The USBIF [Implementers Forum] has announced the certification program to get your gear certified for a Highspeed logo. Granted, it’s not a simple process, but at least they’re putting together the documentation needed to make it happen.
As Gizmodo says, ” what shall I do with all that extra time I will have that will no longer be spent waiting for file transfers” [they write about as well as I do] The new 3.0 speed will be 10x times faster at 10Gpbs! To learn a bit more about how our technology life will improve, here is the USBIFs sales pitch:
As technology innovation marches forward, new kinds of devices, media formats, and large inexpensive storage are converging. They require significantly more bus bandwidth to maintain the interactive experience users have come to expect. In addition, user applications demand a higher performance connection between the PC and these increasingly sophisticated peripherals. USB 3.0 addresses this need by adding an even higher transfer rate to match these new usage and devices.
USB continues to be the answer to conncectivity for PC, Consumer Electronics, and Mobile architectures, It is a fast, bidirectional, low-cost, dynamically attachable interface that is consistent with the requirements of the PC platforms of today and tomorrow.
SuperSpeed USB brings significant performance enhancements to the ubiquitous USB standard, while remaining compatible with the billions of USB enabled devices currently deployed in the market. SuperSpeed USB will deliver 10x the data transfer rate of Hi-Speed USB, as well as improved power efficiency.
SuperSpeed USB has a 5 Gbps signaling rate offering 10x performance increase over Hi-Speed USB.
SuperSpeed USB is a Sync-N-Go technology that minimizes user wait-time.
SuperSpeed USB will provide Optimized Power Efficiency.No device polling and lower active and idle power requirements.
SuperSpeed USB is backwards compatible with USB 2.0. Devices interoperate with USB 2.0 platforms. Hosts support USB 2.0 legacy devices.
Converging technologies collide. At first, I thought this to be just another MP3 player, but it does more than just play music.
The USB MP3 cassette player also works as a car stereo adapter to connect your iPod or iPhone, CD player or a different MP3 player. Or simply insert a loaded SD card with MP3 files and your car will play that too.
If that isn’t enough, connect the USB cassette player to your PC via USB cable and turn it into a SD, micro or miniSD card reader.
It may seem over simplistic or gimmicky to you, but to me it’s a nice mix of converging technologies. Believe it or not, I’m buying one right now.
Brando product page.
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Flash drives are getting so small, they are the size of the USB connector itself. How cool is that? Well, in size it’s cool, but in functionality…it won’t become your favorite flash drive. Take this new 4GB EagleTec USB nano drive…
This friggin tiny drive is too small. Too small to easily connected and, more importantly, disconnect from your computer. As I’ve said before, once you starting saving SOME files on that stick..you’ll soon be saving ALL your files on that stick. So why deal with something so small it’s a pain in the a$$ to get out.
As Windows 7 is set to release sometime in October, today we heard there is an update to USB support. Honestly, I don’t know exactly what it means, but the quote is, “adding new USB and drive sharing support options…”
Does this mean you can set a USB stick as a shared device, maybe there is a default USB wireless support built in, I’m not sure, but maybe the following information will help.
The information I have is simply a download link to try out the “release candidate” for Windows 7. Here it is. If you have time, give it a download and try…see what the USB sharing is all about. I’d do it myself, but honestly…I’m too knee deep in other projects at the moment.
As a quick highlight, the Windows 7 requires an additional 1GB of RAM and 15GBs of disk space. We’ve also learned that XP virutal desktop will be preloaded on most new PCs and clearly an option for those who upgrade. Meaning, any software package built around .NET and XP will have full support under Windows 7. Microsoft did this so that large corporations don’t have to worry about software updates with an OS update. Just focus on the OS update and the software will still work. BUT – Windows 7 is built on Vista code [scary] so only time will tell.
Source:Â ARN.
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In the beginning of July Engadget posted an article about a new release of Star Wars USB drives, not that we need more, but it was a fun little gallery – yet, not impressive enough to make you buy. Today that changed with this artist’s rendition of what he thinks a Star Wars USB drive should look like.
It should look like Luke Skywalker’s hand just got cut off.
That’s right, to gain access to your portable storage you need to sever Luke’s hand.
What’s more impressive is the detail of this home-brewed USB stick and the agony you can see in Luke’s eyes while you detach his hand just to store the latest collection of Tera Patrick photos.
No price as I don’t think these are for sale, but definitely a sweet little project for some bored teen.
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We all know the MinoHD Flip is a great hand held video recorder and is probably the most popular one, but there is a new star on the horizon, the Samson Q3.
Where the Samson Q3 differs from the Mino Flip is the great ability to capture audio. Just look at the thing…there is a towering microphone perched. Ready to capture the best of moments.
I would like to see what Jake & Amir can do with this thing?
In addition to the well positioned microphone, the Samson Q3 also has an expansion slot via SD card for additional memory capacity. Up to 32GBs to be exact.
The Samson Q3 also has VGA output so you can easily connect the device to your TV for instant viewing.Â
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What are the two things people always tell you; “don’t hire your friends and family” and “keep your work life separate from your personal life.“ Well, the USB split stick was designed for just that. The USB drive is split into two drives. The top lever allows you to pop out the USB connector for either work files or personal files.
I think this is brilliant.
You get 2GBs for each side, so whether it’s work and home, his and hers, or legal, illegal, it’s easy to separate the two without having a stoner moment and mixing your lifestyles.
The 4GB split stick sells for $20 and is available now.
You personal security for on-line shopping has finally arrived. No more malware keylogging your credit cards, pins and CID number. With this personal credit card swipe machine you are very secure to buy all that gadget crap off eBay.
SmartSwipe is the first to introduce this brilliant product. What the USB swipe credit card machine does, is read the mag strip, encrypts the data and sends it
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Did I miss something? Somehow we jumped from cheap knock off gadget sunglasses with USB to Calvin Klein doing expensive sunglasses with USB. Have we been so bombarded with USB gadget crap, that now mainstream designers are jumping on board…thinking they are missing something?
I think my theory is right. Look at these Calvin Klein sunglasses that sport a 4GB detachable arm.
A second theory could be this poor economy and now the big boys are reaching for just about anything. Either way, it just seems wrong, even to a guy who likes USB stuff.
BTW – Aren’t sunglass arms already flimsy enough? Now we’ve got a detachable arm. Just doesn’t seem right.
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The blogosphere has been talking quite a bit about the new LaCie USB key chains, in fact, I did a post just the other day about them. Well, yesterday LaCie sent GetUSB.info the iamaKey model. Here she is in the wild.
The iamaKey is a beautiful drive. Extremely solid, heavy and doesn’t scratch easily. LaCie put a lot of effort into the design and material selection to make one outstanding drive. I’ve used dozens of flash keys and most end up failing and in the trash. With the durability I see here, the iamaKey will last.
So here’s the deal…I’m going to keep the iamaKey on my keychain until it breaks. I use USB sticks daily so there will be frequent tests. I’ve also been known to forget my keys in my pants, which ultimately ends up in the wash…so there are many stress test opportunities.
I’ll report back when the device fails, but don’t expect an update anytime soon.
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We stumbled upon this Snake Coffin USB drive when writing about the Han Solo Carbonite USB stick, neither of which make a great USB promotional drive, but definitely a unique looking device.
For the select few who would enjoy this wondrous USB Snake Drive, you can grab a 2GB version for only $25 bucks. The custom snake casket is a limited edition drive and only available while supplies last.
Jason is the creator of this device and many other gadgets. He resides in Bolivia North Carolina and will ship anywhere in the world.
Product page.
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We’ve got a select few readers who’ve purchased all the Mimobot Star Wars drives, and now they can expand their collection with the Han Solo Carbonite USB drive.
As SlashGear points out, Han Solo was suppose to be frozen for eternity but without encryption technology your data wont have that same possibility, so maybe it’ll escape just as Han Solo came back to life.
The creator, Jason’s Creations has just sold out…but send him an email as more will make it to market, I’m sure.
You personal security for on-line shopping has finally arrived. No more malware keylogging your credit cards, pins and CID number. With this personal credit card swipe machine you are very secure to buy all that gadget crap off eBay.
