Hacking Bluetooth With USB
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.
USB Fashion Continues with PQI i810
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.
Tough Guy Industrial Grade UFD from STEC
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.
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 ESDSo 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
Wireless USB Hub from Icron
The WiRanger from Icron is a wireless USB hub making it easier than ever to unclutter your desk and redistribute that crap to the credenza, filing cabinet or your buddies cubical.“Icron’s flexible ExtremeUSB technology is the engine that enables USB 1.1 or 2.0 connections over any media: wireless, cable, power line or fiber optics.”so given Icron are experts with USB, jumping into WUSB is a logical move.
Make the Most of Your Desk Grommet
USB Gives Back
WalkingSpree.com will serve as a multi-city sponsor for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. WalkingSpree is donating $20,000 worth of USB Pocket Pedometers to be distributed among the eight cities as a training tool for walkers and raffle prizes to encourage walker registration.
Breast cancer is a major challenge for all of us with more than 200,000 new cases each year in North America. The USB pedometers will also contribute to the camaraderie of the event. WalkingSpree.com’s USB pedometer and their online program is a great tool for our walkers to help them prepare for their Avon Walk.Here are the product details for the USB Pedometer. Here is the schedule of events for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer: Schedule for the 2007 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series
- Washington, D.C. May 5-6
- Boston May 19-20
- Chicago June 2-3
- Denver June 23-24
- San Francisco July 7-8
- Los Angeles September 15-16
- New York October 6-7
- Charlotte October 20-21
Vista Readyboost Dream Machine
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.
Continue ReadingAutomatic and Simple USB Backup Utility
I came across this handy USB disk drive backup software utility the other day. Tom Bell did a nice job putting this package together. The program automatically starts when the UFD is connected to the PC. Backing up your thumb drive could never be easier.
Poll Results: How Much is Stored On Your Flash Drive?
