Japanese gaming company, Bandai is looking to make the world a safer place. Web surfing can offer a lot of unwanted information to children and expose them to content even the worst parent wouldn’t want them to see.
Bandai created a USB security key to safeguard children while surfing the net. The USB Key automatically logs on with a “kids mode” interface. This allows the kids to surf sites like Yahoo! where it logs only to the kids games section.
Additionally the Bandai key links to recommended or modified kid-friendly only sites. There is a “the toy box mode” as well. In this mode the children can experience playing games in a very different way. There is a message function that allows the children to communicate with their parents on the net.
Bandai did some market research and found about 70% of children internet users are between the 4th and 5th grade. Bandai should have done some more research to realize the kid friendly Mickey Mouse and Poo design is too young…should have gone with Transformers or Ninja Turtles (yes their making a come back!)
Source: New Launches.com
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Buffalo figured out a way to turbo boost USB 2.0 to claim increased transfer speed of up-to 60%.
So what’s the deal? Buffalo gives no detail to this increased performance and makes a broad statement about Windows and Mac compatibility for the two new USB Turbo products, the MiniStation and DriveStation.
I would figure Buffalo addressed power issues as many USB devices have poor power management which directly effects performance.
The Buffalo MiniStation with Turbo USB is a portable storage device designed to withstand durable environment such as bumps, drops and turbulence (what?) you’d experience in everyday life.
The Buffalo DriveStation with Turbo USB is a tower configuration ideal for home or office and includes a 7200 RPM SATA drive with Turbo USB enhancements.
The MiniStation has a price range of $99 to $250
The DriveStation has a price range of $130 to $500.
Buffalo Turbo USB information page
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WUSB or Wireless USB products just began to ship and WUSB 1.1 is ramping up. Although a mild ramp, as with current transfer rates of 40Mbits/second the 1.1 spec needs to hit at least 500Mbits/second otherwise it’ll never see the light of day.
The 1.1 spec will support band groups at 6 GHz and above, including the 3-4 GHz supported by wireless USB 1.0. It aims to lower power consumption by an undisclosed amount. It also will adopt the techniques of near-field communications for letting two devices identify themselves to each other with a simple contact.
As (source) Gizmodo said: “…realistic or not, we like the ambition.”
Currently the USB Implementers Forum has certified a handful of notebooks and hubs for the 1.0 spec. The WiMedia Alliance is expected to certify the first 1.0 products shortly.
It’s been confirmed: The iPhone will be 3G and the new version is due out sometime in early 2008. Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, made the following statement at the “Mum is no longer the word” press conference at a London Apple store earlier this week:
“You can expect a 3G iPhone later next year… We are working on the next iPhone already, the one after that and the one after that.”
The news comes as a 2G EDGE-enabled iPhone will be available in the UK on November 9th. When asked why the current model didn’t have 3G, Jobs blamed power issues saying that the 3G chipset would be too much of a drain on the unit’s battery life which promises 8 hours of call time, but said that future models would have the technology.
BeSocial: methodshop | digg storyContinue Reading
The Who’s Who of technology got together and established USB 3.0. Backward compatibility is covered with the same wired connection and greater speeds, up to 10 times faster than 480Mbps, and will include fiber optics support.
“USB 3.0 is the next logical step for the PC’s most popular wired connectivity,” said Jeff Ravencraft, technology strategist with Intel and president of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). “The digital era requires high-speed performance and reliable connectivity to move the enormous amounts of digital content now present in everyday life.
Intel, HP, Microsoft, NEC, NXP Semiconductors and Texas Instruments are the rat-pack for USB 3.0 while the USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) will act as trade association for the USB 3.0 Specifications.
The full and complete USB 3.0 specifications are expected to be released sometime during the first half of 2008. The mission statement throughout this process is:
The USB 3.0 Promoter Group is committed to preserving the existing USB device class driver infrastructure and investment, look-and-feel and ease-of-use of USB while continuing to expand this great technology’s capabilities.
Not meant for the left-handed this USB keyboard includes a built-in touch screen and stylus for handwriting recognition.
Not a bad idea for some applications like log-in procedures or signature requirements before payment.
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Although the information is limited, the concept is good. Interested in dropping $25 on this USB keyboard. Buy from: DealExteme.
Source: Digital DropsContinue Reading
Bundle in a USB port for M-Audio’s Session Music Producer and you get the Producer USB microphone.
As Podcasting gets more popular for content distribution the tools to create and mix a professional Podcast is getting easier. The USB Producer takes conversion of audio to digital into one simple step: plug in the mic.
M-Audio consolidated the audio card into the USB mic to make one idiot proof device even the most stoned musician could operate.
Do you see the headphone jack built in? This allows for direct audio monitoring without computer latency. The impressive USB Producer mic comes with stand and cloth carry bag.
At $99 any Podcasting enthusiast could pocket this, but if you’re looking for options, check our GetUSBinfo’s other Podcast articles.
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I’m not a Mac guy, but I can spot a [good] nugget of info when I see it. The Keychain utility on a Mac is designed to safeguard your important passwords, credentials, log-in info, and all those financial records.
So how can you maximize your Keychain security – well at Nevali.net they marry up the Mac Keychain and USB drive for some good-ol-fashion USB security where even the most paranoid can sleep well at night.
If interested, make the jump.
Photo courtesy of Jaron Brass.
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ReplayTV is not the first to introduce a USB dongle for DVR use, however, they are the first to integrate a format easily playable on Apple hand-held devices like iPhone and iPod touch.
The Personal HD system bundles both digital ATSC and analog NTSC technology and play over-the-air HDTV signals or old school analog TV source. So now you TV junkies can overload on adictively pathetic reality TV shows (well, except Survivor).
The real joy of the USB tuner is the software. The Personal HD specifically supports transfer of video to a format playable on widescreen hand-held devices made by Apple. Not to leave anyone out in the cold, the software can preserve multiple shows at once and even support USB devices from rival companies, such as ATI (AMD) and Pinnacle.
The ReplayTV goodie bag for the Personal HD system include direct encoding in a 4:3 ratio, intelligent keyword filter system to find shows by cast member names, show IDs or genre. Although the reply system isn’t out just yet, it will be later this fall at the tune of $100.
Source: ElectronistaContinue Reading
Proporta is calling out a challenge. Try and lose your keys while clipped to their all new, world’s smallest GPS Keychain.
The Freedom Keychain GPS receiver is ideal for connecting to your…wait for it…keychain, notebook, PDA or mobile phone.
The Freedom GPS Keychain works will all popular mapping software such as Google maps and you can hone in via 20 satellite channel connection.
The tracking device is powered by Lithium Polymer batteries battery and working time is rated at 9 continuous hours.
USB charger cable and car charger are provided with the package. At $180 it’s a mighty expensive GPS keychain , but a priceless GPS tracker for your laptop.
Freedom GPS Keychain product page.
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PDAs don’t make it into military applications because of glass on the display. PDAs don’t make it into military applications because battery life is too short. This is no longer true.
InHand Electronics introduces a rugged low-power flex PDA (SFPDA) to withstand military environments and extended missions. This rugged PDA includes Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth, and keypad interface connections.
The non-glass flexible display not only reduces possibility of injury but reduces power consumption to display information. In conjunction with InHands power management software these PDAs will run for 6 continuous hours.
6 hours may not seem like a long time, but this spec is continuous hours, so it doesn’t include stand-by time or sleep mode. The new iPod touch barely gets 5 hours of video – and we know that claim doesn’t stand up to government specifications – so cut that in half. 6 hours is impressive.
Some quick bullet points on the BatterySmart technology include:
Startup CPU Speed Adjustment – Automatically and dynamically adjust CPU clock speed based on the operating bandwidth requirements of your handheld device.
Advanced Idle Mode – Understand the differences in power consumption at 100MHz versus 400MHz.
Dynamic CPU Speed Adjustment – Determine the required computational bandwidth of your application software at different CPU clock speeds.
Performance-Tuned Core Software Drivers – Understand how battery life is affected by plugging in a PCMCIA peripheral?
Optimized Peripheral Software Drivers – Reduce both computational bandwidth and power consumption while connecting to multiple peripheral devices.
InHand didn’t publish a price tag for the Military PDA – who cares – get our guys what they need when they need it.
Source: InHand via EngadgetContinue Reading
The Freecom USBcard has been around since 2003, but the design, look and capacity have clearly changed over the years.
The fold out USB connector is crafty at best, but including the credit card housing for no apparent reason is rediculous. If size matters, get a OCZ Roadster or Wallet Flash…or…I hate to say it, a micrSD card.
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