keychain
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Illuminator's first product: the Bevy iPod Shuffle case
Sure, we've seen an iPod Shuffle go mano a mano with a knife-wielding owner, but the first product from Morphie's Illuminator project takes on bumps, drops, and bottle tops with the best of 'em. The aptly-titled Bevy wears a number of hats, the most obvious of which is a dashing 2G Shuffle protective case, but other built-in functions include acting as a key ring, earbud wrap, and bottle opener for when times are desperate. The Illuminator project was unveiled at this year's Macworld, and while hundreds of entries found their way in, this is the first of three winning designs chosen to be produced and sold to the public. The Bevy is currently available for pre-ordering in green, pink, blue, orange, and silver for $15.
Firefox Mac team looking for feedback
For anyone who has ever wished that Firefox did this or that on Mac OS X - get ready to voice your requests and complaints. Jeff Smykil at Ars Technica is reporting that Colin Barrett of the Firefox team has left the door wide open for Mac users to submit requests for the browser, including a short list of things they already know are at the top of many users' lists (some of which are already planned). For example: Native Form Widgets (i.e. - web form buttons that look and feel more like Mac OS X a lá Safari / Camino / OmniWeb) are on the drawing board for Firefox 3, and a Unified toolbar is apparently "not completely hopeless." Performance is of course on the list (is it ever not?), but a big one that this blogger feels is fundamental to any Mac OS X app that deals with passwords also made the list: Keychain integration (Colin - does that count for my request submission?). We of course have 1Passwd, a password and identity manager that (among other things) integrates Firefox with the Mac OS X Keychain, but 1Passwd's $30 price tag understandably sets it outside of most user's budgets (though until Firefox builds this feature in, I definitely recommend 1Passwd as a happy customer). But don't stop there - Colin and the Firefox team want to hear your thoughts on these features, as well as all the others missing from the browser that you simply can't live without. In fact, they want all the email they can get their hands on, so head on over to Colin's blog to get the email address with which you can help make Firefox a better browser for the Mac.
Philips and Swarovski offer up crystal-clad USB drives
It's not like we haven't seen ritzy USB drives before, but we can't say we expected the relatively conservative Philips to join forces with a top name in the glitz industry and kick out a couple of very superfluous devices. Partnering with Swarovski, the duo is loosing the Active Crystals collection of 1GB USB drives (and sparklin' headphones, too) onto the fashion-conscience set, and aside from sporting a variety of crystal-clad exteriors, they're pretty vanilla everywhere else. Of course, we can't imagine these straying too far from the velvet bag you'll surely tote it around in, and using this out in the mad, mad world probably isn't advisable, but you can still make the lady friend in your life joyous by handing her one of these yet-not-priced luxuries come August.[Via ShinyShiny]
Custom Robo Arena keychain screwdriver
Nintendo has made it a point to package the games it sends out for review with a creative gift. Several gaming publications received their copies of Custom Robo Arena today, and were pleased to find their parcels padded with a relevant bonus: a branded keychain that transforms into a set of screwdrivers. Custom Robo Arena lets you customize futuristic robot frames and send them out to holographic arenas for tournament battles. You will be able to upgrade and combine parts for your robot gladiators just like in the original GameCube game. That's where the handy screwdriver comes in! Custom Robo Arena hits stores early next week, so expect to see reviews for the game soon.
Japan is crazy for DS-themed keychains
Seriously, they have got to be with so much keychain crap thrown around in that territory. But we really can't comment, as we do not live there and have never visited. Still though, they aren't the toy capital of the world because they're always peddling junk wares, as exhibited by the very tasteful and highly-desirable keychains pictured above. We have no idea if those game cases actually open up, or if the DS hinges are functional, but we want them nonetheless. What about you?
1Passwd 2.3 brings new UI, folders, 1Click Login Bookmarks and more to browser keychain tool
1Passwd from Agile Web Solutions is one of those browser addons that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, as if its developers had an epiphany while laying in a field of not-too-prickly grass on a perfectly warm, sunny day, asking themselves: "how can we make the world a better place?" Which browser does 1Passwd work with, you ask? Why, just about all of them. This password and identity manager integrates with nearly every major Mac OS X browser, including Safari, Firefox, Camino and OmniWeb, as well as DEVONagent and even NetNewsWire, to bring Keychain nirvana and multiple identity autofill to website forms (that's right: Firefox can use the Keychain, thanks to 1Passwd). In other words: it's an über-Keychain for your browsers, allowing you to stop caring about which one you're using, where you saved that forum's password or how you're going to fill out the umpteenth store registration. And as you might have guessed from my introduction: I kind of like 1Passwd, and a recent upgrade to v2.3 offers even more to rave about.Most noticeably, the new version ushers in a fresh new UI, shedding the old 'n busted brushed metal for the unified look that's all the craze with 3rd party developers and lovers of good-looking software. Don't be fooled though; the new features are far more than skin deep. Folders and smart folders are now in full effect, allowing for more flexible organization of your unruly collection of logins. Another really slick new feature is 1Click Login Bookmarks, which allow you to save a bookmark with specific login credentials - perfect for sites at which you have multiple credentials. Goodbye, tedious logging in/out all day!Plenty of other new and updated features are detailed in this blog post, and many of 1Passwd's major features, such as Firefox integration and Palm/Treo syncing, have screenshots or video demonstrations on its product page (scroll down for all the goods). A demo is available, while a single license costs a mere $30, with a 3-license family pack for $40.
A keychain for pictures that drives with you ...
If your wallet is bulging with dozens of pictures of your pets (or kids, whatever you want to call 'em), leaving an impression in your back pocket and an unnatural curve in your spine, you should probably consider Matsunichi's Photoblitz PV110 digital photo keychain. Capable of storing 56 images for display on its 1.1" OLED screen, the unit connects and charges through USB2. Our best idea? Store a picture of your car to help would-be thieves steal your wheels.
US Modular shoves a pen and flashlight into its Handy Drive
We've seen some fairly multifaceted flash drives in our day, but US Modular's Handy Drive gets bonus points for including two things that actually are, well, handy. Aside from looking like your run-of-the-mill jump drive with a keyring on it, this unit sports a built-in flashlight and ink pen for those times when carrying around a Bic / Maglite combo just isn't feasible. With capacities ranging from 128MB all the way up to 4GB, this could be the perfect gift for that "tool guy" who already owns the entire Craftsman collection, and prices start at just $19.99.[Via Macworld]
1Passwd 2.0 available, free update for current users
My favorite password and form manager, 1Passwd from Agile Web Solutions, has been given a nice update from version 1.5 to version 2.0. As a registered user I appreciate that there's no charge for this update, even though it's a major update and not a minor tweak. The authors have even stated there won't be a charge for the Leopard-compatible update when the time comes, thanks in part to the support they've received from sites like MacUpdate, VersionTracker and iUseThis. The free major upgrades are their way of saying "Thanks" to the community that has helped them build and improve their app. 1Passwd is a password manager and form-filler for Mac OS X that allows multiple identities, generates strong passwords, integrates with the OS X Keychain and most browsers (Safari, Firefox, Camino, Shiira, Flock and now OmniWeb and DevonAgent), and also integrates with .Mac so you can sync your passwords and forms across multiple systems. It's like the OS X keychain on steroids and with an emphasis on web forms and better integration. I've been using it for a few months now and I've come to rely on it heavily. Version 2's most notable feature addition is the new Secure Notes feature - which I don't have too much use for personally, but it's nice to know it's there! Additional features include: Added 1Passwd extension for DEVONagent 2.0.3. Added 1Passwd extension for OmniWeb 5.5. Added Import of RoboForm Safenotes. Updated About window to include code attribution and hide registration info by default. Fixed UTF8 encoding problems in Firefox extension. Fixed problem emptying the Trash with Identity records. There are also several changes to the user interface, including a trash can for deleted entries in case you change your mind or delete the wrong entry by mistake. There are even more features coming in future 2.x updates, but the developers felt it was important to push these features out the door now so that OmniWeb and DevonAgent users could enjoy 1Passwd rather than make everyone wait a few more weeks for the kitchen sink. You can read more about the new features planned on their blog.There's a free version which is fully functional but limits the number of saved forms and identities to saved forms and identities to 12 and 1, respectively. The registered version costs $29.99 or $39.99 for a family license (up to 3 users in the same household) and there's a 30-day, 100% refund guarantee. Go ahead and give it a try - you really have nothing to lose!
Is that a working Atari joystick in your pocket...
Tired of consoles that take up valuable entertainment center real estate? How about one that fits on your keychain instead? A new line of miniature Atari 2600 joysticks and paddles actually hook up to your TV to play built-in games. The mini-systems, which include two or three classic Atari games each, hook up to a TV through a six-foot RCA cord and external AAA battery pack.We wonder how playable these games are on such small controllers, but just the idea of a TV console that fits in your pocket intrigues us. Now if we could only get a pocket sized Intellivision, we'd really be in business.[Via Random Good Stuff]
Atari controller "keychains" -- with games
While its merits as a keychain are questionable (not to mention potentially painful), these officially-licensed Atari game-on-a-controller units from Basic Fun should prove to be geek catnip for anyone who remembers the good old days when game consoles were wood-paneled and had switches for black-and-white or color. The familiar 2600 joystick model is available in two variations, one with Asteroids and Millipede and one with Centipede and Yar's Revenge, while the paddle gives you Pong along with Breakout and Warlords -- although if the reviews are any indication you shouldn't expect completely faithful versions of the games. Each unit will set you back about $15, which includes the six foot RCA cable for connecting it to a TV (yeah, you gotta remember to tote that along with your keychain), but not the three AA batteries required to power it.Read - Design Kitten ReviewRead - Basic Fun[Via Uber-Review]
How do I reset my Keychain password?
Yesterday I was singing the praises of Keychain, and I still stand by my assessment. Keychain is a key feature of OS X that makes it stand apart from Windows. But what happens if you forget your Keychain password? You know, the password that lets you access all your other, heavily encrypted data?That is exactly what happened to one poor soul who put the question to the MetaFilter community. It isn't as bad as forgetting your FileVault password, however, the sad truth of the matter is that you're going to have to generate yourself a new Keychain folder and starting from scratch. I know it sucks, but that is the price we pay for security. If you are in the same situation check out the MetaFilter discussion for the steps you need to take.
Password Manager roundup
We all have tons and tons of usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers that we need to remember. Luckily, OS X has a great utility, that is under appreciated, commonly called the Keychain that'll store all of that info for you securely.For a single user Keychain is great, but what if you need to share these passwords amongst a group like in an IT shop? Nirlog.com has a great roundup of several Mac only and cross platform apps that'll help you out.
PlusID by Privaris does biometric security on a fob
If you, or your employees, are getting sick of carrying an ever-growing array of passwords and keycards, Privaris is hoping they have a solution for you. The plusID system uses biometrics to read your fingerprint -- not your face, brain or heart -- with fobs that communicate via RFID with many existing security systems, such as HID, Indala and Kantech. The plusID75, which begins shipping in August, is USB and Bluetooth compatible, uses a "tamper-resistant secure processor" that stores data right on the device rather than in a centralized database and will go about 1,000 uses before needing a recharge. A lower-end model, the plusID60, also appears to be available on the product page, lacking in the Bluetooth and one-time password implementation, presumably so it'll take up less budget space. Of course we'll still have our reservations about transmitting sensitive data with these, at least until we've heard some reviews -- or the CIA starts using them to get into their underground labs, or better yet, their guns.
V-Phone: Vonage gets in the game
If you've been hankerin' for some Vonage-flavored VoIP-on-a-stick then listen up friend, because that sweet, cheap, SIP goodness is on the way. Announced by Vonage's very own Jeffrey Citron while on-stage at the TechEffect Convergence 2.0 show, this little red USB keychain can be plugged into any Internet connected PC for Vonage customers to make calls on the go. More details are expected this week but from the looks of that pic, we'll guess the device will feature an integrated mic and good ol' standard 3.5-mm jack for some hot headset-on-stick action. Yeah, not exactly a first, or even a distant second in this game but let's stay tuned anyway to see how Vonage plans to lead follow this Internet phone revolution.
Sights and sounds of retro Famicom keychains
For the price of $13.50 you can get a keychain featuring cool, retro blocky graphic coupled with a miniature Famicom controller that makes character-relevant sound effects, like this especially obnoxious one from Ice Climber (wav).I couldn't imagine having one of these in my pocket, repeating that sound effect ad nauseum every time something hit the "A" button; the pixelated portion is aces though.[Via GameBrink]
Open letter to Mozilla: Where Firefox goes wrong on OS X
Firefox, inarguably, is one of the coolest browsers available and a necessity if you're using Windows. On OS X however, I've been on the fence during Firefox's existence as there are a number of ways that Firefox and Mozilla have gone wrong and ruined the browser's user experience.First up is Mozilla's directory of addons. Useful as they may be, these sites are still clunky as you have to always have to adjust what you're searching for - even when you're already browsing a specific section. Further, with the mountain of extensions and themes piling up, there really needs to be a way of limiting what addons you see to the version of Firefox you're using. Before I found Foxmarks, I was browsing the addons directory for a bookmark synchronizing extension, and Bookmark Synchronizer kept appearing in the results, even though it only works with Firefox 1.0. While this frustrates me, I'm sure it's even more confusing for all those users out there who can barely tell the difference between Firefox and Internet Explorer.Next on the list is Firefox's lack of OS X-ability. While Windows XP is lagging behind with barely 20th century technology (hence the need for things like Firefox's password management), OS X already has a bunch of goodies baked in - like the Keychain and universal spell checking - that Firefox really needs to take advantage of. Virtually all other OS X apps place application and web passwords in OS X's Keychain, a centralized resource the whole OS can use. One merely needs to copy the keychain database file (and know its password, of course) in order to back up a record of all the passwords they need to remember. Throw in .Mac service which can effortlessly sync your Keychain (amongst other things) with multiple Macs and you'll be on the next level of synchronization heaven. Let's also not forget OS X's built in, universal spell checking engine which offers a simple keyboard shortcut for a pop-up definition window. In other browsers like Safari, OmniWeb and even Camino, there are no plugins or extensions needed to gain any of these essential 21st century computing features.So please, Mozilla, answer the call of us Firefox fans who are hoping for a more OS X-ified and more powerful version of your most fantastic of browsers. Mac users everywhere will thank you, and I bet we'd even buy a few tshirts too.
