Everything USB - Gadgets, Wireless USB, USB 3.0

B&W Reveals MM-1 High-fidelity USB PC Speakers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:18:04 -0600

Shrinkage from silky smooth sound seller Bowers and Wilkins makes the sibilant news today. They have compressed their enormous high fidelity Zeppelin speakers for iPod into a size that is just right to accompany a laptop. The B&W MM-1 speakers are fueled by USB for both digital audio and power. The speakers have B&W's signature sound processing system handling all of the audio creation from digital source. This removes the problem of low quality on-board sound systems tainting the music. The built-in amplifier takes care of everything else with up to 36W per speaker.

The speakers also sport a line-in jack for connecting directly to MP3 players and a very handy headphone jack for private listening. There's also a wireless remote which will probably only control the volume. Due to the speakers actually being a USB audio device, the remote is capable of much more than just volume but no details have surfaced at this time. You can still expect to empty your piggy bank to get these on their way to you but at least the shipping costs won't be as much as for the Zeppelin. We'll hope for more details on price and functions closer to February of next year when the MM-1's are expected to ship.
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AT&T Ups 3G to 7.2Mbps, Followed by New HSPA USB Dongle

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:28:14 -0600

AT&T rolls out this week a new HSPA USB dongle for its 3G network this week, the Lightning. The new modem is set to connect on its HSPA 3G band. This band promises 7.2Mbps speeds which doubles the previous maximum of 3.6 Mbps. They are only rolling this out in limited areas so you may have to wait to get it in your area but Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami will be knee deep in new speeds by year end. Hong Kong is currently rolling in 21Mbps, but this isn't a competition right? The Lightning stores its connection software on flash memory within itself so all you have to do is plug in the card and it will start installing the software automatically.

The Lightning has a swivel hinge on its USB connector for convenient connection and LED indicators to show connection status. A dual function device, the Lightning will also switch between HSPA 3G and Wi-Fi. Customers with eligible plans will also get free access to AT&T's 20,000 Wi-Fi hot spots. If you lock yourself into a 2 year contract your total cost will be $99 - $100 gift card for a net total of -$1. Their minimum data plan is also being lowered to $35 per month for 200MB usage. Speeds going up, prices going down and free stuff, what could be better?
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Bluemic High Fidelity Microphone Says THX for the Memories

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:53:28 -0600

The Yeti USB microphone from Bluemic - the same company that makes Eyeball - is THX certified and ready to put your voice on the ether in the highest quality possible. Bluemic, who obviously focuses on quality sound recording, is one of the first prosumer level microphones to carry the THX certification banner. The several possible tiers of THX certification help warrant the sound range, reproduction and low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). This microphone may be overkill for home uses but anyone who makes a living communicating on the internet, whether it's from podcasting or delivering webex training. You have 3 choices of microphone array modes. Each of the different modes will help enhance the soundfield for the best possible representation of your voice.

Another key feature is a built in headphone jack for for zero-latency monitoring of what is getting recorded. You don't have to worry about an echo or a delay any longer using this monitor port. The microphone also sports several easy to access controls for volume, mic gain, mic pattern and headphone volume. Even with all these features, it still might be slightly out of reach for most people at $149.
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Brinell PureStorage Takes USB Hard Drives from Geek to Chic

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:13:54 -0600

Brinell heralds forth the next evolution in designer USB drive enclosures. Many manufacturers have tried to obscure them or make them a little less nerdy but none have dared to try and make them stylish. The PureStorage line uses high quality materials draped around 160GB to 500GB hard drives. The drive maker is undisclosed, but probably one of the usual suspects, and USB 2.0 performance should be expected. PureStorage (2.5") and PureStorage (1.8") are available in all of the following lines: Understatement, Engineered and Elegant.

The Understatement is a chrome and wood veneer finish is for the super classy. The Elegant is a chrome and light-tan leather covering for the truly fashionable. The Engineered series for the true techie is available either brushed steel or carbon fibre. The prices of these modern looks is between $280-$340, and are available for order at their online store.
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Everything USB's Favorite Novelty Flash Drives

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:40:33 -0600

We love flash drives, and we see a lot of them each day. We thought we'd take the time to round up a few of our favorites. There's a lot of things that can make a flash drive stand out. Sometimes there's a novel design, a movie tie-in or just plain thinking outside of the box. Recently, we've seen more than a few drives that have scored style points. Putting the Flash in a flash drive can make that tag of the IT tech support geek into something a bit more fashionable. Here are our picks for best bang for the buck, best features, quality, usability or just plain unique flash drive of the past few months.
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OpenOffice Mouse Looks Like a Photoshop Gag, Might be Useful

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:44:35 -0600

There's no such thing as too much of a good thing. Okay, yeah there is and this is it: The OpenOffice Mouse. This wired USB mouse packs 18 programmable keys and a joystick. Not that the teal color scheme isn't bad enough, you can barely tell which of the buttons are supposed to be the regular mouse buttons. Only the scroll wheel is discernible amongst dual 10-key keypads that invaded this mouse. While a little on the fugly side, the idea isn't bad and has been done recently, albeit with a little more charisma.

The idea is to be able to download a preset bundle of macros specific to office applications and games. Of course, given the name, many of the applications with macro profiles are open source favorites. GIMP, OpenOffice.org, WoW and Call of Duty are already available with more on the way as support grows. The mouse comes with 512k of flash memory to hold profiles on mouse which makes it travel friendly. The software that powers the mouse is set to be an open source project for Windows, Linux and Mac but the mouse isn't free. You can order it for $74.99 as soon as their online store opens.
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Logitech Anywhere MX "Darkfield" Wireless Mouse Review

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:31:23 -0600

No stranger to the ubiquitous pointing device, Logitech boasts an impressive 20+ year history building mice and computer peripherals. Having surpassed the one billion mouse mark back in 2008, they are the undisputed leader in electronic rodent computer peripherals. New for 2009, the Logitech Anywhere MX wireless mouse combines wireless connectivity with unique "Darkfield" tracking technology for a mouse that is said to be able to track on pure glass and other highly reflective surfaces. Designed to be a fully-featured portable workhorse, the Anywhere MX also brings a rather unique scroll wheel to the party. How well does it all work in the cold, cruel world? Come to our glossy new labs to see if the Anywhere MX can track straight and true.
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Novation USB Launchpad, a Music Mixers Dream Come True

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:59 -0600

MP3s killed the mod tracking star. The Novation Launchpad makes composing digital music a much more interactive and almost into an art. The 64 button 'keyboard' integrates into the Ableton Live software to help you conduct multi-track music compositions using sampling, looping and dynamic patterns in real time. Each of the 64 keys can actually have many functions controlled by the 16 other function buttons. Check out the video, once you get to know the pad you can hop between sampling, patterns and mixer functions on the fly with ease. The back-lighting system illuminates the keys along with the song. The combination of easy control and visual feedback make this a fantastic tool for both composition or live mixing.

Back in the mid 90s mod tracking was really starting to get serious. Music wanted to be free but sound compression hadn't come around and a 9600 baud modem was what most people used to connect to the Internet. Sample based music had a big following and GUI tools were starting to make it easy for just about anyone to take a stab at making serious music. Ableton's software is crazy serious about enabling serious use of its tools for these same ends. It will support up to SIX of these pads at once for instant visibility and control of your technological symphony. The software is available at about $199 for both PCs and Macs.
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12-port USB Hub Almost as Impractical as It is Frightening

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:50 -0600

Sanwa's got a new monster hub that just missed Halloween, the 400-HUB009. Sporting an almost unprecedented 12 ports, this round octopus hub should definitely be able to the handle the needs of all but the most USB addicted users out there. The hub's circular shape gives every USB port plenty of room, so that all shapes of devices can easily be plugged in. There are 10 available ports around the edge of the disc as well as 2 extra top mounted ports which are ideal for plugging flash drives in and pulling them out quickly. The hub is fed by a mini-USB type input plug and an almost mandatory power adapter. Trying to run off of bus power would be horribly ill advised.

The only problem with the hub is the 360 degree mess that you will have if you manage to fill all of the available ports. With the average cable sticking out at least 2 inches front and back this scary spider will take up about 12 inches of desk space. Still, this might make for some great niche applications and is reasonably priced at around $55 if it every makes it outside Japan.
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Beatles Discography on Apple USB Drive in FLAC/MP3 Flavor

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:38:23 -0600

You say you want a revolution? There's no question that the Beatles were a revolution, changing the face of music and arguably the world in their wake. That's why it's no surprise to see a one of a kind USB drive loaded with Beatles music arrive. Apple and EMI are cooperatively releasing this Beatles inscribed, apple shaped 16GB flash drive with all 14 released LPs and 13 mini-documentary films. This is one of the very few digital distributions of the Beatles music to the public. The rights owners have been very cautious about release the fab foursome's music in soft formats to date. We hope to see more soon. The music is included in both 24-bit 44.1Khz FLAC and 320 kbps MP3 format, and has been digitally remastered prior to encoding. The drive is also packed with album art and liner notes. It probably should have been a yellow submarine drive but at least it is finally here.

Only 30,000 of these will be manufactured and they should start shipping on December 7th. You can preorder now at their online store. The drive full of yummy Beatle goodness and a tiny apple dose of vitamin-C will run you $330.
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Klipsch Pairs Wireless USB and Audio to Bring Music to Our Ears

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:16:39 -0600

Klipsch today evolves a new version of its computer high powered computer system speakers called the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless iPod/Computer Speaker. This 2.1 channel sub+satellite system provides more than enough power to complement any HTPC or gaming desktop. The speaker set is fed by a USB sound card which is about the size of a normal flash drive. This dongle then wirelessly transmits sound to the base, just like the Bose SoundLink. The subwoofer distributes signal and power to the dual driver satellite speakers. The USB sound transmitter is of the plug and play variety and should work on PC and Mac systems, without drivers. The satellites have an 3.5mm input for plugging in an iPod or other media player.

The wow factor comes from the 200 watts of power housed in such a compact unit. This system makes for a perfect mate to a laptop that can't sit still or for desks with limited space. Only one cord is needed to bring massive amounts of sound to any system. The power cord runs into the subwoofer and that's it. You'll have to shell out $199 to get this into your hands and start pumping the jams. Available for order now from Klipsch's web store.
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Super Talent USB 3.0 Thumbdrive - All Hail The New Speed Champ

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:12:50 -0600

Your wait for a uber-fast USB 3.0 flash drive is over. Super Talent RAIDDrive will be the first thumbdrive to use USB 3.0 specs; under SuperSpeed USB mode, it will deliver an impressive 200MB/s with regular legacy BOT driver and reach a jaw-dropping speed of 320MB/s when paired with a UASP driver. UASP stands for USB Attached SCSI, created to leverage transfer rate of the new interface. Oddly, UASP driver isn't included. We will have to find out why.

The company claims the RAIDDrive employes patented "multiple pairs of differential serial data lines technology" for optimal NAND performance. In comparison, the RAIDDrive is five to eight times faster than the top-of-the-line Corsair Flash Voyager GT and Pretec i-Disk Tango, both of which hover at around 35 to 40MB/s. At top speed, filling up a Super Talent's 64GB USB 3.0 flash drive would take a little over 3 minutes. The same task would take 26 minutes over a USB 2.0 port. There's no word on pricing, but expect retail availability of all three models (32GB, 64GB & 128GB) in December, the same month Asus, Gigabyte and Dane-elec will be shipping their USB 3.0 gear.
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Namecalling Begins Around Intel's USB 3.0 Slowdown, Slapfight Imminent

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:10:20 -0600

There's more drama today around Intel's recent USB 3.0 announcement. Intel last week announced it is postponing work integrated USB 3.0 technology into its mainboards. Nvidia, extreme veteran of the video game 3D hardware arena, accused former partner Intel of stifling innovation. Not quite as biting as an accusation of unfair business practices, Nvidia claims that as Intel has quashed its abilities to enter the chipset market, Intel is now going to sit on its hands. They claim that, with the absence of any major competitors, Intel is slowing down its innovation. Looking at the timeline of competition and developments by Intel while challenged by Nvidia, you can see their point. Intel made major advances keeping up with nVidia who was trying to push its own nForce chipset. The fierce competition and market turn has led nVidia to return to its mainstay and effectively exit the motherboard chipset race.

While the pain felt by Nvidia is understandable, business is business. Competition drives innovation, and silicon behemoth isn't a charity. We do hope they will continue to innovate and we'll have to look to AMD/ATI to really bring the pain to Intel and keep prices low, features high and the bytes flying.
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Viewsonic VMP70, Perfecting USB Media Playback on HDTV

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:09:33 -0600

Not everyone wants to deal with the complexity associated with setting up NAS and tweaking network settings just to show high-def movies on his HDTV. The easiest way to playback the media is undoubtedly a player with all the necessary HD format and USB drive support. WD TV HD is insanely popular because it works seamlessly with MKV and H.264. Now, other solutions have emerged to perfect the USB media box. Viewsonic VMP70 is one of them.

The Viewsonic VMP70 can read literally every video codec out there, including DivX/XviD, H.264, VC-1, WMV9 and RMVB. In the audio department, OGG is most welcome among anime fans; built-in DTS decoding is here for those without an amplifier; and FLAC will be appreciated by audiophiles. Unlike the WD TV HD however, the VMP70 doesn't read HFS+ so Mac fanboys can skip this one altogether. Virtually all the buttons are moved to the remote so don't lose it or the VMP70 just becomes a 1 lb. paperweight. As of this writing, Viewsonic is offering a special holiday pricing of $98.99; street price should be pretty much the same even after the promotional period.
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Keian Hits Target with Wireless USB E-darts Game

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:48:49 -0600

Keian, has released what promises to be a fun toy for the start of the gift giving season. Wireless E-Darts is a computer enhanced game of darts. The dart board is the safe kind with the dulled tips and receptacle holes that are supposed to catch the darts. These are supposed to be kid-safe but don't tend to catch the darts as well which makes scoring hard. That's where the beauty of this item comes into play. The dart board links to a USB wireless receiver and send the location of each dart strike even if it doesn't manage to stay in the board.

Besides tracking the darts, the software also keeps score with multiple players on 10 varieties of the game. There's 12 darts included with the package and about 40 replacement tips to last through some normal wear and tear. The board itself requires only 2 AA batteries and is capable of sending signals to a PC up to 30 ft. away. Software is currently only available for PC and only obtainable in Japan. If you happen to locate a grey-market exporter you can expect to pay around $140.
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Thanko's New GPS Wristwatch Arrives Just in Time

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:11:07 -0600

As GPS systems get smaller and smaller they find more and more uses. Hiking and outdoor adventurers have latched onto the GPS as a unique tool for safety and recreation. The Thanko Watch Guider GPS watch makes it just that much more easy to get the benefit of GPS technology without having to lug around an extra device. The watch is by no means thin, it's about twice the size of a normal watch, almost twice the size of a G-Shock. The extra thickness packs the GPS sensor and a separate lithium battery. The battery means that the GPS and the watch can function independently. Once charged and within range of enough satellites to get a fix, your location, direction, altitude and speed. All this can be replayed later on your PC as well as uploaded to Google Maps.

Besides recording the watch can also carry a finite number of destinations. Select your destination and a discrete set of LEDs set around the face of the watch will point you in the right direction. A fully charged GPS battery will last around 21 hours and it takes about 5 hours to recharge through the concealed USB port. If they ever ship outside of Japan, you can expect them to cost in the neighborhood of $200.
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Best of October 2009 - Everything USB

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:09:21 -0500

Must Read

USB News

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Scoshe Wall Charger Doubles Duty as USB Auto Charger

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:08:38 -0500

Traveling these days is getting complicated. We rely on more electronic devices than ever before and if your travel includes flight then space can become really limited. Scoshe has a new 2 in 1 charger that can really help you cut down on travel cords. The Scoshe PowerFuze is a wall charger that has a both a USB plug and 12v vehicle cigarette lighter plug. This way you can use any of your car chargers during the day and use them indoors at night. This way you don't have to buy or carry an extra indoor charger.

The PowerFuze ships with a PowerPlug 12v car to USB adapter as well. With these 2 items you can eliminate yet another cord or charger. If you have a computer charger, you can use that in your car and then in the hotel. Use the PowerPlug in the PowerFuze and you have 2 USB ports open for chargers. This opens a lot of doors for heavy use, very important devices like GPS's, phones and headsets. MP3 players and your PSP or DS can also be a lifesaver on long trips. The $39.99 PowerFuze Pro ships both a PowerPlug and an iPod/iPhone USB cable.
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Creepy Halloween USB Gadget Round-up

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:29:03 -0500

Tomorrow is Halloween so let us check out these creepy gadgets made for mouse potatoes. Full list after the jump.
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Asus Moves USB 3.0 to a Brand New Mobo

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:41:40 -0500

Hot on the heels of the Gigabyte announcement yesterday, Asus has re-announced its production of a pair of motherboards packing USB 3.0. Great news on the heels of the Intel production delay last week. The two Asus motherboards, the P7P55D-E and P7P55D are built for Intel's latest Core i5 and i7 processors. The P7P55D-E is the big dog of the two and carries USB 3.0 and the new 6GB/s SATA support on-board. The P7P55D has the same 2 hot new features but only when accompanied by their U3S6 expansion board. This mobo actually was announced 2 months ago along with the SATA 6GB/s expansion card. Whatever setback they had on the original P6X58, which was unexpectedly cancelled, has been overcome on the P7P55D-E as well as being added to the daughter card.

Asus, we still love you, you still have our hearts from the eee. But considering that Gigabyte hasn't broken our heart, we're putting you on notice. One more mix up and we'll drop you like a hot soldering iron. The Gigabyte mobo boasts most of the same specs. The race is on now between the P55A and the P7P55D motherboards to see who will be the first on sale. Pricing for the Asus P7P55D-E is set at a respectable $299 and the daughter card at $29.
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