected at the end of 2008 with revision number xHCI 0.95. So no SuperSpeed USB yet, but the big boys are working their way to it.
Source: CRN.
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Tektronix just announced test tools for the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed specification. This means those uber geeks – and we don’t mean that in a derogatory way – will have the tools to prove their devices meet the new USB 3.0 specification.
It is estimated that initial SuperSpeed USB interface ICs and consumer products should appear in early 2010, with widespread adoption continuing throughout 2010. The first SuperSpeed USB products will likely include data-storage devices such as flash drives, external hard drives, digital music players, and digital cameras.
This isn’t the first time we’ve reported on the 
Intel released a draft specification for USB 3.0 or