Usb2.0 -- Engadget

Usb2.0 posts

WD unveils new My Books with e-paper, while My Passport shrinks even further

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 6th 2009 at 10:23AM

Good news for hardcore portable storage buffs: looks like Western Digital is taking a hint from Verbatim and putting an e-paper display on its My Book Elite and My Book Studio portable hard drives, offering the device's label and free space up-front, perfect for those of us juggling multiple portable storage devices. In addition, both offer WD SmartWare, 256-bit hardware-based encryption, and are available in capacities ranging from 500GB to 2TB. My Book Studio (formatted for Mac and sportin' a FireWire 800 interface) ranges from $149.99 to $299.99 depending on size, while My Book Elite (with a USB 2.0 interface and NTFS formatting) will run you anywhere from $169.99 to $279.99.

If what you're looking for however, is the company's "smallest drive to date," check out My Passport Elite. Featuring a USB dock, illuminated capacity gauge, a secure "drive lock" indicator, and that 256-bit hardware-based encryption, this bad boy is sports up to 640GB storage (which will run you $169.99). This one is available in one of three "metallic" colors -- Metallic Red, Metallic Blue, or Charcoal Metallic. Sadly, the company hasn't yet teamed up with MusicSkins for a Metallica skin -- but our fingers are crossed.

Read - My Book Studio
Read - My Book Elite
Read - My Passport Elite

Exclusive: Apple dictated Light Peak creation to Intel, could begin migration from other standards as early as 2010

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 26th 2009 at 5:02PM

Remember how Intel showed off its new, advanced optical standard -- Light Peak -- this past week on a Hackintosh? Well it turns out there's more to that story than you probably know, and it all leads back to some revealing facts about the connection... literally and figuratively. Engadget has learned -- thanks to an extremely reliable source -- that not only is Apple complicit in the development of Light Peak, but the company actually brought the concept to Intel and asked them to create it. More to the point, the new standard will play a hugely important role in upcoming products from Cupertino.

Continue reading Exclusive: Apple dictated Light Peak creation to Intel, could begin migration from other standards as early as 2010

USB iriscope is just what you need for your next date

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 26th 2009 at 12:28PM

When you simply have $120.69-too-much in your bank account, you can thank Uxsight for being there. You may already be entertaining guests with your variety of USB endoscopes, but to really make the picture complete (pun only slightly intended), you're going to want this succulent USB iriscope. That's right, now you can peer deeply, digtally into the eyes of your... er, "clients" (their words, not ours) as you check their health and generally freak everyone out. When you're done, you can "compare the irises pictures when your client comes back to see their progress." Now, we don't know exactly what kind of procedure you're going to be performing on said clients, but you'll finally have a way to show them just what kind of mess you've made. We think Uxsight says it best about their product: "Natural image, attractive or charming." Who can argue with that kind of logic?

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

Verbatim InSight USB drives display name, free space even when disconnected

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 17th 2009 at 9:58AM

Verbatim, a name we mostly come across when looking for blank DVDs, has announced its new line of InSight portable USB hard drives. The storage devices are diminutive (weighing less than 6 ounces, measuring 6-inches in length), are being billed as "sleek" and "durable" with their fetching "piano black" finish (and who are we to disagree?), and are available in capacities of 320GB or 500GB. But the attention grabber here is the Always On display, which is -- you guessed it -- always on, displaying the drive name and available free space, even when disconnected from the computer. Available now for $119.99 for the 320GB or $149.99 for the 500GB. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Verbatim InSight USB drives display name, free space even when disconnected

Buffalo adds 16GB microSD card / reader to its line of incredibly small USB memory

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 7th 2009 at 1:29PM

We've seen Buffalo shrink USB drives down to preposterous sizes in the recent past, and now the company is throwing a microSD card reader into the mix. Available for ¥15,500.00 (that's $160, give or take) this guy stores 16GB internally, is available in both colors -- black AND white -- and would be right at home in any of your computer's favorite USB 2.0 ports. And just to get you started, this bad boy includes a 16GB card microSD card. How sweet is that?

[Via OhGizmo!]

Buffalo HDS-PH500U2 gives you 500GB of rugged, encrypted storage

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 6th 2009 at 5:29AM

Buffalo's MiniStation DataVault series of drives is focused on data protection, from hackers and clumsy owners alike, with features like automatic full disk encryption and ruggedized shock-resistant design. The latest model, identified in Japan by the dry alphanumeric title you see above, sticks to the security-centric formula but bumps the storage to a sweet 500GB. ¥23,200 ($244) will be enough to snag the USB-powered 5,400RPM device in mid-August, and a prompt US / European release also seems highly likely. Judging by what's already available in the US, you can expect a three year warranty plus preloaded auto-backup software and mobile versions of Firefox and Thunderbird for avoiding the scourge of IE wherever you may roam.

[Via PC Watch]

Wireless USB 2.0 to dawn on the Japanese horizon?

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 17th 2009 at 1:03AM

Japanese researchers at KDDI have spliced two technologies that didn't seem to have much of a future in the wireless realm -- USB and Infrared -- and come up with a method for achieving transmission speeds of up to 1Gbps. Their innovation is in overcoming a latency problem that until now prevented USB 2.0 transmissions from being converted into Infrared signals and then back into electronic form. While still very early in the development and standardization process, this is a tantalizing premise, especially with ever-increasing storage capacities in portable devices. The new communication medium, which admittedly sounds a lot like irSimple, will be demonstrated for the first time at the Wireless Japan 2009 exhibition later this month, but we wouldn't hold out hope for an imminent release.

Seagate unleashes three new BlackArmor storage devices for small business, road warriors, mercenaries

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jun 22nd 2009 at 12:46PM

Looks like the storage freaks at Seagate are back on the scene with yet another array of BlackArmor devices for securing all that precious data of yours. First up: for the small business types, the NAS 220 storage server sports 4TB of shared storage capacity for up to 20 PCs. If that's not your cup of tea, the WS 110 is an external (USB 2.0 or eSATA) drive available in capacities up to 2TB. Lastly (but not leastly) the PS 110 is a 500GB portable drive perfect for road warriors and the like, sporting a thin form factor (12.5mm). All devices include automated full-system backup, SafetyDrill+, and AES 256-bit government-grade encryption. Both the BlackArmor WS 110 ($159.99 for 1TB or $309.99 for 2TB) and the BlackArmor PS 110 ($159.99 for 500GB) are available now. The BlackArmor NAS 220 will hit the shelves in late July ($449.99 for 2TB or $699.99 for 4TB). Full PR after the break.

Gallery: Seagate unleashes three new BlackArmor storage devices for small business, road warriors, mercenaries

Continue reading Seagate unleashes three new BlackArmor storage devices for small business, road warriors, mercenaries

Fish USB Hub looks like something the cat dragged in

by Laura June posted Mar 13th 2009 at 4:59AM

It's cute, it's useful, you're totally going to want one! Well, maybe not, but the Fish Shape 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub still could make your life a little cooler if you're in the market for a USB hub. It's purple, the eyes are LEDs, and it's sure to be boatloads of fun -- as long as you keep it out of Heathcliff's way, that is. Really, what more could you ask for? This little dude can be yours for a mere $10.99.

Data Copy and Internet Connection Sharing dongle explains itself

by Darren Murph posted Feb 25th 2009 at 6:51AM

Every so often, one of these off-the-wall USB peripherals really does do something worth clapping about. Today, we're taking a look at one such outlier in the driver-free USB 2.0 Data Copy and Internet Connection Sharing Dongle. While not fancy in design, this here device sure promises a lot. For starters, it enables data transfers between PCs to be handled easily and efficiently, but the real kicker is its ability to give the second computer the option of siphoning internet from the first. Sure, there are more legitimate ways of sharing one's signal, but when you're in pinch, who has time to fiddle with the Networking control panel? It's just $29, and it could save your life. Think about it.

Continue reading Data Copy and Internet Connection Sharing dongle explains itself

LaCie CurrenKey flash drive is like funny money, minus the laughs

by Laura June posted Dec 2nd 2008 at 2:12AM

We've seen plenty of cute flash drives in our day, but this one that looks like spare change -- you know, cold, hard, days of yore currency -- well, let's just say this USB 2.0 drive is like heaven on earth. You can get it in an 8GB silver "dime" size, or the 4GB copper "penny" variation for a starting price of $19.99. Come to think of it, you might want to stock up just in case our economy utterly fails and we actually start using these as you know, money.

[Via Chip Chick]

Belkin Switch-to-Mac Cable automatically switches you to Mac, gives you a high-five

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 12th 2008 at 5:04PM

PC-to-Mac USB file-transfer cables and migration utilities have been out for a while, but Belkin's out today with a new take on the idea it says makes the transition "as seamless as possible." We're guessing that has more to do with the Switch-to-Mac Cable's bundled software than the dongle itself -- Belkin's custom Migration Assistant (not the OS X assistant) automatically transfers your media, files, and internet prefs, leaving you free to try on mock turtlenecks and practice your air of quiet superiority. Should be out soon for $50.

ACARD's dual 2.5-inch RAID enclosure is slim, hungry for power

by Joshua Topolsky posted May 1st 2008 at 4:16PM

If you're looking for an odd, yet usable storage solution, perhaps ACARD's Mirror Smart Mini is the thing for you. The device uses two 2.5-inch SATA drives side by side in a small enclosure; the drives can be mapped as a hardware-based RAID 1 array, or can be used as separate devices. The aluminum casing plugs into your system using USB 2.0, but unfortunately requires an AC adapter for power, thus making it slightly less awesome than we want it to be. Regardless, if you're moving around a lot and need a backup option, you might have found your $69 answer.

[Via Everything USB]

IOGEAR intros Dual-Link DVI KVMP switch alongside two others

by Darren Murph posted Apr 29th 2008 at 11:14PM

Eager to get busy with multiple workstations on a single monitor, are you? If so, IOGEAR's providing three more ways to get you there, starting with the 2-port GCS1802 and 4-port GCS1804. The $199.95 / $299.95 KVMP (Keyboard, Video, Mouse, Peripheral) switches each enable USB 2.0 peripherals to be shared, and you'll also find support for 2.1 audio. The real winner, however, is the 4-port GCS1204, which handles dual-link DVI with nary a grumble. Granted, that one will set you back a stiff $449.95, but at least it -- along with those other two -- is available right now.

Bluetrek's Bizz Bluetooth headset improves your memory

by Joshua Topolsky posted Feb 27th 2008 at 2:33PM

Finally someone has combined the two things we love most -- Bluetooth headsets and microSD storage -- into one, sweet package. Enter the Bluetrek Bizz, a marriage of seemingly disparate products that actually kind of makes sense. On the headset side, you get up to seven hours of talk time, ten days on standby, and a customizable color panel. When you crack it open, you've got direct USB 2.0 connectivity, as well as a slot for a microSD card up to 8GB. You can charge the headset directly from any USB port, thus making your efforts to keep it at the ready a little bit easier. The headset weighs around 10 grams, and is slated in sell for around £40 (or roughly $80). Check out the totally jazzed-up video after the break to see what it's all about.

[Via Mobility Site]

Continue reading Bluetrek's Bizz Bluetooth headset improves your memory