USB Flash Drives PCB, COB, UDP
This is a USB stick using the PCB method:
USB Printed Circuit Board
This is a USB stick using the COB method:
USB Chip On Disk
This is a USB stick using the UDP method:
USB Disk in Package
Posts Tagged ‘usb’
Trained Dogs to Sniff Out SD Cards and USB Sticks
Police dogs have yet another smell they must detect. Tactical Detection K9 company now trains dogs to sniff out SD cards and USB sticks. The training is in response to better assisting law enforcement in child pornography investigations.
The percentage of a dog’s brain which is devoted to analyzing smells is 40 times greater than humans. For example, humans can detect about 5 million scents and a German Shepherd can detect around 225 million smells.
In a recent investigation a dog was used in the FBI raid of the home of the former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle in Hancock County, Indiana.
What could take investigators hours to find an SD card or USB stick in a house would take a trained dog considerably less time, probably no more than 30 minutes.
According to Tactical Detection K9 it took scientists over four years to isolate the odor associated with memory devices. Now that a specific odor has been identified it takes 8-9 months for a dog to be trained in picking up that scent.
A dog which can sniff out SD and USB sticks can cost upwards of $9,000.
Source: IB Times and Dummies.com .
Continue ReadingLenovo USB Compu-Stick
Computers on a stick will begin to gain popularity over the next two years. Lenovo is the most recent to offer a compu-stick. The Ideacentre 300 Stick is a 2GB of RAM computer with an Intel Atom Z3735F processor (2M cache + 1.83 Ghz) and runs Windows 8.1.
The Compu-Stick can be plugged into any computer and when you reboot, the hardware now uses the OS of the compu-stick.
Alternatively you may connect the device to a TV and sync a keyboard and mouse and now you have a fully functioning PC with your TV as the monitor.
This is a great step in the right direction as all technology will move towards solid state memory. The Lenovo product has 32GBs of memory which is fine for a first generation product. If they can house a microSD slot in there for expanded memory, it would be an inexpensive solution to a possible data storage problem.
The only caveat left is that unless true Grade A memory is used in these devices the data retention and stability is the week point. With Grade A NAND memory you have a re-write of about 100,000 cycles. SLC memory will help this issue and improve reliability.
Reports indicate the Compu-Stick will run about $150.
Continue ReadingCannot Format a USB GPT Protective Partition
Sometimes you will connect a USB to the PC and get an error message saying the drive has a GPT Protective Partition and you cannot format the drive. Here is the fix to resolve the issue:
First, what is a GPT USB stick? The GUID Partition Table (GPT) is the successor to the Master Boot Record. The MBR was created by IBM back in the early 90s. The problem with MBR is the limitation to partition table sizes which is 2 Terabytes.
Since there are no 2T USB flash drives (at the time of this post), there is no need to use GPT as your partition table.
Removing the GPT Protected Partition can be accomplished through the Windows Diskpart program.
- Determine the Disk Number for the USB GPT-protected drive. To do this, perform the following:
- Right-click on (My) Computer.
- Choose Manage.
- Select Disk Management (listed under Storage).
- Look for the drive that is identified as GPT and note the Disk number (such as Disk 1).
- Now, open a Command Window. From the command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter.
- The diskpart prompt will open.
- From the diskpart prompt, type list disk and press Enter. A list of disks will appear in a text format. You will return to the diskpart prompt.
- From the diskpart prompt, type select disk disknumber (in this example from the screen shot above, you would type select disk 1)and press Enter. A message appears saying that the disk is selected. You will return to the diskpart prompt.
- From the diskpart prompt, type clean and press Enter. At this point the drive’s partition and signature a removed. You will return to the diskpart prompt.
- From the diskpart prompt, type exit and press Enter. Type exit once more to close the Command Window.
How To: Make a USB Read Only
There are two ways to make a USB stick read only. One method will make the USB read-only in anything it is connected to, so you could say this is a universal way of making a flash drive write protected.
The other way is a PC specific solution where some registry edits are required to any computer the USB flash drive is connected to.
When we say 100% permanent, this means the USB stick is read only (write protected) on all devices, whether it be computers like a Mac, Windows PC, Linux box or non-processor based products like a car stereo. This permanent solution also means the status of the drive cannot be changed. The other method flags a USB device to be read only in relationship to the PC it is connected to so that whenever that USB stick is connected to that computer, it makes the USB read only and blocks all write commands to the device.
Most times an IT manager or content owner wants the USB stick to be read only so the files cannot be deleted or formatted off the drive. Another reason for making a USB read only is for the original files to remain the same and blocks the ability for files to be changed or manipulated. Finally, it’s smart to have USBs read only so that virus’ don’t jump onto the drive and possibly spread to other computers.
Let us start with the less permanent way because it’s easier to do and doesn’t require any specific hardware.You will need a Windows7 machine or higher. The Windows7 machine will have DiskPart utility which allows us to perform all sorts of cool things to flash drives, like setting write protection.
- Connect the USB to your Windows computer.
- To begin, go to your Windows Start and in the Search Field type cmd
This will run your Command prompt.
- Next, you will want to get to the C root of the Command prompt and if you are signed in as a user you can simply type cd\ this will get you back to the root of the C drive.
- Type DISKPART
- Type LIST DISK
Now you will need to find the USB stick connected to your PC. Most likely it’s DISK 1
Our Answer to a Smartphone / Tablet Dock Charging Station
With the iPhone in its 8th iteration of the product and most likely you have some older models laying around. Those older models can be put to use, but chances are, you don’t keep them charged up. So after a couple of days without connection, they are dead. I currently use an older iPhone to stream my music at work. I don’t stream from my phone, because I always seem to get disconnect to the Bluetooth speakers after I take a call.
This is why I like the 10 port charging station from USBFever. It’s got a logical design for holding ten devices. With the USB ports on the bottom, it keeps the plugs from hanging off the wall. Just above the USB ports are hollow channels you can bundle up the USB cable and stash it away. On top are vertical channels to hold your iPhone, iPad, Smartphone or tablet. The vertical channels are tall enough the devices will sit sturdy and proper.
Finally, the design includes a good balance of power output for the devices. There are a total of 10 USB ports. Eight of which push out a 2.5amp power supply and the remaining two are 1amp. This means the charging dock station will power the tablets as well as the larger iPhone and Samsung product while you can leave the smaller phones to the 1amp channels.
The default color is
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How Flash Memory Works
This is a great video that explains how flash memory works. Granted, the video is very technical but does work through the concept of reading and writing data to flash. So if you have the 17 minutes to use, I suggest giving this a watch. The video does cover SLC, MLC and TLC memory and how each of these technologies read and write with the different layers of a floating gate device like NAND. Source: YouTube. Continue ReadingVideo: USB Inkjet Printer for USB Swivel Drives by Nexcopy
UPDATE: The Nexcopy USB Flash Drive Printer has been updated to a 40 up print unit. Nexcopy reached out and informed our team the USB7P printer has been replaced with the LOGO-EZ PRINTER. The new design includes a 100% customized print tray to secure hold the USB flash drives in place during print. Price starts around $3,500
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The following information is related to a depreciated version of the USB Flash Drive Printer from Nexcopy. For current information please visit their product page (link at bottom of article)
Nexcopy introduces the USB Clip Printer – a full color, inkjet printer that brings vibrant custom logos and graphics to any standard USB swivel drive and its all available from your desktop.
The USB7P was engineered to address full color printing to USB flash drives at an affordable price. The idea is simple. Using the body of the standards swivel drive you swap the metal clip from your supplier for the inkjet printable clip from Nexcopy. Now, with an inkjet printable clip you can print full color images, on both sides of the clip, from any jpeg image. The results are fantastic. The print is durable and the print is highly
water resistant. Nexcopy has really pieced together a great solution whereby the user can buy memory from their favorite supplier while still having in-house, full color printing.
The USB7P is a full color inkjet printer based on HP technology. With HP™s proven technology the USB7P can print over 11 million colors with very accurate PMS color matching. The USB7P can print seven USB clips of the same image or seven unique images. Full color printing is done in about 35 seconds. Black logo printing is less than 20 seconds. With the intuitive and user friendly PC based software you will be printing crisp, high quality images in no time.
The process is simple. It begins with installing the USB7P software, drivers and preparing the printer to accept a project by making sure it’s properly connected and aligned for the 7 slot clip printer tray.
Using either bitmap or jpeg images you can quickly and easily import and align your images to the seven inkjet printable clips.
The USB7P uses an on-board camera to easily size and align your image to the size and position of the clips. This exclusive camera feature makes the pre-print process a breeze.
Again, it takes less than 35 seconds to print a complete set of 7 clips. As they emerge from the printer, the clips are instantly dry and highly water-resistant, making it a perfect solution for quick-turn USB branding jobs.
Since the clips can be printed on both sides, flip the clips around in the clip printer tray and return to the software for easily printing on the reverse side. No drying time is necessary.
Source: Nexcopy Inc., Newsroom
Credit Card Size Charge with USB and miniUSB
Revi Charger is a creative form factor. The Revi power station is a cordless device which will accommodate either USB or microUSB sockets.
The Revi was designed to be sleak and stylish charging unit and is available in 550mAh capacity or 1440 mAh capacity. Retailing for $25 and $35 respectively
“Since we are already funded, we were able to gather the world’s top talent to produce the Revi Charger. We want our customers to receive the biggest boost when they need it the most with no wires.”
The company also has one impressive website that is easy to navigate, gather information and order.
Revi Charger homepage.
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USB Zipper Cable – Great Idea
The Xpower 2 in 1 Zipper USB cable will support all micro USB and lightning devices. With its unique zipper design, it allows the cable to become expandable enough to charge more than one device at any given moment. It also supports iOS 7 and android devices. It is conveniently 36cm in length. The 2 in 1 Zipper USB cable will make multitasking much easier. The design and size make it very practical for transporting with you on the go. Its cable syncsupport is a 2.4A output at max and it has a 30/30 AWG high speed transmission and cable sync with micro UBSs only.
USB zipper cable
USB Head Massage Thang
We have heard about the USB hand warmer or the USB foot warmer or even the USB eye warmer, but it appears we’ve gone one step further. I guess if there were ever a line to draw in the sand as to much, is too much, this would be it. Brando, a distributor of USB gadgets, now has on sale a USB head massager. For $52 US dollars you can have this goofy looking head bracket which will vibrate at your heads key acupuncture points.
If anyone ends up buying this USB head massager, please post a picture of you wearing it on our facebook page.
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Corsair Brings USB and microUSB Stick to CES 2014
Corsair continues their reputation for high speed, high quality USB products. This year at the CES 2014 show Corsair is showing off their new Voyager Go USB drive. Two improvements with this device: 1) The USB includes a standard USB connector and a microUSB connector. This addition makes it easier to store files from a portable device directly to the flash memory. 2) The USB cap and USB body include a loop so when connected with a lanyard you no longer have the option to lose the cap. This is the first that I’ve seen with a cap/body configuration like this…and it should have happened years ago.
The Corsair Voyager Go USB is available as a 3.0 device in 16, 32 and 64GB capacity. USB 3.0 can boost transfer speeds in excess of 135MB/s however we must realize this spec is not real-world environment.
Source:Â Corsair, CES.
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