U3 announced a bug prevents some applications from running on Vista. The problem occurs when your Vista computer has one or more non-U3 mass storage devices attached. A good example would be your PC having a card reader connected while trying to launch a U3 drive. Not all hope is lost as the error [message: #0x80040210 (DAPI_E_COMM_FAIL)] only occurs when that non-U3 device is connected with a drive letter assigned yet no media in the device.
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Card readers are a dime-a-dozen but with newer cards such as SDHC and miniSDHC you could be missing what you really need. The Transcend RDM2 has a boat-load of connectivity and as I write this, the most diverse card reader available.
The multi-card reader is lightening fast for data transfer when using SD, miniSD, Compact Flash, Microdrive, Multimedia Card, Memory Stick new generation Secure Digital cards and all important SDHC and miniSDHC. Now if you didn’t know the SDHC and miniSDHC are not backward compatible so although they look like the form-factor of SD and miniSD, they don’t work like them.
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Readyboost is add-on memory for your Windows Vista operating system. With Readyboost one may use flash memory devices such as USB flash drives to improve PC performance. USB Readyboost allows increased PC performance without having to install additional memory on the motherboard, but rather externally via USB port.
The newly inserted memory serves as additional cache location for RAM – or memory which the computer can access faster then a system hard drive. The Windows Vista OS will allow the user to secure the flash memory space so that other tasks cannot use that memory, for example, once a flash drive has been assigned as the Readyboost flash drive you can no longer use that device to save files or play music or retrieve videos and pictures.
Gadgets Monkey tipped us about this one – Buffalo of Japan has limited edition USB flash drives. Buffalo is finally getting past the simple silk-screen and going with molded statuettes. The limited edition figurine collection (only 5000 to be made) is comprised of Mickey Mouse taking the helm, Winnie the Pooh, doing what he does best – eating, and Stitch getting loose on his surfboard.
Available only in Japan sometime in February you’d better make the jump if you’re looking to A) buy some because you’re a Disney freak or B) looking to make a quick buck from an eBay addicted Disney fan.
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LaCie unveils the first speaker system to harness FireWire connectivity for superior audio quality. Although USB is the front runner for connectivity, we’ve gotta give credit where credit is due. LaCie teamed with designer Neil Poulton for this simple and elegant style.
If you are not familiar with his work, Neil does give an interesting perspective for his motivation:
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Yep, Japanese company Century tweaked a PCB board to house 16 USB ports. Not bad for a USB addicted gadget freak and with an internal power supply even those poorly made USB flash drives that suck too much juice…will have…well, juice. Also included are two PC USB-B adaptors to spread the wealth of 16 ports. Doubt this will make it to the US so here’s the company link for 16 port USB hub.
So you read in the Xbox manual you can use it for playing music, viewing photo’s or playing videos if you’d like. BUT, you’re either killing yourself transfering the data to your Xbox or too lazy to copy it from UFD to Xbox. Not to worry, the 360 wireless adaptor has-got-your-back. For a very limited time and only one buy per address, get the Xbox 360 wireless network adaptor for under $80.
Make it easy to transfer audio, video, chat and play games via Xbox Live. Nothing to plug in except the USB connector.
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USB refined fashion designs continue to rise in popularity. Take the TranscendV90 for example, the new Transcend UFD is coated with mother-of-pearl and stylish metal chassis makes for one trendy device. Inspired by USB UFDs becoming fashion accessories the V90 is also high tech.
Bundled with the JetFlash Elite software there are eight valuable functions; auto login, PC lock, favorites, secret zip, e-mail, data backup, My JetFlash and online update. Hmm…sounds close to U3, lets call JetFlash Elite U2.
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RoadBox is your black box for cars.
So you got in an accident; you could say wrong place at the wrong time. To make matters worse, the “other guy” is over exaggerating her injuries and to top it off, YOU didn’t even cause the accident. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a video to fall back on? With RoadBox let the video do the talking so you can relax knowing the truth is just a click away.
PLK Technology, a company owned by Hyundai Motor Company, introduces the RoadBox. It’s a video capture device and software analysis tool for car accidents. How it works:
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The BeoLab 9 from Bang & Olufsen is the latest high-end loudspeaker system with performance past it’s modest design. Using B&O’s Acoustic Lens Technology the treble area sits atop the loudspeaker as if a lighthouse.
This position gives a uniform sound in front of the bass and midrange tones so even the unappreciated will notice the high range – at least that’s the idea. Although the BeoLab 9 is a little Star Trek looking,
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The Ion Audio iPod DJ Mixer is a compact console which docks two iPods for mixing at your late night shingdigs. Using the iPod Mixer you can also connect two additional turntables or MP3/CD players. Reading through the specs I noticed you can take things a step further and connect via S-Video, so the Ion Audio could be a good video mixer for schools, churches or corporate applications where you have multiple people presenting and don’t want to fumble around with PC connections and projectors.
The Ion Audio Mixer accommodates the 3rd gen iPods, mini and photo iPod. Inputs include what’s mentioned above along with microphone input. The iPod Mixer does have a turn-wheel, but I read this doesn’t allow one to scratch the music but rather used for navigation- damn! If you’re looking to scratch iPod audio then check out
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Lindy has a useful USB VoIP adapter which saves your computer speakers for the important stuff, like music. Many times the headset plug is used for external speakers so this USB VoIP adapter has both a microphone and headset plug. Another bonus is the USB audio adapter works for both Mac and PC. Included is a surface mount mute button to clip out your backtalk to Mom during those Sunday afternoon catch-me-up calls. At just under $22USD it’s a decent deal.
