Dress Up Your HHD Dock Station
The Data Tray from Brando is their most recent gadget to dress up a HHD dock station and give more functionality than just a dock. The data tray includes additional slots to house a 4 port USB hub and 15 type card reader. The HHD sled will accomidate any 2.5″ hard drive along with all the power connections needed for integration. What I like most about this dock station is the sleek look Brando has put together for the enclosure. Makes the portable USB hub or card reader almost something you want to tote around.
Wine Cork Works Double Shift
Mac from Zedomax picked up a nice story on turning a wine cork into a USB stick. Why ask you say? So wine companies can data load the cork with company history, processing methods and other marketing spin (mood setting music) to give the ultimate crushed grapes experience. You couldn’t do this with CDs or DVDs that’s for sure.
Flip Video Mino Now Available at Amazon.com
Flip Video Mino Now Available From Amazon:
Mind-Boggling Quality
Despite its diminutive size, the Flip Mino produces video that rivals that of camcorders costing much, much more. With 2 GB of flash memory, the Mino can record up to 60 minutes of VGA (Video Graphics Array)-quality video that looks sharp when played back on your laptop or television (TV cable included). The high-quality microphone captures crisp, detailed audio, whether you’re paddling down the Amazon, or rockin’ out at your favorite club.
Revolutionary Built-in Software
Flip Video’s revolutionary software is built into the camcorder, so there’s no need for clunky 3rd party software or cables. Just plug the Mino into any PC or Mac via the flip-out USB arm and you’ll be viewing, organizing, editing and sharing your videos effortlessly.
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Converting Audio File Formats in iTunes
iTunes is much more than a digital music jukebox. It’s capable of handling many different tasks involving digital media. Some of iTunes’ most popular features include buying music and videos online, burning CDs, and syncing files with your iPod or iPhone.
But one of the lesser known functions hidden within iTunes is the ability to convert audio files.
Why would you need to convert an audio file? Converting audio file types can be useful in many different situations. Here are a few examples:
- You have an AAC file in iTunes that’s not compatible with your Zune that can play MP3 and not AAC files.
- A WAV file needs to be emailed to a client for approval but it’s too big. You need to convert the file to an AAC so it’s small enough to easily send via email.
- You are making a music video and want to use a song you got online as the soundtrack. However, the editing program won’t import the song because it doesn’t support MP3 or AAC.
- You need to remove the DRM (Digital Rights Management) from an AAC song you purchased from the iTunes Store (see step #7).
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Double A Battery Gives 15 Emergency Minutes of Power
IOGear releases their version of the USB battery, with the GearJuice Rescue charger. What IOGear has done differently from other battery shaped USB solution, is make a miniUSB connector for cell phones, PDAs and other handhelds rather than the traditional full sized USB connector.
Review: Wireless Bluetooth Visor Car Kit
Gadget4All sent me their Blue Mirror wireless Bluetooth visor car kit for review and I’m glad they did, as California will start enforcing the “mandatory hands free car kits” come July 1st and the ticket is expensive, so this review couldn’t have come at a better time. This is what I found:Review Summary for Wireless Bluetooth Visor Car Kit:
UPDATE: The bluetooth visor car kit is available at Amazon for immediate delivery. Great product for the quick fix you might need if in California or another state which has a “hands-free” wireless policy.
The wireless visor Bluetooth car kit is well made, easy to operate and performs well. Sound quality is good, setup is easy and user design is well thought out. Strong mounting assembly yet portable and easy to disconnect.
- Main Bluetooth wireless visor kit (5″ x 3″ x .75″)
- Mount clip with very strong magnets
- USB cable (mini to Type A)
- Car power adapter (cigarette style)
USB Hack: Make Your WD Passport Work Directly With USB DVD Player
Lets cut out the middle man (PC or laptop) and directly wire a Western Digital Passport to your USB DVD Player. This hack will give you the ultimate in A) storage size of movies and B) portability without lugging around a laptop. If you can’t see the video click here. Continue ReadingGoth Style Four Claw Plasma Ball
Have we seen this before? I don’t think so, a four claw Goth Style Plasma Ball. It’s a must for any kids play-room or psycho girlfriend looking to spice up her digs. It’s not a USB powered gadget, but who cares, it’s cool looking. At just $18 each I wonder if I could illuminate my entire office with a collection of these. What do you think?
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iPhone 3G and WWDC Announcement Predictions
There’s no doubt that an iPhone update is imminent. But while nearly everyone has agreed on that, nobody knows anything definite about the specifics… except that the new iPhone will be compatible with the Microsoft Exchange email services. There’s a link on the main Apple.com iPhone page where you can apply to be a beta tester.
In regards to the iPhone, here’s what we know today:
- Apple.com lists the iPhone as “Currently Unavailable.†Stock is so low that you can’t buy it. Usually a good sign that a new model is coming out soon.
- Apple continues to make iPhone sales deals across the globe. Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Australia were all announced with the last few months.
- A 3G settings screen was found by hackers in the latest firmware update for the iPhone.
- The new iPhone will most likely be unveiled during Steve Jobs’ keynote speech at Apple’s WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) on June 9th.
- AT&T is prohibiting retail-store employees from taking vacations between June 15 and July 12, claiming that they’re expecting a “heavy selling periodâ€. They implemented a similar policy last year for the iPhone launch.
- AT&T executives have said numerous times that all of their smartphones (the iPhone is one of the) will support 3G networking soon.
- The Apple Stores have been out of stock of the iPhone for weeks. And people are forming daily lines outside Apple stores that still have a few iPhones in stock.
And here are some rumors that the guys at MethodShop.com compiled, about what Steve Jobs might announce at the WWDC on June 9th:
- Rumor: The new 3G iPhone will be about 20% thinner.
- Rumor: The new 3G iPhone will have built-in video chat that would allow you to video chat with other iPhones or even computers with webcams.
- Rumor: The Apple TV is going to get an add-on USB camera that will turn the Apple TV into a video chat system (see item above). How would it work? A picture in picture effect would happen if you were watching a movie on your Apple TV when someone tried to “video call†you from an iPhone.
Rumor: Just like the iPods, the new iPhone will come in several colors including black [pic] and white [pic]. Several colored iPhone photos have already surfaced on the Interweb. There’s no doubt that black would be an extremely popular iPhone color.- Rumor: The new iPhone will have built-in GPS (it’s about time).
- Rumor: Apple will also announce a new, wireless keyboard specifically for Apple TV, with multi touch capabilities. Basically it will be a super remote control.
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The Ugliest USB Keyboard
I am all for spicing up the computer world with cool designs, colors and shapes, but sometimes even the most valiant effort fails. Case in point: The Nishi-Ki keyboard is the ugliest keyboard you will ever see, despite it’s attempt to be a beautiful piece of artwork. At just a glance, or even long stare, you can’t guess what’s printed on the keyboard. Just ugliness.
Multi Functional Dock Station For Just About Everything
It would be nice to have a dock station to house all your hard drive and memory gadgets…say, one interface to connect them all. Oh wait, that’s what the Brando Multi-Functional Dock Station does…USB + eSATA + 2 port hub + 4 slot card reader. All this dockability in a slick looking design: