TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities » USB Devices

Porn Detection USB Stick Detects Illicit Images Automatically [Porn Detection Stick Employs Advanced Image Analyzing Algorithms to Locate Your Secret Stash]

Andrew Tingle — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:35:41 +0000

If you’re silly enough to view store porn imagery at work then, unless you work from home, its time to be very afraid as Paraben Corporation has just started shipping their Porn Detection Stick USB thumb drive which uses advanced image analyzing algorithms to scan hard drives and find illicit images – which it’ll duly move to ‘suspect’ and ‘highly suspect’ folders.

The Paraben Corporation Porn Detection Stick USB thumb drive, which is specifically being aimed at employers, schools, churches and parents, is said to be capable of finding around 99% of non-pornographic images on a system’s hard drive with those it deems as being dubious being flagged for inspection and Paraben claim that the Porn Detection Stick can search an entire 500GB HDD containing over 70,000 images in a mere hour and a half. Oh, and it’ll find deleted images too (as long as the image data hasn’t been directly over-written).

According to Paraben, “The Porn Detection Stick has implemented a number of methods and algorithms to analyze each image to determine if it may be pornographic in nature. Image Cleanup – within virtual memory, the software cleans up the image for optimum analysis. Skin Detection – this identifies skin tones and texture within the image. Background Elimination – this eliminates background objects from foreground objects so background objects don’t skew the results. Edge Detection – identifies the edges of objects. Body Part Separation – separates body parts into separate masses. Negative Curvature Rejection – eliminates objects with negative curves. Elimination – eliminates other objects. Face Detection – identifies faces within the image. Body Part Layout Decision – maps body part distribution and image layout. Decision – classifies image based on data.”

The Porn Detection Stick is available now for just shy of $99.

Original Post Link: Porn Detection USB Stick Detects Illicit Images Automatically [Porn Detection Stick Employs Advanced Image Analyzing Algorithms to Locate Your Secret Stash] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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ZAGGsparq Portable USB Charger [$100 Charger Offers Dual USB Ports, 6000 mAh Battery]

Kevin Schram — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:35:05 +0000

USB is pretty important to any tech or gadget user, not just for data but also for power. The folks at ZAGG have come out with a USB charger/backup battery supply that has got a good compact design and would be useful for any road warrior.

ZAGG’s primary business is their cell phone and MP3 cover and skin business, but we’ve also covered some of their other ventures, including their headphones and media aggregator box. This time, they’ve gone outside the box again with the ZAGGsparq. It isn’t just an AC/USB power adapter, they’ve also included a 6,000 mAh Lithium battery for a portable backup.

The ZAGGsparq has two USB ports, so it can charge both devices at the same time. It has some LED lights to display how much power is remaining on the battery (100%, 75%, 50%, 25% – pretty simple, but it should work). They’re reporting that the 6,000 mAh battery has enough juice to fully charge four iPhones from empty, which is a pretty impressive feat – if it’s true. Your mileage may vary.

It’s got a pretty compact size (3.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches) and weighs just 0.54 pounds (244 grams). With such a small size, it could end up being a pretty useful gadget for folks who travel a lot. The only problem I see with this device (haven’t tried it, admittedly) is it’s price. ZAGG is selling it for $100. ZAGG devices often carry a steep premium, but the ZAGGsparq does have a pretty hefty battery backup system inside.

The ZAGGsparq is now shipping from their website.

Original Post Link: ZAGGsparq Portable USB Charger [$100 Charger Offers Dual USB Ports, 6000 mAh Battery] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Game Boy Advance USB Flash Drive [GBA Super Mario Advance Flash Drive Offers 8GB & 16GB Capacity, Customisation Available]

Andrew Tingle — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:12:53 +0000

If you’re a fan of the Game Boy Advance handheld gaming system and you’re looking for a USB flash drive that offer somewhat more character and originality than your usual, off the shelf affairs, how about this custom Game Boy Advance USB Flash Drive known, seemingly, as the Super Mario Advance.

Utilising Kingston memory, should you not be a particular fan of Super Mario Advance the vendor, 8Bit Memory, has stated that they are more than happy to ‘make any game of your choice into a custom flash drive’ with 8GB and 16GB capacities on offer.

The Super Mario Advance USB Flash Drive will set you back some $50 for the 8GB capacity version via the 8Bit Memory Etsy Store and, should you want a custom version, they’ll happily offer up a quote.

Original Post Link: Game Boy Advance USB Flash Drive [GBA Super Mario Advance Flash Drive Offers 8GB & 16GB Capacity, Customisation Available] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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SuperTalent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive Flash Drive [SuperTalent RAIDDrive is World’s First Mobile USB 3.0 Flash Drive]

Andrew Tingle — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:42:35 +0000

SuperTalent have unveiled what they proudly bill as being the world’s first mobile USB 3.0 flash drive in the form of the SuperTalent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive which boasts data transfer speeds of around five time that offered by comparable USB 2.0 devices.

The new SuperTalent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive flash drive, which offers up data transfer speeds over 300MBps (assuming you’re using it with a setup that supports the USB 3.0 standard) will apparently store data for up to 10 years and utilises two drives paired in RAID 0 configuration housed neatly within a single, highly portable device.

There’s no word at this juncture as to when the new USB 3.0 RAIDDrive flash drives are set to hit retail but SuperTalent have confirmed that the USB 3.0 RAIDDrive will be initially offered in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities.

Original Post Link: SuperTalent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive Flash Drive [SuperTalent RAIDDrive is World’s First Mobile USB 3.0 Flash Drive] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Brando USB MP3 Player + Card Reader Revealed [New MP3 Player/MicroSD Reader Has Small Form Factor, Cheap Price]

Kevin Schram — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:50:00 +0000

Brando is usually always good for cheap and quirky USB gadgets and this time is no different. They’ve unveiled the “USB Tiny MP3 Player + micro SD Card Reader”. The small device looks like a colorful thumb drive, but it actually will play your music and help you adapt microSD cards for a PC.

A ton of gadgets these days offer microSD slots for more expansion memory, so you may find more and more need to access microSD cards on a conventional PC. This little gadget solves your problem. It’s also a MP3 player, but I think it’s clear that Brando intended it to be a microSD card reader first.

Why? The ‘MP3 player’ has no on-board storage. It plays the music off of the microSD card you’ve got in there. It comes at a cheap price ($18), but users have to provide their own memory. It can support microSD cards upto 32GB, and when using it has a MP3 player it’ll have two hours of battery life. It’s now shipping worldwide from usb.brando.com.

Original Post Link: Brando USB MP3 Player + Card Reader Revealed [New MP3 Player/MicroSD Reader Has Small Form Factor, Cheap Price] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Brando USB 3.0-SATA Adpater Revealed [New Brando Adapater Turns SATA HDDs Into External USB 3.0 HDDs]

Kevin Schram — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:56:57 +0000

Those interested in USB 3.0-powered external hard drives may be put off by the price, for example, the Buffalo HD-HU3 costs over $200. For those people, Brando has introduced a low-cost USB 3.0 to SATA adapter dongle that will let you turn any SATA hard drive into a cheap USB 3.0 powered external drive.

The aptly-named Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA adapter (shouldn’t it be SATA to USB?) is compatible with both SATA 3.0 and SATA 1.5 hard drives, and can theoretically transfer data at the full ‘SuperSpeed’ of USB 3.0. Brando promises that this adapter can transfer data in 1/4th the time of a USB 2.0 adapter. Of course, your computer must be set up for USB 3.0.

Brando also sells a IDE-to-SATA adapater, so you could use an IDE drive with USB 3.0. For those interested, the USB 3.0-SATA adapter will cost your $48 and is now shipping, and it’s compatible with Windows 7, XP, Vista and Linux, and can handle HDDs up to 2TB in size.

Original Post Link: Brando USB 3.0-SATA Adpater Revealed [New Brando Adapater Turns SATA HDDs Into External USB 3.0 HDDs] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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NewerTech USB Display Adapter [USB Dongle Lets You Add Up To 6 Monitors, DVI, VGA, HDMI ports]

Kevin Schram — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:42:15 +0000

If you have a desire for more monitors than you have video outputs, then you’re in luck as NewerTech has released a USB Display Adapter. The little gadget has a USB plug on one end and a DVI port on the other, allowing you to add as many monitors to your computer as you wish.

While you will be limited by the number of USB ports, the NewerTech driver software limits you at 6 additional monitors with Windows and 4 additional monitors with Mac OS X. Not sure many of us home consumers would have desk space for 7 monitors, but in enterprise applications, this could be useful. The adapter can even support resolutions up to 2048 x 1152.

Unfortunately, the software doesn’t have any graphics acceleration, so games are out of the question. The website even says that Keynote, iPhoto and iMovie won’t work with the video adapter. There are also reports that video output via USB (not necessarily this device, just USB video output in general) is often choppy and has considerable lag. If you’re still interested, the NewerTech USB Video Adapter is now shipping, and will cost you $96. Keep in mind that is only 1 adapter, so if you want a theoretical 6 additional monitors, you’ll need to spend $96 x 6.

Original Post Link: NewerTech USB Display Adapter [USB Dongle Lets You Add Up To 6 Monitors, DVI, VGA, HDMI ports] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Keystick Foldable Keyboard Revealed [Keystick Portable Keyboard For Dirty Public Computers]

Kevin Schram — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:44:22 +0000

A pair of Japanese Korean designers have unveiled their design for the ‘Keystick’, a fold-able compact portable keyboard. The keyboard is apart of their ‘None Bacteria Project’, and it isn’t intended for the travel-heavy or smartphone users – instead, its supposed to prevent bacteria-conscious users from having to use public computer keyboards.

Public health and cleanliness is a high concern in Japan, so it’s no surprise that this keyboard concept has come out of that country. This (so far, conceptual) keyboard comes with a USB dongle that will attach to a public computer, allowing you to wirelessly interact with your own bacteria-free keyboard. This device could be more popular in the US and Europe as the ultimate travel keyboard.

Don’t get your hopes up for a release near you anytime soon. The Keystick was designed for a design contest and isn’t an actual product or even conceived by a hardware engineer who has build things in reality. Still, there’s always a chance that company could attempt a similar design and bring it to real life – or possibly license this concept from the designers.

(I mistook the Korean designers for Japanese when I originally wrote this post. Apologies to all – thanks to C.S. Magor for the heads up.)

Original Post Link: Keystick Foldable Keyboard Revealed [Keystick Portable Keyboard For Dirty Public Computers] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Google’s Chrome OS Available Already [Why We Do Need Chrome OS in Our Lives]

Chris Smith — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:31:41 +0000

Google’s Chrome OS has just become official and while we won’t see any dedicated machines capable to run it accordingly for about a year that doesn’t mean we can’t already use it.

That’s right, you heard me right, Chrome OS is already available and it can be run on your machine right now. Sure it might lack a lot of drivers which means you won’t be able to enjoy it to the fullest yet but that’s something you should accept for now.

So why do we need Chrome OS in our lives you ask? We have Windows Mobile 7 which is a pretty dependable OS and then there’s always Mac OS X available to satisfy our out of the box needs. The answer is pretty simple and it lies in the cloud. That’s what we really need to increase our productivity.

A cloud that’s maintained and updated by Google, not Microsoft or Danger, is exactly the thing missing from our professional life at least. Imagine not having to carry around your portable hard drives. Imagine not having to backup all your precious data every day. Imagine not having to worry about having your laptop stolen or spilling coffee over it. Wouldn’t you be able to work a lot easier knowing that all your data is safely stored in the cloud?

Let them steal your laptop! Don’t be afraid to damage your machine! Use those portable hard drives to store music and movies that you can play later at home!

Sure the Chrome OS will not let you play games like Modern Warfare 2 and you might not like knowing the fact that your data is all stored in a cloud which could be accessed by others once they find out your user name and password. But Chrome OS is something that professionals could really use while on the go but also from home or your office.

So what do you say dear readers? Do you agree? Disagree? In case you want to try Chrome OS on your machine already, a bootable Chrome OS version is already available here. Actual instructions on how to make it work are found at the read link. Although you should be aware that not all machines will be able to run Chrome OS, and even if they do run it now, some of their features might not be available to you yet.

Original Post Link: Google’s Chrome OS Available Already [Why We Do Need Chrome OS in Our Lives] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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USBGeek.com Wireless Handheld Keyboard & Touchpad Released [Handheld USBGeek Keyboard-Trackpad for PCs, Looks Smartphone-like]

Kevin Schram — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:50:09 +0000

Do you enjoy surfing the computer without leaning forward to use the keyboard and mouse? Is your computer connected to a TV set and you have difficulties controlling it from the sofa? If you have these problems, the latest offering from USBGeek may be for you, as it’s not a circa 2000 Palm Smartphone, but in fact, it’s a rather handy small keyboard and trackpad in the palm of your hand.

The USBGeek.com Wireless Handheld Keyboard and Touchpad will run you $62, and features a 48-key QWERTY keyboard, along with a trackpad, similar to what you’d find on a notebook computer. Plug in the USB wireless receiver into your computer, and you’ve got a 30 feet of wireless freedom. The built-in rechargeable battery is juiced up by a USB recharging unit, and the thing even has a back light for working in low/no light situations.

One of the obvious applications is surfing from your sofa, possibly to a Media Center PC or laptop. A lack of Mac support limits the usage to the Windows side, although I wouldn’t be surprised if a hacked driver showed up soon for Mac support. Don’t let the ugly design fool you, this is one useful gadget. We covered a better looking Japanese device back in July, but this thing is smaller, cheaper and available everywhere.

Original Post Link: USBGeek.com Wireless Handheld Keyboard & Touchpad Released [Handheld USBGeek Keyboard-Trackpad for PCs, Looks Smartphone-like] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Introducing… The Imperator [Razer introduces new 'mid-range' gaming mouse]

Kevin Schram — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:27:06 +0000

No, the Imperator isn’t a mid-1990’s SUV from an American car company. Instead, it’s the new gaming mouse from Razer. As you can see above, it’s a (typically Razer) sharp-looking design. The real attraction here is the customizable ’sliding’ side buttons that can accommodate any and all gamers and their sweaty grips.

For those of you that such things appeal too, here are the tech stats of this beast: 5600 dpi with a 3.5G laser sensor; 200 inches per second with a 50g acceleration rate (is this a mouse or the Space Shuttle?) and a 1ms response rate. Left-handers need not apply, as this is strictly a mouse for us righties.

The mouse also features Razer’s Synapse technology, which saves your sensitivity and customizable button settings to on-board flash memory, so you can move the mouse from computer-to-computer without having to reprogram the mouse to your liking. Razer products have featured this for a while, but it’s still a pretty killer feature.

Right now, the Imperator is only available through Razer’s online story, but expect this beauty to hit retail stores near you next month. It’ll retail for $79.99.

Original Post Link: Introducing… The Imperator [Razer introduces new 'mid-range' gaming mouse] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Straight From Japan, Sleek ‘Like A Spoon’ Mouse [Japanese Gadget Company Elecom Releases 'Like A Spoon' Mouse]

Kevin Schram — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:44:45 +0000

Engadget has reported on a sleek new wireless travel/mini mouse that’s coming out of Japan. It’s named the ‘Like A Spoon’ Mouse (I’m sure it sounds better in Japanese), and as you can see, is a sleek little wireless number. It runs off a single AAA battery and weights on 115g, and connects to your computer via a very discreet USB knob.

In my opinion, if the color scheme was different, this could almost be passed off as an Apple product. Oh wait, they tried that, if you remember the dreadful ‘hockey puck’ mice that came with the original iMacs. Still, I think the overly simple white design could be bundled in with an iMac and nobody would notice the difference.

At any rate, this little beauty retails for ￥8,000 in Japan, which comes out to $90, which is a bit steep for a mouse. Engadget doesn’t seem to think this thing will make it anywhere else, but if you are the adventurous type who makes trips to Japan, you could score this thing and be the envy of all your friends.

Original Post Link: Straight From Japan, Sleek ‘Like A Spoon’ Mouse [Japanese Gadget Company Elecom Releases 'Like A Spoon' Mouse] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Two New Drobos For Your Storage Pleasure [Data Robotics Annouces Two New Drobo Models]

Kevin Schram — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:10:38 +0000

For those out of the know, Drobos are data storage devices, that feature multiple hard drive bays and allow you to hot swap drives on the fly and features extensive automated data redundancy backup features. They’ve been extremely popular, despite mild critism about the transfer speeds and the lack of an Ethernet port (stopping you from using one as a self-contained NAS unit). Today, Drobo manufacture Data Robotics unveiled two new Drobo models, both serving different niches.

The first new Drobo is the high-end business DroboElite. The DroboElite has 8 hard drive bays, and with only 2 Ethernet connections, which pretty much orients it for the enterprise marketplace. The DroboElite can support unto 16 different hosts using data off of it with 255 different volumes onboard.

It’s a pretty impressive piece of computer hardware, but with the lack of a USB or Firewire port, and the hefty price tag of $3,500, that makes it clear that this one is for the Enterprise marketplaces.

The Drobo S is the new consumer-based model. Data Robotics addressed one of the key complaints with the original Drobo by improving the speed of the unit in the back end (with Engadget reporting 20 to 25% performance improvement). Where the original Drobo had 4 HDD bays, the new Drobo S adds a fifth, which allows for more data redundancy options when backing up your files on the Drobo. Like the first Drobo, the Drobo S features a USB and Firewire connection.

The smaller Drobo S will retail for $800. Drobos aren’t cheap, but they are fairly impressive for what they do. If you only need 4 hard drive bays, the original Drobo may be enough for you at only $400. Data Robitics also has various deals if you order a Drobo bundled with hard drives from them.

Original Post Link: Two New Drobos For Your Storage Pleasure [Data Robotics Annouces Two New Drobo Models] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Grenade USB Flash Drive Offers 8GB of ‘Explosive Data’ Capacity [Plug and Play Hand Grenade USB 2.0 Hits ThinkGeek]

Andrew Tingle — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:51:44 +0000

We’ve seen out fair share of novel (aka wacky) USB flash drives here at TFTS and now we have another distinctive flash drive to all to our collection in the form of this USB Grenade Flash Drive, which has just become available from ThinkGeek.

Offering USB 2.0 connectivity, the ThinkGeek USB Grenade Flash Drive youts 8GB of capacity, comes with a flip off connector cover and measures in at around 32 x 32 x 57mm.

ThinkGeek’s product listing explains the USB Grenade Flash Drive thus:

Pull the plug and lob your old flash drive out your window (preferably after you’ve backed up the files, but who are we to tell you what to do?). Store your most valuable and portable files inside a grenade for maximum style points. Unleash that little evil part of yourself that wants to blow up your coworkers. That annoying guy three cubes down want the same files you’ve already emailed him 30 times? Pull the plug on your grenade and fling it into his cube. It won’t blow up, but at least a grenade to the head might make him reconsider the next time he wants to bug you about something…

The USB Grenade Flash Drive is available as of now and will set you back just shy of $40.

Original Post Link: Grenade USB Flash Drive Offers 8GB of ‘Explosive Data’ Capacity [Plug and Play Hand Grenade USB 2.0 Hits ThinkGeek] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Second Generation Pogoplug Gets Official [Pogoplug Lets You Access Content from Your UBS Devices Over the Internet]

Chris Smith — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:35 +0000

Cloud Engines has announced today the second generation Pogoplug. That’s all fine and dandy but what’s a Pogoplug most people will ask. A Pogoplug is an interesting device that will let you access all the content you want from your USB drives over the Internet. That means you don’t have to carry with you portable hard drives anymore. Instead just get a Pogoplug and access everything on those USB drives from anywhere in the world. It’s like setting up your own cloud.

The new Pogoplug comes with a design change and multiple USB ports that will let you connect up to 4 external drives. Once connected to the Pogoplug those drives are ready to let you manage them no matter where you are. All you need is a dependable Internet connection and you’ll be able to handle those drives and share media content with your friends in no time.

Speaking about sharing, you’ll have to know that the Pogoplug will let you share content with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace easily. You’ll be able to even stream media straight over the Internet although you’ll need a great connection in order to get a great experience out of it.

The Pogoplug will come with a lot of new features:

Automatic content synchronization
Drag-and-Drop music and photo slideshows support
Sharing with Pogoplug Address Book
Global Search across multiple drives and Pogoplugs
Automatic content organization
Streaming support from my.pogoplug.com
iPhone streaming support

As you can see the Pogoplug is a great solution for keeping your content close without actually taking the USB drives with you. You won’t have to worry anymore about losing them as Pogoplug keeps them secure for you at home. Sure in case someone decides to rob your house the drives might disappear too but let’s keep thinking positive thoughts and hope nobody robs your home anytime soon.

The new Pogoplug is available for pre-order as we speak and the unit will ship to your door by the end of the year. The gadget sells for $129 and there are no other service fees or monthly fees to pay. Any takers?

Original Post Link: Second Generation Pogoplug Gets Official [Pogoplug Lets You Access Content from Your UBS Devices Over the Internet] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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USB Dictaphone Brings 40 Hours of Recording [USB Dictaphone Acts Both as Flash Drive and Digital Voice Reader]

Katie Gatto — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:16:44 +0000

If you love the idea of giving dictation so that someone else can type for you later, this device may be on interest to you. It may also be of interest if you want to record your weekly podcast while you are stuck in traffic. Either way, since we all know that size matters, how about you try out the USB Dictaphone.

This device comes in at a compact 6cm x 2cm x 1.3cm, the same size as a standard USB flash drive, which makes it ideal for sticking in your pocket or even onto your key chain. It recharges while it’s plugged into your computer, which means that you will never need to go look for an outlet. Just be sure to leave it in the USB port while you are at work, and you will be good to go.

But one of the most interesting features is that the USB Dictaphone boasts 2GB of built-in memory. Granted, this does not sound like a lot, until you find out that this covers about 40 hours of recording time. Yes, that’s right, you could record more than a whole day’s worth of materials on this discreet little device.

Just to spice things up a bit, given its size, the USB Dictaphone could be perfect to tape your meetings with your boss so that you don’t forget anything or you can record your whole date so that you and your friends can obsess over what you did right and wrong. More to it, if you have a smart phone with an USB port you could probably even find a way to record your conversations.

Just be aware that most countries and states have laws about recording conversations, so better not do anything illegal, even if it would be the fulfillment of all of your childhood spy fantasies.

The USB Dictaphone will set you back just shy of $50.

Original Post Link: USB Dictaphone Brings 40 Hours of Recording [USB Dictaphone Acts Both as Flash Drive and Digital Voice Reader] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Livescribe Announces New Pulse Smartpen [Livescribe Pulse Available in 2GB, 4GB and Pro-Pack Versions]

Chris Smith — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:40:09 +0000

Before telling you about this Pulse smartpen I’ll have to admit that I happen to type a lot more words than I’m writing. And there’s a simple reason for that. I can understand the words I’m typing whereas my writing isn’t that easy to decipher. Furthermore I’m not getting tired as fast when using both of my hands to type instead of simply writing everything done.

But there are various situations when typing isn’t possible. That’s when one could use the Pulse smartpen in the picture above. Made by Livescribe the Pulse smartpens will be offer you handwriting and audio syncing which is a features most recorders can’t offer.

The Pulse comes in two versions, 2GB and 4GB and they will be available for $169.95 and $199.95, respectively. The 4GB can offer you up to 400 hours of recorded audio files. Furthermore Livescribe will offer applications which can be added to the Pulse when the Application Store will be available later this year.

Before choosing your next writing / recording solution you should also know that the Pulse is also available in Pro-Pack bundles. The Pro-Pack contains a 4GB Pulse smartpen, an A5 notebook, a premium leather carrying case, handwriting to text transcription software and a Pro Charging Cradle. The Pro-Pack bundle will cost you $249.95 and it will be available together with the simple 2GB and 4GB Pulse smartpens in Best Buy, Apple, Staple, Target and Amazon stores.

The Pulse will be using an infrared camera and a microphone in the stylus which will make taking notes a lot easier. The pen will be able to record both your writing and your conversations. The files can be synced with your computer and your handwriting can be transformed into something that you’ll be able to read easily in the future. In order for the Pulse to record everything you write you’ll need to use a special Dot Paper also made by Livescribe. The paper lets the infrared camera know where it is and therefore the Pulse will precisely record all your writings. At the same time the voice recorder will be able to show you exactly what was spoken at the time a certain phrase was written.

Original Post Link: Livescribe Announces New Pulse Smartpen [Livescribe Pulse Available in 2GB, 4GB and Pro-Pack Versions] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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64GB Corsair Flash Survivor USB Flash Drive Released [New Flash Survivor 'The Most Rugged High-capacity Flash Drive on the Market', Apparently]

Andrew Tingle — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:38:55 +0000

Corsair have announced the immediate release of their new, 64GB Flash Survivor USB Flash Drive which, according to Corsair, is the ‘the most rugged high-capacity flash drive on the market’ thanks to its CNC-milled, aircraft-grade aluminum casing which makes it ‘practically indestructible’ (safe to say that Corsair have obviously never met my wife who, trust me, can destroy just about anything with ‘one of those looks’).

Coming with additional molded, shock-dampening collar and EPDM seal the new 64GB Corsair Flash Survivor USB flash drive certainty seems to be one tough cookie as Corsair have acted to back up their ‘most rugged’ claims by submitting the drive to independent tests that saw the new Flash Survivor dropped, baked, boiled, encased in ice, zapped in a microwave and even run over by an SUV without submission which means that you can be pretty certain that it’ll put up with most of what you can throw at it during day to day usage (including being dunked into water to depths of up to 200 meters).

“The new 64GB Flash Survivor takes the industry’s most popular rugged USB drive and takes it to the next level, with a huge amount of storage space, plus best-in-class performance,” said Jim Carlton, VP of Marketing for Corsair. “The 64GB Survivor is ideal for storing and transporting your music, videos, pictures and other important files, safe in the knowledge that your data will be safeguarded inside the Survivor’s protective shell.”

The tough guy 64GB Corsair Flash Survivor USB flash drive has just been made available and can be obtained directly via Corsair’s web portal.

Original Post Link: 64GB Corsair Flash Survivor USB Flash Drive Released [New Flash Survivor 'The Most Rugged High-capacity Flash Drive on the Market', Apparently] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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GlideTV Announces GlideTV Navigator Trackpad Remote Control [GlideTV Navigator to Control HTPCs, AppleTV, PlayStation 3, Boxee, Windows PCs & Apple Macs]

Chris Smith — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:43:05 +0000

GlideTV announced today its first remote control solution, the GlideTV Navigator. The device is the first product of the company and it’s a gadget meant to help you control various devices around the house.

The GlideTV Navigator will be compatible with various devices like home theater PCs (HTPCs), Windows PCs and Apple Macs, AppleTV, Sony PlayStation 3, Boxee and others. The device comes with a very interesting design which will certainly stir interest among your guests. It features a trackpad, backlit buttons and a wireless USB dongle.

If you have the general impression that this GlideTV Navigator is just a fancy wireless mouse then you are almost right. The device acts as a wireless mouse as it will basically offer you trackpad-based features. Besides the trackpad you also have buttons to help you control volume and playback and buttons for two-axis navigation. Other buttons like Esc, Enter, Back and Function keys are also available and they can be used to control various applications.

In case you could also use all the other keys available on a wireless keyboard then you should know that an on-screen keyboard will also be available for Windows users. The GlideTV Navigator also has to offer an integrated search menu which comes with links to Google, Amazon Video on Demand, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and more. Needless to say, you will need a connected device in order to actually use the Navigator for making any searches. Both the on-screen keyboard and the search menu are applications that have to be downloaded before you will be able to use them.

Do we really need this gadget or can we simply replace it with a wireless mouse and keyboard? Here’s what Chris Painter, the President and founder or GlideTV had to say about the Navigator, a product that won the 2009 Best of Innovations Award at CES 2009:

“Up to now, consumers who wanted to connect a computer to the TV to take advantage of digital content had to bring office equipment to their living room, making the experience bulky and cumbersome. With the Navigator, GlideTV brings simplicity to accessing internet-based entertainment and ushers in a new era for computing in the living room.”

The GlideTV Navigator is available for around $150 in various U.S. and European markets so if you want a good looking mouse for your living room, go grab it!

Original Post Link: GlideTV Announces GlideTV Navigator Trackpad Remote Control [GlideTV Navigator to Control HTPCs, AppleTV, PlayStation 3, Boxee, Windows PCs & Apple Macs] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Buffalo HD-HU3 USB 3.0 Hard Disk First USB 3.0 HDD To Release [Buffalo USB 3.0 HD-HU3 To Ship October with Controller]

Andrew Tingle — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:28:06 +0000

We’ve already covered a fair few USB 3.0 touting devices here at TFTS but it looks as though buffalo are set to get the jump on everyone thanks to officially confirming that the Buffalo HD-HU3 USB 3.0 Hard Disk is set to become available as of this month in Japan.

The new Buffalo HD-HU3 USB 3.0 Hard Disks will initially be offered in 1TB and 1.5TB capacities with Buffalo set to add to the range with a 2TB USB 3.0 external HDD later (date as yet unspecified) and if you are wondering quite how you’ll hook one of these up the good news is that they will come bundled with and NEC IFC-PCIE2U3 2-port PCI Expressx1 host controller, as shown below, so you needn’t worry about connectivity issues.

In terms of pricing the 1TB Buffalo HD-HU3 HDD will retail for around the equivalent of $225 whilst the 1.5TB capacity model will come in at around the equivalent of $284.

Original Post Link: Buffalo HD-HU3 USB 3.0 Hard Disk First USB 3.0 HDD To Release [Buffalo USB 3.0 HD-HU3 To Ship October with Controller] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Clickfree Transformer SE USB Backup Adapter Released [Facilitates Backing Up & Restoring Files to Hard Drives or iPods/iPhones]

Andrew Tingle — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:32:13 +0000

Clickfree have today announced that their new Clickfree Transformer SE USB adapter, that will allow end users to backup files to both their iPods and/or iPhones as well as any external USB hard drives as well as assist in importing music from iPod/iPhones to Windows or Mac based computers has been released.

According to Clickfree’s press release the Transformer SE ‘instantly transforms any external USB hard drive into a Clickfree automatic backup solution, completely eliminating the hassle and confusion of installing and configuring backup software while still allowing the full functionality of an external drive’ though, aside from this it’ll also happy assist you in now only saving and restoring files to/from both iPods and iPhone it can even help ‘retrieve music that has been locked on an older model iPod quickly and easily’.

“Millions of people have bought external USB hard drives with the good intention of conducting regular backups — but those devices are now gathering dust. Most people find that it’s too complicated or the drives don’t come with Clickfree standard features like email backup. As a result, those external drives have become nothing more than a expensive paperweight. The Transformer SE brings those units back to life and allows you to effortlessly backup all of your precious memories and data simply by plugging it in.” says Bryan McLeod, CEO of Clickfree. “Consumers are looking for functional electronic products that won’t hurt their wallets, especially with the holidays approaching. Clickfree has created an all-in-one solution that allows you to take advantage of the storage products you already own”.

The Clickfree Transformer SE, which is apparently available now (though, as at the time of writing, we’re yet to locate it on Clickfree’s site – that said, it is only 0223hrs here so we’ll give them a little time) will set you back just shy of £60.

Original Post Link: Clickfree Transformer SE USB Backup Adapter Released [Facilitates Backing Up & Restoring Files to Hard Drives or iPods/iPhones] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Buffalo DriveStation HD-HXU3 USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Announced [Available in 1TB, 1.5TB, 2TB Versions in Q4 2009]

Chris Smith — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:40:43 +0000

Exactly as expected, more USB 3.0 gadgets are going to miraculously appear in the following period. After we’ve seen the first USB 3.0 external hard drive, the Freecom XS 3.0, we now have the second (we will eventually stop counting them) USB 3.0 external drive! The Buffalo DriveStation HD-HXU3 is expected to arrive in the following months and you should definitely get it by Christmas.

The Buffalo DriveStation HD-HXU3 will offer you faster transfer speeds, but that’s already a given. The maximum transfer speed is said to be around 125MB/s which is up to 4 times faster than the fastest USB 2.0 hard drive available right now. The HD-HXU3 will be powered by Fujitsu’s MB86C30A USB 3.0 to SATA IC which will make all those high speed transfers possible.

What’s Fujitsu’s MB86C30A USB 3.0 to SATA IC? Well it’s a Fujitsu new technology which will quickly become a standard in this fast data transfer field. The USB 3.0 – SATA bridge IC will enable data speeds of up to 5Gbps between external storage devices and PCs. Besides increasing 10 times USB 3.0 data transfers compared to USB 2.0, the MB86C30A will also add a fast encryption/decryption engine which will bring you high security without completely messing with the actual transfer speeds.

Bufallo’s DriveStation might prove to be one of your computer’s best friends at least until something better comes along. Not only will you be able to reduce the time you spend copying files or backing up your main drive by using a USB 3.0 drive but you will also store all your precious data behind a high-speed encryption engine. Feeling a little safer right now? You can always grab one of those laptop security cables to physically tie your DriveStation to the house if you don’t trust Fujitsu’s encryption capabilities.

The DriveStation HD-HXU3 will be available in the fourth quarter of 2009 in European and Middle Eastern markets and you’ll be able to choose between three versions: 1TB, 1.5TB and 2TB. Prices haven’t been announced at this point but we can assume that Buffalo will match Freecom’s offer ($175 for the 1TB XS 3.0 external hard drive.) We won’t mind if those DriveStations are even cheaper!

Original Post Link: Buffalo DriveStation HD-HXU3 USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Announced [Available in 1TB, 1.5TB, 2TB Versions in Q4 2009] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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DoubleSight Displays USB Sub Monitors Released [7” DS-70U, 9” DS-90U & 9” DS-90U with Webcam]

Andrew Tingle — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:10:33 +0000

Sub monitors that facilitate a convenient extra display courtesy of USB connectivity are increasingly cropping up these days and along with the previously featured MIMO UM-710 & UM-740, Century Plus One LCD-8000U and the Samsung Syncmaster U701 (to name but three) DoubleSight Displays have added to your range of consumer options thanks to the release of their new range of USB sub monitors – namely the 7” DS-70U, 9” DS-90U and 9” DS-90U which also packs in an integrated webcam.

Billed as being perfect for use with laptops and notebooks as well as acting as supplementary displays for desktops (thus serving to offer additional, ‘bolt-on’ screen real estate), the new DoubleSight Displays USB sub monitors, apart from utilising USB for both video input and their power requirements – the former being especially handy if your graphic card offers little scope for adding secondary conventional monitors – are compatible with both PC and Mac systems and are multi monitor capable, so your can hook up more than one should you have the required USB ports going spare. In fact, if you have six free USB ports you could hook up six of these in addition to your primarily display though you’d need a particularly powerful system to run such a setup, as well as some pretty serious desk space.

The new DoubleSight Displays USB sub monitors, which boast DisplayLink technology allowing you to, amongst other things, change between portrait and landscape orientation with just a click of a mouse, have just started shipping with the 7” DS-70U and 9” DS-90U coming in at $119 and $139 respectively whilst the 9” DS-90U, which sports an inbuilt webcam, will set you back just shy of $160.

Original Post Link: DoubleSight Displays USB Sub Monitors Released [7” DS-70U, 9” DS-90U & 9” DS-90U with Webcam] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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LaCie USB-powered Sound2 Speakers Announced [LaCie x Cabassee Hi-Fi Loudspeakers for Mac, PC, iPod & iPhone]

Alex — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:19:17 +0000

LaCie and loudspeaker manufacturer Cabassee have joined forces to come up with a stylish pair of USB-powered speakers. Designed to be used with any Mac computer or PC, with the iPhone, iPod and virtually any media player there is, the LaCie Sound2 Speakerss ystem has a plug-and-play connection that will help you set it up in no time — it’s driver-free for Mac and PC.

The LaCie Sound2 loudspeakers feature a built-in Class D digital amplifier with magnetic shielding that helps each speaker output a good 15W, for a total 30W peak. Other than that, the USB-powered speakers are also fitted with Cabasse’s Wide Band Drivers that vouch to deliver Hi-fi sound quality by offering a frequency response between 80Hz and 20kHz.

Crafted with a bass reflex design to better the low-end soudns, these little gadgets — which only measure 7.87 x 5.51 inches and roughly weigh 3.34 lbs, are compatible with Mac OS X 10.3 or higher, Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7. The LaCie x Cabasse Sound2 loudspeakers are already selling on the company’s website for $99.99, but not in stock anymore, meaning that you’ll have to wait a few until you get them home. I know I am …

Original Post Link: LaCie USB-powered Sound2 Speakers Announced [LaCie x Cabassee Hi-Fi Loudspeakers for Mac, PC, iPod & iPhone] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Kensington sd400v Universal Notebook Docking Station [VGA/DVI, Ethernet, Compatible With All Brands of Notebooks, Auto-Install, Hot-Pluggable]

Robert Lesher — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:23:35 +0000

It wasn’t that long ago that the only option a notebook user had for docking stations were the proprietary (and hugely expensive) docking stations and port replicators that were made by the PC companies themselves. We all know the pain of being forced into buying peripherals specific to a single device and when you have no choice you’re at the mercy of the manufacturers when it comes to pricing. The days of the proprietary docking station are all but numbered with devices like Kensington’s new SD400V Universal Notebook Docking Station giving you complete freedom when it comes to PC compatibility.

Say you want to connect your laptop to an external monitor, some speakers, the Internet, and your printer. Not a problem. With the new USB SD400V Universal Notebook Docking Station all you have to do is connect it to your laptop with a single USB cable and you’re good to go. The SD400V is really a much-needed upgrade to the Kensington SD200V with new features like HD video output and auto install. The new dock also includes DisplayLink’s DL-195 which enables users to enjoy display resolutions of up to 2048×1152. You can also get full HD with an additional DVI-to-HDMI adapter.

The SD400V Universal Notebook Docking Station also has an auto-install feature that claims a “no CD needed” installation process. If this really is true they’ve hit the full PnP holy grail on this one. Along with DVI-I video out you also get 4 USB ports, a stereo sound jack, DVI and an 10/100 Ethernet so you can jack right into your home network. There are also headphone and microphone ports and a single always-on USB port located conveniently on the front of the unit.

The PC compatible SD400V Universal Notebook Docking Station is available for sale now with an MSRP of $149.99 at most online electronics retailers. There’s also a version without Ethernet and auto-install functionality that lists for $129.99. For more information on this and other Kensington products you can visit www.kensington.com.

Original Post Link: Kensington sd400v Universal Notebook Docking Station [VGA/DVI, Ethernet, Compatible With All Brands of Notebooks, Auto-Install, Hot-Pluggable] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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USBGeek.com’s Computer Keys USB Multi-Card Reader [USB 2.0 Multi-Card Reader Looks Like Enter+Ctl Keys, Supports SDHC 2.0, SD, micro SDHC, microSD/T-flash, Sony M2, Memory Stick, MS Duo]

Robert Lesher — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:39:43 +0000

At last we have it. The culmination of what I’m sure were minutes of product development effort has finally led us to what can only be described as the pinnacle of USB multi-card reader design, the Enter+Ctrl Keys Card Reader from the folks at usbgeek.com. Not only does it read the cards, it looks like a couple of well-known computer keys at the same time. Pure genius.

The Enter+Ctrl Keys Card Reader from the uber-nerds at USBGeeks.com is exactly what you think it is. It’s a USB 2.0 dongle shaped like the Enter and Ctrl keys from a keyboard. You take off the Ctrl part of the unit to expose the business end of the device and you insert pretty much any type of mini-memory card into the side. From the specs on the website, the unit can handle SDHC 2.0, SD, micro SDHC, microSD/T-flash, Sony M2, Memory Stick, and MS Duo. They have thrown an “etc.” on the end so it’s my guess that it supports more than that.

The Enter+Ctrl Keys Card Reader is compatible with Window Vista/XP/2000, Mac OS and is available for sale now at www.usbgeek.com for $12. It comes in your choice of either dark blue or white.

Original Post Link: USBGeek.com’s Computer Keys USB Multi-Card Reader [USB 2.0 Multi-Card Reader Looks Like Enter+Ctl Keys, Supports SDHC 2.0, SD, micro SDHC, microSD/T-flash, Sony M2, Memory Stick, MS Duo] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Wacom Updates Bamboo Mac Tablet Line with Bamboo Touch, Bamboo Pen, & Bamboo Pen and Touch [5 New Consumer Tablets, Brings With It Integrated Multi-Touch Functionality]

Robert Lesher — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:41:12 +0000

For those of you that are really into the whole graphic design thing, you’ve probably been working with digital pens and tablets for years now. Where tablet and pen technology is still a relative newcomer is within the home and general consumer market. Most computer users are more comfortable using a mouse for their digital photo manipulation and until very recently digital tablets have been out of reach of the average consumer price-wise. Not only that, but you were pretty much stuck having to use a stylus as your input device rather than your own digits. All that’s about to change with the latest product updates from the tablet-makers at Wacom. Their new Bamboo consumer tablets have been updated with five new products that now include multi-touch technology.

Wacom has just announced that they are expanding their Mac-targeted Bamboo line of consumer tablets with the addition of five new products all of which now sport multi-touch, finger-based input. The five new Bamboo products include a touch-only, pen-only, and three versions of the pen and multi-touch combo. The new Bamboo family consists of three core products: Bamboo Touch, Bamboo Pen, and Bamboo Pen and Touch. Two additional tablets, the Bamboo Craft and Bamboo Fun round out the new additions. The new multi-touch gestures include zoom, scroll, pan, rotate, and forwards/backwards, and all but the Pen-only model will feature ExpressKeys.

The Bamboo Touch is the most basic model and is marketed to those users that just want an additional input device or want to replace their mouse completely. The Bamboo Pen is a pen-only pressure-sensitive device with two programmable side buttons that ships with Corel Painter Essentials 4.0. The combo pack Bamboo Pen and Touch combines the benefits of both the multi-touch pad interface and pressure sensitive pen input device. The Bamboo Pen and Touch ships with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 and Color Efex Pro 3.0.

Bamboo Craft, which comes with both the pen and tablet, is for the crafty home user that might just happen to be into scrapbooking and the like. It comes with a ton of goodies including Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials, Color Efex Pro, as well as 26 digital scrapbooking lessons from designer Jane Conner-Ziser (Now who wouldn’t want that?), and a free scrapbooking album from Shutterfly. The Bamboo Fun ups the ante with a larger tablet and also comes with Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials, and Color Efex Pro.

All Bamboo tablets plug into your Mac via the attached USB cable and are compatible with Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5, and 10.6. The Bamboo Touch ($69), Bamboo Pen ($69), Bamboo Pen and Touch ($99), Bamboo Craft ($129) and Bamboo Fun ($199) are available for sale now wherever Mac peripherals are sold. For more info and to purchase your own Bamboo tablet you can visit www.wacom.com.

Original Post Link: Wacom Updates Bamboo Mac Tablet Line with Bamboo Touch, Bamboo Pen, & Bamboo Pen and Touch [5 New Consumer Tablets, Brings With It Integrated Multi-Touch Functionality] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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FON Fonera 2.0n Wi-Fi Sharing Router [802.11n Wireless Connectivity, Web 2.0 Services Integration, 4 Ethernet Ports, USB 2.0 Connectivity]

Robert Lesher — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:56:17 +0000

The idea of sharing your wireless connection with other users certainly has some people a bit hesitant, especially when it comes to the security of the whole deal. I wouldn’t want anyone snooping around on my hard drives. But if the people at FON have their way you’ll be able to openly share and share alike your wireless network with any number of other users on the FON international wi-fi network. Their latest wireless router, the Fonera 2.0n, improves upon their last model with several added social networking functions as well as speedier 802.11n protocols.

FON announced today that they would release the latest iteration to their Fonera wireless router platform, the Fonera 2.0n. FON has the largest international wireless network in the world with well over 700,000 hotspots all over the planet. The basic idea is that a wireless network is created through individual wireless routers onto which other users can log on for a small fee to be paid to the router’s owner. It’s like leasing out part of your home network. Not only that, but you get access to the FON network’s hotspots wherever they happen to be so you can take advantage of other FON users, too.

The new FON Fonera 2.0n wireless router sports a host of upgrades including its enhanced social networking functionality. It’s this new feature that allows for complete integration into the most popular Web 2.0 sites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube and which allows users to download content even while their computers are turned off. There is also a built-in USB port that works in conjunction with the Fonera 2.0n management software that allow users to connect to and manage external hard drives and other USB devices.

Additional features of the new Fonera 2.0n include the ability to backup files to a hard drive, access a printer or webcam from anywhere, stream music via WiFi, and convert a 3G or HSDPA dongle to wireless. Users are also free to create applications of their own on the Fonera 2.0n’s Open Source platform.

You can get the FON Fonera 2.0n in Europe and the US now where it’s priced at €79 and $99 respectively. For additional information please stop on over to www.fon.com.

Original Post Link: FON Fonera 2.0n Wi-Fi Sharing Router [802.11n Wireless Connectivity, Web 2.0 Services Integration, 4 Ethernet Ports, USB 2.0 Connectivity] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Point Grey Demos World’s First USB 3.0 Webcam [Streaming, Uncompressed High-Definition 1080p 60fps Video, High-Performance Sony CMOS Image Sensor]

Robert Lesher — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:13:55 +0000

USB is everywhere. It’s hard to remember a time when the ubiquitous technology wasn’t at the business end of just about ever piece of computer peripheral equipment on the market. While the current standard, USB 2.0, has been around for nearly a decade (it was standardized back in 2001) it seems that it may finally be nearing the end of its useful life. We want faster and it looks like we are getting closer than ever to achieving that goal with USB 3.0. Need proof that the new standard may be right around the corner? How about the fact that digital camera technology masters Point Grey have already demonstrated the world’s first USB 3.0 webcam?

The new USB 3.0 standard has been in development for nearly a year and its transfer speeds, upwards of 10x faster than our old friend USB 2.0, are definitely set to change the course of computer peripheral development, as we know it. At this year’s Intel Developers Forum, Point Grey unveiled a working prototype of the world’s first high-speed webcam built using the new USB 3.0 standard. Using the super-fast data transmission speeds of the new USB 3.0 standard, the webcam was able to stream crystal-clear 1080p high-definition video at 60 frames per second onto a 42-in HD monitor.

The camera itself is a melding of several existing digital video camera technologies including a 3MP Sony IMX036 CMOS image sensor and Point Grey’s own software driver, which provides low-level control of the camera via the USB 3.0 bus. The camera was connected to a USB 3.0 interface card on the host side, which was powered by the FL1000, a PCI Express to SuperSpeed USB Extensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI) host controller chip from Fresco Logic. The host PC used an Intel i5-based P7P55D motherboard from ASUS. There are only two words that come to mind here, blazing fast.

Vlad Tucakov, Director of Sales and Marketing at Point Grey states, “One of the potential benefits of the increased bandwidth of USB 3.0 is that it allows the main processor to handle compression. This means that different types of compression can be used for different applications and that some applications, like face recognition, can work on uncompressed video data for increased performance. We certainly see USB 3.0 as a key interface technology for machine and computer vision, and one we plan to integrate into future Point Grey imaging products.”

Until the USB 3.0 standard becomes, well, standard, you’re going to have to wait to get your hands on an actual consumer copy of this type of technology. In the mean time, you can get a glimpse of the world’s first SuperSpeed USB camera from September 22-24 at IDF in the Fresco Logic booth #731 inside the USB-IF Community. The demonstration will also be highlighted on September 24th during the “USB 3.0 Architecture and PHY Interface (PIPE) Specification” Session – part of the SuperSpeed USB Technology Track at IDF. For additional information you might want to pay a visit to www.ptgrey.com.

Original Post Link: Point Grey Demos World’s First USB 3.0 Webcam [Streaming, Uncompressed High-Definition 1080p 60fps Video, High-Performance Sony CMOS Image Sensor] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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TRENDNet Mini Wireless N USB Adapter Released [TEW-648UB WiFi N Dongle Billed as World’s Smallest 150Mbps Adapter]

Andrew Tingle — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:50:58 +0000

TRENDnet have announced that their TEW-648UB Mini Wireless N USB Adapter, which is billed as being ‘the world’s smallest 150Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter’ thanks to in measuring in at only just larger than a quarter has now been released.

Measuring in at just 1.3” in length, the TRENDNet TEW-648UB Mini Wireless N USB Adapter, in touting wireless N connectivity, offers up to 6x the speed and 3x the coverage of a wireless G connection and comes complete with ‘one-touch’ WiFi protection courtesy of its 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2-RADIUS and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK support as well as a WPS technology, making hooking up connectivity between the TEW-648UB and a WPS compatible router a breeze.

TRENDNet TEW-648UB Mini Wireless N USB Adapter Key Features:

Wi-Fi compliant with IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) standard
One-touch setup with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) support
High speed USB 2.0 interface
Backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11b devices
Supports Ad-Hoc (Client-Client) and Infrastructure (AP-Client) Mode
Maximum reliability, throughput and connectivity with automatic data rate switching
Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2-RADIUS and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
Low interference and high susceptibility provide reliable performance
Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) Quality of Service (QoS) supported
Compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista operating systems
Easy user setup and intuitive diagnostic utility
Coverage of up to 50 meters indoor (160 feet) and 100 meters outdoor (320 feet)

As alluded to above, the TRENDNet TEW-648UB Mini Wireless N USB Adapter has just started shipping and will set you back just shy of $25.

Original Post Link: TRENDNet Mini Wireless N USB Adapter Released [TEW-648UB WiFi N Dongle Billed as World’s Smallest 150Mbps Adapter] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Kingston DataTraveler 410 USB Flash Drive Announced [DataTraveler DT410 Thumb Drive With Up To 32GB of Storage]

Alex — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:29:02 +0000

The folks over at Kingston are renowned for their storage devices, and the latest example to grab our attention from our daily routine is the new Kingston DataTraveler 410 USB Flash Drive that the company has just introduced.

With upgraded read and write speeds averaging at 20MBps (for both), the DataTraveler 410 thumb drive packs up to 32GB of memory and makes sure your data is password-protected by using the built-in SecureTraveler software that creates a secure area on the drive, called a “Privacy Zone.” The biggest drawback of the Secure Traveler function is that it only works if you’re working on a Windows PC, so no luck if you’re on a MAC OS X or a Linux computer.

Available as Kingston DataTraveller DT410/4GB, DT410/8GB, DT410/16GB and DT410/32GB, the USB flash drives come with a capless, swivel design for added functionality and ease of use, and will sell for $26, $46, $84 and $134, respectively. Doesn’t sound like a bad solution for all your HD photos, graphics-intensive documents, videos and music. No?

Original Post Link: Kingston DataTraveler 410 USB Flash Drive Announced [DataTraveler DT410 Thumb Drive With Up To 32GB of Storage] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Bayer CONTOUR USB Blood Glucose Meter [The World’s First Plug-n-Play Blood Glucose Meter With Integrated Monitoring Software]

Robert Lesher — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:43:02 +0000

After spending hours and hours writing about seemingly random and utterly useless USB-powered devices (you know what they are, so I won’t waste more space writing about them) it’s nice to see that a company has actually taken the time to come up with a USB gadget that might, just might mean something to the world. Bayer, creators of the Wonder Drug that Works Wonders, have done it again with their latest invention, the Bayer CONTOUR USB blood glucose meter. Take one part plug-n-play USB 2.0 device, one part high-tech blood glucose monitor and one part user-friendly software program and you get the CONTOUR USB.

Bayer has been in the market of blood glucose monitors for some time now with their CONTOUR meters so it’s no surprise that they happen to be the first to hit the market with a USB-powered version. Not only can you plug the CONTOUR USB directly into your computer, it comes complete with an integrated software program called Glucoacts™ DELUXE to help manage the information once you get it there. The CONTOUR USB is designed to work with both the PC and Mac and can store up to 2,000 individual test results. It’s this type of technology that will enable patients to take a more active role in managing their health with their doctors.

The unit is not much bigger than a traditional USB flash drive and sports a bright color display screen visible in any light that shows average, high and low readings with customizable features such as intuitive pre- and post-meal marking. Testing with the new device only take about five seconds and a miniscule sample (0.6 μL if you actually wanted to know). The CONTOUR USB has 500MB of built-in flash memory and can be recharged with an active USB port of the included AC wall-charging adapter.

Bayer’s CONTOUR USB meter will soon be available for sale in the U.S. For more information, visit www.BayerContourUSB.com or www.simplewins.com.

Original Post Link: Bayer CONTOUR USB Blood Glucose Meter [The World’s First Plug-n-Play Blood Glucose Meter With Integrated Monitoring Software] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Honestech FOTOBOX [USB Device Let's You Create Multimedia Photo & Video Slide Shows Directly From Memory Cards]

Robert Lesher — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:42:28 +0000

When I was gainfully employed by Corporate America as a product manager, I spent untold hours creating and giving PowerPoint presentations. Actually, not only did I give my own presentations, I’d spend hours creating other’s presentations because I just happened to be a whiz with the PowerPoint software. If only there was a way for the less adept to create basic slideshows without having to learn the complicated software applications. It turns out that there is. Honestech has just announced their latest product, FOTOBOX™, and it is set to take the thinking out of the presentation equation.

Honestech’s FOTOBOX is basically a USB device that lets you create multimedia slideshows from photos, videos, music, and narration without having to install any software to do it. The FOTOBOX is actually a combination of two things: an integrated memory card reader and a pre-loaded piece of software that doesn’t require any installation on your PC.

According to the folks at Honestech, you just take your digital camera’s memory card and insert it into the FOTOBOX and off you go. The included software also has some basic photo editing functions so users can red eye from photos, crop images, and add effects. There are also themed templates, transitions, and motion and title effects to customize the slideshows. FOTOBOX offers both an easy mode and an advanced mode and supports high-definition MPEG video with resolutions up to 1920×1080 and standard TV resolution.

The Honestech FOTOBOX is expected to hit store shelves sometime in October and will retail for $79.99. You can get the skinny by surfing over to www.honestech.com.

Original Post Link: Honestech FOTOBOX [USB Device Let's You Create Multimedia Photo & Video Slide Shows Directly From Memory Cards] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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ClearOne CHAT 160 Skype-Certified Speakerphone [USB Connectivity, Full-Duplex, Noise Reduction, Three Microphones, 360-Degree Sound]

Robert Lesher — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:16:54 +0000

Skype VoIP technology is growing in popularity as an alternative to the more traditional telephone service providers because of its ease of use and dirt-cheap costs. Who wouldn’t want the ability to basically chat with anyone on the planet that has a computer connected to the Internet…for free? Oh yeah, and they also have video. Now you can see why technology like this has the big phone companies scrambling to slow down their own obsolescence. In support of the continued growth of VoIP providers like Skype, ClearOne has announced their latest high-end speakerphone, the CHAT™ 160.

The new Skype-certified CHAT 160 group speakerphone is designed to connect to laptops or PCs via USB. Its touted as a hands-free communication option for anyone using Skype but given its rather large price tag, it’s a safe bet that this is an enterprise or SOHO purchase. The CHAT 160 offers full-duplex audio for voice and video communication. It features three different microphones and a 360-degree design so you can bet that it would feel right at home sitting in the middle of a long, mahogany boardroom table.

The CHAT 160 contains HDConference™, the same suite of audio technologies that is contained in ClearOne’s other professional conferencing systems. The HDConference technology includes full-duplex, Distributed Echo Cancellation™, noise reduction, automatic level controls, and adaptive modeling. And you thought it was just another speakerphone. The CHAT 160 is plug-and-play and requires no software or drivers to be installed.

The CHAT 160 has a suggested retail price of $399.99 and can be purchased from the Skype Shop at www.skype.com/shop.

Original Post Link: ClearOne CHAT 160 Skype-Certified Speakerphone [USB Connectivity, Full-Duplex, Noise Reduction, Three Microphones, 360-Degree Sound] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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ASUS HP-100U Dolby Headphone Set [EAX & DirectSound Support, Hi-Fi Amplifier, Advanced Array Microphone]

Robert Lesher — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:29:39 +0000

Last week we let you in on the announcement that ASUS had just added a touchscreen interface to its AiGuru standalone Skype phone the SV1 and renamed it the SV1T. This week, we bring you the other half of the ASUS announcement, the introduction of a new Dolby headphone and microphone set, the HP-100U.

The new ASUS HP-100U Dolby headphone set is being touted as the chicest and most complete headphone set for compelling Dolby audio on PCs and Macs. Now if that isn’t setting yourself up on a pedestal. Before I dive into the details, were you as confused by the word “chicest” as I was? Just thought I’d check. The HP-100U is comprised of a lab-tuned pair of headphones, a Xonar U1 external audio device and a high quality array microphone.

The Xonar U1 external audio device is basically an external sound card that uses integrated Dolby technologies and support for DirectSound, EAX 2.0 and Open AL acceleration to provide the audio support for your PC or Mac. Think of it as the middleman for your sound encoding. This can come in particularly handy if you happen to be using a Mac where compatibility issues can often leave you on the wanting end of the Dobly experience. It’s also equipped with a Hi-Fi headphone amplifier that’s meant to improve sound clarity when driving headphones.

The headphones are no slouches, either. They have leatherette (fake leather for you less-cultured folks) ear cups and an elastic headband that will have those with larger-than-normal craniums breathing a sigh of relief. They also have 40-mm speakers, 125 to 20,000 Hz frequency range, and offer less than 5% distortion at 1000Hz. The set also comes with an advanced array microphone with 15dB noise canceling.

The HP-100U is open for pre-sale in Europe for €64.70 (about $95) and is available in four colors, black, silver, white and red. No word yet on when it will be available in the rest of the world. For more info and the complete specification you can head on over to www.asus.com.

Original Post Link: ASUS HP-100U Dolby Headphone Set [EAX & DirectSound Support, Hi-Fi Amplifier, Advanced Array Microphone] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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NETGEAR MS2110 Stora NAS [Network Storage Device, 1TB Capacity, Access Files From Any Internet-Connected Device]

Robert Lesher — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:49:18 +0000

Network Attached Storage, or NAS, is still a relative newcomer to the technology scene. What used to be the realm of corporate IT engineers is now making its way into the consumer market. People want the ability to access and store their multimedia files on a centrally located HDD that can be poked into from just about anywhere. Looking to provide yet another viable option for those home users looking for NAS solutions, NETGEAR has just announced the launch of their latest NAS device, the 1TB Stora network-attached storage device.

NETGEAR’s announcement today comes as more and more storage device manufacturers are seeing an increasing trend in consumer acceptance for networked HDDs. We are downloading larger and more complex multimedia files with services like HDTV on-demand and other pay-per-use DLNA services and we aren’t content to have our data reside on the computer in the office. It needs to be readily accessible and easy to back up. The NETGEAR Stora is being touted as an easy-to-use network attached storage (NAS) device for home media. In a nutshell, it gives you a centralized place to dump all of your multimedia files with the added ability to access them from any networked device.

NETGEAR has given the device a smooth, graphical user interface that has been designed for non-technical users and can be accessed via the company’s MyStora portal at www.mystora.com. This allows you to share your photos and videos with anyone you choose without the time-consuming process of uploading them to Internet sites or transferring them over email. As long as they have access to the Internet they can have access to your files.

In addition to sharing files over the web, the Stora also features full integration with iTunes, Facebook, and other popular social networking sites. Stora can also be set up to serve content to other networked devices such as Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled photo frames, XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 game consoles, and iPhone and Blackberry mobile phones.

The NETGEAR Stora NAS is compatible with Mac, PC and Linux systems. It has two standard drive bays that automatically mirror data and offers plug-and-play protection to help protect stored data. The addition of a second drive can be done without shutting down the system or messing around with hard-to-understand configurations. Stora also comes with automatic backup utilities so you don’t even have to remember to do that.

NETGEAR Stora is available in North America now for $229 and comes standard with 1TB of storage capacity as well as an extra bay for when you’re ready to add even more storage – believe me, it won’t take as long as you think to rip through 1TB. According to NETGEAR, the rest of the world should be able to get a piece of the action in a couple of weeks. To get all of the extras like Flickr and mobile phone integration, you’ll have to pay a yearly service fee of $19.99 following a free, 30-day trial. For more info head on over to www.netgear.com.

Original Post Link: NETGEAR MS2110 Stora NAS [Network Storage Device, 1TB Capacity, Access Files From Any Internet-Connected Device] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Cricket UM185C Wireless 3G USB Modem [Tri-Band Modem, Swivel USB Hinge, Pre-Installed Software, Send & Receive Text Messages]

Robert Lesher — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:12:58 +0000

If you’ve been paying attention than you probably know that Cricket Wireless is one of North America’s largest and fastest growing pay-as-you-go wireless providers. If you haven’t been paying attention, wake up. Pay-as-you-go providers are making inroads and upsetting the status quo. No longer do you have to get saddled with long-term contracts or spotty, low-cost carriers. You can get low-cost, great coverage, and the freedom to move on if you decide they aren’t meeting your needs. In an effort to keep their momentum going, Cricket has announced the introduction of their new UM185C wireless USB modem for use on their 3G high-speed network.

The UM185C was created to provide unlimited portable wireless access to the customers of its current 3G network. The modem isn’t that much bigger than a typical USB flash drive. It measures a compact 2.7×1.33×0.59-in and weighs too little to even mention. It also features a swivel hinge so you can keep it all closed up when it’s not in use. On the tech side of things, the modem uses tri-band CDMA technology and sports an internal antenna that won’t get in the way when you don’t want it to. It also has little LEDs that will blink to let you know if you’re connected to the network and it comes with the installation software pre-installed so you won’t need a CD.

The new Cricket UM185C wireless 3G USB modem is available for sale now at Cricket retail stores, retailers, and online at www.mycricket.com. As part of a limited time introductory offer, the modem is available for free after an $89 instant savings and $50 Visa mail-in reward card offer. If you want access to the Cricket 3G network, the service costs $35 per month for existing Cricket mobile phone customers and $40 per month as a standalone service.

Original Post Link: Cricket UM185C Wireless 3G USB Modem [Tri-Band Modem, Swivel USB Hinge, Pre-Installed Software, Send & Receive Text Messages] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Toshiba dynadock U Universal USB Docking Station [Connect All Your USB Devices Into Your Laptop With One USB Cable]

Robert Lesher — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:39:46 +0000

Since I don’t like to work off of my laptop while I’m at my desk for extended periods because of the uncomfortable keyboard and small display, I hook it up to my monitor, printer, keyboard and mouse. Viola, I have a desktop PC again. I have also used docking stations where all of those devices where plugged in and you jack the computer into the base. Not a bad deal, but you have to buy a port replicator that’s made for your brand of laptop. The Toshiba dynadock U is here to help. Now you can connect all of your USB devices into the dynadock and with one USB cable connect them all to your laptop.

Toshiba announced today that it would begin shipping its new dynadock U Universal Docking Station and laptop owners couldn’t be happier. The dynadock U essentially acts as the hub for all of your USB devices. It links all your gadgets, displays, sound systems, mice, keyboards…you get the idea… with one USB cable into your computer. It is designed to work with just about any brand of Windows-based PC that has an empty USB 2.0 port.

The dynadock U comes with a built-in HD digital video card so you can connect an HD display. It also supports multiple displays enabling the user to connect up to three monitors at the same time. You can connect up to six different devices and two of the USB 2.0 ports are sleep and charge capable. There are also Ethernet LAN and 3.5-mm audio connections. To remove your computer from the dock you just push the undock botton.

The Toshiba dynadock U Universal USB Docking Station is available for sale now from www.toshibadirect.com with a suggested retail price of $149.99. You can also get more information by visiting www.dynadock.com.

Original Post Link: Toshiba dynadock U Universal USB Docking Station [Connect All Your USB Devices Into Your Laptop With One USB Cable] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Sony Micro-Vault Click USB Flash Drives ["Ballpoint Pen" Click to Open Function, Prism Light Illumination, Virtual Expander Compression]

Robert Lesher — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:53:10 +0000

OK, I admit it. I can’t help myself when it comes to writing about new USB flash storage devices. They’re all so cute and full of potential. Yeah, I didn’t think I could pull it off either. But there’s one thing I can say about the newest flash drive offering from Sony; they’re pretty damn cool. They haven’t really done anything novel with the concept of the USB flash drive, but the design, which offers a unique spin on the whole “no-cap” thing, is most certainly worthy of mention. So let’s begin.

Sony has unveiled a brand new set of USB flash storage devices under its Micro-Vault product line that has added a novel design feature to the ubiquitous device. They’ve removed the cap. I think it’s partly because they know that about 99% of USB flash drive users will lose them within the first 30 seconds of use and partly because they had a much better idea. The new Click series of Micro-Vault flash drives has integrated a ballpoint pen-like clickable feature that causes the business end of the drive to pop out when it’s depressed. Click it once, it’s open. Click it again, it’s closed. There’s got to be some marketing gold in there somewhere.

Along with the clickability comes a near Prism light that illuminates while the drive is in use so that you don’t go ripping it out before it’s time. There are a couple of other items of note like support for Windows ReadyBoost – which lets you use part of the flash drive as your system cache – and Sony’s Virtual Expander compression software that automatically compresses and decompresses the files as you move them back and forth from the drive to your computer.

The Sony Click� Micro-Vault USB flash storage drives are available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 43GB capacities and each one has a unique color to help you tell them apart.

Original Post Link: Sony Micro-Vault Click USB Flash Drives ["Ballpoint Pen" Click to Open Function, Prism Light Illumination, Virtual Expander Compression] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adapter [Works With FreeAgent Go Portable HDDs, Share Your HDD On Your Home Network or With Others Anywhere Using PogoPlug]

Robert Lesher — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:43:40 +0000

It’s all about sharing. People want to share their lives with anyone that’ll listen and sites like YouTube and FaceBook are a testament to this personal media exodus. On top of this, we all want to be able to access our data and information no matter where we are on the planet and if we have friends we want them to have access to it as well. Could we be any more high maintenance? Seagate has just announced a new network adapter called the FreeAgent DockStar and it too is all about sharing.

As the name suggests, the Seagate FreeAgent Dockstar was made to work with the Seagate FreeAgent series of portable HDDs. But don’t worry; it’s compatible with most other USB storage devices, too. The basic premise of the Gigabit Ethernet connected DockStar is that you connect your portable USB hard disk and it instantly becomes available to share with your entire home network as well as anyone with an Internet connection. The main connection cradle is made to work directly with the FreeAgent Go portable USB hard drives but the unit also has two rear-mounted and one side-mounted USB port so you can connect your other devices.

Now for the rub. In order to take advantage of the Seagate FreeAgent DockStar’s sharing capabilities you’ll need to use Cloud Engines’ PogoPlug service, which comes along with the dock as part of the installation package. PogoPlug is basically the web-enabled front-end used to access and manage the connected USB storage devices. Both you and anyone else that wants to access the files will see the same interface, so it appears to offer fairly seamless integration. As for installation, you basically plug in two cables (power and Ethernet) and then surf on over to the web activation page to activate and automatically configure the network adapter.

Once you’re up and running you just add your friends’ email addresses to the DockStar’s profile and it will automatically send them an email notification with a link to your shared drive on PogoPlug. There’s also a free iPhone app (of course there is) that gives you remote access to your files and lets you send pictures straight from your iPhone to a folder on the FreeAgent DockStar. As if all that weren’t enough, users can also place linked pictures and video into their MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter profiles directly from the DockStar interface.

The Seagate FreeAgent DockStar network adapter is available for sale now through www.Seagate.com for $99.99. The first year of the Pogoplug service is included in your initial purchase, but after that it’ll cost you $29.99 a year for unlimited storage and access privileges.

Original Post Link: Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adapter [Works With FreeAgent Go Portable HDDs, Share Your HDD On Your Home Network or With Others Anywhere Using PogoPlug] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

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