USB Rechargeable RC Helicopter
The mini RC helicopters have been in all the computer shops as of lately, and Brando just upped the ante with their USB rechargeable version, the Grand NANO.
Secure Banking USB Device
Banking giant UBS started deploying a device from IBM which ensures online banking transactions aren’t being manipulated by on-line hackers. IBM’s ZTIC (Zone Trusted Information Channel) is a smart-card reader that attaches to computer via a USB cable. During an online banking transaction, it bypasses the Web browser and makes a direct connection with the bank. The connection is an industry standard SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) which enables the user to enjoy a secure link between their computer and the bank server.
If the transaction has been hacked and the account number is different, the customer can abort the payment by hitting a red “x,” or a green check if it’s fineWell…if they knew the transaction was hacked, wouldn’t they stop it anyway? Another nice feature of the UBS secure USB device is that a keylogger could not record keystrokes because the sync process between the user and bank happens through the UBS device, no account numbers are used or typed. Continue Reading
USB Hack: Motorola Android With USB Connectivity
I was given a tip today on how someone hacked the Motorola Android and now has USB connectivity. It’s a great little hack so now just about any USB device could potentially be connected to the Android. The question becomes what kind of drivers will the Android support so that printers, controllers, USB sticks etc can be used. The hack is fairly simply. With a little amount of effort, it is possible to enable the B port of the Android as a host interface, meaning the cable USB hack supplies power and acts as the bus controller for connectivity.
- A car charging cable (off-the-shelf at the Verizon store)
- A Micro-USB cable (as above)
- A USB extender cable (the teeny ones that sometimes come free with USB keys work great)
Old Tech For New Gadgets — USB Fan
MSN did a nice article today about 9 new tech gadgets you can make with the stash of old stuff you probably have laying around. One which fits into the USB category, is this USB fan. Retro and cool looking, you can put together a nice desk fan with just an old tower or power supply fan along with solder and USB connector.
Jungo Releases Zero USB Driver For Mobile Devices
Press Release
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jungo Ltd., a leading provider of connectivity systems and driver development tools, today announced the release of its ZeroDriver software, which enhances the user experience by enabling seamless connectivity between USB data cards (both 3G and 4G) and any laptop or PC, without the need to install drivers or applications on the host PC.
“We are pleased Jungo supports USB technology, by extending the simplicity and broad capabilities of USB to its customers.â€
ZeroDriver supports all data card features that in the past have required drivers or additional applications, including dial-up and high speed browsing, voice calls, SMS, diagnostics, network statistics and more.
Equipping a data card with ZeroDriver is a highly cost-effective and user-friendly solution, for example, it reduces installation support calls to a minimum, maximizing user satisfaction and in turn, increasing ARPU. With support for HSPA+ bandwidth standards, ZeroDriver is fast and extremely flexible – it is easily ported to a variety of hardware mobile platforms.
ZeroDriver is currently available for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 and is compatible with a wide range of PC applications, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, MS Office, Thunderbird and more. Future versions will support Mac and Linux. ZeroDriver is also available in “installation mode” for operators who want to offer enhanced system support.
“Due to its ease of use and global availability, USB has become the standard interface between mobile broadband modems and PCs,” said Jeff Ravencraft, president and chairman, USB Implementers Forum. “We are pleased Jungo supports USB technology, by extending the simplicity and broad capabilities of USB to its customers.”
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USB Recycle Bin For Flash Drives
iBin is a portable application designed for USB stick so users can restore files which have been accidentally deleted. Since Windows does not redirect a deleted file off the OS into the Recycle Bin, once a user clicks delete, it’s gone forever [well unless you use restore tools to get it back], but iBin resolves that problem.
MagicJack Pays $50K In Lawsuit Settlement
One of GetUSB.info’s most popular post’s is the Review: MagicJack Phone article that talks about the product and services as experienced by one of my contributing editors. Today, we find out that MagicJack paid $50Gs to Boing Boing in a defamation lawsuit pertaining to an article they wrote.
So what was all the fuss? Boing Boing uncovered some interesting information about the MagicJack which we didn’t realize during our review. The MagicJack uses customer profiles, locations and call habits to push targeted ads to the MagicJack software interface.
DTS Sound From USB Vacuum Tubes
The Japanese firm Hanwa’s announced today their solution to putting DTS digital sound on your computer via their USB Vacuum Tube dongle.
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GetUSB.info On New Server
It was a smooth ride switching to a dedicated server. It’s all live now. Ping us if you see anything broken.
MacBook Wireless USB Solution For VGA & DVI
MacBook laptops don’t come with VGA out or DVI out connectors for extending one’s video screens to more then the MacBook itself. Today Wisair announced a solution for just that with their Wireless USB DisplayDock Set.
- Point to point plug and play USB wireless
- Universal solution for MacBooks
- Distance up to 30 feet
- Doesn’t load over WiFi so your internet USB gadget surfing remains fast
- Wireless video supports up to 1440 x 1050 screen resolution
- Mac Leopard (10.5) and Snow Leopard (10.6) OS support.
iPhone Stanza App Gets The Threat To Remove USB Support
The Stanza app is a program for the iPhone which is an eBook reader. It is slick software, easy to use, and allows you to load books via USB cable. Well, it did.
The latest update from iTunes for the Stanza app indicates the USB connectivity feature will be removed from the application. So if you want it, don’t update it.
The Washington Post called the maker, Lexcycle, and asked about the details and their spokes person said, “[Lexcycle is] forbidden from discussing the specifics of the conversations with Apple on this matter.”
It’s fair to say that Apple is keeping complete control of the device so that additional storage [non iTunes content] cannot be loaded along with reducing any virus possibilities hitch-hiking in via removable storage.
To learn more visit the Washington Post article.
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How To: Turn Off USB Auto Play in Windows 7
How To: Turn off USB Autoplay in Windows 7
Windows 7 is much like XP in accessing the feature to turn off the USB auto play function. We don’t have a Window’s 7 machine, but I did find a great tutorial from DemoGeek. Here is the info you need to turn off USB Auto Play in Windows 7. Go to: START > SEARCH > type “group policy” From there Windows 7 will narrow down your options, select the “Edit group policy” option. Should be the first one listed.
