Download the iPhone Ringtones

methodshop July 5, 2007 Apple / iPod

Not ready to shell out $600 for the new iPhone? You can trick out your current phone with the iPhone ringtones. These ringtones are the official iPhone ringtones ripped off the iPhone.

You can download them HERE from jasonromero.com. BeSocial: digg story | methodshop Continue Reading

USB 9 Volt Battery and USB Cell Phone Battery

Matt Laboff July 3, 2007 Power for USB, USB News

USBCell is best known for the AA USB rechargeable battery, but their product line doesn’t stop there (actually it does, but read more). Continue Reading

500,000 iPhones Sold Last Weekend

methodshop July 2, 2007 Apple / iPod

The iPhone was one of the most anticipated product launches of 2007. So how did it do? According to Blackfriars, an analyst firm that has been monitoring Apple’s stores, iPhone sales topped 500,000 last weekend. Here’s a quote from the Blackfriars daily blog:

“The bottom line: some analysts claimed that the iPhone launch would be a failure if Apple failed to sell 100,000 iPhones during the first weekend. Based upon the limited data we have, we believe that number was exceeded in just the first two to three hours. Blackfriarsâ€™ prediction is that Apple will sell 500,000 iPhones this weekend, and based upon limited sales rates reported, that number now looks quite achievable. The only question is whether the demand and iPhone supply is great enough that they might push past the million unit mark this weekend.”

Apple must be pleased with such strong sales over the first weekend, it will be interesting to see if they can keep the sales up, over the coming weeks and months. BeSocial: digg story | methodshop Continue Reading

M-Flyer Pilot; Doesn’t Sound Like a Flash Drive

Matt Laboff June 29, 2007 Flash Storage, Security, USB News

Memorex went to the streets with the M-Flyer Pilot TravelDrive UFD. Using the retractable USB connector design we’ve seen before, Memorex changed it up a spring loaded USB connector. So with the click of a button the USB connector pops-in and pops-out. With the capless design flash drive, Memorex also bundles in some 256-bit encryption security software also called their Portable Vault Software. Several colors are available (blue and red) which color arrangement is dependent upon storage capacity.

Blue = 4GB. Red = 2GB. $79 and $49 respectively. Continue Reading

Slim Jim Sony USB Mouse Does the Wrap

Matt Laboff June 28, 2007 USB Input Device, USB News

I’ll give Sony one thing, their high priced products do have style. Take the new travel USB mouse from Sony. Not your average looking optical mouse and added design with cord wrap feature underneath. I also like the fact Sony kept the wire. 1) It gives me the ability to report on it as the connection is [obviously] USB and 2) I don’t like the battery-sucking wireless models.

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USB Vertical Mouse – Something To Grab On

Matt Laboff June 27, 2007 USB Input Device, USB News

The USB vertical mouse might alleviate that pain you have from obsessive mouse clicking. I’m a little skeptical with products like this but after reading the description, there is definitely merit here.

The shape supports you hand in a fully upright handshake position which reduces pain and strain from forearm twisting which comes from a normal, horizontal mouse. Introduced earlier this year, the USB vertical mouse is used at UC Berkeley, where it was developed, by nearly all the staff. It was found to be comfortable, easily adapted to, and promote a neutral wrist and forearm posture. When I first saw the vertical mouse I thought it useless because when you went to click, the mouse would slide sideways. After a moment of thought (and reading) you understand the thumb provides the balance as it naturally opposes the finger position.

Albeit not a traditional looking mouse it does look very useful. If anyone at UC Berkeley is reading this, shoot me an email about it’s performance. I’ll update this post. FYI – The vertical mouse is a Windows only device, but Evoluent does provide a link to a third party Mac solution for mouse drivers to run on the OSX. Source: Evoluent via Blog De Onasis Continue Reading

Mac On A USB Stick

Matt Laboff July 3, 2007 USB Hacks, USB News, USB Tutorials

GetUSB reported on running Linux on a USB key, we even reported on a full running PC shaped like a key. Today we found Mac-On-A-Stick. A prebuilt package to run that ever so classic Mac 128K and Mac Plus.

You’ll need several utilities to build the Mac package and some time on your hands. I opt for the quick download… So what could you do with this Mac-on-a-stick, well maybe show your kids what the original Mac OS looked like (good timing with the iPhone launch and show them where Apple began), play with some old system software to re-live the good-ol-days or possibly use a Mac on Windows or Linux machine. You can download the zip and build everything on a flash drive as small as 32MBs (if you still have one that small) just make the jump over to Nothickmanuals.info. Continue Reading

Poll Results: Watching TV on Your PC?

Matt Laboff July 2, 2007 Poll Results, USB T.V.

“Would You Consider Watching TV on Your Computer?” was the question for this week and I was surprised to see such a higher percentage (23%) who already do.

However, for the majority of voters wanting a boobless TV experience it would take an act of simplicity. So, for the simplistic 45% who would consider it, here is a product that fits the bill. The Hauppauge WinTV HVR 950 USB TV Tuner is simple to setup and simple to use. If you can insert a USB stick and auto launch some software, than you’re set.

However, if you’re looking for some HD television then a couple items you’ll need to consider before jumping into the Hauppauge TV solution. Since HD shows have a much higher resolution and thus need better reception/bandwidth you’ll need to make a couple of adjustments. First, update the standard antenna which comes with the Hauppauge WinTV USB TV Tuner to an amplified unit. This will boost the signal strength to insure there are no dropped frames. Second, configure your PC to have at least 2GBs of RAM for quick processing and avoid overload on the CPU.

You can also connect your coaxial cable directly to the USB TV receiver for that HD signal, but again keep the RAM up to 2GBs min. Continue Reading

USB-iscuit An Edible Flash Drive

Matt Laboff July 1, 2007 Flash Storage, USB News

When the Chaps from across the pond talk about tea and biscuits I don’t think this is what they had in mind. Chris Ollis introduced me to his concept USB chassis design, the USB-iscuit ~~Biscuit~~.

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For those not familiar with European biscuits, we’re talking about cookies. Chris developed several flash drives from ripping apart standard flash drives and applying some creativity to a handful of joke ~~biscuits~~ cookies. He’s looking to take the next step and move into manufacturering, so if SolidAlliance is listening here is some contact information to get these USB-iscuits to mass market. Chris (dot) Ollis (at) InterTwined (dot) co (dot) uk

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Chris (and I) are looking for some feedback about this, so hop over to the USB Forum page and post your comments. Will the USB-iscuit give the USB sushi drive a run for it’s money? Continue Reading

Buy Certified, Apple has “Works With iPhone” Logo

Matt Laboff June 29, 2007 Apple / iPod, USB News

The iPhone is out. Letting the big-boys do the iPhone coverage I thought to chime in with something a little less mainstream. Apple released a “Works With iPhone” badge, mark, logo, whatever you want to call it.

Viewing the accessories page Apple has the following USB related accessories for the iPhone:

USB Power Adapter
Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable
iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable
Apple USB Power Adapter
iPhone Dual Dock

Other iPhone accessories include Bluetooth connectivity, headsets, AirPort Extreme support and fancy TTY adapter.Â Given you just dropped at least 4 bills on the iPhone I’d sport the little extra cash for certified accessories products, but that’s just me. Visit iPhone accessories page Continue Reading

USB Engine (Hub) Sure To Be A Blast

Matt Laboff June 28, 2007 USB Hub, USB News, Useless Novelty

Now this truly is a USB powered gadget. Earlier this week SolidAlliance introduced the USB engine hub. Based off a two liter motorcycle engine the USB hub houses 3 USB ports and takes up quite-a-bit of space.

Two things are crazy about this. One, the USB engine hub makes noise, a lot of noise. The non-soothing sounds begin with; starter, gear shift and rev-engine sounds. Two, the president of SolidAlliance predicts this novelty gadget will become their best selling product. Well, that isn’t much of a stretch considering SolidAlliance is best known for Sushi flash drives. If you need a USB hub and need to be heard, get the USB engine for only $43 USD. SolidAlliance ships globally. Continue Reading

iPhone Rate Plans Revealed

methodshop June 27, 2007 Apple / iPod

Today Apple posted a page detailing the cost of the iPhone rate plans (US). And they aren’t as bad as most people had thought. All plans have unlimited data (nice!) – $60 for 450 minutes, $80 for 900 minutes and $100 for 1350 minutes. Existing AT&T customers can add unlimited data for $20 – $40 with a varying number of text messages.

All iPhone service plans include Visual Voicemail and unlimited data â€” Internet and email â€” so you only have to decide how many minutes and SMS text messages you need. Youâ€™ll select your plan when you activate your iPhone using iTunes on your computer.
If youâ€™re already an AT&T customer and want to keep your current voice plan, you can just add an iPhone Data Plan with unlimited data (email and web) and Visual Voicemail for just $20 per month.

BeSocial: iphone plans | digg story | methodshop Continue Reading