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Kensington updates DisplayLink universal laptop docks with USB 3.0
Having somewhere to dock your laptop is insanely convenient. Of course, each manufacturer tends to have their own proprietary solution. And usually a different dock is needed for each model. Fun, right? Well, Kensington has their own universal solution that makes the most of the ubiquitous USB port and the unfortunately less ubiquitous DisplayLink. The company unleashed an update to its line of universal laptop docks today that takes advantage of the bonus bandwidth provided by USB 3.0. The Office Dock (sd3500v) and Home Dock (sd3000v) both offer USB 2.0 and 3.0 expansion slots, a gigabit Ethernet port, audio out as well as DVI and VGA ports for plugging in an external monitor. The Office dock ups the ante by supporting 5.1 surround sound via HDMI which, obviously, also gives you an additional video port option. Both are available now world wide, with the Home Dock retailing for $170, while its slightly more premium brother commands a $200 price tag. Check out the PR after the break.
Patents for multi-touch, iPad dock and MacBook Air awarded to Apple
Apple has been awarded several patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, one of which could be valuable ammunition in the flood of intellectual property lawsuits that has been swirling around the company lately. PatentlyApple is reporting that Apple now holds the patents for one of the primary elements of multi-touch; two or more controllers operating in a master/slave configuration. Apple's patent appears to indicate that the company could be interested in licensing the technology (found in most multi-touch devices made by Apple, including the iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, and possibly the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad) to others, as they state that it can be used in ATMs, point of sale systems, e-ticket terminals, and so on. Apple also received a patent for the hinged I/O port and housing that was found on the original MacBook Air models. Even though that hinged port is not on the most recent MacBook Airs, it could be used in future products. The company now has design patents on the iPad dock, on the Universal Dock and Dock Insert, and that slick armband that the company sells for the fifth-generation iPod nano.
Apple patent application details universal iPhone / iPod dock
Don't get your hopes up too much just yet, but it looks like you might one day no longer need to detangle a USB cable or fiddle with a plastic dock adapter the next time you want to charge or sync your iPhone or iPod. That's if this recently revealed patent application for a new type of universal dock from Apple turns into an actual product, at least. The secret to the dock, such as it is, is that the base would be made of an elastic, sponge-like substance that could conform to any device and hold it in place. What's more, the dock would apparently even be able retain the imprint of your device for convenient use next time, and be reset at the push of the button to let you use it with another device -- we're not quite sure how this thing is supposed to hold up a tablet, though.
HP's USB 2.0 Docking Station adds in DisplayLink technology
DisplayLink is most certainly swinging the big wood here at CES, with announcements spanning from Samsung monitors to Acer multimedia docks. Now, it's hooking up with HP for the first time ever in order to introduce the USB 2.0 Docking Station with DisplayLink technology. The universal dock enables laptops to pass through audio, LAN and peripheral connectivity, and of course, it enables the laptop to expand its display onto a USB-enabled monitor without the need for graphics cards and the like. We can't tell you when or where it'll land, but you can have a gander at the read link for other hardware details.
Griffin TuneCenter: Now THAT'S a docking station
Shortly after I bought my 5G iPod, I got a Universal Dock and remote. The dock is...ok. It lets me play my videos, music and photos on a TV, all the while charging my iPod (as long as I spend yet another $20US for a cable, and a wall charger, bringing things to a grand total of $116US). Yet, it seems to lack that Apple flair we all love so much. I want my iPod to act as a media center when connected to my television. At first glance, it looks like the TuneCenter from Griffin Technology may be what I'm after.Viewing photo slide shows and watching videos work as you would expect. It's how the TuneCenter handles your music library that really has my interest. When connected to your TV, the TuneCenter displays track and playlist information. With the included remote, you can navigate your iPod's entire music library, adjust the EQ, set shuffle and repeat preferences, plus the usual play, skip, pause, forward and volume functions. Here's where it gets really cool: the TuneCenter also streams internet radio via your home network, either wirelessly or via ethernet. Again, on-screen navigation lets you select a station. The best part? It costs less than Apple's set up: $99.99US. Better features for less money? Yes, please.Griffin is taking pre-orders now. The TuneCenter will work with the following iPods: 3rd Generation iPod with touch wheel and buttons iPod mini 4th Generation iPod with Click Wheel IPod photo iPod U2 Special Edition 4th Generation iPod with Color Screen iPod nano 5th Generation iPod with Video
