USB will be the one standard for cell phone connections says the OMTP (Open Mobile Terminal Platform). microUSB that is.
We reported about China making the same decision back in Dec of 06, and as we predicted the same standard would hit the US. Well, it did…so one more feather in our [GetUSBinfo] cap.
China’s press release about the USB standard for cell phone connection was more direct. The recycling costs of different types of cables is too high, to standardize on a single USB charger connection means reduced costs for the manufacturer. In my opinion, a good decision like making USB the single standard benefits the consumer by having a universal plug (rare!) and it betters the environment with less cable crap.
Reference: China sets standard for USB as cell phone charger connection.
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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.
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.
PDAs don’t make it into military applications because of glass on the display. PDAs don’t make it into military applications because battery life is too short. This is no longer true.
InHand Electronics introduces a rugged low-power flex PDA (SFPDA) to withstand military environments and extended missions. This rugged PDA includes Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth, and keypad interface connections.
The non-glass flexible display not only reduces possibility of injury but reduces power consumption to display information. In conjunction with InHands power management software these PDAs will run for 6 continuous hours.
6 hours may not seem like a long time, but this spec is continuous hours, so it doesn’t include stand-by time or sleep mode. The new iPod touch barely gets 5 hours of video – and we know that claim doesn’t stand up to government specifications – so cut that in half. 6 hours is impressive.
Some quick bullet points on the BatterySmart technology include:
Startup CPU Speed Adjustment – Automatically and dynamically adjust CPU clock speed based on the operating bandwidth requirements of your handheld device.
Advanced Idle Mode – Understand the differences in power consumption at 100MHz versus 400MHz.
Dynamic CPU Speed Adjustment – Determine the required computational bandwidth of your application software at different CPU clock speeds.
Performance-Tuned Core Software Drivers – Understand how battery life is affected by plugging in a PCMCIA peripheral?
Optimized Peripheral Software Drivers – Reduce both computational bandwidth and power consumption while connecting to multiple peripheral devices.
InHand didn’t publish a price tag for the Military PDA – who cares – get our guys what they need when they need it.
Source: InHand via EngadgetContinue Reading
Franklin Wireless is churning out their smallest EVDO USB Modem so you can be your own hotspot – whether you’re hot or not.
EVDO or Evolution Data Only/Evolution Data Optimized provides fast wireless broadband (3G) internet service directly to your [I’m assuming] laptop [or any computer really]. All this access is now portable and available via Franklin’s USB CDU680 modem. You can take the internet with you and surf the web in your car, on the train, in the airport, at your Starwars technology convention or in your Luv Bus RV.
Some exceptional features too. 64MB flash drive – okay maybe THAT’S not impressive, built-in GPS, antenna port for external signal boost, pre-configured for PC/ Mac and swivel base USB connector.
Hyundai Motors will place a USB port into their 2009 Elantra car for stereo connectivity and support of the Microsoft automotive initiative Blue&Me.
Given the fact you’d find yourself in a Hyundai it’s not clear on how you can actually use the USB port, although it’s obvious the USB port would give you access to sync GPS devices, access the stereo for flash based music libraries and display contact information from your PDA on the upgraded nav station.
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.
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.
Brando yet again steps up with another useful product. The two port USB solar charger from Brando has all the features a road warrior, power hungry gadget guy (or gal) would need. Slick design with durable enclosure and plenty-o-connectors to power up any USB gadget you throw at it.
Some notable specs include output voltage to 4.5v, 5.4v, 6.4v and 9v devices. The battery is lithium with 2000mAH of power.
What GetUSB likes about this solar USB charger is the ability to charge up via three different sources. Solar – of course – as well as wall AC adapter (universal with 90-240v) and car power adapter as well. Put this all together with 7 different connector heads and you are covered. Just make sure the solar charger isn’t.
As a closing note, the USB solar charger can power up two individual devices via the double on-board USB port design.
Source: USB Solar Charger product page.
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Proporta is sporting an impressive portable laptop battery with 6000mAh of power. Once more, the extra juice box includes USB ports for charging those invaluable office gadgets like phone, iPod and digital camera.
The portable laptop battery comes with a selection of connectors which cater to most laptop power inputs. Once you get the low battery notification simply connect the portable battery to your laptop and you are worry free again.
The battery pack is, of course, rechargeable and is extremely slim in size at just 8.7in x 5.1in x .6in) and weighs about 21oz.
Proporta reports the portable battery is good for charging 16v and 19v laptops along with 5v USB devices. Retail is $195USD.
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USBCell is best known for the AA USB rechargeable battery, but their product line doesn’t stop there (actually it does, but read more).
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Update:Â USB Car Adapter Charger Review
We recently did a write up about the Brando 3-in-1 USB car adapter, but they had it all wrong. Three cigarette plugs and only one USB port. Today we found a USB adapter better suited for our needs.
The car adapter is small, light and provides two useful USB ports. Not much to report on specs – you get what you see. LEDs for port activity and power output is DC5.0V / 1000mA +/- 5%.
Roger of USB Fever put together a special deal for GetUSB.info readers, free shipping any where in the world (about 7 day transit time). At just $13.95 and free shipping, it’s an excellent deal.
Roger also has a universal charger that is a cut above the rest. Typically chargers only support three markets, the UK, US and EU. However, Roger’s charger includes support for Australia and China. ($16.99)
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Wireless keyboards are a dime-a-dozen and sometimes the low-end just wont do. Wireless Computing turned their back on standard wireless keyboards and produced a high-end, commercial grade wireless keyboard that also carries 2-way data encryption technology for secure communication.
Albeit not a common need of the average computer user, USB input devices like this make it possible for retail and commercial organizations to do business without sacrificing security.
The RF-250 encrypted wireless keyboard can distance itself about 100 feet from the USB dongle and include a detachable wrist rest and [touch] mouse pad.
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If I where to design this product the ratio would be reversed. I’d create a 3 USB port adaptor with one cigarette plug. After all, I only need one car frig to keep my beer cold at the baseball games. But I do have an MP3 player, phone and camera I’d like to charge up while on the drive over.
The Brando 3-in-1 car adapter with USB port is definitely a good idea. There have been several occasions where I’ve wanted one.
UberGizmo brings up a good point – it might not be the best idea to daisy chain some USB hubs off the single port to power everything you’ve got. Might strain the car battery too much over a long period of time, none-the-less, an excellent item to have for those long hauls.
Brando has them for $20 and ships to the US (and globally) very quickly and inexpensive.
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USB will be the one standard for cell phone connections says the OMTP (Open Mobile Terminal Platform). microUSB that is.
We reported about China making the same decision back in Dec of 06, and as we predicted the same standard would hit the US. Well, it did…so one more feather in our [GetUSBinfo] cap.
China’s press release about the USB standard for cell phone connection was more direct. The recycling costs of different types of cables is too high, to standardize on a single USB charger connection means reduced costs for the manufacturer. In my opinion, a good decision like making USB the single standard benefits the consumer by having a universal plug (rare!) and it betters the environment with less cable crap.
Reference: China sets standard for USB as cell phone charger connection.
Continue Reading
