As I reported back in March about Kingston giving U3 the axe, they continue to charge forward with UFD platform software. Migo Software now comes bundled with Kingston flash drives and most recent entry is the Kingston Data Traveler Mini.
The following summary of Migo software will sound very familiar:
Continue Reading
More often then not design ideas never get past the prototype stage. Case in point, Greg Schramek created this concept of a disposable digital video camera where the simple shell is intuitive enough anyone could use.
Once the footage is recorded you connect the disposable video camera to a processing station via USB for conversion to DVD. Nice idea, but Greg calls for the conversion process to take place at grocery stores, and pharmacies. From personal experience, getting that distribution channel squared away is a much bigger task then creating the product.
Besides, the video quality and features of a cell phone are probably just as good. BUT, Greg, if you’re read this, don’t get me wrong – we all love dreamers. And nice graphic design skills.
Continue Reading
The Pinnacle PCTV DVB-T Flash Stick is one of the many TV receiver solutions out in the market these days. Dave Carter from Gadget Centre did a detailed review I’ll share with you. First off, the Pinnacle USB tuner is a step above the rest in that it’s true plug-n-play. There is no loading of software, simply plug in via USB and you’re set-up. This is a big bonus as taking the TV tuner from PC to PC is a snap.
Continue Reading
I’m on the fence about this one. Solid Alliance came out with a UFD which also incorporates a stamp. It’s called the USB Stamp. Use one end to store data and the other to graffiti up whatever is with-in arms reach. The problem I see with this is the time it takes to eject the USB drive from your OS you could easily have grabbed 3 stamps to do your business.
~~~
I’m sure this concept was the request of a customer, but kudos to SolidAlliance for thinking outside the sponge box.
Continue Reading
The buzz about Apple TV remains strong, especially with new hacks and plugins. The most recent is an RSS reader plugin which is fully functioning with RSS1.x and 2.x. You can grab this plugin from the folks who cranked it out, twenty08. Only downer is the lack of support from ATOM feeds, but that group is a minority these days.
Continue Reading
Swiss Army has an complete army of high-end USB flash drives. The Swiss Army Bonfort line has three designs of their 1GB “Prestige SwissMemory” product. Here is the top-shelf model, the Yellow Gold & Diamond Line. Priced at just $6,000 . The 18 ct. shell is lined with hand placed diamonds by the world’s best craftsmen. No word on diamond size and quality – I for one, would need to know that info before dropping Six Gs.
The other two designs are “Cross” and “Croco” which you can see below. The Swiss Cross design is available in yellow gold or white gold at $3,200 for either model, while the Croco is available for $800 (sl) or $3,200 (gold).
All versions of the USB Swiss knife include 1GB of memory, blade, nail file with screwdriver, scissors and key ring. But, no on-line ordering which is unfortunate as I had my wallet out and everything.
Continue Reading
I read an interesting report from Dark Reading today regarding hacking Bluetooth and how USB can play a roll. (Not that hacking for the dark force is anything cool) You don’t hear much about Bluetooth hacks because the tools needed (sniffers) start at about 10Grand.
A couple of security engineers where able to use a Cambridge Silicon Radio chip-based USB dongle, some flash memory and Bluetooth 2.x technology and some code hacked from a commercial Bluetooth sniffer to hack into a device’s communication via the Bluetooth signal.
There was no specific USB hack How-To information but the point is that if a simple USB dongle can be construed to do Bluetooth hacking then security risks for not only communication but device control could become a huge big problem.
Continue Reading
Brando is distributing the A-Data turbo speed USB flash drive, the PD7. This is a Windows Vista Readyboost dream with 133x (20MB) per second write speeds.
Not sure what’s up with brushed aluminum case, as this is the second release in one day, but it appears to be the trend – what can you say, good looking and durable.
Caution about the Vista Readyboost claim as today Microsoft got slapped with a lawsuit for false Vista compliance ads with regards to compatibility of “signature” features working in peripheral products.
Technology fashion continues to hit the USB flash scene. PQI introduces this very girly pink UFD with brushed metal enclosure. Of course dull grey for the guys – not that we’d want something else.
PQI coins the phrase “Intelligent Drive i810” and after reviewing their press release – nothing intelligent about it. It’s a flash drive. I can surmise “intelligent” is referenced to the chick term for smart-n-sexy. I don’t think so.
Available from 512MB to 2GBs go grab yourself some chick-tech-bling from PQI.
Continue Reading
So here we go again. Another industrial grade USB flash drive, this time from STEC. Yes it’s tough, yes the STEC will withstand shock, both physical and electric, and includes STEC proprietary flash memory controller. This built-I ECC engine can detect up to 5-byte errors and correct up to 4-byte errors and with advanced write algorithms to guarantee 2 million write/erase cycles. Not sure how they are doing that as I’ve reported before on the life cycle of a flash drive which is based more off the flash memory type not the algorithms used during the write process. None-the-less, we’ll drink their juice for now.
The STEC industrial grade UFD withstands the NEBS Level 3 compliance and passed ESD testing for 8kV and 15kV air. If you don’t know what all that means, well neither do I. With some quick Google searches we have:
NEBS Level 3 – Network Equipment Building System and level 3 means the product meets toughest requirements for fire, vibration and airflow. After reading the spec if you simply threw the UFD across the room onto your stove for 5 seconds and it survives, chances are you’ll pass the Level 3 NEBS test. Wiki NEBS
ESD 8kV & 15kV – Electrostatic Discharge of solid state electronics. A spark is triggered at 30KV so obviously the STEC wont withstand that, but surviving either 8kV or 15kV is above average. Wiki ESD
So it’s clear if you are in the need of an industrial grade UFD for specific applications the STEC key drives are worth a closer look.
Continue Reading
Father Bill does an excellent job of showing you what’s under the hood of an AppleTV. If you are thinking about buying an AppleTV, this is a great review with real world examples.
If you cannot see the AppleTV video review, click here.
Continue Reading
