Posts Tagged ‘tokidoki’

IOCELL With U3 Like Launch Pad

Matt Laboff July 18, 2007 Flash Storage, Software, U3 Related, USB News

IOCELL introduced their version of the U3 launch pad – I like the name better – very direct with “USB Computer.” U3 might have gotten more traction with that name.

IOCELL created a launch pad to provide the user with an easy-to-use interface for launching portable applications. Really, the same thing as U3, the difference being IOCELL gives you the ability to make any application portable for storing and running off your UFD.

It appears IOCELL (like U3) uses a micro-controller (chip logic) to confirm the drive is a “USB Computer” version and thus launches the IOCELL interface without seeing the default Windows screen “What do you want Windows to do?” question. IOCELL is calling this COB Technology (Chip-On-Board). To get the IOCELL with COB Technology look for the Castella brand name. Available from 1GB to 4GB sizes. Looking to install U3 on a regular flash drive? It won’t happen and this is why… Source: IOCELL Continue Reading

USB Virtual Friend

Matt Laboff July 16, 2007 Brando USB, USB News, Useless Novelty

Everyone can use a virtual friend, and what better friend could one have than a USB buddy.

Okay, so you probably don’t need a virtual friend, but for those who work from the home office, extreme introverts or Harry Potter fantasy freaks (Disney too) you can get this USB virtual friend and pre-progam over 100 says to keep yourself entertained. With embedded infrared motion sensors your virtual buddy will always know when you’ve arrived or when you’re leaving. The set of USB buddies will run about $30 or specific gender for $17.

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Cooler Master iTower930 Has USB and a Whole Lot More

Matt Laboff July 16, 2007 USB News

For the average tech guy, getting that perfect computer enclosure is like women hunting for that perfect shoe. The difference being most women buy their shoes throughout the process whereas men simply browse. Well, today you should consider buying. The CoolerMaster iTower930 has everything you need for a standard computer case or computer server. It’s about as close to ideal as you’ll probably get.

Knowing more information is the ticket of the day, CoolerMaster has a forward thinking design which includes four hot swappable hard drive sleds which are SATA along with a host of easy access connection ports. Continue Reading

I Love You USB LED Laptop Light

Matt Laboff July 12, 2007 Brando USB, USB News, Useless Novelty

Funny how things happen. I just got off a forum page reading up on how much folks hate Blue LED lights and here comes Brando with a product update email to include this “I Love You” LED laptop light.

I use a Compaq LED laptop light from time to time and it only has two white LEDs and I’ll tell you that one more would be nice. Just a little more light would be perfect and I’d probably use the USB gadget that much more. So, although not a great fit for the Techie guy, maybe a good gift for the Techie girl. At just $9 it’s a good addition to your iTunes gift card to ‘that’ girl friend.

I Love You USB LED light product page Continue Reading

iPhone Termination Fee Making Lawmakers Upset

methodshop July 12, 2007 Apple / iPod

Apple’s iPhone has enjoyed favorable reviews since its recent debut, but it got some criticism on Capitol Hill in Washington this week. The phones, which cost between $500 and $600â€”are usable only on AT&T Inc.’s wireless network and will remain that way until 2012. Even though the phones become expensive paperweights if customers quit AT&T’s wireless plan, the company will still charge a $175 early termination fee, said Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chairman of a House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet. Markey described the phone as a “Hotel California service. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leaveâ€”you’re stuck with your iPhone and you can’t take it anywhere.”

Timothy Wu, a law professor at Columbia University and commentator on technology issues, described the cell phone industry as “spectrum- based oligopoly” where customers have given up their property rights.

“Imagine buying a television that stopped working if you decided to switch to satellite,” Wu said. “Or a toaster that died if you switched from Potomac Power to ConEd.”

BeSocial: breitbart | digg story | methodshop Continue Reading

WordPress On a USB Stick

Matt Laboff July 11, 2007 USB Hacks, USB News, USB Tutorials

You can run WordPress, or any blog platform, from a USB stick. It’s easy and useful. If you are anything like me, you are probably laughing while asking the question “Why would anyone need to run WordPress from a USB drive?” I laughed too, until recently.

About two months ago I received a notice for jury duty. Just a couple days ago I served for jury duty. I wasn’t called into a trial, but I did make the most of my day. All thanks to my WordPress on a stick. I didn’t know if the court house had internet access and didn’t feel like reading a book all day, so I dove into a little project to run WordPress from a stick. After all I had a long list of website tweaks I wanted to perform and this could be the perfect day to do them.

After a day of working with my remote blog platform I came to realize there are many reasons why this is valuable…here is a short list I came up with:

HDTV for Your Notebook

Matt Laboff July 11, 2007 USB News, USB T.V., Video

AMD and ATi teamed up some time ago and now they are starting to crank out some products not even closely related to processors. The latest is the TV Wonder 600 USB HDTV tuner. Not at all Mac friendly the ATi TV Wonder features AMD’s Catalyst Media Center software which works seamlessly (so I read) with Vista Media Center and XP Media Center from Microsoft.

In addition to the ATi TV Wonder 600 USB tuner itself, you also get a slim credit card-sized IR remote and an A/V input adapter to grab video from a camcorder or VCR. Naturally, while it is being marketed more toward the notebook side of things, the TV Wonder 600 USB is perfectly suited for operation with a desktop computer as well. Don’t reach for your car keys just yet, the TV Wonder 600 USB TV Tuner isn’t expected to ship for another couple months. No price points as of yet. Continue Reading

Poll: Vote and Enter To Win Free Laptop Case

Matt Laboff July 11, 2007 Proporta, USB News

Proporta (manufacturer of PDA, cell phone and technology accessories) is our current Poll Sponsor. Cast your vote – enter to win. Vote now Continue Reading

Swivel USB Hub With Card Reader

Matt Laboff July 10, 2007 USB Fever, USB Hub, USB Input Device, USB News

USB Fever incorporated a Compact Flash and miniSD card reader into their rotating USB hub. Rotating up to 90 degrees for the USB connectors make it a nice hub for your stack of USB junk. Actually, you can downsize the junk pile and throw away your card reader.

Just $13.99 and USB Fever ships anywhere in the world, free of charge. USB Rotating Hub & Card Reader product page Continue Reading

Poll Results: Did You Buy Into iPhone Hype?

Matt Laboff July 10, 2007 Poll Results, Proporta

Well in my book it’s official. The iPhone is a cool product and concept but the majority of us don’t care. Sure the iPhone is leading edge for technology design and will most likely reshape how we interact with our communication device(s) but the masses will wait for the masses.

This poll was launched on June 29th, when the iPhone went on sale, and only yesterday did two voters admit to purchasing an iPhone. I thought there would be more. During Independence Day I went to our local fireworks show and I saw six different buddies with the iPhone. Showing it off to their friends, neighbors, ~~girl friends~~ and wives. So, considering how many I saw that day, I thought more would have chimed in on the vote. Then again, I do live in the OC which is chalked full of “one uppers.” GetUSB has a new poll up and those who enter have a chance to win a Laptop Sleeve (or case) from Proporta – our Poll Sponsor. Proporta is a leading design and manufacturing firm for PDA, cell phone and MP3 accessories. Continue Reading

iPhone Developer Guide

methodshop July 9, 2007 Apple / iPod

Thinking about making applications for the iPhone? Apple released an iPhone developer guide to offer guidelines for creating widgets and applications that will integrate with the device’s Safari browser, mail and mapping applications.

IM chat service Meebo, mini-blogging service Jaiku and gaming site WeeWar have already developed iPhone versions of their software. The following guidelines will help developers prepare web content and design a website or web-based application for iPhone. BeSocial: iphone developer guide | digg story | methodshop Continue Reading

Brando USB Microscope: If We Don’t Have It, You Don’t Need It

Matt Laboff July 9, 2007 Brando USB, Christmas Gadgets, USB Hub, USB Input Device, USB News

Brando is filling in their spectrum of product offerings to include both low-end and high-end. From the seasonal trinket like USB Christmas trees and USB Plasma Balls to higher end products like quality USB solar chargers and today; USB Microscope, Brando is building their brand.

This just isn’t any old microscope either. It’s literally packed with features. Features, that of course, make total sense. The Brando USB Microscope connects via USB, houses a two port USB hub and includes a web camera for sharing.Â So if you can’t find it…you just don’t need it. Taking a closer look at the junk around your house or office has never been easier. Easy to share too. Zoom in from 30x, 200x 400x and 600x to see every gory detail using any one of three Continue Reading