NewsBrando's "Tube Delight" isn't What You Think
Posted 07/01/09 at 07:10:15 PM by Paul Lilly
We'll admit that a soundcard isn't the first thing that came to mind when we heard you could order the "Tube Delight" online. But that's exactly what it is, and it's the funkiest USB audio solution we've ever seen.
The portable PC soundcard comes encased in a transparent vacuum tube with a fade-in-out blue LED for power-on and idle status indication. It supports 16-bit 16KHz/32KHz/48KHz recording and playback with both rated at THD+N -73dB and SNR 85dB, and comes with the obligatory 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports.
Hong Kong vendor Brando has the USB soundcard on sale now for $32, which is as cheap as you'll ever find anyone selling anything having to do with a Tube Delight.
News$10,000 Mnemosyne Houses USB Drive in Aluminum Puzzle-Cube
Posted 07/01/09 at 07:10:00 PM by Paul Lilly
The going rate on a 16GB USB flash drive is anywhere from $30 on the lower end up to around $80 on higher end models, and we've even spotted a pair of Kingston drives selling for just shy of $300 on Newegg. But a $10,000 USB drive? That's a first for us.
Not yet available for purchase, the exorbitantly priced USB drive comes from SolidAlliance Mnemosyne, and not only will it tax your wallet, but your mind as well. That's because the drive comes housed in an aluminum puzzle cube that must first be solved before you can get to those digital files stored inside.
"Our USB Flash Drive is similar to a puzzle where the memory is housed in the inner part of the body," Mnemosyne explains. "Without disassembling the puzzle, you will never be able to access the memory that is stored inside. And once you store your unforgettable memory there, you mush assemble the cube."
Sounds like a barrel of fun for $10K.
NewsHow to Get Windows 7 onto a Netbook? USB May Be the Way
Posted 06/30/09 at 04:35:50 PM by Mark Edward Soper
While Windows 7, unlike Vista, runs well on netbooks, there are two big problems that must be overcome to make Windows 7 easy to install on netbooks:
- Most netbooks lack CD or DVD drives
- Netbooks run Windows XP or Linux, neither of which are supported for upgrade installations of Windows 7
As far as problem number one is concerned, there may be a solution: Cnet's Ina Fried reports that Microsoft is mulling over the idea of providing Windows 7 on USB thumbdrives to make upgrading netbooks easier without connecting an external CD or DVD drive. As we demonstrated earlier this year, you can install Windows 7 from a USB key after a bit of finagling. Creating a version of Windows 7 that's USB key-friendly would make the process a lot easier for clean installs.
However, what about Windows XP netbook users who want an easy upgrade? Fried reports that Best Buy's Geek Squad is looking at developing Windows 7 upgrade services.
Windows 7 does include Windows Easy Transfer to move user accounts, email, and data files from Windows Vista or XP systems, but is there a better solution that also works with programs? How about Linux netbook users? Any apps or scripts that can at least get the data over to Windowsland safely? We're looking for better suggestions for making the move from Windows XP or Linux on a netbook or other PC to Windows 7 as painless as possible for non-technical users. Think simple, think reliable, and join us after the jump to pass them along.
NewsBarack Obama USB Drive Promises 8GB You Can Believe In
Posted 06/29/09 at 03:00:00 PM by Paul Lilly
Want to make a lasting impression at the next Junior Republican Convention? Just tell everyone you have the President in your pocket, and you don't even have to fib about it thanks to Active Media, makers of the WWF Penguin and Panda USB drives. The USB manufacturer today adds the 8GB Obama USB drive to its growing lineup of unique flash media.
"The drive is loaded with content to explore. We've more than doubled the bonus content compared to our original Obama drive," noted Jerry Thomson, vice president of marketing at Active Media Products. "This historically important product is offered at a time when the country celebrates its 233 year birthday."
More specifically, the 8GB USB drives comes pre-loaded with 80MB of material ranging from high resolution phots of President Obama and the First Lady, to over two hours of speeches in MP3 format. Also included are several speeches in PDF form.
Both the original 2GB and newer 8GB capacities are available now for $10 and $30, respectively.
NewsKingston Releases First 128GB Flash Thumb Drive
Posted 06/16/09 at 10:07:46 AM by Paul Lilly
Yesterday, the largest USB flash drives on the planet checked in at 64GB. Today, Kingston claims the capacity crown with the release of its DataTraveler 200 (DT200), the world's first 128GB USB flash drive that's twice the capacity of yesterday's biggest thumb drives.
"The new DT200's robust storage capability lets consumers store complete libraries of music, photos, and videos.," said Andrew Ewing, USB business manager at Kingston. "It is also a great tool for business users who carry around large databases or files."
Also available in 32GB and 64GB capacities, the DT200 series boasts read and write speeds of up to 20MB/s and 10MB/s, respectively. Other features include a capless design and password protection.
No word yet on availability, however pricing has been set at $120 (32GB), $213 (64GB), and $546 (128GB). Ouch!
NewsFirst USB 3.0 Controller Chips Released
Posted 05/22/09 at 04:00:41 PM by Paul Lilly
We like where this is going. NEC this week introduced the first USB 3.0 host controller chips for PCs and other digital gadgets, which should help accelerate the technology coming to market.
Checking in at 10X the speed of USB 2.0, NEC's µPD720200 chip ups the data transfer ante to 5Gpbs, while also maintaining full backward compatibility with previous generation USB protocols, NEC promises.
The USB Implementers Forum finalized the specifications for the USB 3.0 standard almost six months ago, which in addition to offering faster data transfer rates, will also provide more power output. That means you'll be able to recharge your MP3 player and other gizmos quicker than before.
Samples of NEC's chip will be available in June for $15 each, with production expect to hit one million units by September.
NewsAwesome Transformer USB Drive is Awesome
Posted 05/21/09 at 09:04:27 AM by Paul Lilly
The last time you saw Ravage, he was transforming from a demon cat into a mini-cassette, but that's no way to lie inconspicuous in the modern era. Not to worry though, because Soundwave's minion has managed to avoid obsolescence by now transforming into a 2GB USB thumb drive.
That's just cool, albeit pricey. You can pre-order the drive now for $43 (ships in September), and toss in another $2 to upgrade to "Collector's Grade,' which guarantees packaging to be 90 percent mint or better. That could come into play when, decades from now, your grandkids ask you what the hell a USB thumb drive is.
NewsWorld's Slimmest Flash Drives Look Like Credit Cards
Posted 05/11/09 at 09:51:22 AM by Paul Lilly
We wouldn't describe today's USB thumb drives as portly, but if you're looking for a way to slim down your flash storage, you could try running over it with a steam roller. We suspect (no, we KNOW) this won't do you any good, so if you absolutely must have a flash drive that will fit in your wallet nestled next to your credit cards, TopTech may be your go-to company. The company today announces the "nationwide availability" of its Slim Data USB Card.
"The Slim Data USB Card, which is available in a variety of colors, enables users to conveniently store and carry digital photos, music, video clips, and other documents in their wallets keeping them available to share with friends or family whenever or wherever the need arises," TopTech Products said in a press release.
TopTech says its ultra slim flash drives weigh less than 9g. So far, capacities for the USB 2.0-capable drives are only offered in 1GB and 4GB flavors, with custom colors beyond the clear, gray, orange, red, and blue currently offered.
The Slim Data USB Card are available now through TopTech Product's website in 4GB form for $28.
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