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Learn to play harmonica in a Flash
By Paul Ridden
15:00 November 6, 2009 PST
A music teacher from Riverside Illinois has come up with a Flash drive design that's more novel than novelty. Possibly one of the most portable instrument around - the harmonica - and the most portable digital storage solution have been merged into one to produce the FlashHarp. Read More
Sanwa 12-port USB hub is the center of attention
By Darren Quick
00:41 November 6, 2009 PST
The incredible range of USB peripherals available and the shortage of free ports on many machines – particularly laptops – means that a USB hub is practically a necessity if you don’t want to waste precious time plugging and unplugging devices. Sanwa’s 12-port offering doesn’t quite match Brando’s effort in the number of ports, but is definitely the more eye-catching of the two when loaded up with devices. Its circular design might be OK for those rare occasions when you need a high tech table centerpiece, but will likely have cables running every which way on the desk when fully loaded. Read More
Award-winning ReNu personal solar-powered storage system
By Mick Webb
20:51 October 27, 2009 PDT
Solar power is being harnessed and applied in ever more interesting and creative ways, and the ReNu personal power generation and storage system is certainly no exception. The device features a freestanding modular solar panel that, once charged, can be slotted into a number of extensions to make use of the collected energy, including an iPod dock and an LED desk lamp. Read More
Portable power - the Bose SoundDock 10 digital music system
By Mick Webb
17:55 October 26, 2009 PDT
As the number of music-lovers who find their collections bundled snugly into the confines of an iPod continues to grow, so too does the number of increasingly more powerful docking stations that appear on the market to play those tunes aloud. One of the latest additions to the party, the SoundDock 10, comes with a promise from Bose that it delivers quality sound from a minimalist package. The SoundDock 10 features a newly-designed subwoofer, audio input and video output as well as optional Bluetooth capability. Read More
REVIEW: Mobiu Smart Key offers secure, remote data access on the move
By Paul Lester
05:00 October 22, 2009 PDT
USB keys are a boon to those who need to carry data around with them, and with capacities always on the rise it’s becoming more and more likely that sensitive data will be stored on what is, at the end of the day, an inherently losable little gadget. Various security measures are now available that bring more to the table than standard encryption, but it’s not often we see something as all-encompassing as Mobiu’s Smart Key. We took the 1GB version of the secure Flash drive for a spin to see what it has to offer. Read More
Samsung STORY Station external drives cut standby power consumption to less than 1W
By Darren Quick
00:25 October 20, 2009 PDT
Samsung’s STORY Station drives will be the first 3.5-inch external hard drives to boast a standby power consumption of less than 1W. The typical standby power consumption of external hard drives is around 2.5W, so lowering that figure to 0.09W constitutes a reduction of more than 95 percent. The reduced standby power level easily meets requirements for the forthcoming European Union’s EuP (Energy Using Products) Directive for Standby Regulation, which is effective from January 2010. Read More
The GlideTV Navigator is a mouse, keyboard and AV remote that fits in the palm of your hand
By Darren Quick
03:54 October 14, 2009 PDT
TVs are no longer dumb receivers sitting in the corner of the lounge, displaying whatever trash the networks have decided to cram down our throats. Nowadays, a TV is just as likely to be hooked up to a home theater PC (HTPC) for playing games, accessing media content stored on a hard disk, or surfing the Internet. For more complex tasks like that, the humble remote starts to look a little underdone. That's where remote controls on steroids, such as the GlideTV Navigator, come in. It combines the functionality of a keyboard, mouse and AV remote control in one distinctive-looking unit that fits in the palm of your hand. Read More
Gateway introduce One ZX Series all-in-one PCs with multi-touch
By Mick Webb
21:13 October 13, 2009 PDT
With the official release of Windows 7 just around the corner, Gateway has introduced a new line of all-in-one desktop PC’s that take advantage of the multi–touch capabilities of the highly anticipated operating system. The competitively priced One ZX Series combines stylish design with impressive features aimed at both the serious and more casual user. Read More
Belkin’s Easy Transfer Cable for Windows 7 makes upgrading smoother
05:11 October 10, 2009 PDT
Upgrading to a new operating system is a notorious mess — you need to find all of your data and user settings (often spending hours doing so), burn them to a DVD or other support and then copy them all to the new OS. Belkin's "Easy Transfer Cable" for Windows 7, a USB 2.0 cable with accompanying software aims to make the whole process much easier by guiding you through the transfer process, automatically finding your data and settings and streamlining the transition from XP or Vista to the upcoming Windows 7. Read More
Kingston releases MobileLite Flash card reader, reloaded
03:24 October 10, 2009 PDT
Kingston recently released MobileLiteG2, the second generation of its portable Flash card reader. The 18.9g plug-and-play unit shows up as two separate devices on your system to make it easier to transfer data between Flash memory cards using only one USB port. Read More
Hercules offers a new angle on webcams
By Alan Brandon
20:24 September 29, 2009 PDT
Computer electronics manufacturer Hercules offers a new angle on webcams for people who have trouble seeing eye-to-eye in video chat sessions. The Dualpix HD720p is a high-def webcam that shoots 720p and features an autofocus lens and built-in microphone. The Dualpix is adjustable on two axes, so you can place it where you want on the sides or top of your notebook computer or monitor, in order to better look the camera directly "in the eye". Read More
Toshiba's Dynadock wireless docking station enhances your laptop's productivity
16:53 September 22, 2009 PDT
Toshiba has recently unveiled Dynadock Wireless U, a universal docking station that connects wirelessly to your Windows laptop and allows you to quickly gain access to a number of devices such as mouse, full-size keyboard and external monitors while featuring additional capabilities like two sleep-and-charge USB ports, automatic laptop connection and support for two additional monitors. Read More
Freeze your hard disk with the USB Windows Icebox
15:16 September 20, 2009 PDT
Almost every PC user knows about the importance of making regular data backups — often from their own, unfortunate personal experience. But, due to laziness and technical difficulties, only a small percentage of users actually performs regular maintenance other than updating antivirus software. The Windows IceBox is a convenient solution to this problem that plugs into your USB port and immediately freezes changes on your selected hard drive partitions, virtually eliminating the need for maintenance. Read More
Nexto eXtreme ND2700 review
By Tim Hanlon
07:04 September 19, 2009 PDT
The Nexto eXtreme ND2700 is a 320GB 2.5" SATA drive in an enclosure with two memory card slots, enabling the backup of CompactFlash, SD/SDHC, MMC/MMCPlus, MS/MS Pro-HG/MS Pro MagicGate, and xD cards (and more, with an optional adapter) without a computer. It can also backup straight from your camera using the USB OTG port, and features USB 2.0 and eSATA connectors, the latter of which means you can pull data off the drive at an average of 60 megabytes per second. Read More
Belkin Home Base: the box that does it all
By Paul Ridden
16:49 September 17, 2009 PDT
Wirelessly sharing devices such as a printer over a home network has just been made a mite easier with the introduction of Belkin's Home Base. This handy 802.11b/g/n compatible do-it-all box allows connection and access of up to four USB devices, can automatically back up files and share pictures on Flickr or Picassa accounts, and painlessly shares files between computers on an existing wireless network. Read More
A colorful way to take note - the USB Moody Card Reader with Erasable Memo Pad
By Mick Webb
21:07 September 14, 2009 PDT
Ever found yourself staring wistfully into the distance while waiting for your memory card content to upload, only be struck with an ingenious brainwave and find there’s not a pen or paper in sight to jot it down with? Well, so you're ready whenever inspiration strikes, Brando has released the USB Moody Card Reader with Erasable Memo Pad. Read More
Close shave with Thanko USB Electric Razor
By Jeff Salton
20:04 September 10, 2009 PDT
Got a last-minute hot date? Meeting with the boss? Getting snide comments about your ‘porn star mustache’? Or just couldn’t be bothered? Whatever your reason for needing a quick shave at work, the Thanko USB Electric Razor is your savior. Just plug it into the USB port on your computer, and whiskers-be-gone. And if your monitor’s nice and shiny, who needs a mirror? Read More
USB Posture Alert Reminder will set you on the straight and narrow
By Darren Quick
01:25 September 10, 2009 PDT
As a person who isn’t getting any younger - and finds himself behind a desk for most of the day - I am starting to appreciate the advice of teachers and parents imploring me to sit up straight. Now that my school days are behind me and I live alone, my back is constantly reminding me that there’s no one left to admonish me for my terrible posture. The USB Posture Alert Reminder could be just what I need to get my spine back on the straight and narrow. Read More
Aiptek's tiny PenCam Trio HD records 720p video, 5MP stills, and audio
By Darren Quick
22:27 September 8, 2009 PDT
Looks like Aiptek is trying to put an entire movie production and screening system in people’s pockets. Complementing its new range of pocket-sized pico projectors at IFA 2009 was the PenCam Trio HD, an ultra-slim camera that boasts 1280 x 720p HD video resolution, 5MP still image resolution, and a dictaphone function for recording audio. Read More
The compact Innergie mCube90 universal charger
By Mick Webb
15:26 September 8, 2009 PDT
For those on the go, a reliable source of power for various pieces of technology is a must. Innergie has released what is claimed to be the world’s smallest universal charger, the mCube90, featuring a tiny detachable adapter for use in the car or in the air. Read More
Dicota's award winning BacPac Control with built in ipod controller
By Mick Webb
15:13 September 8, 2009 PDT
With increasingly convenient technology comes ever-inventive ways to take it from one place to the next. Dicota has unveiled the BacPac Control, featuring room for a notebook up to 15” with the added bonus of an iPod controller integrated into the bag’s shoulder strap. Read More
LG’s flagship SL9000 ‘BORDERLESS’ LED TV
By Darren Quick
03:53 September 8, 2009 PDT
LG unveiled its flagship SL9000 ‘BORDERLESS’ LED TV to a string of 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' at IFA 2009 this week, where it stood out from the pack with a uniform, seamless surface from edge to edge, with no visible frame. By using a special sheet of laminate film LG was able to eliminate the gap between the screen and the bezel and also reduce screen glare. The SL9000 is also extremely thin at just 2.9cm, with the end result being a TV that appears to be a continuous sheet of smoked glass. Read More
Grundig’s latest TVs turn any USB drive into a PVR
By Darren Quick
22:46 September 7, 2009 PDT
Grundig has just come up with a replacement for your Tivo or similar recording device, and the odds are you already have it – well, part of it anyway. By adding USB-recording technology to various models of its new TVs, which it had on show at IFA 2009, Grundig has turned any standard USB flash drive or external hard disk drive (HDD) into a personal video recorder (PVR). The only catch is you will only be able to watch the recorded content on a compatible Grundig set. Read More
Aiptek projectors are pocket rockets
By Jeff Salton
16:23 September 7, 2009 PDT
Aiptek International has been busy adding to its already impressive V10 mini projector with three new models, the T20, T30 and the PocketCinema D10. What we liked most about the Pico Projector T30 when we witnessed a demo of the new device at IFA in Germany was the ease in which you can extract those great images and video from your iPod, iPhone – no apps, no drivers - with a special cable. Just find a blank wall and gather your friends around. And the PocketCinema T30 instantly connects to any device like a camcorder or media player with a 3-in-1 AV output. Read More
Altec Lansing’s Orbit USB 360° sound portable speaker packs a punch
By Darren Quick
18:13 September 6, 2009 PDT
Laptop speakers generally aren’t the most impressive sound reproduction devices going around so travelers either have to put up with poor sound quality, rely on a set of headphones, or pack a set of (often not so) portable speakers. Altec Lansing appears to have overcome this annoyance by unveiling its Orbit USB ultra portable speaker at IFA 2009 this week. Read More
Jonathan Cole
- November 6, 2009 @ 16:15 UTC
